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.
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...
Elm
$3,000 / set
Pair of Chinese Teak and Velvet Benches
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese style (20th Cent) square teak benches with filigree apron and mustard velvet seat Please NOTE one has a cushion as pictured and one does not have a cushion.
Pair of Chinese Antique Export Cir 1900 Lacquered & Painted Ming Style Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of highly decorative Chinese Export circa 1900-1920 hand painted and lacquered Ming style armchairs...
Wood
$1,650Sale Price|40% Off
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 ...
Pottery
Incredible Antique Chinese Rattan & Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rare and beautiful pair of antique Chinese rattan and bamboo armchairs with great style and craftsmanship. arm heigh 26.5 Seat dept 18
Bamboo, Rattan
Chinese Ming Style Oriental Carved Hardwood Low Armchair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Chinese Ming style oriental carved hardwood low armchair. Item features loose cushion, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, nicely carved details, great style and form, cir...
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...
Bamboo, Cane, Plastic
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Hardwood
Set of Three Elegant Chinese Early 20th Century Spindle Back Chairs
Located in Antwerp, BE
The chairs are constructed with a back top rail, which is supported by round posts that continue into the back legs. It houses seven curved round section spindles. Each stepped armre...
Brass
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
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. ...
Elm
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.
Bamboo
$1,116Sale Price / set|40% Off
Antique Chinese High Chairs, Wood, Rustic Finish, Circa 1900, Pair
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'...
Fruitwood
$7,400 / set
Pair of Vintage Chinese Rosewood Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage Chinese rosewood chairs. Has a Chinese relief pattern to the back. Chairs are solid rosewood. Nice pair for an Asian inspired ...
Rosewood
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...
Wood
$8,500 / set
Pair Of Chinese Export Padouk Side Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Made in Goa by Chinese craftsman. Each with shaped crestrail with leaf carving over a pierced splat, drop in balloon seat. Raised on cabriole legs with turned stretchers and ending o...
Padouk
$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
Antique Shanxi Province Carved Ornate Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Carved Ornate Bench Antique Shanxi Province bench handcrafted from solid elm wood, featuring ornate hand-carved details and a rich, aged patina. Its clean s...
Wood
Chinese Antique Export circa 1900 Lacquered & Painted Ming Style Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning highly decorative Chinese Export circa 1900-1920 hand painted and lacquered Ming style armchair. ...
Wood
Fantastic Four (4) ARMCHAIRS Chinese, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Four (4) ARMCHAIRS Chinese, 19th Century, in hardwood and marble. Dim.: 96 x 59 x 44 cm good conditions
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Bench This Antique Shanxi Province Elm Bench embodies the quiet beauty and authenticity of wabi-sabi design, celebrating age, simplicity, and natural imp...
Elm, Lacquer
Antique Shanxi Province Hand Carved Elm Child Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province hand carved elm child chair. This elm child's chair from the Shanxi Province of China is hand carved and an extremely rare piece. All natural patina.
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Carved Elm Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
This Antique Shanxi Province Elm Bench showcases the timeless beauty of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. Crafted from solid elm wood, the bench features elegantly carved curved leg...
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Stool Antique Shanxi Province Elm Seat with Original Color and Patina
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Rare Top Hat Court Official Elm Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Rare Top Hat Court Official Elm Bench The Antique Shanxi Province Rare Top Hat Court Official Elm Bench is a stunning piece of furnit...
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
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...
Elm
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...
Elm, Lacquer
$2,906 / set
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...
Wood
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...
Elm
Pair late 19th Century Chinese hardwood side chairs
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of late 19th Century Chinese hardwood side chairs, each with hand carved panels the the backrest, inset panel seats, raised on square section legs, united by...
Hardwood
Pair of Stunning circa 1800 Chinese Bamboo Primitive Occasional Chairs His & Her
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely original pair of circa 1800 primitive Chinese bamboo framed occasional chairs A very rare and highly decorative pair of bamboo framed chairs,...
Bamboo
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...
Elm