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.
Vintage Jewellery Box, Oriental, Dressing Table Keepsake Case, Circa 1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage jewellery box. An Oriental, mahogany and brass keepsake case, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. A finely presented sto...
Brass
$278Sale Price|60% Off
1950s Mid-Century Chinese Rosewood+Brass Turtle Hinged Jewelry Box Chinoiserie
Located in Hyattsville, MD
An older mid-century Chinese export/souvenir Jewelry Box. Inside it has two removable separators, outside is has brass decorations, hinges, and a wond...
Brass
Chinese Box, with Flower Pattern Decor, Lacquered 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Small lacquered painted box, with floral decorations in yellow, red and green, it was made in China in the 19th century.
Wood
$245Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Chinese blue and white porcelain trinket/Rouge box
Located in Pomona, CA
The item in the image is an antique Chinese blue and white porcelain Rouge/trinket box with a fish design. These small boxes a...
Sterling Silver
$266Sale Price|30% Off
Early 20th Century antique Chinese Pumpkin Shaped lacquer box
Located in Pomona, CA
This item is an antique Chinese lacquer trinket box in a pumpkin shape. It mad of carved wood coated in multiple layers of red and black lacquer. It has hand painted with Chinese tra...
Wood, Lacquer
Large Rond Jewelry Box, Color with with Internal Compartments, Japan 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an rond large box. It has been decorated with gilted drawing. It has been made in Japan, during the 19th Century. In red and gold color. It is a jelwery box.
Wood
Box in Lacquered Wood, Vietnam 20th Century, Black and Orange -Red Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Beautiful Lacquered Wooden Box, Vietnam, 20th Century This exquisite lacquered wooden box from Vietnam, crafted in the 20th century, is a stunning example of traditional Vietnames...
Wood
$252Sale Price|30% Off
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Wooden Jewelry Box, Cosmetic Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This beautiful antique Jewelry box was made from solid wood with original mirror and antique hardware on it. The top of the jewelry box...
Wood
Vintage leather clad hand painted Chinese dresser box.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage hand painted leather clad dresser box. This dresser box was handmade in Canton China. This box has two small drawers at the front and a lid that opens up and presen...
Leather
ANTIQUE CIRCA 1920 CHiNESE KUT HING PEWTER & WOOD CARVED DRAGON JEWELLERY BOX
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite Circa 1920 Kut Hing Chinese Pewter & Mahogany carved and embossed jewellery trinket box ...
Pewter
ANTIQUE CiRCA 1900 CHINESE KUT HING PEWTER & WOOD CARVED DRAGON JEWELLERY BOX
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite Kut Hing Chinese Pewter & Mahogany carved and embossed jewellery trinket box A good look...
Pewter
$279Sale Price|50% Off
Early 20th Century Chinese Hand-Painted Wooden Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a traditional style of Chinese painted wooden Box from Shan Xi, China. It has about 100 years history. Normally it was used to store jewelry and valuable accessories as well ...
Wood
Asian Brass Mounted Rosewood and Felt Lined Jewelry Box
Located in Germantown, MD
This is a Chinese jewelry box that is made out of rosewood with beautiful Chinoiserie brass trim. It is a nice heavy box that measures 12”W x 8”L x 6”H. The top layer inside holds 5 ...
Brass
Large Jewellery Box, with a Mirror Inside, Vietnam from the End of 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Large box from Vietnam. Manufactured at the end of the 19th century. Red in color slightly pinkish, with magnificent fish decorations in white and yellow colors. This box locks, the ...
Mirror, Wood
Antique Chinese Cinnabar Lacquered Rectangular Box and Cover, China, circa 1880,
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Red lacquer box with the lid representing a scholar and children playing in a mountainous garden, the outer sides covered with repeated geometric patterns. This box was made in China...
Wood, Lacquer
$196Sale Price|20% Off
Rectangular Brass and Bronze Wood Jewelry Box, 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. Wonderful piece to add to existing collection. Marked on the bottom, China
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Large Oval Jewelry Box, Color with with Internal Compartments France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an Ovale large box. It has been decorated with a sivered color metal plate and lid. It has been made in France, during the 19th Century. In brown color. It is a jelwery box.
Metal
$238Sale Price|47% Off
Antique Chinese Hand Painted Jewelry Box, Red Lacquer, Circa 1900-1940
Located in Pomona, CA
Antique Chinese decorated Jewelry/fruit box. Beautiful decorated Chinoiserie box used to serve fruits and special treats or store Jewelry and valuable things. Hand painting over red ...
Wood
Pair of Antique Chinese Table Top Vanity Jewellery Box Cabinets Folding Mirrors
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of antique Chinese Export table top vanity mirror cabinets circa 1900 A good looking and well made pairing, most likely used ...
Brass
Outstanding Large 19th Century Bronze & Porcelain Jewelry Casket Box
By Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM)
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Outstanding Large 19th Century Bronze & Porcelain Jewelry Casket Box Dimensions : 14" Tall X 16" Wide X 11" Deep This gorgeous Antique jewelry ...
Ormolu
Canton Chinese Porcelain Box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Canton Chinese porcelain box. Chinese export. Circa 1920 origin China. Rectangular format. With internal divisions. Family Rosse style. Box...
Porcelain
19th Century Rosewood Dressing/Jewellery Box
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Victorian Rosewood Dressing table box with Mother of pearl car-touché to the centre of the lid, the lid does have age related shrinkage. To the inside of the lid it has a blue velvet...
Rosewood
Early 19th Century Chinese Lacquer Scroll Form Box
Located in Tampa, FL
An early 19th century Chinese lacquer box, originally crafted as the interior compartment of a much larger box. Beautifully decorated ...
Wood, Lacquer
$956Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.75 in W 5.5 in D 4.5 in
19th Century Continental Tortoise Shell Silver Mounted 2 Compartmented Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-century Continental Tortoise Shell Silver-Mounted 2-Compartmented Box, European, possibly Dutch. Unmarked A unique and whimsical 19th-century continental tortoise shell silver-...
Sterling Silver
Ornate Antique Sterling Silver Pink Porcelain Vanity Powder Jar Trinket Box
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Gorgeous trinket box or powder jar featuring an ornate scroll and lattice design sterling silver overlay over a pretty pink porcelain. The mark on the bottom is not legible.
Sterling Silver
$196Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.25 in W 5.9 in D 3.55 in
Rectangular Brass and Bronze Wood Jewelry Box, 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. Wonderful piece to add to existing collection. Marked on the bottom, China
Metal, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Tramp Art Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tramp art jewelry box from England. The box has a domed top with layers upon layers of molded edges, leading up to a graceful formed...
Fruitwood
Chinese Blue & White Double Happiness Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Glazed in the classic, blue-and-white manner, this petite porcelain box offers a blessing of happiness and good fortune. Painted on the lid is the symbol for "double happiness" (shua...
Porcelain
Pair of Lacquered Wood Boxes, China, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Lacquered wood boxes, China, 20th century" 6 cups each inside, perfect condition.
Wood
Antique Enameled Glass Trinket Box
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique emerald green glass trinket box. 19th century.
Glass
Highclere Castle Jewellery Box
Located in London, GB
Over the years, British design company Linley has developed expertise in creating scaled versions of famous architectural buildings including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House. In this instance, Highclere Castle...
Maple
Mid-Century Large Rectangular Brass Jewelry Box, 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy decorative rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. The interior features wood lining. Wonderful piece for a vanity or table.
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 1.97 in W 4.73 in D 3.55 in
A Chinese jewelry box made from hand carved jade with gilt metal mounts C1920
Located in Central England, GB
This very pleasing small early 20th century Chinese jewelry box is ideal for storing small pieces such as rings, etc. The box is made from panels of pale green jade set into a gilt ...
Jade
Early 20th-Century Chinese Hand Painted Wooden Jewelry/Fruit Box
Located in Pomona, CA
Antique Chinese decorated Jewelry/fruit box. Beautiful decorated Chinoiserie box used to serve fruits and special treats or store Jewelry and valuable things. Hand painting over red ...
Wood
Chinese Export Rose Wood, Brass Koi Lock Box
Located in New York, NY
Exotic Rose Wood keepsake, document box with a heay brass koi lock with red tasseled key. Box lined in paper with chinese characters.
Brass
Large Jewelry or Decorative Box Brown Red colors Color Japan 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Jewelry or Decorative Box Brown Red colors Color Japan 19th
Wood
Vintage Chinese Brass Accented Wood Jewelry Box Chest
By George Zee and Co, George Zee
Located in Raymondville, TX
A vintage George Zee Chinese jewelry storage box. This beautifully crafted chest is constructed of wood and adorned with brass accents including ...
Brass
Early 20th century lacquered vanity box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century lacquered vanity box circa 1910. Good quality Chinese export table top vanity box. Hand painted in a plum and black colour scheme in a lacquered finish. Cube sh...
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Chinese Rosewood and Bronze mounted Jewelry box
Located in Chonburi, TH
This exquisite antique Chinese jewelry box is a true testament to the craftsmanship and artistry of a bygone era. Crafted from rich, dark ros...
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Cinnabar Circular jewelry Box
Located in Pomona, CA
An early 20th Century Chinese cinnabar circular box. This is a marvelous piece with very fine details on the top panel/lid of the box. The top panel is beautifully hand-carved and ha...
Lacquer
Chinese Bone Double Deck Trinket Box
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a bone double deck hand carved and painted trinket box. The lid depicts a Chinese family scene of a mother with her siblings. The front and...
Bone
Sold
H 2.5 in W 4 in D 3.5 in
Late 19th Century Engraved Chinese Brass Box with Carved Nephrite White Jade Lid
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Antique carved nephrite white jade from a ruyi, mounted to the hinged lid of a conforming brass box. The inside of the lid and outer surfaces are engraved with propitious symbols. C...
Jade, Brass
18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Table Cabinet
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Depicting figurative scenes to all planes and opening on engraved strap hinges to a fitted interior of eight small drawers of varying size.
Lacquer