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Chinese Export Bookcases

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
20th Century Chinese Elmwood Bookcase Open Display Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
Large elmwood display cabinet or bookcase with open shelving and eight lower drawers. Interior shelf dimensions: 67.5"w x 13" deep to front edge x15.5"h. Black background. Restored, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

Materials

Elm, Paint

Antique Shanxi Province Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase 2 Shelves and 4 Doors
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

Vintage Chinese Elm Display Cabinets / Bookcases
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Elm display cabinets / bookcases These elm sliding glass cabinets that have a brown lacquer finish has 6 drawers and 3 shelves. Can be used as display cabinets or g...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood, Elm, Lacquer

Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Lattice Carved Door Panel Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Lattice Carved Door Panel Cabinet Introducing our Exquisite Antique Shanxi Elmwood Door Panel Cabinet - a captivatin...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Elm

Chinese Carved Wood and Red Accented Bogu Etagere Shelf
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese Bogu wooden etagere featuring open display shelving connecting ornately carved, red framed doors, two red drawers with golden foliage ornamenta...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Open Shelf Display Bookcase with Original Brown
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood open shelf display bookcase with original brown lacquer This bookcase has 3 shelves and 4 drawers at the bo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Elm, Lacquer

Antique Shanxi Province Brown Black Lacquered Elmwood Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province brown black lacquered elmwood bookcase. This bookcase has 2 shelves and 2 two drawers. This elm and patina piece can also double as a bar.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Elm

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Mahogany Georgian Style Four Door Bookcase China Cabinet by Leighton Hall
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Antique Gothic Style Mahogany Corner Cabinet
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Corner cupboard with riser and two concave openwork doors with Gothic arches in the base. The ebony veneer top has an elevation with shaped shelves, finely carved rosewood columns an...
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1890s Italian Antique Chinese Export Bookcases

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Antique Gothic Style Mahogany Corner Cabinet
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H 64.57 in W 40.56 in D 21.26 in
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A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style lighted breakfront bookcase or dining cabinet By Henredon, "18th century Portfolio" Collectio...
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1980s American Vintage Chinese Export Bookcases

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20th Century Ebony British Colonial Two-Door Display Cabinet
Located in San Marino, CA
A 20th century British Colonial solid ebony two-door display cabinet, from Sri Lanka.
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20th Century Sri Lankan Chinese Export Bookcases

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Glass, Ebony

Chinese Chippendale Carved Mahogany & Floral Wallpaper Lined Bookcase / Shelf
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a sweet petite mahogany Chinese Chippendale style bookcase. It has two drawers and floral wallpaper lined shelves. The top shelf paper is a little loose. The piece dates to t...
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Antique Italian Carved Walnut Wood Three Shelves Open Bookcase Library Etagere
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful Italian antique walnut three shelves, open bookcase or etagere standing on four great shaped carved turned wooden legs with top finials. This very elegant one-of-a-kind o...
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Lighted Danish Rosewood Glass Door Hutch Cabinet Bookcase with Carved Pulls
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Envision an heirloom of Scandinavian grace—a luminous display cabinet that seamlessly transforms function into art. Crafted in Denmark in the 1970s by Bernhard Pedersen & Son, this distinguished piece embodies the distilled essence of Danish Modern design: elegant proportions, richly grained rosewood, and seamless craftsmanship. Set into the facade are glass-fronted doors, their smooth surfaces accented by sculptural, solid rosewood carved pulls—each curve carefully echoed in the subtly contoured banding that frames the cabinet. Open the doors to discover a spacious, mirrored interior, thoughtfully illuminated from within and outfitted with adjustable or removable glass shelves—ideal for curated display of china, glassware, or cherished volumes. The cabinet stands on graciously tapered, turned wood legs—restored and deliberately toned to a slightly darker hue, adding depth and visual contrast to the rosewood body. Threaded metal insert nuts ensure that the legs attach securely and elegantly, merging integrity with finesse. This is design rooted in the highest aspirations. The construction features tight joinery and choice materials, evident even in the gentle patina that only decades of stewardship can bestow. The cabinet measures a stately 64.5 inches in width, 16 inches in depth, and 49 inches in height—proportions that make it a commanding presence in living rooms, libraries, or refined dining spaces. Comparable lighting-topped rosewood cabinets in exceptional condition currently exchange in the realm of $3,300, confirming the enduring demand for this rare blend of craftsmanship and elegant functionality . Meanwhile, references across peer platforms affirm the unique stature of pieces by this Danish maker, particularly when illuminated internally and retaining original rosewood tone and build integrity  More than a piece of furniture, this cabinet is a statement—a timeless emblem of Scandinavian modernity that radiates sophistication by day and glows with understated elegance each evening. For collectors and connoisseurs of mid-century design, it offers a rare opportunity to own something that is both functional and timelessly refinished—a silent ambassador of refined taste and enduring design excellence. Illuminated from the interior, this Scandinavian display cabinet...
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1970s Danish Vintage Chinese Export Bookcases

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Antique open bookcase
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique English walnut bookcase. In good condition. The cabinet has adjustable shelves. The inside is made blue/grey Beautiful bookca...
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1860s British Antique Chinese Export Bookcases

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Antique open bookcase
Antique open bookcase
$2,672
H 83.47 in W 58.27 in D 11.03 in
Sideboard from Shanxi Province, Late 18th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
Sideboard, Qing style from the late 18th century. Elm wood with burgundy lacquer, natural age-related patina and wear. 4 Drawers and a pair of doors. Original condition, lovingl...
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Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Bookcases

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Elm

Sideboard from Shanxi Province, Late 18th Century
Sideboard from Shanxi Province, Late 18th Century
$4,596
H 37.8 in W 89.77 in D 21.66 in
Antique English Mahogany CORNER Display Shelf BARLEY TWIST Étagère Bookshelf
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Mahogany CORNER Display Shelf BARLEY TWIST Étagère Bookshelf. Direct from England, a beautiful antique English corner shelf or ét...
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1890s British Antique Chinese Export Bookcases

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Mahogany

Georgian Carved Cherry Wood Étagère or Bookcase
Located in South Bend, IN
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Previously Available Items
Vintage Chinese Elm Display Cabinet / Bookcase - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
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Chinese Coromandel Lacquer Eight Panel Screen
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Coromandel lacquer eight panel screen, one side with gilded and polychromed court scenes, the reverse with a polychromed landscape. Dimensi...
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Chinese Export Elm Bookcase or Scholars Display Shelf Étagère
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Qing dynasty style Chinese export bookcase or scholar's display shelf étagère constructed from elm. The four shelf bookcase features an open fretwork lattice design on the back and s...
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20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

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Brass

Pair of circa 1900 Chinese Temple Alter Style Glazed Door Bookcases Sideboards
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Bookcases

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Glass, Teak

Antique Ornate Carved Oak Chinese Bookcase, circa 1930s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Chinese Export carved bookcase China, early 20th century Ornate carved dark oak, with scenes depicted of a landscape with people and Chinese coins in rel...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

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Brass

19th Century Bookcase in Red and Black Lacquered Wood
Located in Valladolid, ES
Beautiful antique Chinese bookcase in red and black lacquered wood , with chinese symbols as a motif , they are the symbols of the Chinese King...
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1890s English Antique Chinese Export Bookcases

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Asian Style Wood and Brass Étagère Bookshelf
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome tall wooden bookshelf having 3 shelves and a cabinet on the bottom with 3 small drawers and two doors that open to storage. Great looking decorative brass hardware throughout.
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1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Bookcases

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Brass

Asian Two-Part Bookcase
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Asian carved two part bookcase, circa 1980s. The width measured from the front feet is 35". The width of the main body is 33".
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1980s Asian Vintage Chinese Export Bookcases

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Iron

Asian Two-Part Bookcase
Asian Two-Part Bookcase
H 68.75 in W 35 in D 12.5 in
Pair of Chinese Carved Rosewood Display Cabinets or Bookcases
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic pair of Chinese carved rosewood display curio cabinets or bookcases. Featuring a lattice open fretwork design of cracked ice. Intricately carved on three sides having two o...
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20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

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Rare Antique Hand-Carved Chinese Cabinet with Monkeys Sideboard Bookcase Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning hand-carved Chinese cabinet with drawers depicting bird’s, flowers and large monkeys ...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Bookcases

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Rare Chinese Export Hand-Carved Dragon Bureau Bookcase Cabinet Solid Oak
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning late 19th-early 20th century Chinese export hand-carved bureau bookcase cabinet with all original fixtur...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Bookcases

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Pair of Late 20th Century Large Chinese Lacquered Bookcases
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Here we offer a very practical pieces of Chinese furniture from the end of the last century. Painted in blue with a light distressed finish allowing some of the wood work to show ...
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Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Bookcases

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Hardwood

Chinese Export bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export bookcases 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 bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export bookcases 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 bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,706 and tops out at $15,000 while the average work can sell for $5,681.

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