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.
Handcrafted Chinese Papier-Mâché Golden Sphere with Gilt Finish, 14cm
Located in LA CELLERA DE TER, ES
Exclusively handcrafted piece. This sphere is created using the ancient Chinese papier-mâché technique – a millennia-old craft that eventually spread worldwide. Traditionally employe...
Gold Leaf
Handcrafted Chinese Papier-Mâché Golden Sphere with Gilt Finish, 18cm
Located in LA CELLERA DE TER, ES
Exclusively handcrafted piece. This sphere is created using the ancient Chinese papier-mâché technique – a millennia-old craft that eventually spread worldwide. Traditionally employe...
Gold Leaf
Bronze Sculpture 'Ne Zha'
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Child warrior Ne Zha is a legendary warrior deity in Chinese mythology, venerated across Taoism, Buddhism, and Chinese folk religion. He is primarily known as a god of protection, co...
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Export Wax Figure of Emperor with Gilt Highlights
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese wax figure molded in a reddish-brown shade with gilt highlights depicts a robed emperor leaning slightly back, his left hand stroking his beard, right arm grasping a sheathed...
Ash
Soapstone carving of a man feeding geese, Chinese, circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
A most unusual late 19th-century Chinese hand-carved figure group of a traditionally dressed elderly man wearing a robe and a square-shaped hat. He has long hair and a beard, and he ...
Soapstone
$2,995Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Large Chinese Export circa 1900 Shoushan Stone Sculpture Pandas Crane Birds
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare original Chinese Export circa 1900 Shoushan stone carving of mountain lions on rocks I h...
Stone
$34,166 / set
Pair of Great Dragon Temples Chinese Minguo Period
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of great dragon temples. Chinese Minguo period (1912-1949), in carved bone plates. With detailed dragon carvings. Sitting on a wooden base. faults ...
Bone
Vintage Asian Tole Bonsai Palm Tree Sculptures, Green and Gold, Pair
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Vintage Asian tole bonsai palm tree sculptures with green and gold painted leaves and trunks, mounted in circular pot bases. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Metal
Ethereal Terracotta Chinese Ancestor Sculpture on Lucite Base
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely terracotta sculpture of an Asian figure with beautiful weathered patina. Custom lucite base.
Terracotta
Chinese Carved Hardstone Rhodonite Frog Toad Sculpture Figure Model Wood Base
Located in London, GB
Chinese Carved Hardstone Rhodonite Frog Toad Sculpture Figure Model Wood Base Chinese, 20th Century Height 10cm, width 20cm, depth 13cm This delicate 20th century Chinese carving h...
Stone
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Small Carved Jade East Asian Woman’s Figurine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small jade East Asian woman’s figurine. It depicts a carved jade woman’s figure that appears to be dancing or stretching herself. She is wearing a...
Jade
Vintage Papier Mâché Parcel-Gilt Buddha
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large, decorative and unusual papier mâché gilded Buddha.
Paper
Large Soapstone Sculpture of Confucius
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a relatively large size sculpture. Carved from a Jade Soapstone it depicts Confucius with a scroll in his hand. The sculpture is finely carved with strict attention to detail.
Soapstone
Two Brass Chinese Figures (Ox & Elephant) - W4000 NUST SELL 80% off
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
Two Brass Chinese Figures (Ox & Elephant) - W4000 MUST SELL This is a pair of heavy Chinese brass figurines of an ox and an elephant. They are in very good condition with some r...
Brass
Asian Hunting Scene in Gilt Bronze 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Asian hunting scene In gold bronze Chinese warrior bear hunting 19th century Measures: 20 x 18 x 9 cm.
Bronze
Fantastic 19th Century Chinese Blanc De Chine Model of a Water Buffalo or Ox
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic 19th Century Chinese Blanc De Chine Model of a Water Buffalo. Beautifully hand-carved and enameled with a bright white body and black enamel eyes. This piece is really superb and in fabulous condition for its age. In Chinese culture, the water buffalo symbolizes the coming of spring. Throughout China the spring season began with a ceremonial plowing by the imperial capital through the use of a water buffalo, symbolizing its importance to the imperial heritage. Water buffalo were created in China for centuries, with terracotta pieces found in Han dynasty tombs...
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Homunculus Sculptures with wood base
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Unique and charming set of homunculus type figures on wooden base. Unknown origin and date but probably early 20th century. See pics
Wood
Handcrafted Chinese Papier-Mâché Golden Sphere with Gilt Finish, 10cm
Located in LA CELLERA DE TER, ES
Exclusively handcrafted piece. This sphere is created using the ancient Chinese papier-mâché technique – a millennia-old craft that eventually spread worldwide. Traditionally employe...
Gold Leaf