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.
Early 20th Century Chinese Style Elm Wood Skinny Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Chinese Style Elm Wood Skinny Bench Measures 54" in width, 12.5" in depth, 21.5" in height.
Elm
Low Vintage Bay Window Bench, Oriental Elm, Hallway Pew, Side Table, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a low vintage bay window bench. An Oriental, Asian Elm hallway pew, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930. A charming and versatile seating solution, perfectly proportioned for use beneath a window or in a grand reception hall. Delightful vintage window bench with distinctive Art Deco appeal Crafted from Asian Elm, showcasing warm caramel hues and striking grain pattern Features a trio of useful drawers across the lower fascia, ideal for storage Each drawer dressed with original brass drop handles, adding tactile charm Flared ends create a strong silhouette, with shaped bracket supports beneath Equally suited to use as a hallway pew, window seat or low side bench Presents in superb vintage order, lightly timeworn with desirable aged patina A tasteful fusion of Eastern craftsmanship and Art Deco sensibility, this vintage Asian Elm bench...
Elm
Antique Chinese Red and Brown Wooden Storage Bench
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early Republic) wooden bench with removeable, red-sided, black two-piece top painted in a gold and red central figurative scene and moths in each corner, supported b...
Wood
Stunning Asian Cinnabar Red Lacquer Bench Upholstered in Printed Cowhide
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Super stylish cinnabar red Chinese lacquer bench with beautiful silhouette, recently updated with printed cowhide upholstery.
Cowhide, Wood
Chinese Carved Wood Bench, Late 19th Early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Very beautiful Chinese bench in carved exotic wood: the backrest comes forward to form the armrests and ends in snails, the backrest is also composed of 2 vertical wooden panels carv...
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Rare Top Hat Court Official Elm Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Rare Top Hat Court Official Elm Bench The Antique Shanxi Province Rare Top Hat Court Official Elm Bench is a stunning piece of furnit...
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
Antique Shanxi Province Carved Elm Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
This Antique Shanxi Province Elm Bench showcases the timeless beauty of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. Crafted from solid elm wood, the bench features elegantly carved curved leg...
Wood, Elm
$3,000 / set
Pair of Chinese Teak and Velvet Benches
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese style (20th Cent) square teak benches with filigree apron and mustard velvet seat Please NOTE one has a cushion as pictured and one does not have a cushion.
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Bench This Antique Shanxi Province Elm Bench embodies the quiet beauty and authenticity of wabi-sabi design, celebrating age, simplicity, and natural imp...
Elm, Lacquer
Mid 19th Century Chinese Ebonized Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
19th century Chinese bench with woven seat. Ebonized Jumu or southern elm wood. Hand carved details
Cane, Elm
Pair of Red Cinnabar Hand Carved Asian Elephants with Brass Tusks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Cinnabar red hand carved elephants with solid brass tusks. the trunks are up, allowing the good energy to flow wherever you place them. A Wonderfull statement flanking a doorway or can be used as a stool, or pull up from under a console table. many wonderful uses or simply as decorative items. A peacoefilled and lovely way to share such statement pieces. Chinese imports...
Belgian Black Marble, Brass
Art Deco Style Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Art Deco Style Bench, a bold statement with a handsome tight back design featuring curved corners set upon a reeded carved frame and tapered legs. Dimensions: 55" W x 20" D x 24" H ...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique French Church Pew Bench Double Seat Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
UNIQUE Carved Oak Antique French Double Church Pew, Entry Bench, Settee or Banquette c.1900-20 ~~Classic French flair decorator piece~~ Perfect for living area seating, entry, hall...
Oak
Rustic Chinese Provincial Elm Wood Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
The elegantly simple 19th century elmwood bench has the clean restraint of Classic Chinese Minimalist forms, Elegantly simple in design from China's Zhejiang province celebrates the...
Elm
$5,206
H 46.07 in W 57.09 in D 23.04 in
Spanish Renaissance Revival Carved Wooden Bench, Early 20th Century
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Impressive Spanish carved wooden bench in the Renaissance Revival tradition, dating from the early 20th century. Crafted in solid wood, this piece features a high backrest richly dec...
Hardwood, Oak
$320Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 14 in D 16 in
Antique Mahogany Slipper Storage Bench Trunk Footstool Ottoman Rest
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique slipper bench / piano trunk / foot rest / stool / sewing ottoman. Made from mahogany featuring Victorian / Eastlake styling with padded seat that opens to a storage compartm...
Fabric, Mahogany
19th Century Bench
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Chinese bench. A special black lacquered antique Elm wood bench circa 1800. A waisted (refers to specific Chinese furniture construction & joinery) raised top set on frame with hump back stretchers and struts. A most sensational patina of black lacquer worn through to the wood showcases the benches elegant presence and raw beauty. This is an original piece with a 200 plus year history. The raw top is worn silk like smooth from age and use. The reaming black lacquer is thick having an alligatored rustic patina. The construction is solid and strong. Feet having scroll key detail carved to faces with wear prevalent to the bottom of the feet. The humpback struts show ware from one side being more evident then on the other side, more lacquer remains covering one strut. A very significant Antique Chinese Bench...
Elm
Milo Baughman Storage Bench
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman Storage Bench, geometric designed patterned exterior with pop-up seats, concealing cedar-lined storage, bench seats reupholstered with mohair dimensions: 56" 17" deep 1...
Mohair, Wood
Elm Wood Skinny Bench #A32
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Skinny Benches Overall Size: 9" D x 70" W x 16.75" H Between Legs: 47" Leg Height: 18" Seat Depth: 6" Add sleek, natural charm to your space with our Elm Wood Skinny Benches....
Elm
Storage Bench Decorated with Elephants
Located in Kastrup, DK
Artistic storage bench, naïve and charming in its design. Shape of elephants in amber lacquer between elephants, at the end decorated with vases and flow...
Wood
Late 20th century hand carved teak decorator bench.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a late 20th century handcrafted teak decorator bench. This bench has a hand carved X design to the back with a soft curved arm. This long bench has a highly polished Amber to...
Wood
Early 18th C. Italian Wooden Window Bench w/Storage
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian carved-wood bench with storage from the early 18th century. This antique bench from Italy has a flattened backside, with a curved/bowed (half-oval shape) front design with a double break-front step out flanking its center before rounding onto the sides. The case houses a pair of raised-panel doors at front, with a slender drawer above, and a second drawer positioned below the doors. There is hidden storage within this bench- please ask us for details on this before purchasing. The platform base is nicely molded and sits securely to the ground. There is a custom light wash that highlights the edging and some of the trimmings. This early 18th century wood bench...
Wood
Chinese Style Striped and Faux Bamboo Chippendale Bench
Located in Queens, NY
English Chinese Chippendale style (20th Century) mahogany rectangular bench with a tufted striped upholstered seat and having a faux bamboo frame with cluster legs
Bamboo
Decorative bench in dark laquered wood, Asia late 20th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A decorative bench in dark lacquered wood. Made in Asia, late 20th Century. Beautiful sculptural shape and heavy, quality wood. Stabile and in good condition. Smaller signs of age ...
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Octagonal Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seats
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th Century Octagonal Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seats
Porcelain
Antique Shanxi Province Natural Color and Patina Elm Seat / Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Natural Color and Patina Elm Seat / Bench One person Elm wood bench seat. For use at a hallway or as a dining seat. With original...
Elm
19th Century Carved Chinese Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finely and heavily carved Chinese bench with gilt details throughout. Newly upholstered in acid yellow velvet with hints of aqua. Strong, comforta...
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood and Rattan Low Coffee Alter Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood and Rattan Low Coffee Alter Table This Chinese antique altar table features a single board flush floating ...
Wicker, Rattan, Elm, Lacquer
Sold
H 14 in W 47.5 in L 14 in
Vintage Oriental Chinoisere Black Lacquer Window Bench Soapstone Figures
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage oriental Chinoisere black Lacquer 48" window bench soapstone figures. Item features carved soapstone figures, black lacquer finish, painted f...
Soapstone
Sold
H 20.5 in W 21.5 in D 15 in
19th-C. Chinese Ebonized Teak Benches, Pawed Feet and Chinoiserie Fabric, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are wonderful! This is a pair of 19th century carved and ebonized teak benches with pawed feet. The chinoiserie fabric is vintage and in good ...
Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 31.11 in W 77.17 in D 25.99 in
Chinese Rosewood Three-Seat Bench in Traditional Form, Late 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a Chinese rosewood three-seat bench in traditional form, dating to the late 20th century. In super condition with good consistent color Shaped crest rail runs sinuously i...
Rosewood
Antique Carved Chinese Dragon Bench Settee
Located in West Hartford, CT
Antique and unique Chinese bench is finely and ornately carved with dragons with white eyes of hard stone. Center dragon is writhing and entwined within itself. Dragons on arms are h...
Wood
Traditional Chinese Two-Seat Bench, 20th Century, Red, Lacquer
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a traditional Chinese two-seat bench crafted in the late 20th century. A red lacquered, elm bench. Of quality craftsmanship Chinese elm displaying grain interest in the s...
Elm
18th Century Chinese Reception Bench
Located in San Marino, CA
An 18th century Chinese reception bench made of poplar. Used to seat guests outside a home in a residential courtyard. From Shanshi.
Poplar