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.
$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
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
$648Sale Price / set|40% Off
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
$701
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
$2,665Sale 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
$1,450
H 26 in W 17 in D 17 in
Late 19th Century French Bobbin-Turned Oak Fireside Corner Chair with Rush Seat
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An evocative late-19th-century French Provincial corner chair, or coin du feu, handcrafted in France circa 1895. Distinguished by its compact proportions, unusual wraparound back and...
Rush, Oak
$6,700Sale Price|28% Off
H 32 in W 25 in D 29 in
Alan Siegel Post-Modern Craftsman 'Tongue' Chair, Signed & Dated 1981
By Alan Siegel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This work of Post-Modern functional art is called the 'Tongue' chair by artist and sculptor Alan Siegel, exhibited in 1981 at the Betsy Rosenfield Gallery in Chicago. Signed and dated (1981) by the artist underneath the seat. Carved from Maple and Black Walnut, this gorgeous piece of art is something unique, fun and whimsical, and ideal for art and design collectors and investors. This incredible chair, which in of itself is a sculpture of collectible fine art, was designed as a figural man's head where the backrest is comprised of the hair and eyes along with a sculpted nose, teeth and mustache. The tongue makes the seat and below that for the legs of the chair is the beard and chin. Other Alan Siegel chairs were present in the exhibition such as the 'Smiling Bandit' chair and 'Laughing Bandit' chair which were also carved from Maple and Black Walnut. Ideal for Modern and Post-Modern homes, also consider for Mid-Century Modern, Contemporary, Transitional and Mixed-styled rooms. Works great as a side chair, hallway chair, entryway chair, occasional chair, captains chair for a dining table or game table, reading chair or fireside chair, or office desk or guest chair. ARTIST EXHIBITIONS: 2017 Galeria Nudo, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 2013 Kleinart James Gallery, Woodstock, NY 2013 Galeria Manuel Chacon, Fabrica La Aurora, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 2011 Galeria Atelier, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 2004 Galeria le Noir, Mexico 2002 Franklin Parrasch Gallery, New York, NY 2001 Franklin Parrasch Gallery, New York, NY 2000 Elena Zang Gallery, Woodstock (Shady), NY Nancy Hoffman...
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
$1,445
H 32 in W 28 in D 27 in
Antique English Carved Oak Corner Chair Renaissance Arm Throne Chair Upholstery
Located in Choudrant, 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
$2,571Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 16.93 in D 16.54 in
Antique 20th Century Set of French Arts & Crafts Bobbin Corner Chairs
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful seating arrangement of two corner chairs. The chairs were made in solid beechwood with original rush seats. This rustic set of antique double railed chairs with Classic...
Rush, Beech
$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 Choudrant, LA
Antique French carved oak corner arm chair Renaissance Louis XIV style ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful carving throughout this versatile antique Fren...
Oak
$3,250 / set
H 36.5 in W 24.75 in D 20.5 in
Pair of Antique Swedish Monk's Corner Chairs in Oak, Circa Early 20th Century
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of rustic Swedish munkstolar, or monk’s chairs, ca. 1910-1920. Their three legged design has its origins in the medieval monasteries of Northern Europe where it was considered a...
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
Faux Bamboo Gilded 19th Century Corner Chair by Heywood Wakefield
Located in Water Mill, NY
Faux bamboo gilded corner chair with needlepoint seat by Heywood Wakefield.
Giltwood
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
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