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.
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A large octagonal form Chinese export tea caddy in black lacquer decorated throughout in gilt and red with figural garden scenes, pavilions, and dense scrolling foliage. The lid pane...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
$210Sale Price|25% Off
Mid-20th Century Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Cylindrical Bamboo Tea Caddy
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a antique Chinese hand-painted cylindrical tea caddy (chazutsu), crafted from natural bamboo. It features an artisan-carved and hand-painted relief decoration depicting a gol...
Bamboo
Oriental 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
19th Century Chinese Export Gilt and Lacquerware tea Caddy
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This China Trade Tea box features intricately painted Chinese scenes, and retains its original hand chased metal liner.
Lacquer
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet
Located in Haarlem, NL
Clover or quartreform shaped mid-19th century Chinese canton export tea caddy in gold lacquered wood on a black background. Decorated with palace scenes...
Pewter
Large Chinese Tea Box Black Lacquered Gilt Hand Painted Octagonal Box 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Chinese Export Tea Box Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s. Antique Chinoiserie black lacquer box with numerous figures and gilt detail. Asian Chinese blac...
Giltwood, Lacquer
Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese hexagonal cast brass tea caddy, early 20th century. Each rectangular side with a shou symbol surrounded by five stylized bats on blue enamel ...
Brass
Mid 19th century Chinese export hand painted tea caddy
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 19th century handpainted Chinese export tea caddy. This tea Caddy stands on four hand carved miniature foo dog sculpted feet. This tea caddy has its original pewter lin...
Wood
Pair of Chinese Mahogany Tole Hinged Figural & Foliage Bird Tea Bins, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Chinese mahogany tole demilune hinged poly chromed tea bins with gilt figural stenciling and decorative landscape scenes with foliage and bird motif, M...
Metal, Brass
19th Century English Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Tampa, FL
A handsome 19th century English tortoiseshell tea caddy, beautifully crafted with sterling silver trim and a matching sterling silver escutcheon. The lid is centered with an elegant ...
Silver
English 19th Century Domed Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Domed Top Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy with Silver Inlay and Ball feet
Tortoise Shell
Antique Regency Tea Caddy, Mahogany, Early 19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
This stunning antique Regency tea caddy is a beautiful example of early 19th-century craftsmanship. Meticulously constructed, it features a rich mahogany veneer with a warm, deep lus...
Mahogany
Antique Brass and Hardwood Chinese Jewelry Box 1940s
Located in Den Haag, NL
This vintage Chinese jewelry box, crafted from rosewood, reflects the quiet elegance of a bygone era. Intricate brass fittings highlight traditional Chinese motifs, once symbols of l...
Hardwood
Early 19th century Regency mahogany tea caddy
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century regency mahogany tea caddy circa 1820. Made using flame mahogany veneers. Brass handles with star motif to the sides. Canted corners strung with satinwood. Sta...
Mahogany
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
Mid 20th Century Chinese Hand Painted Sewing Box, Jewelry Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique vintage Chinese sewing box is 100 percent hand made and hand painted with traditional Chinese painting on the side and lid of the box. It wa...
Wood
19th Century English Blonde Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Blonde Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy
Tortoise Shell
$679 / item
H 7 in W 20 in D 8 in
Vintage Chinese Black Lacquer Box with Gilt Bamboo and Green Leaf Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Chinese decorative box, crafted in wood and finished in lustrous black lacquer, its surface delicately adorned with a gilt bamboo and green leaf motif. The design, executed...
Wood
Black and Gilt Chinoiserie Lacquer Box
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A lacquered box of canted rectangular form, decorated overall in gilt on a black ground with figures gathered among pagodas, fences and flowering trees within borders of gilt dots an...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
$1,499Sale Price|40% Off
H 4.34 in W 4.14 in D 4.14 in
Hand Painted Apple-Shaped Tea Caddy, Wood, Regency Style, 20th Century
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A 20th Century Hand Painted Hinged Lidded Tea Caddy In The Shape Of An Apple With A Metal Patinated Stalk A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea...
Wood
$189
H 11.23 in W 3.35 in D 2.37 in
Chinese Style Lacquered Brush or Pencil Box Painted Butterfly, circa 1940
Located in Labrit, Landes
Lacquered paintbrush or pensil box, made in the chinese style. In this painting features a butterfly and flowers. The key is not the original but it does correspond to the lock. Good...
Wood
Sold
H 5 in W 7.5 in D 5.25 in
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Lead Liners
Located in Charlottesville, VA
An octagonal Chinese export tea caddy in black lacquer with gilt decoration, raised on four carved gilt paw feet. The lid carries a central figural scene with seated figures among tr...
Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 7.5 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy in Cylindrical Form
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A Chinese export tea caddy dating from the first half of the 19th century of cylindrical octagonal form in black lacquer with gilt decoration throughout. The body is decorated with f...
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Export Antique Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Raised on Dragon Feet From our Tea Caddy collection, we are pleased to offer this Chinese Export Lacquer Tea Caddy. The Tea Caddy of curvaceous rectangular ...
Lacquer
Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Export hand-painted porcelain tea caddy jar. Pictures of a boy and his dog adorn both sides of jar in rich colors of dark blue, gold, red and turquoise. Greek key border fram...
Porcelain
Woven Chinese Tea Cozy Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and he...
Wood
Sold
H 4.34 in Dm 4.73 in
20th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver & Enamel Tea Caddy, Luen Wo, c.1900
By Luen Wo
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-20th Century Extremely Rare Chinese export solid silver & enamel tea caddy, the melon shaped body sides are applied with shaded enamels, depicting blooming chrysanthemu...
Silver, Enamel
Chinese Export Octagonal Black Lacquer Tea Caddy with Original Pewter Liner
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Chinese export octagonal form tea caddy retaining its original pewter liner, the exterior beautifully decorated overall with figures of men and women in an elaborate garden setting...
Pewter
Tea Caddy in Black Lacquer with Floral Decorations
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese tea caddy with body in polychrome lacquered wood on a black background. Decorated throughout with floral decorations, birds and butterflies. Interior with four pewter com...
Pewter
Chinese Famille Rose Pumpkin Tea Leaf Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Used to store loose leaf tea, this porcelain jar is decorated in a style of overglaze enameling known as "famille rose." Sometimes referred to as "yangcai" or "foreign colors," the famille rose style emerged during the 18th century and employs a pastel palette of opaque overglaze enamels that favors roses and pinks. This cylindrical tea leaf jar...
Porcelain
Chinese Famille Rose Sanxing Tea Leaf Jar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This porcelain jar is decorated in a style of overglaze enameling known as "famille rose." Sometimes referred to as "yangcai" or "foreign colors," the famille rose style emerged duri...
Porcelain
Sold
H 5.12 in Dm 4.34 in L 5.12 in
20th Century Chinese Solid Silver Dragon Tea Caddy, Houcheong, Canton circa 1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century Chinese solid silver tea caddy, shaped as a Chinese ginger jar, well-crafted and profusely embossed, depicting a dragon in high relief on matted ground, fitted w...
Silver
Chinese Teapot Caddy in Carved Wood
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese carved wood teapot caddy. The front panel has a hole opening for the spout, with a shaped wood carrying handle inserted into the ears, the lid havi...
Wood