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.
Indian Hand Knotted Wool Rug with Chinese Tiger Motif
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a fun area rug! It is an Indian hand knotted wool rug with a Chinese tiger motif. It is in very good condition.
Wool
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
Antique Designed Art Deco Chinese Wool Rug Handmade In Goldenrod Color
Located in Norwalk, CT
This elegant antique Art Deco Chinese wool rug features a goldenrod-colored field with a burgundy-colored decorative border and vibrant accents, showcasing a stunning classic Chinese...
Other
Zabihi Collection Blue Chinese Pictorial Animal Rug
Located in New York, NY
1930s Chiense Animal Pictorial small Rug Details rug no. j3525 size 2' 7" x 4' 11" (79 x 150 cm)
Wool
Chinese Art Deco Purple Area Rug
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese Art Deco rug with a pale purple background and floral decoration (possibly NICHOLS). Please note: used/antique condition
Early 20th-Century Chinese Mongolian Dragon Rug with Shou Medallion, Handmade
Located in Port Washington, NY
This elegant early 20th-century Chinese rug is organized around a balanced, ceremonial composition rich in traditional symbolism. At the center lies a round medallion enclosing the S...
Wool
Tibetan Antique Rooster Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
A fine quality antique Tibetan accent size rug depicting a large rooster on a navy blue ground. Measures: 3'9" x 6'
Wool
Dragon Rug Wool Silk Style Chinese Imperial Carpet Blue Beige, Djoharian Design
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Dragon Rug imperial design wool and silk in style of Chinese Kansu carpets 5.6 x 8 ft. A beautiful contemporary dragon design rug, hand knotted using finest Chinese mulberry silk (8...
Wool, Silk
Vintage Tibetan Floral Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful late 20th century Tibetan rug with a lovely floral design Measures: 2'11'' x 5'9".
Wool
Nazmiyal Collection Large Antique Chinese Rug 14 ft x 15 ft 5 in
Located in New York, NY
Large Decorative Antique Chinese Dragon Design Rug, Country of Origin: China, Circa Date: 1900
Wool
Chinese Dragon Peking Rug
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese animal dragon rug in excellent medium even pile condition on creamy yellow colored ground. Measures: 5' x 8'.
Wool
Handmade Square Blue Antique Wool Rug Designed Art Deco Fl
Located in Norwalk, CT
This beautiful hand-knotted wool rug showcases a navy blue center framed by a multicolored border in a stunning Chinese floral pattern. This rug measures 7' x 7'2".
Wool
Blue Tan Chinese Animal Pictorial Landscape Rug
Located in New York, NY
A 20th century Chinese Peking rug with 2 reindeers and a large bird in a scenic background with a tree and palm tree. The wool on this rug is lustrous and has a silky feel to it if w...
Wool
$10,000
Antique Chinese Square Rug
Located in New York, NY
Rare square size Chinese Peking room size rug from the 1930s Measures: 8'2'' x 8'9''.
Wool
Dragon Rug Wool Silk Style Chinese Imperial Carpet Blue Beige, Djoharian Design
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Dragon design rug wool and silk in style of Chinese Kansu carpets 5 x 3.3 ft. A beautiful contemporary dragon design rug, hand knotted using finest Chinese mulberry silk (80%) and...
Wool, Silk
Handmade Antique Peking Blue Chinese Wool Rug with Classic Floral Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This luxurious antique Peking Chinese hand knotted wool rug features a navy blue field adorned with a designed frame and multi-colored accents in a stunning all-over Chinese floral m...
Other
Navy Blue Antique Art Deco Chinese Wool Rug With a Classic Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This elegant antique Art Deco Chinese wool rug features a navy blue color field with a decorative border in red and vibrant accents, showcasing a stunning classic Chinese motif. Thi...
Other
Antique Chinese Peking Carpet with Traditional Chinoiserie Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79078 Antique Chinese Peking Rug, 06'03 x 09'01. This exquisite one-of-a-kind, hand-knotted wool antique Chinese Peking rug is a stunning representation of Chinese artistry and cultu...
Wool
$2,500 / set
Matching Pair of Antique Khotan Rugs
Located in New York, NY
Very rare matching pair of antique khotans with one measuring 2'8" x 3'8" and the other measuring 2'8" x 3'9".
Wool
Chinese Art Deco Style Gold Wool Rug
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Art Deco style gold wool rug carpet with pagoda design (4 x 2\'). Please note: used/antique condition
Gold
Dragon Rug Wool Silk Carpet with Chinese Imperial Kansu Design Hand Knotted
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Dragon Rug Wool Silk Carpet with Chinese Imperial Kansu Design Hand Knotted 6 x 4 ft - 180 x 120 cm. A beautiful contemporary dragon design rug, han...
Wool, Silk
Antique Chinese Baotou Indigo Rug, circa 1900
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Antique Chinese Baotou indigo rug, circa 1900. The central field with an intricate lattice work of Traditional Gau (Amulet) design in two shades of blue...
Wool
Antique Art Deco Tan and Purple Wool Rug with Classic Chinese Motif 4 X 7
Located in Norwalk, CT
This antique art deco Chinese wool rug showcases a tan field with a decorative purple frame and multi-colored accents in an all-over Chinese classic motif. This rug measures 4'1" x ...
Other
Antique Red Chinese Wool Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug, hand-knotted wool with a red field, green frame in an allover Classic Chinese floral design. This rug measures are: 10' x 13'.4
Wool
Oustanding Late 19th Century Chinese Peking Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An outstanding late 19th century Chinese Peking rug with a central medallion with a cream and champagne colored phoenix resting on scholar's rocks amidst flowering chrysanthemums and...
Wool
Beautiful and Fine Antique Chinese Textile 3'2" x 3'7"
Located in New York, NY
Finely Woven Antique Chinese Textile, Country of Origin: China, Circa Date: Late 19th Century
Silk
Vintage 1980s Orange Coral Blue Chinese Peking Carpet 12'4" x 18'2" Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 1980s Chinese Peking Carpet 12'4" x 18'2" Vintage Large Peking Chinese Floral Medallion Hand Knotted Pile Rug, Country of Origin: China, Circa Date: 1980s. This exquisite piece represents the later evolution of the traditional peking rug...
Wool
Antique Peking Chinese Carpet
Located in Closter, NJ
In the 1860s an organized carpet industry was established under imperial patronage in Peking. These carpets tended to have tighter and finer weaves than their Ningxia counterparts, o...
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Chinese Carpet, Tan and Blue Carpet, Handmade Wool Rug
Located in Port Washington, NY
This elegant vintage Chinese rug is a classic example of the Peking style, woven in the late 20th century during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic era (circa 1980–1990). Desi...
Wool
Antique Peking 5Paw 9x12 Dragon Chinese Rug 275cmx356cm Fine Art Deco Rug c.1870
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite circa 1870 Chinese Peking rug features a soft brown field framed by deep blue borders and delicate floral corner motifs, centered by a detailed blossom medallion. Hand...
Wool
Antique Peking Chinese Runner
Located in Closter, NJ
In the 1860s an organized carpet industry was established under imperial patronage in Peking. These carpets tended to have tighter and finer weaves than their Ningxia counterparts, o...
Wool, Cotton
1920s Antique Peking Designed Chinese Wool Rug Handmade In Blue
Located in Norwalk, CT
This elegant antique Peking Chinese wool rug features a navy blue field with a decorative border and vibrant color accents, showcasing a stunning classic Chinese motif. This rug mea...
Other
Chinese Ning-Xia Antique Runner: Intact Never Cut
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Wonderful and rare Chinese runner Ning-Xia: intact! NEVER CUT, with pattern named Yin and Yan. It is perfect, unworn carpet surface. Many have been cut to make the small squares ...
Wool
Early 20th Century Handwoven Antique Chinese Deco Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This traditional handwoven Chinese Deco rug has a beige field with dashed mole brown rectangles with periwinkle accents, in a broad traditio...
Wool
Antique Peking Handmade Chinese Wool Rug In Navy Blue with Pictorial Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
A stunning and rare hand-knotted wool rug inspired by Chinese folklore, featuring Taoist immortals. The rug showcases a deep navy blue field accented with lovely peach tones, all bea...
Wool
$7,320
Chinese Art Deco Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
Title of product- Chinese Art Deco Rug Item Details and Description for the rug: The item's dimensions are 106" x 138" which are approximate dimensions. It is a Chinese art deco rug...
Thread
New Mystic Sunset Enchantment Modern Chinese Art Deco Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
31097 New Modern Orange Chinese Art Deco Rug, 07'11 x 10'02. A vision of opulence and mythic allure, this hand-knotted wool Chinese Art De...
Wool
1920s Antique Peking Designed Chinese Wool Rug Handmade In Golderod Color
Located in Norwalk, CT
This elegant antique Peking Chinese wool rug features a goldenrod field with a decorative border and navy blue accents, showcasing a stunning classic Chinese motif. This rug measure...
Other
1890s Soft Coral Medallion Design Traditional Chinese Kansu Rug 6'x8'6" Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Kansu province lies just to the east of Xinkiang or Chinese Turkestan. Kansu carpets are more "Chinese-like” with, as here, fret borders and corners, butterflies and fretwork element...
Wool
Enchanting Pictorial Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
Floral motif Pictorial mid 20th century Tibetan rug Measures: 3'1" x 5'1".
Wool
Antique Chinese Embroidery Textile 8" x 8"
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Embroidery, Origin: China, Circa: Late 19th Century
Silk
Antique Blue Peking Chinese Wool Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
A beautiful antique Destressed Peking Chinese hand knotted wool rug with a blue field and multi-color accents all-over traditional Chinese design. This rug measures: 7'4" x 9'10".
Wool
Vintage Chinese Rug in Peking Green
By Nichols
Located in New York, NY
Nice thick pile Chinese wool rug having a two tone green color way, in the style of Nichols. This rug is in very fine, original condition, clean and ready to use. We believe it is vi...
Wool
Room Size Antique Art Deco Chinese Wool Rug Handmade, Floral Design In Purple
Located in Norwalk, CT
This stunning hand-knotted wool rug features a purple field with a navy blue border and multicolored accents, all arranged in a beautiful Chinese floral pattern. This rug measures 6...
Wool
Medallion Handmade Antique Chinese Peking Square Wool Rug in Blue
Located in Norwalk, CT
This luxurious Peking Chinese antique wool rug boasts a blue field decorated with a designed frame and golden, peach, and black accents in a beautiful all-over Chinese floral pattern...
Other
Zabihi Collection Pictorial Deer Bird Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning circa 1930's Chinese pictorial rug with a large deer and bird on a deep blue ground Measures: 2'5" x 4'6".
Wool
Zabihi Collection Vintage Chinese Dragon Rug
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th-century one of a kind hand-knotted Chinese rug with a dragon motif Measures: 5'2'' x 8'1''
Wool
Dragon Rug Wool and Silk in Style of Antique Chinese Kansu Carpet 5 claw dragons
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Dragon Rug Wool and Silk in Imperial Style of Antique Chinese Kansu Carpet 5 claw dragons 8 x 5.4 ft Rectangular, colorful silk rug in the style of Imperial China, featuring a cent...
Wool, Silk
Zabihi Collection Navy Chinese Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th-century Chinese rug with a zipper closure and polyfill. Measures: 16'' x 17''.
Wool
The Whispered Harmony: A Chinese Art Deco Masterpiece of Subtle Elegance
By Helen Fette
Located in Dallas, TX
78989 Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug, 09'00 x 11'09. This exquisite hand-knotted wool antique Chinese Art Deco rug embodies the elegance and restrained beauty characteristic of early 2...
Wool
Chinese Ninghsia Style “Hundred Antiques” Carpet, circa 1960
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Chinese Ninghsia style “Hundred Antiques” carpet circa 1960. Measures 9.ft.6in. x 6ft. (290cm. x 183cm.) A central medallion surrounded by cult...
Wool
Vintage Hand Made Chinese Sculpted Wool Area Rug
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful hand made vintage Chinese sculpted wool area rug China, Mid-20th Century Nice floral design, with predominant colors in light green, peach,...
Wool
Vintage Chinese Floral Kilim Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
77814 vintage Chinese Floral Kilim rug 04'02 x 06'03. This hand-woven wool vintage Chinese kilim rug features a color blocked field and border festoon...
Wool
1920s Antique Chinese Peking Wool Rug Handmade Blue with Classic Floral Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This luxurious antique Peking Chinese hand knotted wool rug features a navy blue field adorned with a designed frame and golden accents in a stunning all-over Chinese floral motif. ...
Other
Late 19th Century Ningxsia Chinese Carpet of The Eight Horses of Emperor Mu Wang
Located in Closter, NJ
The Ningxia region in northern China is generally accepted as being one of the first regions to actively weave carpets in that country. This has been attributed to shared cultural li...
Wool, Cotton
Zabihi Collection Floral Antique Chinee Rug
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th Century Chinese rug with a floral design in cream, blue, yellow and brown Measures: 8'11'' x 11'5''.
Wool
Blue Beige Chinese Silk Scatter Rug
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th-century Chinese Silk rug in beige, light blue and navy Measures: 3' x 4'11''.
Wool, Silk
Champagne Mustard Soft Blue Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
An intermediate size Chinese Peking rug in soft blue and champagne tones from the early 20th century 5'3'' x 8'1''
Wool
Navy border Chinese Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th-century Chinese rug with zipper closure and poly-fill. Measures: 15'' x 15''.
Wool
Midcentury Pictorial Chinese Handmade Wool Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful vintage pictorial hand knotted wool rug with an abstract brown field. This rug has multi-color accents in an all-over gorgeous Oriental pictorial design. This rug measur...
Wool