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.
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Export Lacquer and Hardstone Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese export lacquer and hardstone mirror, with various hardstone floral inlays in a gilt lacquer cartouche frame. The inset mirror is 22" x 2...
Mirror, Precious Stone, Lacquer
Asian Chinese Style Carved Mahogany Dragon Design Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) mahogany and bevelled glass wall mirror with a carved frame with scroll design and filigree pediment top with carved dragons.
Glass
Black Lacquered Drexel Style Chinoiserie Style Wall Mirror
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
This mirror is designed in the style of Drexel Furniture's Chinoiserie style line of furniture. It's black lacquered with gold accents and a floral crest.
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Wall Mirror Black & Gold Finish Chinese Export, 1970
Located in Miami, FL
Chinoiserie faux bamboo wall mirror black & gold finish of the period Chinese Export 1970. Mirror Glass Size: 23.25 x 44.25 inches. M-532-335
Gold Leaf
Faux-Bamboo Wall Mirror with Chinese Carved Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
This rectangular wall mirror features an antique Chinese bed panel and a contemporary gilt frame carved to resemble lengths of segmented bamboo. Like...
Mirror, Wood
$696Sale Price|20% Off
Hand-Carved Giltwood Mirror from Small Chinese Temple, Circa 1950
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A small high relief hand carved temple giltwood framed mirror with some with a Chinese inscription at the top of the frame that says "Fortune From Heaven".
Giltwood
Chinese Export Black Lacquered Mirror with Inlays
Located in Miami, FL
Chinese export lacquer and hardstone mirror, with various hardstone floral inlays in a black lacquer cartouche frame.
Wood
Very Rare Cinnabar Carved Wood Rectangular Chinese Mirror with Birds
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rare and elegant carved wood Chinese mirror in a striking Cinnabar color. Frame is meticulously decorated with birds and crysthanemums. mirror itself is 23.5 x 38
Mirror, Wood
Vintage Chinese Red Linen Wrapped Square Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Red Linen Wrapped Square Mirror This Vintage Chinese Province Red Linen Wrapped Square Mirror is a perfect piece to elevate any room. Hand crafted in the Shanxi Prov...
Linen, Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Carved Chinese Wood Mirror Panel Depicting Bats Symbol of Happiness Good Fortune
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely ornately carved wood Chinese panel depicting six bats and a mirror plate in the middle One of my favourite decorative motifs on furniture and furnishings is those which carry the bat. Associated with vampires and haunted houses...
Mirror, Hardwood
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Paintings on Mirror Glass Chinese 18th Century China
Located in New York, NY
Paintings on Mirror Glass Chinese 18th Century China. A pair of paintings made on mirrored glass. Made during the 18th century in China. Original fr...
Mirror
Vintage Shanxi Province Red Linen Wrapped Square Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Red Linen Wrapped Square Mirror This Vintage Shanxi Province Red Linen Wrapped Square Mirror is a perfect piece to elevate any room. Hand crafted in the Shan...
Linen, Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Shanxi Province Black Linen Wrapped Square Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Black Linen Wrapped Square Mirror This Vintage Shanxi Province Black Linen Wrapped Square Mirror is a perfect piece to elevate any room. Hand crafted in the ...
Linen, Lacquer, Wood, Mirror
Antique Italian Rococo Wall Mirror, Hand Carved Giltwood, Circa 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Italian hand carved and gilded Rococo style wall mirror.
Giltwood
Vintage Balinese Hand-Carved, Polychromed Mirror, c. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mirror was crafted on the island of Bali around the mid-20th Century and features wonderful Balinese carved detailing and a red, black & gold polychrome finish. There is a wall ...
Wood
$1,329Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 33.86 in D 1.97 in
Lacquered and gilded wooden mirror, carved, Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Antique mirror in lacquered and gilded wood, richly carved both in the frame and in the upper arch, It has sculptures and a face moulding. Original from the 19th century and of Itali...
Mirror
Vintage Modern Lacquered Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A Mid-Century Modern mirror with elegant curved edges. Great for any office/home setting. Please confirm pickup with seller (NY/NJ).
Mirror, Lacquer
$297Sale Price|54% Off
H 14.18 in W 18.12 in D 1.58 in
Antique Mahogany Hand Carved Victorian Wall Mirror
Located in Søborg, DK
Antique wall mirror from the late 1800s. This beautiful hand carved mirror is in original condition with the original beveled glass plate that has never been out of the frame and therefore it also maintains the original back plate. There is no woodworm at all in the frame. A reason for this could be the type of wood that the frame is made of which looks like mahogany. Such a decorative beautiful antique...
Wood, Hardwood
$1,695
H 40 in W 1.5 in D 20 in
Mid-Century English Georgian Style Black Lacquer & Gilt Chinoiserie Mirror
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century English Georgian style chinoiserie mirror. It has a nicely carved cartouche. It is a black lacquer with gilt chinoiserie painted scene. It is in very good condi...
Mirror, Wood
Gold Giltwood Faux Bamboo Wall or Vanity Mirror Chinoiserie Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold giltwood bamboo style framed wall or vanity mirror in the Chinoiserie style, circa late-20th century, New York. Mirror is rectangular with a gold giltwood frame and design det...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Vintage Large Faux Malachite Green Lacquer Chinese Style Carved Mirror
Located in West Chester, PA
Asian inspired wall mirror comprised of carved wood with bottle green "faux malachite" hand-painted lacquer finish and scalloped details. Made in Hickory, North Carolina, USA, circa ...
Wood, Lacquer
Chippendale Style Drexel Wall Mirror
By Drexel
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Chippendale style wall mirror in mahogany by Drexel Heritage, made for their Collectors Collection. The mirror has a serpentine beveled edge that follows the serpentine inner carve...
Mirror, Mahogany
$1,250
H 34 in W 21.75 in D 2 in
Faux Bamboo Wood Mirror Tortoise Finish 34" height x 21.75" width Chinoiserie
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chic Faux Bamboo Wood Mirror, American, circa 1960s. It has a faux painted tortoise finish. It measures 34" height x 21.75" width.
Mirror, Wood
Venetian Chinoiserie Gilt and Lacquered Mirror
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning Italian Venetian style mirror decorated in the chinoiserie taste featuring a hand-carved frame finished with an ivory lacquer ground. Decorated with carved scrolls and surmo...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Antique French Small Giltwood Mirror, circa 1850
Located in Paris, FR
Antique giltwood wall mirror, Louis-Philippe French style, circa 1850. Antique frame adorned with twists and piastres, spandrels in the c...
Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 79.5 in W 35 in D 2 in
Asian Chinese Style Carved Mahogany and Bevelled Glass Dragon Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) carved mahogany and bevelled glass wall mirror with carved dragon and scroll design frame with a filigree pediment top.
Glass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorated Red Frame Wall Mirror
Located in Germantown, MD
A fine Chinoiserie decorated hanging wall mirror. Measures 20" in width and 36" in height
Paint, Wood, Mirror
Hand Painted and Carved Tall Mirror, China circa 1770-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
The attractive carving found in the frame of this mirror includes dramatic flourishes on top, balanced at the base while narrow sides contain figures, birds and more. Notice the ori...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Chinese Brass Double Happiness Mirror, 20th C
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese brass double happiness vanity mirror, 20th Century. Dealer: S138XX
Brass
Chinese Carved Panel Gilt Beveled Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Carved Gilt Beveled Mirror with painted details around oxblood colored lacquered wood frame. Carve panel at top is gold gilt finished. Brass detail at top. Wire on back for ...
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 40 in W 16 in D 1.5 in
Solid Rosewood Asian Wall Mirror Carved In Bamboo Motif With Brass Hardware
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Mid Century Solid Rosewood Chinese mirror hand carved to resemble Bamboo. Beautifully constructed with curved edges and fine joinery work. Original brass hardware and fine wood notch...
Rosewood
Southeast Asian Red-Ground & Parcel-Gilt Mirror
Located in Astoria, NY
Southeast Asian red-ground & parcel-gilt mirror, rectangular, the red ground with black and white peonies separated by lushly carved and gilded elements. ...
Mirror
Sold
H 79.5 in W 35 in D 2 in
Asian Chinese Style Carved Mahogany and Bevelled Glass Dragon Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style (19th century) carved mahogany and bevelled glass wall mirror with carved dragon and scroll design frame with a filigree pediment top.
Wood, Mahogany, Glass
Rare Unique Pair Etched Figures Signed Chinese Faux Bamboo Gilded Mirrors
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic pair of mirrors that are absolutely incredible. The etched signatures and the etched figures are all done in gold leaf and just beautifully done. The mirrors meas...
Boxwood
Gilded Faux Bamboo Tapestry Paneled Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Beech
Small Pair of Late 19th Century Carved Gilded Chinese Mirrors
Located in Middleburg, VA
Small pair of late 19th century intricately carved Chinese mirrors with gilded black and red lacquered finish. Lovely for small rooms or hallways. China, 1890. Measure: 20” H 15” W.
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 39.97 in W 24.32 in D 0.99 in
Pair of Chinese Export circa 1920 Hardwood Mirror or Picture Frames Floral Decor
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare pair of antique original circa 1920 Chinese export floral carved mirror or picture frames The...
Hardwood