Chinese Export Armchairs
Expanded trade between Europe and East Asia, starting in the 16th century, led to a booming market for exported goods, particularly furniture. This was bolstered by the establishment of the Dutch and English East India Companies at the beginning of the 17th century. From folding screens and chairs to lacquer tables and silver, Chinese Export furniture was in demand and regularly copied and imitated, leading to styles like chinoiserie and Chinese Chippendale.
The expansion of exporting that had strengthened the arts during the Ming dynasty continued into the Qing dynasty era — Chinese designers made many furniture pieces specifically for export, resulting in distinctive designs that mixed traditional techniques with forms appealing to foreign buyers. For instance, cabinetmakers in Canton (modern-day Guangzhou) were prolific in crafting hardwood furniture for export in European styles that involved the expert joinery techniques of Chinese furniture. Designs for Chinese Export porcelain, cabinets, decorative objects and other furniture were often more ornately adorned than they would be for a local audience, such as with mother-of-pearl overlays or surfaces featuring lavish pictorial scenes or gold on black motifs. Some were even commissioned by wealthy European families to be adorned with their coat of arms.
Because lacquer furniture was especially prized, and the resin used to create it was difficult to import as it would harden during the long voyage, artisans in China and Japan exported numerous lacquer pieces. Long before lacquer made its way to Japan, the Chinese treated the material differently. They used it to create smooth, glossy surfaces, but also for carving, an art that began in the 12th century and is exclusively Chinese. These pieces are called cinnabar lacquer after the powdered mercury sulfide (cinnabar) employed to produce their characteristic red hue. A popular form for export was a compact cabinet with drawers, usually displayed on a small table. Undecorated furniture built in Europe was also shipped to China to be lacquered. The international exchange of design would influence furniture into the 19th century and later, informing styles such as Art Deco and Art Nouveau.
Find a collection of antique Chinese Export tables, beds, cupboards, table lamps and more furniture on 1stDibs.
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
1960s Austrian Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Export Armchairs
Bamboo, Cane, Natural Fiber
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Bamboo
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Hardwood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Elm
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Porcelain, Hardwood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood, Elm
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Export Armchairs
Bamboo, Cane, Plastic
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Hardwood
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Walnut
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
1960s Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Rosewood
1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Elm
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Beech, Bentwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Walnut
20th Century Asian Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Elm
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Elm
1960s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Bamboo, Rattan
1980s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Export Armchairs
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
20th Century American Chinese Export Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Down
20th Century Chinese Export Armchairs
Cane, Rattan
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Ceramic
1980s Unknown Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Rattan, Bamboo
1980s Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Fabric, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Export Armchairs
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
20th Century American Chinese Export Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
1960s Austrian Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Armchairs
Bamboo, Hardwood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Rosewood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Fabric, Bamboo, Wood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Armchairs
Mohair, Foam, Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer, Upholstery
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Armchairs
Hardwood