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 Red-Lacquered Sideboard / Low Center Table / Four Drawers
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful red-lacquered Chinese sideboard / low center table was made from reclaimed pine wood with traditional nail-less joinery. The red lacquer has...
Brass
Asia Modern Mandarin Lacquer Sideboard in the Chinese Style by Willett
Located in New York, NY
Large and impressive sideboard made by the Willett Furniture Company in the Chinese style, circa 1950/1960’s. The credenza is in an intriguing mandarin orange color lacquer finish and has ( later ) faux bamboo drawer pulls...
Wood
19th Century Elm Chinese Sideboard
Located in Billingshurst, GB
Mid-19th century elm Chinese sideboard finished in clear matte lacquer over reddish brown well patinated original color. The framed panel construction has relief dragon carving spand...
Elm
ViNTAGE GREEN PAINTED & LACQUERED ORIENTAL LOW SIDEBOARD WINDOW SEAT MEDIA STAND
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, vintage Oriental style Heritage Green painted and Lacquered sideboard which is super utilitar...
Wood
Magnificent Large Carved Antique Chinese Cabinet Console from Fujian Province
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Magnificent multi drawer and compartment antique console cabinet from the Fujian Province of China, having meticulously carved wood in a wonderful combination of painted slightly dis...
Wood
$15,186 / item
Silk Road Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
Inspired by Silk Road, an expressive portrayal of the infamous road from Xi'an to Constantinople as painted by artist Iris Feng. A reproduction of original artwork was digitally prin...
Wood
Chinese Four Panel Screen Lacquer Room Divider 1920
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Exquisite Chinese four planel screen or room divider Chinese 4 fold screen with panels depicting countryside scenes in bas relief Hand painted scenes so characterful and evocative Su...
Wool
Decorative Vintage Chinese Gold Leaf Floral Painted and Lacquered Sideboard
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nicely made, Chinese floral gold leaf painted and lacquered sideboard cupboard This is a very good-loo...
Wood
$1,560Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Altar Red Lacquered Cabinet
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Chinese Ming style hand painted red and brown lacquered cabinet with carved sides, drawer and doors. The piece features intricate hand carved details and an antique look patina. Behind its two doors is ample storage, including a single drawer. Exquisite Chinese altar elmwood cabinet features a rectangular top, sitting above an elegant façade, presenting a drawer fitted with teardrop pulls. Double doors below open to reveal a convenient storage space. The sides are accented with scrolled motifs. Raised on straight legs with carved apron, this Chinese altar dresser cabinet charms our eyes with its lovely patina and graceful lines, This early 20th century Chinese lacquered sideboard...
Wood, Elm
Antique circa 1900 Chinese Export Burr Elm & Brass Engraved Sideboard Butterfly
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1900 Chinese Export burr elm sideboard A very good looking and well made decorative antique ...
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Red Carved Wooden Display Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) red wooden display cabinet with an open main shelf framed above a cabinet, and intricate gold figurative sc...
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Winged Elmwood Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Small Winged Elmwood Cabinet This cabinet has 2 drawers and 2 shelves.
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Winged Elmwood Sideboard
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province winged elmwood sideboard This elmwood winged sideboard with original brown lacquer and patina has 4 drawers, 4 shelves, and ...
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
Modern Large Blue Lacquered Sideboard, Customizable
Located in Greenwich, CT
Lacquered in high gloss powder blue, this modern sideboard features cabinets, a drawer and a cubby / shelf. The sides of the piece angle inward. The overall footprint is shaped like ...
Lacquer, Poplar, Maple
Sideboard "Bar Buffet" in the Style of Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Budapest, HU
A wonderful multifunctional Italian sideboard cabinet bar style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s. Measures: H 37.41 in. x W 70.87 in. x D 19.69 in. H 95 cm x W 180 cm x D 50 cm.
Wood
19th Century mahogany inlaid sideboard
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality early 19th Century mahogany inlaid bowfront sideboard, having a lovely figured top above a central drawer flanked either side with a single deep drawer to the right ...
Mahogany
Vintage sideboard sideboard 1960s Sweden
Located in Lemmer, NL
Vintage sideboard sideboard 1960s Sweden Period 1960s Design Unknown Sweden Condition Good Minor signs of wear Size 76 x 147 x 45 cm (H x W x D) Details Wood; Item numb...
Wood
19th Century Danish Pine Sideboard
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century pine sideboard showcasing traditional fluted carved drawer details commonly found in Danish antiques of the period. The drawers open with hanging brass pulls, while the ...
Brass
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
19th Century English Pine Sideboard
Located in High Point, NC
19th century pine sideboard from England with a two plank top over simple sides and three drawers in the front. There is a scalloped apron beneath the drawers and the piece is raised...
Pine
Vintage sideboard TV stand sideboard 1960s
Located in Lemmer, NL
Vintage sideboard TV stand sideboard 1960s Period 1960s Design Unknown Condition Good Minor signs of wear Size 56 x 220 x 45 cm (H x W x D) Details Teak; Chrome; Metal; I...
Metal, Chrome
$1,750
H 32 in W 60 in D 16 in
French Provincial Style Marble Top Cream Painted Sideboard Buffet Media Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Provincial Style Marble Top Cream Painted Sideboard Buffet Media Cabinet. Item features 2 drawers, 4 adjustable interior shelves, cream distress painted finish, nicely carved ...
Marble
$5,681
H 28.94 in W 38.59 in D 22.84 in
Antique Rare Swedish Sideboard, Unusually Low Gustavian Style Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique Swedish sideboard. The sideboard is unusually low and made in gustavian style. It is an authentic country house furniture from 1834 made in Hälsingland. The frame is mad...
Pine
19th Century French Painted Sideboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French painted sideboard. With significant storage space, counting three single top drawers and double shelving inside that r...
Wood
Black Lacquer and Brass Credenza/Sideboard by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
Glamorous one-of-a-kind piece designed by the great Mastercraft in Grand Rapids. Features a massive tubular brass framed body, both sides have a gentle curve. Top and sides are finis...
Brass
Sold
H 37 in W 127 in D 19 in
Long Red Lacquered Chinese Sideboard Console With Drawers, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This magnificent sideboard makes an impressive visual statement due to its substantial size (10.5' long) and the truly remarkable color. It still maintains the original red paint, ge...
Elm, Lacquer, Paint
Sold
H 37.5 in W 35 in D 20.5 in
Antique Chinese Jiangsu Province Rosewood with Bone Inlay Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Chinese Jiangsu Province Rosewood with Bone Inlay Sideboard Cabinet This exceptional 19th century Chinese Jiangsu province cabinet with b...
Bone, Rosewood
Chinese Pine Side Board
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Chinese pine sideboard with bronze hardware, circa mid 20th century. With a rectangular top, 5 drawers and 4 doors. Depth of top 18". No shelves.
Bronze
LOVELY VINTAGE RED HAND PAINTED CHINESE SIDEBOARD TV CABiNET
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Lovely Red Chinese Hand Painted Sideboard A Red Chinese Hand Painted Sideboard is a traditional piece of furniture that typically features i...
Hardwood
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
Chinese Mid-Century Bamboo Two Door Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout Mid-Century cabinet crafted in bamboo with two drawers over two doors featuring an eye catching Chinese circular character against an elmwood background.
Bamboo, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Elm and Brown Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm and Brown Lacquer sideboard This Antique Sideboard from the Shanxi Province of China has 4 doors and 4 shelves. Circa: 1900 Dimensions: H: 34...
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
French Wood and Golden Faux Bamboo Oriental Style Cabinet
Located in Milano, IT
French cabinet made of lacquered and painted wood and gilded faux bamboo in oriental style from the late 1800s. The cabinet is very special, as you can see from the photos is openab...
Satin, Faux Bamboo, Wood
Sold
H 33.86 in W 70.87 in D 16.93 in
Exquisite Quality Oriental Vintage Hand Painted & Lacquered Sideboard Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage beautifully decorated hand painted and lacquered Oriental sideboard with drawers A very go...
Wood
Chinese Carved Zitan Sideboard in Black Lacquer
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A two door sideboard fitted with drawers inside produced in China in the 1920’ from Zitan and crisply carved and then black lacquered, I am unsure of the timber but the cabinet is ve...
Zitan
Antique Chinese Two Door Sideboard
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
An Antique Chinese dresser in black and red lacquer, with still life art painted to the front doors, mid 19th century some replaced parts, and fu...
Elm
Fine Asian Console Serving Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made seven drawer console/ serving table with dove-tail drawers and ring-pulls. In heavily lacquered dark wood with wide banded top. With fou...
Wood