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
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 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
$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 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
Antique Shanxi Province Carved Ornate Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Carved Ornate Bench Antique Shanxi Province bench handcrafted from solid elm wood, featuring ornate hand-carved details and a rich, aged patina. Its clean s...
Wood
Early 20th Century French Chestnut Trestle Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 20th century French bench with a simple trestle base and clean, understated lines. The chestnut wood has developed a beautiful warm patina from generations of use. Noticeable a...
Chestnut
Chinese Style Sage Velvet Upholstered Bench on Ebonized Wood Base
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Style Sage Velvet Upholstered Bench, on ebonized wood base. 17" H x 48" W x 16" D. Provenance: From a Park Avenue Estate.
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Antique Long Wooden Bench in Old Brown Paint
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique wooden bench in old brown paint with other paint spatters here and there on top. The extended top with attached sides is mounted on notched carved flat legs on each end. A...
Wood
Pine and Oak Storage Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
What an outstanding Box Bench! The oak and the pine contrast beautifully to create a deep rich warmth perfect for this piece. For most of its length the top rail is flat, only follo...
Oak, Pine
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
$1,680
H 18.9 in W 36.62 in D 18.12 in
Danish Rococo Style Bench, Cabriole Legs & Lambswool Seat, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant Rococo-style bench crafted in the early 20th century, distinguished by its graceful cabriole legs and refined silhouette. Made by a skilled Danish Cabinetmaker. The fram...
Lambskin, Oak
Pair Of Art Deco Style Benches in Birdseye Maple And Velvet
Located in Bernville, PA
Beautiful pair of matching Art Deco style benches in solid Birdseye Maple with patterned velvet. A simple design with four angular corners. Superior craftsmanship noted with solid Bi...
Velvet, Birdseye Maple
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 #C10
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Skinny Benches Overall Size: 10" D x 65" W x 19.75" H Between Legs: 50.5″ Leg Height: 18.75″ Seat Depth: 5.25″ Add sleek, natural charm to your space with our Elm Wood Skinny Be...
Elm
Biedermeier Backless Garden Bench, Hand-Carved Wood, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Outdoor painted wood backless garden bench with carved scroll side base
Wood
Pair of Benches
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Pair of hand made patinated bronze benches each with an upholstered seat. PLEASE NOTE: Green Fabric no longer available.
Bronze
$586
H 18.9 in W 91.34 in D 13.78 in
Antique Primitive Elm Pig Bench, Long And Narrow, Chinese, Early 20th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE RUSTIC BENCH A highly decorative bench constructed from elm with time worn dry finish full of character. A stylish silhouette of long and narrow proportions which could equ...
Elm
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
Sold
H 15.95 in W 53.55 in D 16.34 in
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
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
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
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
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
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
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