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.
Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest, Jewellery Casket
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental carved camphor wood chest, jewellery casket. This beautiful carved chest is made from camphor wood, for those of you who...
Wood
Mid-Century Chinese Hand-Painted Chest with Exotic Birds, Circa 1955
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Mid-Century small rectangular hinged chest with metal latch and two side ring handles, hand painted featuring two exotic birds (depicted on the top and front), pine, berries,...
Wood
Antique Chinese Brass Box with Jade Medallion
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Chinese brass decorative box with Jade Medallion. This stunning Chinese export brass box features a beautiful etched bat design with a central c...
Jade, Brass
Mid-Century Chinese Wooden Scenic Design Carved Hinge Top Box
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century Chinese carved wooden box featuring an elaborate scenic design with a hinged top and brass closure hardware. (Stamped HUNG HOP CHEST CO. HONG...
Metal, Brass
20th Century Chinese Lacquered Box, Black Wood with Red Flowers
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style rectangular black lacquered wood box, with raised lacquered red flowers
Lacquer
Chinese Export Black Lacquer Game Box
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular box with lid opening to game boxes. conforming case. Very good condition for this kind of piece.
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Export Black Leather Box On Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular box with brass tacks and hinged lid set in a brass base.
Brass
Chinese Silversmith, Lidded Jar / Box Richly Decorated in Relief, Approx. 1900
Located in København, Copenhagen
Chinese silversmith. Lidded jar richly decorated in relief with flowers and ornaments. China approx. 1900. Stamped with Chinese characters. In excellent condition with traces of u...
Silver
$550Sale Price|42% Off
Magical Old Chinese Box in Faded Cinnabar
Located in Hopewell, NJ
If objects could talk, this box would have some interesting stories for all its wonderful aged patina, cracks and character. A faded cinnabar, the entire surface is meticulously hand...
Wood
$160Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Lacquer Box
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A metal framed box with all-over lacquer decoration featuring multi-coloured flowers, leaves, ribbons. The inside of the box is veneered in a light wood. It is stamped China on the u...
Lacquer
Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Gold and Red Decorative Box
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese circular wooden box with carved top character design and carved geometric foot, painted in gold and red with a fitted lid and fine black painted border pattern.
Wood
Chinese Decorative Box, Burgundy with Gold Vine Design, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese wrapped decorative box with a burgundy base with muted metallic gold gourd and leaf pattern on vines with a large central character, bronze handles and latch, and an interior...
Wood
Antique Early Chinese Republic Era Stacking Lacquered Box Set with Dragon Motif
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique lacquered stacking box set is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China during the Early Republic period of approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese Ex...
Softwood
Small Handcarved Chinese Chest
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A hand carved Chinese large table box with hinged lid. Intricately carved all-over with Asian carvings resting of four paw feet. Bronze lock plate on front.
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Cinnabar Chinese Covered Jar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved. Early 1900s. Enameled.
Enamel
Early 19th Century Export Chinoiserie Lacquer Box on Carved Feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite early 19th-century chinoiserie box, adorned with lacquered surfaces and ornate gold-toned detailing, showcases the superb craftsmanship of English artisans influenced ...
Lacquer
Large Antique Chinese Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Oriental Chinese Export Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s. Large Asian Chinese black lacquered tea box with nume...
Giltwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Red Lacquer Decorated Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century Chinese Red Lacquer decorated box. Relief carved top panel of an attendant and scholar. Fine finger joints on the box and lid. Inside top of the lid having Chinese...
Wood, Lacquer