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.
$1,499Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Hand-Carved Mahogany Chinese Export Humidor
Located in Lomita, CA
A "remarkable" hand carved mahogany humidor box according to the appraiser has detailed carving of junk boats and temples, and recalls Victoria Harbor ...
Mahogany
$1,356Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Export Silver Cigar Box by Hung Chong & Co.
Located in Savannah, GA
Sterling silver cigar box marked Hung Chong (or Cheong) & Co., silversmiths & retailers, Canton, China, circa 1860-1930. Classic intertwined ...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
The burgundy / brown lacquer is decorated with gold depicting figures and buildings in a landscape. The caddy stands on four carved wooden feet in the shape of claws. The interior contains a single pewter canister...
Paper
Late 19th Century English Oak Octagonal Humidor with Silver Mounts
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century English Oak Octagonal Humidor With Silver Mounts. Complex octagonal form with moldings and silvered brass fittings. The base supported by small bun feet, two ring h...
Silver Plate
19th Century Dog House Cigar Box or Humidor
Located in San Francisco, CA
Charming 19th Century cigar box or humidor guarded by a metal dog with glass eyes on a short lease. These boxes are perfect for collectors of boxes...
Metal
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 8.75 in D 6 in
19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Decorated Tea Caddy Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese for the English market, 19th century. A fine quality antique Chinese export tea caddy decorated with beautiful gilding surfaces, a hinged lid which opens to reveal a tooled ...
Pewter
$1,600
H 6.5 in W 14 in D 10 in
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Sewing Box With Carved Bone Contents
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A richly decorated early 19th century Chinese export sewing or work box in black lacquer, detailed throughout with intricate gilt landscapes and figures. The interior retains a full ...
Brass
Chinese Export Black Lacquer Game Box
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular hinged shaped top enclosing small trays. Conforming case with gilded feet.
Lacquer
$825
H 6.25 in W 12.5 in D 9 in
Antique Regency Chinese Export Lacquer Handpainted Work Sewing Writing Box 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality antique Regency period Chinese Export Lacquer Work Sewing Box, Circa 1820. The box having a hinged lid that is sumptuously decorated with a gilded design of Imperial...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Humidor
Located in Huntington, NY
American circa 1890 humidor.
Brass
Vintage solid brass and jade Chinese export trinket box
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a solid brass ornately decorated Chinese made trinket box. This trinket box has four medallions on each corner of the top with a center medallion that has a carved jade inset...
Brass
$1,511
H 10.24 in W 9.85 in D 7.88 in
Rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century cigar box / humidor with dog hand-carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A distinguished 19th-century Swiss cigar box, exquisitely hand-carved and finished on all sides with dense, interlacing floral and foliate motifs characteristic of the finest Black F...
Wood
19th-Century Chinese Export Black and Gilt Lacquer Wood Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
There are small, decorative wood boxes from many cultures. Some are ideal for holding hand sewing tools. Others, equipped with a lock, like this example, might hold those bulky bangl...
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Chinese Export Silver Box Circa 1880
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver box; an addition to our collection of Chinese silverware. This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) box has a plain rectangular form. The surface of the body is encompassed with exceptional chased oriental Chinese dragon designs amidst clouds, all on a matte background; each panel bears a plain and unembellished border. This antique silver box is fitted with a hinged silver cover, bearing a continuation of cloud ornamentation to the side panels. The upper plateau of the cover is ornamented with two further dragon designs accented with impressive emanating whiskers, incorporating a circular vacant cartouche to the centre. By virtue of its size this versatile box could be used for a multitude of functions. The box features a solid silver base which is plain and unembellished, apart from the feature hallmarks; a solid silver base is a sign of quality. The hallmarks struck to the underside of this antique Chinese box...
Silver
Antique Chinese Export Silver Cigar Case
By Wing Nam & Co
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver cigar case; part of our diverse Asian silverware collection This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) ci...
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Humidor on Stand
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual Chinese Export silver and glass humidor. Silver with repoussè and engraved dragon motif. clear glass liner is believed to be original. Illegible makers mark on the inside...
Silver
1890s Antique Chinese Export Silver Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver double skin box; an addition to our range of silver boxes and cases. This magnificent antique Chinese silver box has a plain rectangular form. The surface of the body is encompassed with two applied oriental Chinese water dragon designs amidst undulating waves, all accented with a planished finished background. This silver cigarette box is fitted with a solid silver hinged cover and embellished with further planished ornamentation. The top of the cover of the box is ornamented with an embossed and chased large coiling fire breathing dragon design. The interior of this impressive box is fitted with a bespoke velvet lining. This antique Chinese box...
Silver