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.
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 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
$5,699 / 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
$4,500
H 30.75 in W 50.5 in D 28 in
Vintage Italian Walnut Burl Louis XV Bombay Style Serpentine Writing Desk VGC
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hand-made in Italy, circa 1950s or 60s, this gorgeous 5-drawer Louis XV or Bombay style desk in Italian walnut burl with antiqued brass hardware. This desk has been in my collections...
Brass
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
$3,223Sale Price|20% Off
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
$1,311Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 48.23 in D 24.41 in
Lovely Vintage Writing Table Desk in Hardwood with Silk Embroidered Glass Top
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely vintage writing table with silk embroidered top and glass protector A very good looking and well made p...
Silk, Glass, Hardwood
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
$4,800
H 29.5 in W 55 in D 29 in
Vintage Early 20th Century French Mahogany Desk with Aubergine Leather Top
Located in Buchanan, NY
This vintage French mahogany desk will add a touch of sophistication to your work environment. It features a sleek aubergine leather top that complements the original art deco hardware...
Leather, Mahogany
Italian Empire Style Elegant Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Introducing this elegant Italian desk dating back to the 20th century. An extremely refined desk, inspired by the Empire style. Featuring a linear design with black ebonized column ...
Bronze
$1,907Sale Price|30% Off
H 33.47 in W 22.05 in D 22.45 in
Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk - C. 1870
Located in Wisbech, England
Presenting an exquisite Victorian Burr and Figured Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk dating back to approximately 1870. This charming piece exudes age and character, making it a ra...
Walnut
20th Century writing Desk Louis XV Piano-Black Bureau Plat
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century writing Desk Louis XV Piano-Black Bureau Plat Majestic bureau plat in Louis XV style. Piano black polished veneer on solid Pinewood with r...
Bronze
$1,475Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.59 in W 35.44 in D 19.3 in
Mid Century 1960s Scandi Roll Top Bureau / Desk in Teak by Egon Ostergaard
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, Egon Ostergaard
Located in Markington, GB
sought after unusual Secretary in teak with locking roll-top door, a selection of small drawers and storage compartments as well as a hidden pull-out black worktop. Also features thr...
Teak
18th Century English Painted Bureau / Desk
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
18th C English painted oak bureau with good fitted interior and brass handles. 1760 Height to underside of desk - 64cm
Brass
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 ...
Wood
Vintage Campaign Style Writing Table/Desk Lacquered in Red
Located in Dallas, TX
Classic Campaign style desk manufactured by Sligh of Holland/Grand Rapids, Michigan. Restored, consist of five drawers with recessed brass pulls. Inlaid leather top with elegant embossed gold design and brass legs. Brass bound corners and Campaign pulls...
Brass
$7,200
H 36 in W 36 in D 18 in
Petit Roll Top Mahogany Mechanical Desk Writing Table Tapered Legs Mid Century
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Beginning of Mid Century Modern era Petit Roll Top Mahogany Mechanical Desk Writing Table Tapered Legs Mid Century MINT!
Mahogany
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
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
Sold
H 55.52 in W 44.49 in D 28.75 in
Rare circa 1900 Chinese Export Hand-Carved Writing Desk Ebonized Black Lacquer
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this jawing dropping circa 1900 hand-carved Chinese export hand-carved solid teak writing desk with Ebonised black lacquered finish A very good...
Teak
Unusual Burr Chinese Export Writing Box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality Chinese export burr writing box. Beautifully brass bound outside and inside edging. Stunning burr wood exterior. Original dark blue velvet writing surface which split...
Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Camphor Metamorphic Lap Desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare and good quality Chinese export camphor wood writing desk, circa 1820. Brass bound around the outer edges and carrying handles to each side. These desk were made for sea capt...
Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Tambour Campaign Writing Lap Desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Quality Chinese export camphor wood lap desk, circa 1820. Made for sea Captains and military officers in the field. Brass bound round the outer edge with brass carrying handles. Tamb...
Hardwood