Chinese Export Stools
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.
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools
Hardwood, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Porcelain, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Marble
Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Stools
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools
Elm
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Stools
Wood, Elm
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Stools
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Elm
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
1960s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Stools
Majolica, Terracotta
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools
Copper, Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Hardwood
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools
Padouk
1980s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Stools
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Stools
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chinese Export Stools
Wood
Early 2000s American Chinese Export Stools
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Chinese Export Stools
Wood
2010s American Chinese Export Stools
Wood
20th Century Ivorian Chinese Export Stools
Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Ceramic, Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Chinese Export Stools
Bamboo
Late 20th Century Chinese Export Stools
Wicker, Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Wood
Mid-20th Century Macedonian Chinese Export Stools
Wood, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Stools
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Enamel
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Stools
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Pottery
Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Stools
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools
Terracotta