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 Hard Wood Dining Table & Eight Matching Chairs all with Stylized Carving
Located in London, GB
A super quality Chinese hardwood dining table, with eight matching chairs including two armchairs. The dining table with a wipeable rice impregna...
Teak
$10,501 / item
Set of Six Chinese Sanding Varnish Hand-Painted Chairs
Located in Berlin, BE
Set of six Chinese sanding varnish hand-painted Chairs 2 Arm and 4 side chairs. All with different designs. silk fabric. One of the chairs had a crack that was restored and is very s...
Silk, Wood
Set Six Chinese Chippendale Whitewashed Dining Chairs, Carved Dragons, Rosewood
Located in Manhasset, NY
Set of 6 Chinese Carved Whitewashed Dining Chairs, Rosewood, Chippendale Style; Comprised of a pair of arm and four side chairs. Complete with s...
Silk, Wood
$2,980 / item
Chloe Chair by Gordon Gu
Located in hong kong, HK
Nature is always neither dying nor being born, creating and deducing all things in a natural and endless way. Man comes from nature, but he will eventually return to it. Every tree a...
Crystal
$2,651Sale 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
Antique Shanxi Province Red Lacquered Elm Dining / Office Chairs, Set of 3
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Red Lacquered Elm dining / office chairs - Set of 3 These Antique Elm Red Lacquers Dining Chairs are from the Shanxi...
Elm, Lacquer
“Viking Oak” Dining Set, A Table with Eight “Horse Head” Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a distinctive dining set, a perfect addition to a ranch setting or otherwise rustic décor. These furnishings are part of the "Viking Oak" line produced by the Romweber Furniture Company of Batesville, Indiana, known for its solid, hand-carved oak furniture. A solid oak wood dining table with slide...
Oak
Set of Six 1920s Rococo Venetian Dining Chairs in Purple Mohair
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of six stunning Venetian dining chairs in purple mohair.
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Six Chinese Dining Chairs in Ming Style
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage set of Chinese in Ming style dining chairs in solid wood. Glossy redwood frames - two with arms, and four without. Includes teal color...
Wood
Henredon Scene 3 Lacquer Dining Chairs Set of 8
By Henredon
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Henredon dining chairs, comprising a pair of arm chairs and six side chairs, each black lacquer form terminating in brass end caps, bearing Henredon labels. Arm 44 1/2"H. 22"W. 17 1/...
Brass
Splendid 4S Chinese Teak Wood Dining Chairs
Located in Boca Raton, FL
4S Set of Chinese vintage dining chairs in teak wood with a symbol of longevity carved in the backs. Beautifully polished amber color of teak wood. 4 linen cushions included.
Teak
Six Danish Rosewood Dining Chairs
Located in Oakland, CA
Set of six Danish crafted rosewood dining chairs with rich rosewood grain on chair backs, newly upholstered seats in a blue leather. High-quality construction. Professionally restor...
Leather, Rosewood
$18,000Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 37.5 in W 24.5 in D 25.5 in
Set of Twelve Baker Regency Style Burl Wood Klismos Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Magnificent set of twelve English Regency style klismos armchairs or dining chairs made by Baker Furniture. Featuring handcrafted frames covered with dramatic burlwood veneers. The k...
Fabric, Wood, Burl
$1,995 / set
H 40.5 in W 19 in D 18.25 in
Arthur Umanoff Mid-Century Modern Granada Dining Table with Four Chairs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous 5-piece dining set which includes 4 high back chairs and a round glass top table that is 29.5 height and 36 in diameter Set is designed by ...
Iron
Set of Six Louis XVI Style Square Back Painted Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite set of six French square back dining chairs crafted in the neoclassical Louis XVI taste. The carved frames feature a distinctive square back and seat with a Gustavian style...
Fabric, Beech
Set of Six Wooden Dining Chairs with Green Upholstery, 1950s
By Mario Asnago
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of six dining chairs was designed by Carlo Ratti in Italy in the 1950s. The dark rosewood contrasts with the turquoise vintage upholstery and the colour combination makes th...
Wool, Faux Leather
Set of Four Carved Bent Lucite Dining Chairs
By Neal Small
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern set of carved beveled Lucite shield back style dining chairs.
Upholstery, Lucite
Set of 8 Costantini Lacquered Dining Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Chic set of post modern dining chairs designed by Pietro Costantini in San Vito al Torre Italy. The iconic chairs feature sculptural style piano black lacquered frames with conformin...
Wood, Lacquer
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
Set of 5 Asian Inlaid Wooden Chairs, Mid-20th Century
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Set of 5 wooden inlaid dining chairs. Vegetable (flowers, bamboo) and animal (birds, insects, butterflies, dragonflies) marquetry. Each chair has a different marquetry. Very...
Wood
Set of Eight Chinese Export Ming Style Horseshoe Dining Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic set of eight carved hardwood Chinese export dining armchairs made in the Ming dynasty style. The chairs feature a hand-carved hardwood frame with a horseshoe shaped chair rail ending with scrolls. The arm supports gracefully curve down to a square seat. Embellished with shiny brass turned arm supports and reinforcement plates that make the chairs appear to be decked out in jewelry. Supported by x-form legs that conjoin on the bottoms. The set consists of six side armchairs and two host armchairs measuring 26.5 inches wide. Excellent joinery and craftsmanship with stunning profiles. From an estate in Beverly Hills, CA. Vintage chair pads...
Brass
Vintage Carved Chinese Solid Rosewood Dining Chairs, Set of Six
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Chinese dining chairs Hong Kong, Mid-20th Century Solid carved rosewood frames, with removable floral upholstered seat ...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Sold
H 35.83 in W 19.3 in D 20.28 in
Four Ornately Carved Chinese Export circa 1900 Dragon Dining Occasional Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of 4 Chinese Export circa 1900 hand carved dragon dining or occasional chairs These are a very ...
Hardwood
Sold
H 36.5 in W 18.75 in D 14.5 in
Set of 6 Six Asian Tan Su Style Chinese Camphor Wood Dining Chairs, circa 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
These antique dining chairs come from China and date to the 1890s era. They are in good overall condition and will show some signs of wear as to be expected. Some joints are a little...
Hardwood
Sold
H 38.98 in W 19 in D 19 in
Traditional Oriental Rosewood Set of Four Dining Chairs, Late 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a traditional, oriental rosewood set of four dining chairs, a carved suite of fine quality crafted in the late 20th century, circa 1980. Entir...
Rosewood
Sold
H 39.97 in W 22.25 in D 20.87 in
Chinese Export Dining Chair Chimera Dragons Etc Part of Large Suite, circa 1890
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original late 19th century dining chair hand carved from top to bottom with Dragons, Chimera’s and floral detailing Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only, for an accurate quote please send me your postcode This chair is part of a suite, I have another set of six dining chairs including two carvers, the matching extending dining table and a large sideboard cabinet, the other pieces will be listed next week under my other items I have never seen Chinese dining...
Wood
Sold
H 39.97 in W 22.25 in D 20.87 in
Rare Set of 6 circa 1890 Chinese Export Dining Chairs with Chimera Dragons Etc
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning set of six original late 19th century dining chairs hand carved from top to bottom with Dragons, Chimera’s and floral detailing These chairs are part of a suite, I have another of the standard chairs, the matching extending dining table and a large sideboard cabinet, the other pieces will be listed next week under my other items I have never seen Chinese dining chairs...
Wood
Vintage Carved Solid Rosewood Chinese Dining Chairs, Set of Ten
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of ten Chinese solid carved rosewood dining chairs. The set includes two captain armchairs and eight side chairs. The chairs feature solid rosewood construction wi...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Sold
H 38.19 in W 22.15 in D 17.92 in
Rare Set of Four Antique Zitan Passion Flower Carved Chinese Imperial Chairs
By Zitan
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely set of 19th century zitan Chinese imperial passion flower carved chairs Mine are 19th centur...
Teak
Set of Six Mid-Century Chinese Export Bamboo and Rattan Dining Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of six Mid-Century Chinese export bamboo and rattan dining chairs, each one sturdy with beautiful natural color, consisting of two arm and four side chairs. Ready for your custom...
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed