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Chinese Export Seating

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 19th Century Octagonal Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seats
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th Century Octagonal Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seats
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Hexagonal Garden Seats, A Pair
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Hexagonal Garden Seats, A Pair, Circa 1850-60 The Chinese Export porcelain Rose Medallion Garden Seats are of a hexagonal barrel form with gilded studs repr...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Porcelain

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 Seating

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Chinese Export Porcelain Hexagonal Garden Seats, A Pair
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Hexagonal Garden Seats, A Pair, Circa 1850-60 The Chinese Export porcelain Rose Medallion Garden Seats are of a hexagonal barrel form with gilded studs repr...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Porcelain

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Rosewood

Pair, Chinese Export Canton Style Blue & White Garden Stools
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 20th century. A pair of Chinese export style porcelain garden stools. Each stool is decorated in blue and white underglaze porcelain with Traditional Canton pagoda scenes, ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Porcelain

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Wood

Vintage Chinese Carved Hardwood Corner Lounge Chair with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Carved Hardwood Corner Lounge chair with Mother of Pearl Inlay. Item features Impressive mother of pearl inlay throughout,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

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 Seating

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

19th Century Chinese Bamboo Horseshoe Armchair
Located in San Marino, CA
A 19th century Chinese horseshoe back armchair. Made from sturdy bamboo with a black lacquered seat and back splat details.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Bamboo

Rare Hongmu comb-back Chinese Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant pair of late hongmu comb-back armchairs, Late Qing Dynasty Each chair of elegant form with arched humpback top -rail supported on round posts extending to the back legs...
Category

1910s Asian Vintage Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Octagonal Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seats
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th Century Octagonal Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Garden Seats
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Carved Wooden Armchairs, China, Late 19th Early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of armchairs in carved exotic wood, with superb openwork backrest Some old restorations (legs, backrests), wear and tear (stains) and small cracks Chinese work from the end of...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Wood

Pair Chinese Arm Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair Chinese Arm Chairs with woven seats. Pegged construction. Some wear from age and use
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Him & Her Vintage Handwoven & Crafted Chinoiserie Rattan Cane & Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Set of Him & Her Cane, Bamboo and Wicker armchairs. These are handcrafted chairs with cane seats feature bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns. The backrests are...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Plastic

Pair, Chinese Export Canton Style Blue & White Garden Stools
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 20th century. A pair of Chinese export style porcelain garden stools. Each stool is decorated in blue and white underglaze porcelain with Traditional Canton pagoda scenes, ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Porcelain

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Chinese Marble Top Garden Seats or Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of mid century Chinese stands crafted with mahogany in classic form having an ebonized finish, featuring a marble top and mother of pearl inlaid in floral designs.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Marble

Chinese 19th Century Carved Horseshoe-Back Folding Chair
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (19th Century) horseshoe-back wooden folding armchair with a rush seat, sloped, carved back and footrest.
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Hardwood

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...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Teak

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 Seating

Materials

Copper, Brass

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 Seating

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Chinese Enameled Ceramic Garden Stool
Located in Germantown, MD
A Chinese Enameled Ceramic Garden Stool for your consideration. Measures 10.5" in diameter and stands 16" in height.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Enamel

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Rosewood

Chinese Carved Wood Bench, Late 19th Early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Very beautiful Chinese bench in carved exotic wood: the backrest comes forward to form the armrests and ends in snails, the backrest is also composed of 2 vertical wooden panels carv...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Wood

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 Seating

Materials

Elm

Pair of Vintage Michael Taylor for Baker 'Far East' Collection Lounge Chairs
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Chinese Style lounge chairs by Baker Furniture and designed by Michael Taylor. Dark Brown wood with brass accents. Labeled on bottom. Horseshoe design.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Wood

A Pair of Lacquered Chinese Northern Elm Yoke Back ‘Officials Hat’ Chairs
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A Pair of early 20th Century Chinese Elm Yoke Back Officials Hat Chairs These elegantly crafted chairs feature a graceful, harmonious design rooted in the classic aesthetics of tradi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood Drum Stools or Drink Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of Chinese export ming style drum tabouret form stools or drink tables. Hand-crafted from rich Hongnmu hardwood with a dark finish that showcases the lovely woodgrains....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Carved Elm Armchair with Heavy Foliage Detailing
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand-carved solid elm lacquered throne armchair A really rare an expertly hand-carved piece, the detail is never ending and of the...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Marble Top Garden Seats or Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of mid century Chinese stands crafted with mahogany in classic form having an ebonized finish, featuring a marble top and mother of pearl inlaid in floral designs.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Marble

Rustic Antique Chinese Stool or Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique Asian stool has a square top and a balanced form with timeless rustic appeal. Beautifully worn from a century of use, the aged wood pat...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Wood

Pair of Old Rough Chinese High Chairs
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
The original finish has been worn away through generations of use, leaving a soft, natural organic feel to the chairs. Rear legs have a piece added years ago due to wear: but I didn'...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Fruitwood

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 Seating

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood

Pair Chinese Black Ebonised Bamboo Chairs, Mid 19Th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Great looking Pair Chinese Black Ebonized Bamboo Chairs, Mid 19Th Century. These are straight back chairs made for the countryside of China. the...
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Ceramic Garden Stool with Lucky Coins
Located in North Hollywood, 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 Seating

Materials

Ceramic

Pair, Georgian Brighton Pavilion Carved Chinese Export Campaign Chairs
By Brighton Pavilion 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
English, likely Brighton Pavilion - Circa early 19th century. Offered is a very unique pair of Brighton Pavilion (attributed) campaign chairs. Featuring a fantastic faux bamboo cros...
Category

19th Century British Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Iron

Antique Chinese Square Bench Or Ottoman
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Chinese Square Bench or Ottoman. This versatile antique Chinese Rosewood bench or ottoman is in good condition and perfect for extra sea...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Chinese Export ‘Brighton Pavilion’ Bamboo Adjustable Day Bed
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Chinese Export ‘Brighton Pavilion’ bamboo adjustable day bed, possibly Canton, decorated throughout with pierced geometric and foliate motif...
Category

1810s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Bamboo

Pair of Chinese Elm Yoke Back Officials Hat Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Highly carved pair of Chinese elm yoke back officials hat chairs. Featuring a decorative back splat with figural scenes. The arms have a whimsical serpentine form and the spandrels on the crest and front apron have finely carved detail. Constructed with a mortise and tenon joinery and supported by square legs with a foot rest in the front. Also known as pagoda chairs...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm

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 Seating

Materials

Wood

Pair of High Back Chinese Chairs Ming Style
Located in North Hollywood, 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...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm

Lovely Antique Chinese Export 1920 Qing Dynasty Carved Dragon Throne Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Chinese Export circa 1920 hand carved Throne chair with oversized Dragon back rest ...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Blue Painted Elm Yoke Back Officials Hat Chairs
Located in Asheville, NC
Beautiful tall pale blue chairs made for tall hat officials. Yolk back detail at top. Good luck symbol painted in gold paint or gold leaf, chairs tri...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm

Antique Chinese circa 1900-1920 Export Folding Occasional Chair Nice Carvings
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Chinese red lacquered fret work carved folding chair with woven seat Please note...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm

Set of 2 Vintage Handwoven & Crafted Chinoiserie Rattan Cane & Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Set of Two Cane, Bamboo and Wicker armchairs. These are handcrafted chairs with cane seats feature bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns. The backrests are desig...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Natural Fiber

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 Seating

Materials

Wood

Good Pair Chinese Hall Chairs
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very good pair of Chinese painted hall chairs, with raffia seats, in very good original condition. 43" high 22" wide 17" depth 20" seat height You are welcome to view this item a...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm

Antique Ming Style Low Back Chairs with Carved Medallion
Located in Freehold, NJ
This pair of mid century accent chairs in the style of Ming Dynasty feature solid wood frames, beautiful teak wood grain, low seat with ornate carved back, and removable cushions wit...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century Chinese Hardwood Sofa, circa 1860
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century Chinese hardwood three seater sofa, having wonderful classical hand carved and pierced scrolling foliate decoration with Dragons entwined. The seat w...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Hardwood

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 Seating

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An impressive pair of Asian armchairs having a faux tortoise finish with a lacquered black seat. Measures: Arm height 28 seat height 20.
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Bamboo

Glacier Crystal Chloe Chair by Gordon Gu
Located in hong kong, HK
Nature is always neither dying nor being born, creating and deducing all things naturally and endlessly. Man comes from nature, but he will eventually return to it. Every tree and gr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Chinese Hardwood Chairs with Fretwork Designs and High Relief Panels
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Chinese hardwood chairs with Fretwork designs and high relief panels. Each chair is beautifully hand carved with exceptional d...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Hardwood

Superb Antique Chinese Horseshoe Hongmu Late Qing Occasional Chair
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
An early 20th century Chinese Horseshoe Chair of late Qing / early Republic Era. Superb form with horseshoe back and sweeping arms, single vert...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Wood

Antique Shanxi Province Hand Carved Elm Top Hat Official Chair, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province hand carved elm top hat official chair - pair This pair of rare antique Shanxi Province top hat official chairs have all its original red color and patina. T...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Pair Chinese Qing Ceremonial Chairs 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair Chinese Qing ceremonial chairs 19th century Each with a profusely carved and parcel-gilt back above a panelled seat, raised on scroll legs t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Chinese Style Elm Wood Skinny Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Chinese Style Elm Wood Skinny Bench Measures 54" in width, 12.5" in depth, 21.5" in height.  
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm

20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Pair Armchairs
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Experience the timeless elegance of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with these exceptional hand-carved rosewood pair of armchairs. Created in the mid to late 20th century, these pi...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Rosewood

Pair 19th Century Chinese Elm Wood Horseshoe Chairs Qing Dynasty
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair 19th century Chinese Elm wood horseshoe style chairs from the Qing Dynasty era. Horseshoe back and into arms, carved design on the center of their ba...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Elm

Chinese Carved / Lacquered Sofa circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very decorative late 19th century Chinese sofa with hand carved decoration to the back rest, a slated foot rest and drawers beneath the seat. Having a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Mahogany

Mid 20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Long Bench, Sofa
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Experience the timeless elegance of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with this exceptional hand-carved rosewood long bench. Created in the mid to late 20th century, this piece embod...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Rosewood

Pair of Chinese Chinoiserie Bergere Side Chairs Hand Painted & Lacquered Finish
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of circa 1880-1900 Chinese Export Bergère side chairs with hand painted and lacquered finish...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Pine, Lacquer

Pair of Chinese Yoke Back Official's Hat Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic pair of Chinese yoke back official's hat chairs featuring a Shuangxi emblem on the backsplat. These carved chairs have a lacquer finish with...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Seating

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Chinese Export seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export seating made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, and Europa Antiques. 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 seating 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 $22,298 while the average work can sell for $1,943.

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