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.
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
Chinese Carved Painted Wood Dressing Table / Vanity Mirror with Gilt Highlights
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
$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
Italian Rococo Giltwood Tabletop Mirror, Hand-Carved, Mid-19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Rococo style tabletop mirror for a vanity. Exuberantly carved with a double layer of acanthus leaf decoration, a tour de force of carving. Mid 19th century. 16 inches high...
Wood, Giltwood
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
$700
H 10 in W 8.63 in D 6 in
Vintage Murano Glass Dressing Table/Vanity Mirror, Italy, Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage - Murano glass - dressing table/vanity mirror - all original fittings with silver leaf backed mirror - finished and hinged wood easel back (can be wall mounted) - unsigned - ...
Art Glass, Mirror, Hardwood
$624
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
$27,138
H 13 in W 8.27 in D 5.52 in
19th Century Chinese Export Silver Two-Handle Cup & Cover, Luen Wo, circa 1880
By Luen Wo
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century Chinese export solid silver presentation cup and cover, of traditional urn shape, the body is embossed with beautiful scenes in relief depicting Chinese nobility...
Silver
$921
H 14.2 in W 5 in D 0.8 in
Hand-Carved Wooden Bird Hand Mirror, Austrian or German Folk Art, circa 1920
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and one of a kind, antique, work of art hand mirror. This charming and stylish hand mirror is hand-carved from solid hardwood and decorated with a sculptural bird perched a...
Mirror, Hardwood
Early 20thC Gilt Folding Triple Dressing Table Mirror
Located in Altrincham, GB
Early 20thC Gilt Folding Triple Dressing Table Mirror with bevelled glass mirror plates supported by gilt frame on scrolled cabriole legs in Louis XVI style - 22.5" w x 36"h x 1.5"d ...
Mirror, Giltwood
$2,070
H 6.7 in W 9.65 in D 6.5 in
ANTIQUE COLLECTABLE MAHJONG CIRCA 1920'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 1920's Mahjong set with the original hand carved box and additi...
Bamboo, Wood
$2,073
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
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Bowl on Stand
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
$7,271
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
Antique Chinese Export Silver Cigarette Case
By Zee Wo
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver cigarette / card case; part of our diverse Asian silverware collection. This fine antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) cigarette/card case has a plain rectangular form with rounded corners. The anterior cover is embellished with an embossed and chased decorated iconic Chinese dragon design amidst clouds, on a matte background, incorporating a shield shaped vacant cartouche. The posterior cover is ornamented with traditional embossed and chased plum blossom foliate and floral decoration, also on a matte background. The rounded sides of this antique silver cigarette case...
Silver
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 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 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...