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.
$419Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Window Panels Wall Arts - a Pair
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a pair of Chinese antique Open Carved interior wooden Window Screen Panels. It features beautiful open carved Chinese traditional folk art design on it and some detailed deco...
Wood
$3,285Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Antique Chinese Handcraft 5 Panels Wooden Screen / Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 115 1/2"H x 19 1/2"W x 2"D each All together: 97 in W Origin: Shan Xi, China Circa: 1850 Material: Elm wood Condition: Original finished, very good condition. hand made, hand ...
Elm
Antique Chinese Hand Painted Porcelain Panels -Wall Hanging, set o 4
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of four Chinese wall plaques featuring hand-painted porcelain inlays. Each panel is meticulously crafted with a hand-carved hardwood frame. Each of the four rectangular...
Porcelain, Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Rosewood Door Panel with Samurai Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Century) rosewood and brass inlaid framed rounded top door panel with carved and gilt trimmed Samuri figure.
Brass
$400 / set
H 48 in W 24 in D 0.25 in
Early 20C Hand Painted Medium Sized Ceiling or Wall Panels by Nena Claiborne
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a unique set of early 20c hand painted medium sized ceiling or wall panels by Nena Claiborne. Art Nouveau/Deco Era hand-painted ceiling or w...
Boxwood
Folding Screen Room Divider in Solid Mahogany
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this folding screen made in solid frames of mahogany wood with brass details, circa 1950.
Mahogany
Pair of 19th Century French Doors with Wrought Iron Panels
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of stunning stripped 19th century French doors with wrought iron, featuring bold molded detail framing the lower panels as well as the intricate wrought iron inserts, which open...
Wrought Iron
$6,740 / set
H 110.24 in W 51.19 in D 1.38 in
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Double Doors, Set of 3
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Rare set consisting of 3 identical French Art Nouveau double doors from around 1900. Unrestored condition. Solidly made of pine wood in frame construction with 3 panels each and p...
Pine
$2,495 / set
H 33.5 in W 25 in D 1.25 in
Italian Antique Architectural Wrought Iron Grill Painted Wood Wall Panel Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of early 19th century European ornamental hand forged wrought iron grill framed wooden panels in the original parcel-gilt and paint finish. Italy, circa 1820 Vertical recta...
Wrought Iron
Reclaimed 19th century French Provincial Boiserie Panel
Located in Mckinney, TX
A striking mid-19th century French boiserie panel with original pale olive green paint, delicately worn over time to reveal subtle undertones beneath. The carved frame features gra...
Wood
Antique Asian Architectural Relief Carved Stone Frieze Panel
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional architectural high relief hand carved stone band of running scroll decoration frieze panel, with beautiful scrollwork, representing wind or water, and mythological creature, perhaps a dragon or grotesque griffin. The characters in the center may be Asian hieroglyphs (Japanese kanji). The top side has a dovetail joinery cutout from where it would have attached and fit into place before cementing it in place. 19th century or earlier. This antique architectural salvage building element is a beautiful and artful display of history, and a quick way to add texture, character, rustic charm and interest. Will make a wonderful decorative object within your home or office. Provenance: Personal property of Genshiro Kawamoto. A Japanese real estate billionaire and avid art collector who owned numerous multi-million dollar properties in Hawaii and was building one of the most expensive homes in Hawaii prior to his tax evasion arrest, followed by prison sentence in Japan. He had bought multiple properties to convert into museums in order to display his personal decorative arts collection, but due to his legal and financial problems, his items were all auctioned...
Stone
Ron Seff Goatskin Lacquered Screen or Room Divider
By Ron Seff
Located in Miami, FL
Ron Seff goatskin lacquered screen or room divider with four hinged panels. Measures : Each panel is 72 inches High and 18 inches wide.
Brass
Set of Nine Antique Victorian Hand-Carved Oak Panels
Located in Suffolk, GB
A fine and complete set of nine matching hand-carved antique oak panels dating from the late Victorian period. Each panel is beautifully worked in solid English oak, carved in deep r...
Oak
Art Nouveau Pink Velvet Wall Panel
Located in Queens, NY
Art Nouveau stripped wall panel with pink velvet inset backing and carved floral filigree design.
Velvet, Wood
Large Antique Oak Wall Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A single large antique oak wall panel salvaged from a British church. It dates from the early 1900s during the Victorian era and features solid oak construction with a rich warm wood...
Wood, Oak
Metal and Rattan Screen or Room Divider from England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This screen from England skillfully combines a metal frame designed to mimic bamboo with intricately woven rattan panels. The unique blend of materials and design creates an airy and...
Metal
19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Window Panel/Wall Arts
Located in Pomona, CA
This Chinese Qing Dynasty period large carved Cypress wood interior window panel from the late 19th century, with fretwork design and Chinese Opera figures at center, Created in Chin...
Cypress
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H 47 in W 14.25 in D 1 in
Pair of Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Painted Porcelain Panels -Wall Hangin
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of 2 panels Chinese antique Painted Porcelain Panels. They were hand made and hand painted. It features beautiful detailed open carved Ch...
Porcelain, Wood
19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Window Panel/Wall Arts
Located in Pomona, CA
This Chinese Qing Dynasty period large carved elm wood interior window panel from the late 19th century, with fretwork design, Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the later y...
Wood
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H 5.5 in W 34.5 in D 1.25 in
19th Century Chinese 3d Carving Wood Panel Hanging Architectural Element
Located in Pomona, CA
This antique Chinese wood carving panel has very deep 3D carving works of Chinese folks art - Chinese Opera with gilt. Very detailed carving...
Wood
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H 5.5 in W 5.5 in D 2 in
Early 20th Century Chinese 3d Carving Wood Panel Hanging Architectural Element
Located in Pomona, CA
These pair of 2 antique Chinese wood carving panels have very deep 3D carving works of Chinese folks art - Chinese Opera with gilt. Very det...
Wood
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H 7.25 in W 33 in D 1.25 in
19th Century Chinese 3d Carving Wood Panel Hanging Architectural Element
Located in Pomona, CA
This antique Chinese wood carving panel has very deep 3D carving works of Chinese folks art - Chinese Opera with gilt. Very detailed carving...
Wood
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H 111 in W 128 in D 2.5 in
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Hand Carved 6 Panels Wooden Screen/Room Divide
Located in Pomona, CA
A set of six Chinese Qing Dynasty period large carved wood interior door panels from the late 19th century, with fretwork design, Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the late...
Wood
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H 36 in W 12 in D 1 in
Early 20th Century, Chinese Rosewood Wall Panels with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of 4 Chinese rosewood panels with mother of pearl inlay. They were hand made and hand crafted. It features beautiful detailed Chinese traditional craftswoman works of four season MOP inlay on the panels. Look at the pictures, you can see that these four panels decorated in sequence of Spring...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood