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 Qing Style Elm Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive Chinese export writing table or desk made in the Qing style. Constructed from elm with rich grain patterns having mortise and tenon joinery. The...
Brass
20th C. Vintage/Antique Bureau, Bookcase, Chinese, Painted Red Roll-Top Desk
Located in Austin, TX
Gorgeous 20th C. Vintage/Antique Bureau, Bookcase, Chinese, Painted Red Roll-Top Desk! Roll-Top Desk, Bureau, Bookcase, Chinese, Painted Red Lacquer, Vintage / Antique, 1900's, 20...
Wood
Chinese Export Lacquer Bureau on Stand and Toilet Glass Dressing Table
Located in London, by appointment only
A Chinese export lacquer bureau on stand decorated with an unusual polychrome flower design This Chinese lacquer bureau on stand was made in ...
Lacquer
$2,300
H 48.43 in W 38.19 in D 19.69 in
French 19th Century Brass and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th Century Brass Inlaid and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau A 19th century mahogany cylinder bureau with the rectangular top surrounded by a pierced brass gallery, above two mirrored panelled doors, the roll-top opening to reveal a sliding leather writing surface surmounted by three drawers and a shelf, above two frieze drawers, on fluted circular tapering legs headed by asperges and terminated by cast sabot. The mirrored paneled doors, and the roll top are distinguished by its brass inlays that beautifully frame and outline the design of the item. Together with the brass handles, the brass gallery and the brass toupie feet this cylinder bureau displays...
Brass
$4,068
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original circa 1860 Mahogany library table with built in twin writing slopes This is a very r...
Hardwood
$2,689
H 37.21 in W 35.24 in D 13.59 in
Antique Anglo Indian Military Campaign Camphor Wood & Brass Bureau Desk Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely late Victorian Anglo Indian campaign Camphor wood with brass inlay Military bureau desk This piece really is exquisite. It’s a genui...
Brass
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of elm, oak and padouk woods, c.1780 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compart...
Metal, Brass
Antique Roll Top Desk Mahogany Bureau, 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Classy French Empire roll top desk in mahogany Plenty of storage with all the cubby holes and drawers Writing surface revealed by opening up the...
Mahogany
$5,447 / set
H 30.32 in W 51.19 in D 26.78 in
Early Paint Antique French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk & Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning early painted circa 1880-1900 French Louis XV style Bureau plat writing table with later stool This is a wonderful find, the burea...
Brass
$14,500
H 84 in W 48 in D 24 in
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Birch
Antiqued 17th Century Style Writing Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An antiqued wood writing desk, with two frieze drawers, on barley twist turned legs joined by stretchers. This is an antique reproduction of the original 17th century. Dimensions: 4...
Wood
$6,895
H 44 in W 47 in D 23 in
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compartments, ...
Metal, Brass
Large French Neoclassical Roll-Top Desk
Located in Troy, NY
French Mahogany Empire Desk of stately proportions, with a roll top, revealing a double row of total six drawers under an open shelf, as well as a sliding writing surface with inset ...
Mahogany, Pearwood
$5,958 / item
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Modern Black Writing Table Desk or Vanity Console in high gloss
Located in Riga, LV
Refined elegance and classic design characterize the Kanttari Writing Desk. The definition of rich furniture design, this beautiful writing desk is handmade with soft to touch black ...
Brass
$5,895
H 41.75 in W 45 in D 22 in
George IIII Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770, in the Sheraton style. An inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and ...
Metal, Brass
A Chinese Export Black and Gold Lacquer Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful Chinese Export black and gold lacquer desk, elaboratly decorated with detailed Chinoiserie scenes, three drawers and beautiful base wi...
Gold
Mid Century Chinese Export Bamboo Rattan Partners Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A rare and unique Mid Century Chinese Export Partners Desk, Applied Bamboo over Hardwood. A partner's desk describes a desk in which two people...
Bamboo, Hardwood
Sold
H 31.7 in W 72.05 in D 26.58 in
LOVELY 20TH C CHINESE HARDWOOD PEDESTAL DESK WiTH CENTRAL DRAWER BRUSHING SLIDES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely 20th Century Chinese Hardwood pedestal desk with small drawers and sliding shelves. To start, this piece is presented under the top of...
Hardwood
Chinese Teak Wood Double Pedestal Desk
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Chinese teak wood double pedestal desk, circa 1960's. With a rectangular top, 3 frieze drawers over two pedestals, left pedestal with two drawers the bott...
Brass
19th Century Asian Carved Hardwood Desk Writing Table
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A late-19th century carved Chinese hardwood writing desk with three lower drawers and an upper-back superstructure with pierce-carved gallery, shelving and a small cabinet. A pretty ...
Hardwood
Chinese Export Polychrome Pedestal Desk Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite Chinese export pedestal three-part desk or writing table featuring a beautifully polychromed finished case. The top of the desk has four storage drawers and fits on top of ...
Brass
Drop-Front Desk by George Zee
By George Zee
Located in Fulton, CA
Amazing, superior quality, craftsmanship and materials. Exceptional original condition. Carved solid teak hardwood compartmentalized drop-front desk by George Zee & Company, Hong Kon...
Wood
Chinese Export Camphorwood Campaign Chest
Located in Essex, MA
In two parts with a molded rectangular top over a long drawer over a drawer containing a pull out fitted desk over three drawers and raised on toupie feet.
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Solid Hongmu Hand Carved Desk Set
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful desk set, made of the Chinese hardwood type Hongmu. The set comes from Hong Kong and is made for export to Europe. The desk and chair have very rich carvings of bamboo moti...
Hardwood
Sold
H 53.55 in W 42.13 in D 28.75 in
Rare Chinese Export Dragons Phoenix Bird Writing Table Desk and Matching Chair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand carved Chinese export desk and matching armchair with dragons and phoenix birds A very good looking and well made set. I’ve n...
Wood
Sold
H 25.79 in W 30.91 in D 21.86 in
Rare Chinese Export Dragon Carved Small Folding Campaign Desk & Chair Set Childs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare small circa 1900 Chinese Export folding campaign desk and chair with hand carved dragon detaili...
Wood
Sold
H 34.65 in W 51.78 in D 21.26 in
Chinese Red Rosewood Lacquered Solid Teak Desk Good for a Dressing Table as Well
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice Chinese vintage red lacquered Rosewood desk or dressing table A very good looking and functional vintage piece that looks amazing...
Teak