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.
Chinese Hongmu Corner Chair, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese Hongmu corner chair, 19th century. The horseshoe-form back with molded crest above a pair of open carved splats with fruiting and fl...
Wood
$575Sale Price|52% Off
Chinese Export Oriental Hand Carved Rosewood Corner Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Chinese export oriental corner chair. The chair is finely hand-carved of quality rosewood with shiny lacquer finish and is made using...
Rosewood
Hand-Crafted Chinese Yoke Chairs, Elm Wood, Ming Style, 20th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of Yoke high back Chinese chairs in Ming style. Could be used as side chairs or dining chairs. There is no structural damages on the chair...
Elm
Vintage Rosewood Hand Carved Oriental Corner Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage rosewood hand carved oriental corner chair Chic solid rosewood oriental corner chair hand carved in front and back. This charming piec...
Rosewood
$710
H 25.99 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Antique Rural Dutch Carved Corner Bobbin Chair with New Rush Nr2
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very charming oak Bobbin chair that fits perfect in a corner. The rush of the seat is new and therefore it is still a bit green but that will soon fade. This chair was made in the ...
Rush, Oak
$395
H 27 in W 16.5 in D 16.5 in
Early 20th Century Cottage Style Bobbin Corner Chairs with Rush Seating
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Corner chair by Stefanus Collé from the 1920s features cottage style bobbin turnings and carved wood frame with original rush seating. Decorative spindles create characteristic verti...
Rush, Wood
Carved Walnut Art Nouveau French Corner Chair
By J. Horner
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine carved walnut French Art Nouveau corner lounge chair.
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century Antique French Bobbin Rush Corner Chair in Carved Oak
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th c. French Bobbin rush corner chair. French rush-seat corner chair, Coin du Feu. 19th Century French Provincial-style carved oak armchair with open backs and rush seat....
Rush, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Ninfea Folding Side Chair by Gio Ponti, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Ninfea folding side chair made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by Gio Ponti, in good condition. The seat backrest of singl...
Leather, Walnut
$1,685
H 31 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Antique French Carved Oak Corner Arm Chair Renaissance Louis XIV style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...
Oak
Pair of 19th Century Carved Oak Corner Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century carved oak corner chairs from England with a wonderfully carved back, supports and arms, all depicting acanthus leaves and scrolls. The seats have wonderful carv...
Oak
$1,445
H 32 in W 28 in D 27 in
Antique English Carved Oak Corner Chair Renaissance Arm Throne Chair Upholstery
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from England, a gorgeous 19th century carved oak corner chair. Thick, hand carved foliate back rail, with turned and carved lyre shaped supports, ending in dimensional mask handholds. Fully carved straight legs to the sides, with a wide carved apron having carved foliate and lion masks. Front carved cabriole leg with large ball and claw foot. Removable slip seat cushion features a crest flanked by rampant lions on a floral background. Skillfully hand carved design, with a rich, dark patina, this 19th century English oak corner chair...
Oak
$525
H 34.5 in W 26.5 in D 28 in
Reproduction Italian Renaissance Style Mahogany Corner Side Chair w/ Carved Face
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Reproduction Italian Renaissance Style Mahogany Corner Side Chair w/ Carved Face. Ite...
Mahogany
$2,701Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Antique 20th Century Set of two brown French Arts & Crafts Bobbin Corner Chairs
Located in Casteren, NL
Discover a set of antique Bobbin chairs that captures the essence of mid-19th century France. These corner chairs, each with its own unique chara...
Rush, Beech
Vintage Chinoiserie Rosewood Corner Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Chinoiserie rosewood corner chair Lovely rosewood chair with intricately carved floral motifs. Measures: 27 Width x 22 Depth x 32 Hei...
Rosewood
19th Century Italian Renaissance Corner Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Italian Renaissance corner armchair was designed to take advantage of an otherwise unused space in the corner. Sculpted ...
Walnut
Sold
H 36.75 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
Classic Vintage Bamboo Corner Chair, British Colonial Decor, Bohemian Seating
Located in Chicago, IL
Charming bamboo corner chair with ball finials. Could be English or Chinese made for export. Sides and bottom apron of the chair have decorative bamboo work and the seat is solid bam...
Bamboo
Chinese Export Hardwood Corner Chair
Located in Essex, MA
In the Georgian taste, horseshoe back, two vasiform splats, solid panel seat raised on a carved cabriole leg with claw and ball foot joined by a X-form turned stretcher.
Other
Pair Of Chinese Rosewood Corner Chairs
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of Chinese rosewood corner chairs. Signed Made in Hong Kong.
Rosewood