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.
A 19th Century Chinese Export Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Dressing Mirror
Located in London, GB
China, circa 1860 A mid-nineteenth century Chinese export black lacquered dressing table mirror, the oval mirror supported by two pierced bamboo leaf struts over a serpentine base f...
Lacquer
Chinese Antique Dressing Table Mirror, Carved Wood Frame, Circa 1890
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese (19/20th Century)red painted dressing table mirror with an elaborately shaped carved wood frame with openwork design and raised on a rectangular base Losses on the pinecone...
Metal
Chinese Hand Carved Jade and Celadon Handle Hand Mirror with Repousse Dragon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful hand mirror with repousse Dragon and scene. Filagree surround cradled by jade and Celadon Handle. A wonderful decorative piece and certainly great for practical use fo...
Jade, Copper
$24,500
Chinese Export Silver Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite Chinese export silver mirror is a work of exotic beauty. Elegantly shaped and monumental in size, this looking glass is held within ...
Silver
$491Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.29 in W 8.47 in D 6.3 in
ViNTAGE COLLECTABLE MAHJONG CIRCA 1960'S CHINESE EXPORT PERIOD HAND CARVED CASE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this highly collectable Chinese export Circa 1960's Mahjong set with the original box A very nice suite, it...
Bamboo, Wood
$500
H 12.75 in W 6 in D 1 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Hand Mirror with Mercury Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a vanity, powder room, or dressing table with this elegant antique French hand mirror, crafted circa 1870 in the Black Forest tradition. The Louis XV–inspired form features ...
Mercury Glass, Walnut
Italian Rococo Giltwood Mirror, Hand-Carved, Mid-19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Rococo style wall mirror. Exuberantly carved with a double layer of acanthus leaf decoration, a tour de force of carving. Mid 19th century. 16 inches high 14 wide
Wood, Giltwood
$6,450Sale Price|40% Off
H 26.5 in W 21.5 in D 11 in
19th Century Antique Chinese Turtle Shell Vanity Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a rare and unusual antique, Chinese vanity mirror presented in a turtle shell. The mirror is in a mahogany frame, expertly carved with lo...
Marine turtle
19th Century Chinese Export Silver Bowl with Dragon Motif
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Chinese export silver bowl. Decorated in a bold repoussè dragon motif with two dragons contending for a center flaming pearl of wisdom amongst clouds and chased ground. Marked on the underside KHL. Carved wooden stand...
Silver
Golden Hand Carved Wood Mirror
By Loyzaga
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
Vendôme Pearl Mirror Hand-Carved Wood With Gold Leaf Finish This collection is inspired in Paris most beautiful square, Place Vendôme. The rich and var...
Wood
$7,171
H 23.23 in W 20.48 in D 4.73 in
Gabriel Viardot 19th Century Carved Wooden Dragon Crescent Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
This rare and exceptionally detailed bevelled crescent moon mirror is an iconic example of the Japonisme movement, attributed to the renowned 19th...
Mirror, Sycamore
$1,427
H 22.01 in W 20.99 in D 11.26 in
Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Nottingham, GB
An elegant early 19th century Georgian dressing table mirror, constructed from mahogany and retaining its original mirror plate and back. The rectangular mirror plate is mounted wit...
Mirror, Mahogany
$1,633Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.7 in W 9.26 in D 6.5 in
FINE ANTiQUE FOUR PERSON MAHJONG CIRCA 1920'S CHINESE EXPORT PERIOD HAND CARVED
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this highly collectable Chinese export Circa 1920's Mahjong set with the original hand carved box and additi...
Bamboo, Hardwood
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.25 in W 7.75 in D 0.75 in
Victorian Floral Repousse Embossed Sterling Silver Dresser Mirror c1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
An exquisite antique Victorian dresser mirror, crafted from sterling silver with a rich floral repousse embossed design. This piece dates to approximately 1900 and features an ornate...
Sterling Silver
Antique French Ebony Dressing Table Mirror
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mirror will look wonderful placed on a woman’s dressing table. It features an ebony frame which is intricately carved with a variety of motifs, inspired by classical design. The item is composed of an oval mirror, which is set within a shaped rectangular wooden frame. The frame is crowned by a medallion containing a portrait of a woman’s head in profile. This is decorated with a ribbon bow and flower swags which are held by two female figures, positioned either side of the medallion. The women have classical style nude...
Mirror, Wood, Ebony
$2,800
H 34.5 in W 18.5 in D 9.25 in
Queen Anne Style Walnut Bureau Dressing Mirror, English, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
An English dressing mirror in the Queen Anne style, made in walnut and burl walnut with oak secondary wood, 19th century. The rectangular plate has a shaped, arched top and sits in a...
Brass
$3,800
H 9.25 in W 11.5 in D 1.5 in
Italian Sculptural Carved Gilt Wood Table / Vanity Mirror, circa 1950
Located in New York, NY
Italian Sculptural Carved Gilt Wood Table / Vanity Mirror, circa 1950 An exquisite Italian Mid-Century table mirror that seamlessly blends organic texture with refined decorative cr...
Mirror, Wood
$4,439
H 31.89 in W 16.93 in D 12.21 in
Antique 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Vanity Mirror, England C.1830
Located in London, GB
Antique 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Vanity Mirror, England C.1830 Qing Dynasty, 19th Century Rare example of a Chinese Export dressing mirror. In good overall condition showi...
Lacquer
$683
H 10 in Dm 5.5 in
Edwardian Sterling Silver Hand Held Mirror, Repoussé Work of Cherubs, Birds 1820
Located in Worcester Park, GB
An exquisite antique Edwardian sterling silver hand mirror, sourced from an antiques fair and beautifully crafted with intricate repoussé decoration. The reverse features an ornate d...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sold
H 35.5 in W 19.25 in D 4.5 in
Late 19th to Early 20th Century Chinese Mirror Table Screen Hand Carved Rosewood
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous Antique Chinese Table Screen composed of 3 pieces, hand carved Rosewood, & a mirror. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that t...
Mirror, Rosewood
Sold
H 43.5 in W 31.5 in D 11.5 in
Large One-of-a-Kind Chinese Rosewood Table Mirror with Foo Dogs & Lattice Work
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible large one-of-a-kind Chinese rosewood table mirror with foo dogs & lattice work, circa 1920s. This mirror is gorgeous! It is in very good vintage condition and measures 31....
Mirror, Rosewood
Sold
H 19.13 in W 15.25 in D 1.5 in
Antique Paint Decorated with Mother-of-Pearl Accented Octagonal Bevel Mirror
Located in Stamford, CT
An antique wooden back paint decorated with mother-of-pearl accented octagonal bevelled wall or console or vanity mirror. The centre bevelled mirror mounted in a gilt gold wood frame...