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Chinese Export Stools

CHINESE EXPORT STYLE

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.

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Style: Chinese Export
Pair of Blue and White Chinoiserie Porcelain Garden Stools
Pair of Blue and White Chinoiserie Porcelain Garden Stools

Pair of Blue and White Chinoiserie Porcelain Garden Stools

Located in Sarasota, FL

An elegant pair of blue-and-white porcelain garden stools, each finely hand-painted with continuous bird-and-branch landscapes enclosed by classic trellis and fretwork borders. The c...

Category

Late 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

19th Century Chinese Elm Rustic Farmhouse Primitive Brutalist Stool
19th Century Chinese Elm Rustic Farmhouse Primitive Brutalist Stool

19th Century Chinese Elm Rustic Farmhouse Primitive Brutalist Stool

Located in Germantown, MD

Dated to mid 19th century, this rustic, farmhouse, primitive and brutalist stool has simple splayed-leg design and well-worn finish. Crafted of northern elm wood with mortise-and-ten...

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Elm

Pair Chinese Plant Stands Lacquered Painted Pedestal Table 1920
Pair Chinese Plant Stands Lacquered Painted Pedestal Table 1920

Pair Chinese Plant Stands Lacquered Painted Pedestal Table 1920

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Gorgeous pair of Chinese hardwood stools or pot stands With floral decorations all over Circa 1920 Offered in great shape ready for home use right away We ship to every corner of the...

Category

1920s Vintage Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Dragon Barrel Form Garden Stool
Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Dragon Barrel Form Garden Stool

Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Dragon Barrel Form Garden Stool

Located in San Diego, CA

A very nice Chinese red lacquered barrel form garden stool / plant stand with dragon motif, circa 1940s. I believe the stool is made of elm wood and covered with a rich red lacquer f...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Elm

Mid-Century Chinese Export Ceramic Garden Stool, Hand-Painted, 1950
Mid-Century Chinese Export Ceramic Garden Stool, Hand-Painted, 1950

Mid-Century Chinese Export Ceramic Garden Stool, Hand-Painted, 1950

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Gorgeous vintage mid century Chinese export pink ceramic hand-painted garden seat with gold lucky coins pierced cut-out on top and on the sides. Colorful stool hand-painted in flowe...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Vintage Chinese Lacquered and Painted Garden Seats
Pair of Vintage Chinese Lacquered and Painted Garden Seats

Pair of Vintage Chinese Lacquered and Painted Garden Seats

Located in Chireno, TX

Pair of vintage Chinese lacquered and painted garden seats. Hand-carved wooden garden seats, or stands. Decorated with painted foliate scrolls and birds over red. Perfect height to s...

Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vintage Famille Rose Porcelain Garden Stools with Mandarin Ducks
Pair of Vintage Famille Rose Porcelain Garden Stools with Mandarin Ducks

Pair of Vintage Famille Rose Porcelain Garden Stools with Mandarin Ducks

Located in Sarasota, FL

A finely decorated pair of famille rose porcelain garden stools, each painted with Mandarin duck motifs—traditional emblems of fidelity—set among lotus blossoms, floating coins, and ...

Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Chinese Red Lacquered Wood Joint Stool
Chinese Red Lacquered Wood Joint Stool

Chinese Red Lacquered Wood Joint Stool

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Red lacquered square top stool on four legs joined by double box stretchers. China, 19th century.  

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

19th Century Two-Tone Patinated Chinese Brass & Copper Garden Barrel Drum Stool
19th Century Two-Tone Patinated Chinese Brass & Copper Garden Barrel Drum Stool

19th Century Two-Tone Patinated Chinese Brass & Copper Garden Barrel Drum Stool

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Rare two-tone Copper and Brass hand tooled Chinese garden stool. Versatile and exuding character to be used indoors, on the porch or exposed to the elements. The hollow centre can be...

Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Brass, Copper

Post-war Chinese Koi Fish Glazed Art Pottery Garden Patio Toadstool Stool
Post-war Chinese Koi Fish Glazed Art Pottery Garden Patio Toadstool Stool

Post-war Chinese Koi Fish Glazed Art Pottery Garden Patio Toadstool Stool

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Original set of art pottery Chinese toadstool-shaped stools featuring a relief of koi fish along the base of each stool. Crafted with exquisite detail, this table features a vibrant ...

Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Pottery

Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seat
Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seat

Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seat

Located in New York, NY

Profusely decorated in blue with dragons within shaped cartouches on a meander fretwork ground bordering scrolling chrysanthemums. Very fine example.

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Midcentury Italian Terracotta Foo Dog Garden Seats, a Pair
Midcentury Italian Terracotta Foo Dog Garden Seats, a Pair

Midcentury Italian Terracotta Foo Dog Garden Seats, a Pair

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a facing pair of midcentury Italian glazed terracotta foo dog garden seats in very good condition. They are a rare find! They are unmarked and i...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

20th-C. Chinese Export Imari Style Blue and Orange Garden Seats / Tables, Pair
20th-C. Chinese Export Imari Style Blue and Orange Garden Seats / Tables, Pair

20th-C. Chinese Export Imari Style Blue and Orange Garden Seats / Tables, Pair

Located in Kennesaw, GA

These are lovely. They are a pair of late 20th century Imari or Chinese Export style garden seats or side tables. They have vibrant hand painted blue and Orange hues on a white backg...

Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Oriental Tables From the Early 20th Century
Pair of Oriental Tables From the Early 20th Century

Pair of Oriental Tables From the Early 20th Century

Located in Opole, PL

Pair of oriental tables from the early 20th century Pair of black tables with tops decorated with genre scenes. Both pieces are circa the 1st of the 20th century. The arch-like le...

Category

Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Wood

Chinese Hardwood Melon Shape Garden Seat Side Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Chinese Hardwood Melon Shape Garden Seat Side Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Chinese Hardwood Melon Shape Garden Seat Side Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay

Located in New York, NY

Chinese curved melon shape hardwood garden stool or side table with mother of pearl inlay. Beautiful floral tree and bird motif inlaid top, with floral sprays at top of curved wood b...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood

19th Century Chinese Elm Rustic Primitive Brutalist Stool
19th Century Chinese Elm Rustic Primitive Brutalist Stool

19th Century Chinese Elm Rustic Primitive Brutalist Stool

Located in Germantown, MD

Dated to mid-19th century, this rustic, farmhouse, primitive and brutalist stool has simple splayed-leg design and well-worn finish. Crafted of northern elm wood with mortise-and-ten...

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Red Crackle Headrest
Chinese Red Crackle Headrest

Chinese Red Crackle Headrest

Located in Chicago, IL

This low, four-leg stool is actually a headrest used atop a daybed or mat to support the head while sleeping, reclining, or smoking opium. As an opium accessory, rigid headrests such...

Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Hand-Carved Wood Elm Writing Console Entryway Table Pi Stool
Antique Chinese Hand-Carved Wood Elm Writing Console Entryway Table Pi Stool

Antique Chinese Hand-Carved Wood Elm Writing Console Entryway Table Pi Stool

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Possibly Late 19th century, heavily patinated, still usable, not loose, but with cracks and chips to wood. Mainly decorative uses recommended. There is a split to one leg, pictured. ...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Elm

Antique Shanxi Province Elm Stool
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Stool

Antique Shanxi Province Elm Stool

Located in Chicago, IL

Antique Shanxi Province Elm Stool Antique Shanxi Province Elm Seat with Original Color and Patina

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Wood, Elm

Pair of Antique Chinese Hardwood Flower Stands Rouge Marble Top Insert
Pair of Antique Chinese Hardwood Flower Stands Rouge Marble Top Insert

Pair of Antique Chinese Hardwood Flower Stands Rouge Marble Top Insert

Located in Brea, CA

Pair of antique Chinese hardwood flower stands rouge marble top insert, 20th century. Measures: H 18”, D 20”.

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Stools

Materials

Hardwood

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Located in Vilnius, LT

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Located in West Hartford, CT

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17th Century Ming Dynasty Hand Carved Stone Garden Stool / Side Table #1
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Located in Wainscott, NY

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Antique Early French Gothic Carved Oak Tabouret Stool End Table Plant Stand
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Located in Forney, TX

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Located in Vienna, AT

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Blue And White Painted Ceramic Garden Stool
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Blue And White Painted Ceramic Garden Stool

Located in New York, NY

Blue And White Chinoiserie Ceramic Garden Stool, in good overall condition. Slight wear to finish from age and use. Bright spots in photos are reflection only.

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H 19 in W 14 in D 14 in

Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seat

Located in New York, NY

Of hexagonal form; decorated in blue with pagodas in riverscape settings. Collection of Mario Buatta, New York, NY

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Pair of Vintage Terra Cotta Blue and White Garden Seats
Pair of Vintage Terra Cotta Blue and White Garden Seats

Pair of Vintage Terra Cotta Blue and White Garden Seats

Located in Palm Beach, FL

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Located in Downingtown, PA

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Located in Atlanta, GA

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Located in Rio Vista, CA

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Located in Atlanta, GA

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Rosewood Chinese Barrel Shaped Garden Stool with Rich Patina
Rosewood Chinese Barrel Shaped Garden Stool with Rich Patina

Rosewood Chinese Barrel Shaped Garden Stool with Rich Patina

Located in Lomita, CA

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Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Stools

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Rosewood

Chinese Export stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export stools for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage stools created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export stools made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for stools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $3,850 while the average work can sell for $1,523.