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.
Set Six Chinese Chippendale Whitewashed Dining Chairs, Carved Dragons, Rosewood
Located in Stamford, CT
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
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
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
$4,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 104 in D 44 in
Mastercraft Burl and Brass Extendable Dining Table and Six Chairs
By Mastercraft, Charak Furniture Company, William Doezema
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1960s dining table and six chairs designed by William Doezema for Mastercraft retailed by Charak of Boston. Briar root burl veneer although frequently identified as Amboyna. ...
Brass
Chic Set of 8 Lacquered Dining Chairs
Located in Bronx, NY
Chic set of 8 dining chairs in black lacquer with padded seat panels. The chairs are in very good condition and quite comfortable.
Hardwood
Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft, American, circa 1950s. They have all been refinished and reupholstered in black vinyl. They measure: 3...
Upholstery, Wood
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 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
Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...
Carrara Marble, Metal
$1,250
H 36.42 in W 20.08 in D 20.28 in
Sculptural Dining Chairs in Black Lacquered Wood with Decorative Carvings
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, lacquered wood, France, 1970s Crafted with unparalleled artistry, these dining chairs epitomize exquisite craftsmanship with meticulously carved details that draw ins...
Wood
$5,850 / set
H 27.56 in W 20.08 in D 21.26 in
Italian Set of Six Dining Chairs in Red Velvet and White Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, velvet, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s These armchairs embrace the aesthetic sense of the 'Pamplona' chairs designed by Augusto Savini for Pozzi. This design...
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
$4,591 / set
H 30.32 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Ole Wanscher set of Six Refinished Mahogany Dining Chairs, Custom Upholstery
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ole Wanscher
Located in Knebel, DK
This set of six mahogany Rungstedlund dining chairs designed by Ole Wanscher were produced during the 1960s and 1970s by Poul Jeppesen Furniture. The dining chairs are part of the ...
Mahogany
$5,800 / set
H 42.5 in W 21.5 in D 21 in
Set of Eight French Dining Chairs Purchased from Ralph Lauren
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of eight French dining chairs, originally purchased from Ralph Lauren, NYC, when they were selling antiques in the early 2000s. The chai...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,956 / set
H 28.15 in Dm 51.19 in
Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s
Located in Hellouw, NL
Very nice dining room set by Giotto Stoppino from the 1970s in Italy. This set consists of a dining table and four matching dining room chairs. The table has a tubular, chrome-plated...
Metal, Chrome
$11,800 / set
H 27.56 in W 22.45 in D 20.67 in
Augusto Savini for Pozzi Set of Four 'Pamplona' Dining Chairs in Red Lacquer
By Augusto Savini, Poggi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Augusto Savini for Pozzi, set of four 'Pamplona' dining chairs, lacquered wood, fabric, aluminum, Italy, 1960s 'Pamplona' armchairs in red lacquered wood and red textured upholster...
Aluminum
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