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.
Antique Chinese Hardwood Bar Cabinet with Shou Carvings, 20th Century
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
$2,250
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
Italian Arte Povera Cabinet, Handcrafted Pinewood, 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black-white, grey Italian cabinet in the Arte Povera technique, made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The tall, rectangular Tuscan cupboard is composed with a s...
Metal
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
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
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
20th Century Antique French Cabinet
Located in Fullerton, CA
Large vintage cabinet with drawers and cabinets. There are 18 small drawers on the top half of the piece and three cabinet at the bottom, one of which has 2 shelves inside. The patin...
Wood
French 19th Century Cabinet Confiturier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This buffet confiturier is in the style of Henri II, rich in carvings. Buffet confiturier means a cabinet with 1 door that was in the 19th century generally used in the kitchen.
Oak
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
$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
Buffet in Carved Oak, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
This French buffet unfolds like a carved hymn to symmetry and craft. Its tripartite façade is marked by a rhythmic procession of concentric rosettes, each hand-carved with meditative...
Oak
French Art Deco Buffet with Marble Top
By Maxime Old
Located in North Bergen, NJ
French Art Deco mahogany buffet with beautiful marble top. Four central draws flanked by cabinet doors covered with very detailed designed door panels. This buffet is remarkable, wit...
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Cabinet
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful Chinese cabinet in mainly black and red lacquer with red decorations. Contains several shelves and four drawers, all with original brass hardware.
Wood
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