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.
Chinese Hardwood Bar Cabinet with Shou Carvings
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese hardwood bar cabinet with a paneled exterior and brass-hinged top and doors that open to reveal ample storage for glassware, slide-out bottle trays, two drawers and S...
Hardwood
VERSATILE HARDWOOD CHINESE BUFFET WiTH GOOD SIZE TRAY SINGLE TIER & WHEELS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely rosewood Chinese buffet sideboard with tray, single tier, and cupboard. This versatile, unique and well made piece compromises a good ...
Hardwood
$2,204Sale Price|42% Off
H 69 in W 82 in D 27 in
19th Century Carved Anglo-Indian Tiered Carved Buffet in Mahogany and Ebony
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century Carved Anglo-Indian Tiered Carved Buffet in Mahogany and Ebony Offered for sale is a wonderful circa 1880 19th-century Anglo-Indian heavily carved mahogany and ebony b...
Wood, Ebony, Mahogany
Mid-Century Walnut China Cabinet Buffet Hutch
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful, retro Mid-Century Modern detailed proportioned walnut buffet China cabinet in great original condition. The hutch is one solid-piece, featuring two sliding glass doors on ...
Glass, Walnut
19th Century Solid Mahogany Three Tier Buffet
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb solid mahogany three tier buffet from the beginning of the 19th century from England good quality shelf which has a very beautiful turning The three trays are in solid mahogan...
Mahogany
French Buffet Cabinet, Louis XVI Style Ebonized with Marble Top
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French buffet cabinet, Louis XVI style, ebonized with marble top, early 20th century. In the spirit of Hollywood Regency and Maison Jansen. T...
Marble, Bronze
Mid-Century Walnut Buffet China Cabinet Broyhill Brasilia
By Broyhill Brasilia, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful, retro Mid-Century Modern detailed proportioned walnut Broyhill Brasilia buffet China cabinet with detachable hutch in great origina...
Brass
Spanish Side Cabinet in Carved Elm with Iron Hardware, 1940s
By BIOSCA
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
A rhythmic play of shadow and surface animates this modest yet architectonic console cabinet, hewn from solid elm and raised on a stretchered base. The façade is articulated with dee...
Elm
Antique Jacobean Revival Oak Buffet / China Hutch
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Antique Jacobean Revival, 1920s, oak buffet. One piece. 61.5" high, 38.5" wide and 17.5" deep. The bottom part has two doors and one horizontal shelf. The upper part has one door and...
Oak
French Art Deco Two-Door Palisander Cabinet with Nickeled Mounts
Located in New York City, NY
Elegant French Art Deco credenza circa 1930 in palisander with sweetheart curved double door front meeting at a central slightly rounded vertical element. Nickel plated bronze escutcheons and striped accents contrast the dark wood beautifully. The central vertical rounded element is echoed in a columnar detail at the cabinet’s corners. Thin stripes of metal draw...
$4,700
H 85 in W 56 in D 24 in
Antique French Buffet Server Sideboard Buffet Barley Twist Honey Oak 3-Tier 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Honey Oak 3-Tier Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet Bookcase~~ c. 1870s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces recently received from our European shipper~~wonderful hand-carved oak pieces in the highly sought after Black Forest, Gothic, Renaissance Revival and Barley Twist styles~~19th century and in unbelievably spectacular condition! If you're looking for that special and unique "statement piece" for your home or office, please view these items in our inventory! HIGHLY CARVED lion's mask crown~~exquisite corbel supports with carved backsplash, and carved edge shelves Three tiers~~perfect for displaying your favorite Majolica, Imari, Staffordshire or other antique collectibles Two hand cut, dovetailed drawers with carved vine pulls over lower double door cabinet~~original key included~~ cartouche carved center and door medallions...
Oak
$19,500
H 101 in W 67 in D 22 in
Monumental French Gothic Revival Bibliotheque - Buffet China Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and magnificent 19th century Gothic Revival hand carved painted parcel gilt bibliothèque (today use as a library bookcase or hutch, dining room buffet, vitrine display) Most ...
Glass, Wood, Paint, Pine, Giltwood
Antique Chinese Hardwood Display Cabinet
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Chinese hardwood display cabinet having a pierced gallery top above stepped shelves and supported by turned columns, four inlaid cupboards doors a...
Hardwood
$8,000
H 55.32 in W 47.25 in D 15.95 in
Ole Wanscher Rosewood High Cabinet with Brass Keys, P. Jeppesen, 1960s
By Ole Wanscher, Poul Jeppesen
Located in Lejre, DK
Elegant and rare high cabinet designed by Danish professor and architect Ole Wanscher and manufactured by P. Jeppesen in Denmark, 1960s. Crafted in beautifully grained Brazilian rose...
Rosewood
Petite armoire chinoise en bois laqué rouge
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Petite armoire chinoise à 2 portes en cois laqué rouge. Les portes ouvertes découvrent 1 tablette avec 2 tiroirs.
Metal, Brass, Wrought Iron
Antiqued Chinese Gansu Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
Made with pine with a distressed rustic blue finish and a vintage look. Six cabinet doors with simple lines with simple hardware. The interior is fitted with removable shelves. Dime...
Wood
Maitland-Smith Chinoiserie Chiffonier
Located in Bradenton, FL
Maitland-Smith specializes in fine home furnishings and accessories. Rosewood Chiffonier with Antique Gold Gilding and Black Chinoiserie Motif
Rosewood
Turn of the Century Chinese Patinated Wooden Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
A weathered patina gives this vintage wooden buffet an air of romantic mystery. Built in China at the turn of the century, the cabinet is richly decorated with motifs of flowers and ...
Metal
Asian Inlaid Wooden Sideboard, Mid-20th Century
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Small asian enfilade / low buffet / sideboard. With 2 doors and 2 drawers. Inlaid mother-of-pearl wood. Beautiful marquetry representing life scenes with characters (musicians...
Wood
Sold
H 33 in W 72 in D 19 in
Vintage Chinese Bird Carved Mahogany Hardwood Buffet Sideboard Server Credenza
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Bird Carved Mahogany Hardwood Buffet Sideboard Server Credenza. Item features bird carved fronts, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, nicely carved details...
Mahogany
1970s Chinese Wood Patinated Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
A wood patinated buffet from China, circa 1970. A beautiful black lacquered cabinet, ornately decorated with a carved and painted landscape. Double doors hold three shelves, with bra...
Brass
Chinese Hardwood Buffet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Mid-20th century Chinese hardwood buffet with brass hardware.
Wood
Chinese Painted Buffet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Chinese painted buffet with brass hardware, circa 1990. This cabinet has a nice soft green color and interesting hardware.
Brass
Antique Chinese Black Lacquered Cabinet
Located in Sheffield, MA
This sideboard, buffet cabinet has five dovetailed drawers and center cabinet with either decorative brass pull handles or tabs and decorative brass hinges. Two smaller side cabinets...
Brass