Chinese Export Table Lamps
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.
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
1970s Vintage Chinese Export Table Lamps
Metal
20th Century English Chinese Export Table Lamps
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Table Lamps
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain, Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Export Table Lamps
Ceramic
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Iron, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Brass
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Bronze, Enamel
20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Brass
20th Century Chinese Export Table Lamps
Mahogany, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain, Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinese Export Table Lamps
Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinese Export Table Lamps
Tin
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Table Lamps
Plastic, Wood, Maple, Porcelain, Fabric, Paint
1890s English Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Metal
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Ceramic
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Terracotta
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Chinese Export Table Lamps
Ceramic, Fabric
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinese Export Table Lamps
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Metal, Brass, Sheet Metal
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
Celadon, Linen
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Export Table Lamps
Ceramic, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Jade
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century American Antique Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain