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.
Antique Bronze Vessel, Chinese Export, Later Han Period, Distressed
Located in 台東区, JP
This bronze vessel is believed to have been produced in China during the Later Han period (25–220 CE). It features a dignified and well-balanced form, with a widely flaring mouth and...
Bronze
Chinese Cloisonne Smoking Pipe, Late Qing Dynasty, Handcrafted Art
Located in Pomona, CA
This Chinese Cloisonne smoking pipe features a long, slender stem decorated with colorful cloisonné enamel, a technique involving colored-glass paste placed within metal enclosures. ...
Copper
Vintage Gianni Versace Silk Rug: Mandarin's Garden Collection by Atelier Versace
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This vintage Gianni Versace collection rug, titled "Mandarin's Garden Silk", was designed and manufactured by Atelier Versace circa 1980. Measuring 200 x 200, this luxurious silk rug...
Silk
$363Sale Price|25% Off
Early 20th-Century Antique Chinese Erotic Porcelain Figurine
Located in Pomona, CA
These "spring palace paintings" (春宫畫), Chinese erotic porcelain figurine were historically given to brides and young couples, sometimes as a form of "sex education" in a culture wher...
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Carved and Painted Wooden Tang Dynasty Horse
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Mid-19th century carved and painted wooden Tang dynasty horse This is a superb piece of Chinese Folk Art, superbly carved in wood, in the classic statue...
$388Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th-Century Antique Chinese Erotic Porcelain Figurine
Located in Pomona, CA
These "spring palace paintings" (春宫畫), Chinese erotic porcelain figurine were historically given to brides and young couples, sometimes as a form of "sex education" in a culture wher...
Porcelain
$299Sale Price|45% Off
Early 20 Century Chinese Hand Made Porcelain Pillow
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese porcelain pillow. It was hand made and hand paint from China and has hand painted Chinese traditional folks a...
Porcelain
$269Sale Price|30% Off
Finely Carved Old Chinese Bamboo Censer with Lid
Located in Pomona, CA
Up for sell is a magnificent Chinese Carved Bamboo incense burner. It has very detailed hand carved Chinese traditional folks art of clouds and dragons on the censer. It was made f...
Bamboo
Three Chinese Ancient Warriors Panels
Located in Bradenton, FL
Three Hand-Painted Panels of Chinese Warriors. The paintings feature Chinese warriors in full costume of the era in vivid colors of red, green, yellow, and orange on a beige backgro...
Paper
Chinese Lacquered Carved Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Century) red lacquered and gilt trimmed wall plaque with 2 filigree carved panels.
Lacquer
$7,999Sale Price|36% Off
Early 20th Century Antique Japanese Huge Kutani Hotei Laughing Buddha
Located in Pomona, CA
This is an authentic antique Japanese Buddha, Hotei from early 1900's. It is from Kutani which a famous kiln region in the village of Kutani, now part of the city of Kaga. This porce...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Carved Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19th Century) red lacquered and gilt trimmed wall plaques with carved & filigree scenes with figures and 2 glass jewels (PRICED AS PAIR).
Glass
Pair of Chinese Mahogany Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19th Century) mahogany wall plaques with carved and filigree birds (PRICED AS PAIR).
Mahogany
$4,800
Two Polychrome Roosters
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of Chinese export glazed ceramic roosters with polychrome plumage in pinks, greens and orange with and striking red crowns and wattles, perched on weathered green striated tre...
Ceramic
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19/20th Century) red lacquered vertical wall plaques with gold lettering and lattice top and bottom (PRICED AS PAIR).
Gold
$446Sale Price|25% Off
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Gilt Carved Camphor Wood Toys
Located in Pomona, CA
Rare find antique Chinese gilt wooden carved adult toys. It is 100 percent hand made hand carved from Camphor wood with gilt painting on it. They are the couple of a man and a women....
Wood
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Carved Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19th Century) red lacquered and gilt trimmed wall plaques with filigree border surrounding carved scenes with figures (PRICED AS PAIR).
Lacquer
$570Sale Price|40% Off
Vintage Chinese 6 pieces Wooden Buddhist Offering Set
Located in Pomona, CA
There wooden offerings set are in rituals such as worshiping the altar, practicing alchemy, and giving food. The method is to offer of sacrifices, namely incense, flowers, lamps, wat...
Wood
$312Sale Price|20% Off
Kyonoshiki Hand Embroidered Folding Desktop Screen
Located in Pasadena, TX
This Kyonoshiki Folding screen is hand woven. It's done in the traditional style of the famous looms of Kyoto, Japan. It's embroidered using gold and silver thread on silk. It depict...
Silk
Myanmarese doll in red robes
Located in Munich, DE
Discover cultural heritage with this antique Myanmarese puppet doll—a beautifully crafted piece once used in traditional puppeteering, brimming with history and artistic detail.
Wood
$949 / set
Set of 3 Myanmarese dolls
Located in Munich, DE
Discover cultural heritage with these 3 antique Myanmarese puppet dolls— three beautifully crafted pieces once used in traditional puppeteering, brimming with history and artistic de...
Wood
Myanmarese doll no hat
Located in Munich, DE
Discover cultural heritage with this antique Myanmarese puppet doll—a beautifully crafted piece once used in traditional puppeteering, brimming with history and artistic detail.
Wood
Myanmarese doll in brown robes and hat
Located in Munich, DE
Discover cultural heritage with this antique Myanmarese puppet doll—a beautifully crafted piece once used in traditional puppeteering, brimming with history and artistic detail.
Wood
19th Century Pair of Chinese Hardwood Buffalo & Boys with Bone Flutes
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century pair of dark hardwood water buffalo with inset glass eyes. These finely carved and highly detailed figures have carved boy figures sitting on their backs holding bone flutes...
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Carved and Painted Wood Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Carved and painted wooden soldier whirligig. Early 20th century American. Soldier has a leather hat with wooden brim. Presented on simple custom museum...
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art French Weather-Vane Plane
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art French weather-vane plane. For sale in this lot is an early 20th century handmade Folk Art French weather-vane plane. Th...
Wood
Carved Oak Early 20th Century Rabbit Sculpture
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Early 20th Century Characterfully stout, anatomically enigmatic Rabbit. Oak. European, Circa 1920.
Oak
19th Century Pipe Head
Located in Vosselaar, BE
You just got to love this guy! A wacky looking bearded Indian pipe head. Probably 19th century France. Beautifully carved by a artisan with a sense of humor.
Wood
Early 20th Century Wooden Foundry "Y" Pipe Mold
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early 20th Century Wooden Foundry "Y" Pipe Mold Great original patina. Perfect to hang on a wall if your first or last name starts with a "Y". This piece will add interest to a...
Hardwood
Zabihi Collection Red Dragon Vintage Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
A colorful one-of-a-kind Tibetan rug from the 3rd quarter of the 20th century with a dragon motif on red ground Measures: 3' x 5'7''.
Wool
$640Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.25 in W 1.75 in D 2.5 in
Antique Franz Bergman Austrian Vienna Bronze Cold Paint Night Watchman Figure
Located in San Diego, CA
Very tough to find Vienna bronze of a night watchman and is by Franz Bergman. The bronze figure dates from the late 1800s-early 1900s. Has cold paint ac...
Bronze
Antique Blue Chinese Pictorial Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Chinese pictorial throw-size rug Measures: 2'8' x 5'.
Wool
19th Century German Carved Wooden Deers Head
Located in London, GB
19th century carved wooden deer’s head We are proud to offer a delightful example of a 19th century hand carved German deer’s head. This ite...
Pine, Paint
19th Century Painted Metal Horse Head
Located in Austin, TX
Fine metal painted head horse on horseshoe, circa 1890.
Metal
$260
H 2.5 in W 4.25 in D 1.5 in
Just Andersen, Denmark 1930s Art Deco Pewter Stylised Bird Pipe Holder
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Just Andersen of Denmark, Pewter stylised bird pipe holder. Circa 1930's. Stamped on base. Measures: height 2.5 inch, width 4.25 inch, depth 1.5 inch Good condition. Wear consis...
Pewter
$47,975
H 2.96 in W 1.97 in D 0.4 in
Ancient Egyptian kohl vessel and applicator, New Kingdom period, 1550–1295 B.C.
Located in London, GB
Ancient Egyptian kohl vessel set, dating to the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1295 B.C.), includes a wooden container for storing kohl, a black cosmetic used for eye adornment and protection,...
Linen
Early 20th Century Chinese Cloisonne Smoking Pipe
Located in Pomona, CA
This Chinese Cloisonne smoking pipe features a long, slender stem decorated with colorful cloisonné enamel, a technique involving colored-glass paste placed within metal enclosures. ...
Metal
Vintage Chinese Fu Lu Shou Feng Shui Trio Gods Figurines Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
This beautiful vintage set of three porcelain statues features the Chinese deities Fu, Lu, Shou, commonly known as the Fu Lu Shou gods in folks Chinese. Each statue represents a diff...
Porcelain
Early 20th century oriental bamboo 2 seat child carriage
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Unusual possibly chinese bamboo 2 seater children's carriage circa 1900. Made from shaped bamboo, bound in the traditional way with additional iron wo...
Bamboo, Cane
Petite Neolithic Chinese Terracotta Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic jar is believed to be a later example of Neolithic Chinese redware pottery of the Yangshao culture. Although its exact age is unkn...
Terracotta
Yao Ornamental Hair Comb, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
This etched bone comb was crafted in the 19th century, exemplifying the professional artisanal work of the Yao people of Southern China. The comb features a ...
Bone, Wool, Beads
Ningshia Chinese Export Hand Knotted Wool Antique Rug, circa 1900
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique Ningshia from China made in 1900 Hand knotted wool Measures: 88 x 176 cm.
Wool
Pao Tou Tiger Chinese Export Hand Knotted Wool Antique Rug, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Pao Tou tiger from China made in circa 1930 Hand knotted wool. Some repairs as we show on the photos. Measures: 131 x 198 cm.
Wool
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Gilt Carved Camphor Wood Toys
Located in Pomona, CA
Rare find antique Chinese gilt wooden carved adult toys. It is 100 percent hand made hand carved from Camphor wood with gilt painting on it. They are the cou...
Wood
Sold
W 35.44 in L 68.9 in
Pao Tou Crane Chinese Export Hand Knotted Wool Antique Rug, Early 20th Century
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique Pao Tou Crane rug from China made in early 20th century. Some repairs as we show on the photos. Hand knotted wool. Measures: 90 x 175 cm.
Wool
19th Century Chinoiserie Export Tole Tea Canister Table Lamp
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Chinese export tole tea canister, mounted as a table lamp. A large general store tin tea caddy dating from the China Trade period, with late...
Tin
Sold
H 0.79 in Dm 3.15 in
Chinese Painting, Miniature, on a Bone Frame, Green and White, Republic Period
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
It's a little bone disk, painted. The decor is a decor of birds on branches in green and black color, bone is of course in white color. It is typically an object made in the republic...
Bone
Chinese Hand Carved Wood Statue, 19th Century
Located in Malibu, CA
This one-of-a-kind hand-carved antique wood buddha is certified to be over 180 years old and sits 9" tall. Distressed paint emphasizes carved detai...
Wood, Paint