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.
Pair of Mid-Century Chinese Black Lacquer Armchairs with Geometric Fretwork
Located in London, GB
A striking pair of mid-20th-century Chinese armchairs, dating from the 1940s–50s, showcases a refined balance of traditional form and understated modernism. Each chair features a sol...
Velvet, Wood
Pair Of Carved Wooden Armchairs, China, Late 19th Early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of armchairs in carved exotic wood, with superb openwork backrest Some old restorations (legs, backrests), wear and tear (stains) and small cracks Chinese work from the end of...
Wood
Pair of Chinese Horseshoe-Back Elmwood and Hardwood Armchairs
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of Chinese elmwood and hardwood Qing Dynasty horseshoe-back armchairs. Set of two. Signs of age and wear.
Beech, Bentwood
Chinese 19th Century Carved Horseshoe-Back Folding Chair
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (19th Century) horseshoe-back wooden folding armchair with a rush seat, sloped, carved back and footrest.
Hardwood
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Chinese Elm Yoke Back Officials Hat Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Highly carved pair of Chinese elm yoke back officials hat chairs. Featuring a decorative back splat with figural scenes. The arms have a whimsical serpentine form and the spandrels on the crest and front apron have finely carved detail. Constructed with a mortise and tenon joinery and supported by square legs with a foot rest in the front. Also known as pagoda chairs...
Elm
$4,500 / set
Rare Hongmu comb-back Chinese Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant pair of late hongmu comb-back armchairs, Late Qing Dynasty Each chair of elegant form with arched humpback top -rail supported on round posts extending to the back legs...
Wood
Vintage Decorative Elbow Chair, Oriental, Hall, Fireside, Dragon Seat, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage decorative elbow chair, an Oriental, relief carved mahogany fireside or hall seat, dating to the late Art Deco period, circa 1950. Fine vintage statement piece wit...
Mahogany
Armchair with Chinoiserie Lacquer Decoration, Probably Early 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Armchair with high curved backrest, yellow upholstery with floral ornaments, and a straight wooden frame with H-shaped stretcher. The sides of the armrests, the back, and the apron a...
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
James Mont Style Chair Asian Chair
Located in Alpha, NJ
This chair is in good condition. Occasional faint scuffs to wood finish and few areas of very faint discoloration to fabric. Otherwise, chair presents well.
Fabric, Hardwood
Asian Chinese Ming Style (c. 1970's) Rosewood Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese Ming style (c. 1970\'s) armchair in rosewood with a horseshoe shaped back center slat panel with a stretcher
Chinese Export Bamboo and Rattan Pair of Chairs and Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive three piece set of Chinese Export furniture having a pair of armchairs and matching stand handcrafted with bamboo, bent bamboo and rattan, featuring bone finials, pegged c...
Bamboo
$7,400 / set
Pair of Vintage Chinese Rosewood Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage Chinese rosewood chairs. Has a Chinese relief pattern to the back. Chairs are solid rosewood. Nice pair for an Asian inspired ...
Rosewood
Antique Chinese Rosewood Armchair with Mother of Pearl Inlaid Details
Located in Topeka, KS
Magnificent vintage Chinese Rosewood armchair with Mother of Pearl inlaid details. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
Pair of Chinese Antique Export Cir 1900 Lacquered & Painted Ming Style Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of highly decorative Chinese Export circa 1900-1920 hand painted and lacquered Ming style armchairs...
Wood
Incredible Antique Chinese Rattan & Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rare and beautiful pair of antique Chinese rattan and bamboo armchairs with great style and craftsmanship. arm heigh 26.5 Seat dept 18
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Pair Armchairs
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Experience the timeless elegance of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with these exceptional hand-carved rosewood pair of armchairs. Created in the mid to late 20th century, these pi...
Upholstery, Wood, Rosewood
Set of 2 Vintage Handwoven & Crafted Chinoiserie Rattan Cane & Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Set of Two Cane, Bamboo and Wicker armchairs. These are handcrafted chairs with cane seats feature bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns. The backrests are desig...
Bamboo, Cane, Natural Fiber
Chinese Antique Export circa 1900 Lacquered & Painted Ming Style Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning highly decorative Chinese Export circa 1900-1920 hand painted and lacquered Ming style armchair. ...
Wood
Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An impressive pair of Asian armchairs having a faux tortoise finish with a lacquered black seat. Measures: Arm height 28 seat height 20.
Bamboo
Him & Her Vintage Handwoven & Crafted Chinoiserie Rattan Cane & Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Set of Him & Her Cane, Bamboo and Wicker armchairs. These are handcrafted chairs with cane seats feature bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns. The backrests are...
Bamboo, Cane, Plastic
Chinese Ming Style Oriental Carved Hardwood Low Armchair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Chinese Ming style oriental carved hardwood low armchair. Item features loose cushion, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, nicely carved details, great style and form, cir...
Wood
$2,672Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 Asian Armchairs in Carved and Inlaid Wood, circa 1900-1920
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Set of 4 elegant Asian lounge armchairs. In carved wood inlays with many animal and vegetal scenes: birds, flowers, plants... Chinoiserie / Chinese Export, Indochina or southern ...
Wood
Fantastic Four (4) ARMCHAIRS Chinese, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Four (4) ARMCHAIRS Chinese, 19th Century, in hardwood and marble. Dim.: 96 x 59 x 44 cm good conditions
Wood
Fantastic PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS Chinese, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF ARMCHAIRS Chinese, 19th Century in hardwood, with carvings and marble inserted. Dim.: 88 x 64 x 46 cm good conditions
Wood
Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Carved Elm Armchair with Heavy Foliage Detailing
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand-carved solid elm lacquered throne armchair A really rare an expertly hand-carved piece, the detail is never ending and of the...
Elm
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Chinese Hardwood Chairs with Fretwork Designs and High Relief Panels
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Chinese hardwood chairs with Fretwork designs and high relief panels. Each chair is beautifully hand carved with exceptional d...
Hardwood
Antique 1880 Heavily Carved Chinese Dragon Carver Armchair Must See Pictures
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original 19th century Chinese Dragon heavily carved carver armchair This chair is a pi...
Hardwood
$2,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 37.2 in W 23 in D 17 in
Pair of Horse Shoe Back Armchairs, China, circa 1900
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of very interesting horse shoe back armchairs, China, circa 1900. Chinese elm with carved decorations on the back and front. Beautiful patina.
Elm
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Huanghuali Horseshoe Back Armchairs
Located in Water Mill, NY
Pair of 19th century Chinese Huanghuali horseshoe back Armchair, with very good patina. Some restoration. Contact dealer for more information.
$695
H 32.25 in W 21 in D 23.5 in
Mid-Century Nichols and Stone Maple Comb Back Maple Windsor Armchair
Located in Germantown, MD
A mid Century maple comb back Windsor armchairs by Nichols and Stone. Measures 23.5" w x 21"D x 32.25"H.
Maple
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back Chairs
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous and unique pair of late 18th Century Swedish barrel backs from the Gustavian period that have been dry scrapped and then had a recent paint touch up with grays and white h...
Linen, Wood, Paint
$1,783
H 36.23 in W 27.96 in D 22.45 in
Italian 19th Century Renaissance Revival Savonarola Chair in Walnut Side Chair
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Impressive & fully original Florentine Renaissance Savonarola chair in carved walnut. Restored in our workshop and it looks simply stunning. Armrests ending with two amazing hand-c...
Birch, Walnut
$1,800
H 52 in W 24 in D 24 in
19th Century Spanish Revival High Back Armchair with Red Velvet Upholstery
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Spanish revival high back armchair with red velvet upholstery.
Velvet, Walnut
$4,150 / set
H 38 in W 26 in D 28 in
Pair of Late 19th-Early 20th Century Carved Oak Regence Fauteuils
Located in Hudson, NY
This pair of chairs in carved oak are made in the Regence style and are finely carved. Generous but not over scale and comfortable the chairs reflect the attention to detail but subt...
Oak
$2,850Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 35 in W 19.5 in D 15 in
Pair of Chinese Antique Lady's Chairs Red Carved
Located in Somis, CA
A rare and exceptional pair of 19th century Chinese lady’s chairs, preserved in remarkable original condition—an increasingly uncommon find, especially as a matched set. Elegantly pr...
Wood
$2,975 / set
H 30.52 in W 23.63 in D 19.89 in
19th Century Spanish Pair of Colonial Carved Armchairs with Leather Seat & Back
Located in Miami, FL
19th century walnut Spanish colonial altar armchairs with wood back with ornamental carved and wood seat. The unusual lyre legs complete this exceptional pair of armchairs Measures: ...
Walnut, Leather
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Armchairs
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century Chinese hardwood arm chairs, each with carved bats above a motif and surrounded by cherries and leaves, raised on square section legs united by st...
Hardwood
Pair of Armchairs by B&B Italia, Late 20th Century
By B&B Italia
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of modern armchairs featuring a chrome-plated metal frame with wide support straps. Generously cushioned and upholstered in a brick-red fabric, these chairs combine comfort with...
Metal
$3,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 38.98 in W 25.99 in D 20.48 in
19th Century Spanish Colonial Altar Carved Armchairs with Wood Seat & Back
Located in Miami, FL
19th century walnut Spanish colonial altar armchairs with wood back with ornamental carved and wood seat. The unusual lyre legs complete this exceptional pair of armchairs Measures: ...
Walnut
Antique Chinese Horseshoe Armchairs, 1890s. Set of 2.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Chinese Horseshoe Armchairs, 1890s. Set of 2. Also known as roundback chairs this wonderful matching pair of large and elegant Chinese chairs features horseshoe shaped armre...
Elm
Pair Chinese Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair Chinese Arm Chairs with woven seats. Pegged construction. Some wear from age and use
Rattan, Wood
Ceramic Handmade Multicolored Chinese Garden Stool
Located in Vienna, AT
Midcentury chinese porcelain garden seat, partly pierced and decorated in colours and transfer printing with flowers, coins and waves. H. 41 Diam. 30 cm.
Ceramic
Chinese 19th Century Hoop Back Horseshoe Folding Armchair
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (19th Century) wood horseshoe armchair with a foldable frame featuring a curved crest rail and shaped back splat and arms that protrude over the back posts with an ou...
Fabric
Ceramic Handmade Chinese Garden Stool
Located in Vienna, AT
Midcentury chinese porcelain garden seat, partly pierced and decorated in colours and transfer printing with dragon,
Ceramic
Sold
H 35.24 in W 23.43 in D 23.82 in
Pair of Antique Chinese Elm Horseshoe Tub Armchairs +Slideout Rolling Footrests
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of antique Chinese Elm Horseshoe chairs with slide out roller footrests. A very good looking and decorative pair of antique C...
Elm
Pair of Asian Inlaid Wooden Armchairs, Mid-20th Century
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Set of 2 wooden armchairs with floral (flowers), animal (bird) and fantasy (phoenix) marquetry, Very good build quality. Indochina or Sou...
Wood
Chinese Export Tortoise Shell Bamboo Rattan Armchair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Brighton pavilion style Chinese export bamboo armchair featuring Chinese chippendale rattan fretwork. The chair frame is crafted from gorgeous tortoise shell style bamboo with dramat...
Bamboo, Rattan
Chinese Hongmu Wood Quanyi Folding Chairs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese brass-mounted Hongmu wood Quanyi or horseshoe-back folding chairs, a pair, each with gilt brass mounts in the Ming taste. 40.5" H x 27" W x 24" D x...
Hardwood
Important Armchair Chinese, Minguo Period
Located in Madrid, ES
Important armchair Chinese, Minguo period (1912-1949), in exotic wood with carvings. Dimensions: 105 x 54 x 47 cm. Good conditions.
Wood
Baker Furniture Chinese Horseshoe Back Style Chairs
Located in Fulton, CA
A pair of Chinese style horseshoe back armchairs by Baker Furniture Company. Retaining metal "Baker Furniture" labels. Original upholstery on seat and original painted finish. In ver...
Fabric, Wood
Ceramic Handmade Multicolored Chinese Garden Stool
Located in Vienna, AT
Midcentury chinese porcelain garden seat, partly pierced and decorated in colours and transfer printing with flowers, coins and waves. H. 45. Diam. 30 cm.
Ceramic