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.
Camphorwood Campaign Chest - Late 19th Century Chinese Export Case (Medium)
Located in Soquel, CA
Camphorwood Campaign Chest - Late 19th Century Chinese Export Case (Medium) This hardwood chest has brass hardware, including handles. It has a plaque on the top that would have bee...
Brass
Pair Late 20th Century Handcrafted Asian Wicker & Brass Mounted Graduated Chests
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Late 20th Century Handcrafted Asian Wicker and Brass fitting Graduated Chests. Measures 31" in width, 16" in depth and 16" in height. The smaller chest measures 28" in width, ...
Brass
Mid-Century Asian Style Wicker and Brass Blanket Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid-Century Asian Style Wicker and Brass Blanket Chest. Measures 32" in width, 16" in depth and 16" in height closed.
Brass
$1,470Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Hong Kong Camphor Seamans Trunk with Brass Inlay by George Zee and Co.
Located in Hanover, MA
Most unusual large camphor lined teak wood trunk extravagantly adorned with decorative brass & copper decorations and inlay depicting Hong Kong harbor junk in full sail with water fl...
Brass, Copper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Camphor Wood Chest with Carved Design
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large carved Oriental Camphor wood chest This carved chest is made from Camphor Wood, for those of you who do not know camphor wood it i...
Wood
Asian Hardwood Trunk, Bronzed-Mounted Chest, Coffer, Late 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an Asian hardwood trunk, a bronzed metal mounted chest or coffer dating to the late 20th century. Of quality craftsmanship and stock Attractive variegated grain interest ...
Hardwood
$2,400
Chinese Carriage Box
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th century Northern Chinese carriage box with five stacking trays. Adorned with brass trim and hand-carved details. Used for porting of personal...
Wood
Antique 20th Century Carved Camphorwood Chinese Campaign Chest Trunk w/ Rooster
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful turn of the century hand carved Chinese trunk, uncommon in blonde wood. Heavily patinated, with some uneven finish marks, and some warping of the wood. However, overall...
Wood
Antique circa 1900 Hand Carved Chinese Camphor Wood Travelling Trunk Nice Finish
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice circa 1900’s Chinese export Camphor wood travelling chest which has been ornately carved throug...
Wood
19th Century Chinese Lacquered Chest on Stand
Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome Chinese lacquered trunk or coffee table with exceptional heavily embellished hand-hammered hardware -- iron handles, hinges, corner plates and lock which uses a cross...
Wood
Chinese Parchment Leather Trunk on Stand Brass Mounts and Handles
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Chinese parchment leather bound trunk on stand with brass mounts and handles. Used to store linens, clothing and other miscellaneous items, trunks were used in every room of th...
Wood
Chinese Export Leather Trunk, circa 1820
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Chinese Export camphor wood and leather trunk with iron carrying handles, painted red with floral borders, corners and escutcheon, decorated with brass tacks; the carved and painted ...
Leather
Chinese Camphor Wood Travelling Trunk Silk Lined Multi Compartments, circa 1920
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice circa 1920’s Chinese export Camphor wood travelling chest with silk lining A good looking and well made piece, they are very rare in this size, it would make a great side or coffee table or perhaps a luxury toy...
Silk, Wood
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Late 19th Century Chinese Red Lacquer Blanket Chest
Located in Sacramento, CA
Late 19th century Chinese red lacquer blanket chest with rattan top. These chests were often used for storage in homes, particularly for bedding and textiles, combining functionality...
Wood
Mid 19th Century Brass Bound Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk, England
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Delightful Mid 19th Century Camphor Wood Military Campaign Trunk, Of Rare Small Proportions, Having Well Figured Lift Up Lid Enclosing Storage Space, Original Brass Bound Decoration And Original Brass Handles. Its widely accepted that trunks like this were normally purposed for army use, often given into the ownership of high ranking officers to use for their travels around the various battlegrounds and territories of the empire around the world, hence the carrying handles and the brass banded decoration, which also serves the functional purpose of protecting the item from bumps and bashes during the numerous times it would have been transported. In modern day living this trunk would make a perfect coffee table boasting signifcant storage, or could also be used as a storage chest in many locations around the home including the hallway, living room or bedroom. The trunk is also a little smaller than a large amount which yuou will find on the market, which of course allows for it to be used in an even wider variety of spaces. The trunk has also been inspected in our workshops by our expert antique...
Other
$995
H 43.5 in W 34.5 in D 18 in
Early 20th c Korean Elmwood Bandaji Chest with Decorative Brass Hardware
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Korean elmwood Bandaji chest with drop down front, fabulous wood grain, beautifully decorated brass hardware, including corners, lock, and hinges, and a nicely ca...
Brass
$3,383
H 33.08 in W 35.83 in D 18.51 in
Spanish Renaissance Revival Carved Oak Chest with Lift Top, Early 20th Century
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Striking Spanish carved wood chest from the early 20th century, inspired by Renaissance Revival design. This piece features a lift-top lid opening to a spacious interior, lined in f...
Hardwood, Oak, Fabric
Early 20th Century Pine and Iron Mounted Trunk
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th C. pine and iron mounted trunk. Clean. Measures 36.5" in width, 21.5inches in depth and 24" in height.
Iron
Mid 20th Century Woven Wicket Blanket Storage Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid 20th Century Woven Wicket Blanket Storage Chest measuring 30" in width, 18" in dwpth and 17.5" in height.
Wicker
19th Century Swedish Marriage/Dowry Chest
Located in Staffordshire, GB
1850 19th century Swedish marriage/dowry chest with original hand painted decoration, hardware and hinged candle box. Measures: W 138 x H 59 x D 58cm. ...
Pine
17th Century English Carved Oak Coffer Chest
Located in London, GB
A 17th century coffer constructed from richly patinated oak timber. Charming traditional carvings adorn the front panels, with numerous characterfu...
Oak
$2,527
H 16.54 in W 37.41 in D 17.72 in
19TH CENTURY ENGLISH ANTiQUE FULLY RESTORED CAMPHOR WOOD CHEST STORAGE TRUNK
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London 19th Century English Antique Fully Restored Camphor Wood Chest / Storage Trunk A beautiful 19th century English antique camphor wood chest / storage trunk, fu...
Hardwood
$1,100
H 11.5 in W 25.5 in D 17.5 in
Camphor Blanket Chest with Distressed Patina and Brass Lock, Qing Dynasty Period
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing dynasty camphor wood blanket chest from the 19th century, with dark distressed patina and brass hardware. Immerse yourself in the rich history and timeless beauty of this Qing...
Wood
$1,495
H 20 in W 29 in D 16 in
Early 20th Century Refinished American Rolling Pine Blanket Chest Storage Trunk
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century American Rolling pine Blanket Trunk. Measures 29" in width, 16" in depth and stands 20" tall.
Metal
$1,825
H 17.75 in W 35 in D 18.5 in
1920s Camphor Wood Blanket Chest with Brass Hardware and Natural Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese camphor wood blanket chest from the early 20th century, with brass hardware, natural patina and dovetail construction. Created in China during the first quarter of...
Brass
$2,025
H 12.75 in W 25 in D 14 in
Indonesian 19th Century Wooden Blanket Chest with Detailed Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
An Indonesia antique wooden blanket chest from the 19th century, with detailed brass hardware. Created in Indonesia during the 19th centur...
Brass
Carved Chinese Camphor Wood Chest
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very good carved oriental camphor wood chest with brass locking hinge, standing on carved cabriole feet, excellent overall condition. 24" high 44" wide 20" depth You are welcome ...
Other
Large Outstanding Camphor Wood Chest
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Superior carved camphor wood chest, with deep undercarving and wonderful , scenes, oversized with brass clasp, in excellent original condition. 25.5" high 44" wide 22" depth You ar...
Cedar
Top Quality Camphor Wood Chest
Located in Swadlincote, GB
Outstanding quality Chinese camphor wood carved chest with brass lock, outstanding and deep carving, original tray liner, in excellent original condition. 18.5" high 37" length 17" ...
Other
Large Asian Dome Top Lacquered Chest
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful large black lacquer Asian chest having dome shaped top, detailed figural decoration, brass latch and interior lined with Chinese wallpaper.
Wood
Chinese Black Leather Gilded Chest on Stand
Located in Chireno, TX
Chinese black leather gilded chest on stand: circa 1840-1869. Set into later stand. Beautifully shaped steel handles and fittings. Leather surface gilded and lacquered with tradition...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 17.5 in W 34.25 in D 20 in
Antique Chinese Brown Elm Wood and Brass Rectangular Chest Trunk Box
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer an exquisite antique Chinese chest, circa early 1920s, which was brought directly from Beijing. This beautifully cr...
Brass
Antique Red Leather, Brass and Camphor Wood Chinese Export Trunk
Located in Centennial, CO
A beautiful, antique (mid 1800s) Chinese red leather and brass over camphor wood export trade trunk offers ample storage and could be used as a coffee table or accent piece. It is a ...
Brass
Antique Red Leather, Brass and Camphor Wood Chinese Export Trunk
Located in Centennial, CO
A beautiful, antique (mid 1800s) Chinese red leather and brass over camphor wood export trade trunk offers ample storage and could be used as a coffee table or accent piece. It is a ...
Brass
Sold
H 19.25 in W 42 in D 21 in
Camphorwood Campaign Chest - Late 19th Century Chinese Export R.B. Van Cleve, NY
Located in Soquel, CA
Camphorwood Campaign Chest - Late 19th Century Chinese Export Case (Medium) This hardwood chest has brass hardware, including handles. It has a brass plaque on the top that has been inscribed with the owner's name, R. B. Van Cleave...
Brass
Chinese Black Lacquer Brass Bound Trunk, Early 20th C.
Located in Raymondville, TX
This striking early 20th century Chinese trunk or blanket chest is bound in brass and features a black lacquer finish, dovetail construction, medallion backplate side handles and dua...
Brass
Sold
H 16.74 in W 13.78 in D 14.57 in
Vintage Decorative Linen Basket, Chinese, Oak, Brass, Sofa Side Store, C.1980
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage decorative linen basket. A Chinese, oak and brass sofa-side store, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Fascinating octagonal vintage box, with high decora...
Oak
Chinese Export Brass Bound Camphorwood Chest
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular hinged lid with central brass decorative panel and conforming base section. The interior compartment with lift out tray . Brass strapping overall and two recessed br...
Brass