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.
$5,995 / set
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...
Glass, Wood, Elm, Lacquer
Antique Chinese Bogu Etagere Shelf, Carved Wood with Red Accents
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...
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Open Shelf Display Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Open Display Bookcase A antique open display bookcase handcrafted in Shanxi Province, China, from solid elmwood and retaining its beautifully a...
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
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
Glass, Wood, Teak
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.
Wood, Elm
$4,651
H 69.1 in W 44.89 in D 14.38 in
Fine Quality Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Shaped Display Cabinet
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine quality antique Edwardian inlaid mahogany shaped display cabinet having a quality inlaid mahogany shaped cornice and frieze above a large single bow fronted astral glazed door f...
Mahogany
$1,200
H 46.25 in W 22.75 in D 15.5 in
Chinoiserie Japanned English Pagoda Bamboo Standing Corner Shelf or Etagere
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An antique English 3 tier corner etagere of burnt bamboo and black Japanned panels. Each shelf is fan-shaped and Japanned In black, with a red chinoiserie design of birds and flowers...
Metal
Mid-19th Century Red Lacquered Sideboard from Shanxi, China
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese 19th century sideboard cabinet with orginal lacquer. Front and top with deep dark red lacquer, sides with black lacquer. Features double bi-fold doors revealing a storage...
Brass
$3,800
H 52.25 in W 41.75 in D 16.25 in
Tall Black Lacquered Elmwood Chest with Six Drawers and Wooden Pulls
Located in Yonkers, NY
Crafted from darkly lacquered elm, this tall chest of drawers features clean lines and solid proportions, with a focus on practicality and pared-down elegance. The rectangular top, s...
Elm
Vintage Danish Modern Teak Bookcase Display Shelf Cabinet MCM
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage Danish Modern bookcase crafted in teak with clean Scandinavian lines and elegant tapered legs. This compact open shelving unit features a warm teak grain throughout...
Teak
$2,295
H 40 in W 26.5 in D 18.5 in
Austrian Wiener Werkstätte Bookcase/ Shelf /Bakers Rack/ Display Stand
By Thonet
Located in New York City, NY
A three shelf Jugendstil bookcase / etagere / bakers rack, two tone in stained and polished beechwood with decorative openwork side panels extendin...
Beech
$6,552
H 96.46 in W 51.97 in D 19.69 in
Rare and Beautiful Architectural Pagode Display Cabinet, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
Made of carved wood with transparent fences and scrollwork panels, two dragons at the front and pagoda roofs on top. A beautiful realization by the Chinese woodcarver and furniture m...
Sapele Wood, Ivory
Contemporary Walnut and Lacquer Étagère / Book Shelf By Alex P White
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The bleached walnut and lacquer étagère is substantial enough to be a freestanding room divider for your favorite collection or try it on a f...
Walnut, Lacquer
A Good Oak Open Bookcase This is a good quality Oak open book shelf
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Good Oak Open Bookcase This is a good quality Oak open book shelf The Bookcase is in very good condition, sound and handsome, it has 3 adjustable shelves and a low gallery at the...
Oak
Sideboard from Shanxi Province, Late 18th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
Sideboard crafted from walnut, featuring four drawers and a pair of double doors. The sides are adorned with carved scroll details. Expertly crafted, the piece retains traces of its ...
Elm
$3,650
H 78.625 in W 35.5 in D 9.5 in
Mid Century Rosewood Bookcase, Scandinavian Tall Display Shelf, 3 Available
Located in Detroit, MI
This exceptional vintage mid century Swedish modern rosewood bookcase was made in Sweden circa 1960. The minimalist design has clean, geometric lines and features highly figured prem...
Rosewood
Antique open bookcase
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
Beautiful antique bookcase from the Victorian era. Made of burr walnut with beautiful wood grain and the warm, typical burr walnut colour. Featuring 5 adjustable shelves on both side...
Walnut
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, ...
Elm, Paint
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...
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Chinese Elm Display Cabinet / Bookcase - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Elm Display Cabinet/Bookcase - Pair These pair of vintage Chinese elm display cabinets have 10 square cubbies that double as shelves. Great display cabinets and can ...
Elm
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...
Brass
Sold
H 37.41 in W 24.22 in D 11.03 in
Pair of circa 1900 Chinese Temple Alter Style Glazed Door Bookcases Sideboards
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Chinese circa 1900 teak Alter Temple style glazed door bookcases A good looking well made and deco...
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...
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...
Wood, Lacquer
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.
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".
Iron
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...
Brass
Sold
H 50.4 in W 60.24 in D 20.08 in
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 ...
Teak
Sold
H 87.01 in W 48.23 in D 21.66 in
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...
Glass, Oak