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.
Pair Late 20th Century Handcrafted Asian Wicker & Brass Mounted Graduated Chests
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Late 20th Century Handcrafted Asian Wicker and Brass fitting Graduated Chests. Measures 31" in width, 16" in depth and 16" in height. The smaller chest measures 28" in width, ...
Brass
MId-20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Siver Chest Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional Mid-20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Siver Chest and Cabinet in great vintage condition. Features a flip top that open to reveal two flatware storage trays all fel...
Felt, Rosewood
Camphorwood Campaign Chest - Late 19th Century Chinese Export Case (Medium)
Located in Soquel, CA
Camphorwood Campaign Chest - Late 19th Century Chinese Export Case (Medium) This hardwood chest has brass hardware, including handles. It has a plaque on the top that would have bee...
Brass
Pair of unique Late Qing Dynasty cabinets in lacquered surface and gold apliquès
Located in Milano, IT
An important pair of cabinets, designed for a high-ranking client, dating to the late Qing Dynasty (19th/Early 20th century). Elegant in their unusual, sharply tapered lines, they ar...
Wood
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood Chest of Drawers
Located in Germantown, MD
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood Chest of Drawers Measures 40" in width, 15.75" in depth c and 32" in height. Drawers inside are 35.75" W x 12.5" D x 6.25"H Exce...
Bone, Rosewood
Contemporary Red Lacquered and Ornate Asian Storage and Filing Cabinet on Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A Contemporary Red Lacquered and Ornate Asian Storage cabinet or Filing Cabinet on Stand. Inside Felt lined and stand top. Very good vintage condition. comes with removable filing ra...
Felt, Hardwood, Lacquer
Mid Century Chinese Cabinet with Small Drawers
Located in Troy, MI
This circa 1950s small Chinese cabinet has four small drawers at the top, chow style feet and an open storage compartment with two hinged drawers. ...
Brass
Vintage Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Painted Cabinet with Greek Key Accents
Located in Pasadena, TX
This cabinet is made in the chinoiserie style. It's been lacquered in black and is hand painted. It has 2 doors that open up to open space for lots of hidden storage. The cabinets h...
Lacquer, Paint
$5,013Sale Price|26% Off
Lacquered Wood Cabinet with Chinese Seenes
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful two doors cabinet is made of black and red lacquered wood presenting Chinese sceens and decorations in gold tones. This is a French work. Circa 1940
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Hand-Painted Lacquer Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique Chinese lacquer cabinet from the original Spago restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, currently being remodeled. Patinated bronze hardware.
Bronze
Vintage Carved Asian Drop Front 5 Drawer Secretary
Located in Pasadena, TX
This secretary is made of a dense rosewood. It's splendidly carved all over. It has 5 pull out drawers. and a drop front. The drop front opens up to create a secretary for an at hom...
Rosewood
Pair of Vintage Chinese Red Lacquer Open Front Door Table Cabinets
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair Vintage Chinese Red Lacquer Table Cabinets. Beautiful pair of matching red lacquer diminutive Chinese storage table cabinets. Created...
Wood
$1,470Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Hong Kong Camphor Seamans Trunk with Brass Inlay by George Zee and Co.
Located in Hanover, MA
Most unusual large camphor lined teak wood trunk extravagantly adorned with decorative brass & copper decorations and inlay depicting Hong Kong harbor junk in full sail with water fl...
Brass, Copper
Mid-Century Asian Style Wicker and Brass Blanket Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid-Century Asian Style Wicker and Brass Blanket Chest. Measures 32" in width, 16" in depth and 16" in height closed.
Brass
Ming Style, 19th century Chinese Lacquered Cabinet with intricate inlay
Located in New York, NY
A Chinese Ming style (but later) black lacquered double door cabinet, finished in black lacquer, with handpainted gold details, and inlaid with hardstones such as soapstone, jade (or...
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Camphor Wood Chest with Carved Design
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large carved Oriental Camphor wood chest This carved chest is made from Camphor Wood, for those of you who do not know camphor wood it i...
Wood
$4,467Sale Price|30% Off
Rare and Beautiful Architectural Pagode Display Cabinet, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
Made of carved wood with transparent fences and scrollwork panels, two dragons at the front and pagoda roofs on top. A beautiful realization by the Chinese woodcarver and furniture m...
Sapele Wood, Ivory
$1,871Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Chinese Hand Carved & Gilded 3 Part Stacking Display or China Cabinet
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome antique Chinese 3-part stacking display or China cabinet composed of hand carved & gilded Chinese Elm. 3 parts include: 1 top unit with glass doors, gilded details & brass h...
Glass, Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Carved Hardwood Chinese Etagere
Located in Norwood, NJ
An exquisite 19th-century Chinese hardwood display cabinet, masterfully carved and richly detailed throughout. Crafted during the late Qing Dynasty, this rare piece exemplifies the a...
Hardwood
18th Century Chinese Hardwood Tapered Cabinet
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A very simple and plain Chinese round corner and tapered cabinet produced early 18th century from mixed hardwoods, with later restorations and rep...
Hardwood
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
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Large Chinese Modern Style Cabinet Credenza by Baker Milling Road Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular two part cabinet by Baker Furniture as part of their Millertown Road collection. The cabinet consists of a large upper case, that features two center doors which open to...
Brass
$18,866 / item
Pair Chinoiserie lacquer cabinets on stand. circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite pair of Chinese export Coromandel lacquer cabinets, dating from circa 1900, showcases the artistry and craftsmanship of the period. Each cabinet features a rich, black...
Lacquer
Black Lacquer and Rosewood Cabinet with Soapstone and Bone Inlay
Located in Lomita, CA
This cabinet makes a dramatic statement in black lacquer with rich rosewood trim and brass pulls. But the whimsical figural bone inlay carvings are what makes this most memorable. Th...
Lacquer
1920's Chinese Export Oriental Heavily Carved Camphor Wood Wardrobe Part Suite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made Chinese Export circa 1900-1920 Camphor wood wardrobe which is part of a set I have the matching super rare chest of draw...
Wood
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Qing Dynasty Altar Piece Cabinet, Huanghuali Wood, Carved Bats, 1850
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Asian Wing Dynasty altar piece or shitine. Made of hardwood, probably huanghuali. Decorated with carved symbols of bats.
Hardwood
Very Rare 19th Century Chinese Mother of Pearl Inlaid Cabinet Cupboard Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning exceptionally rare original circa 1820 Chinese Mother of Pearl inlaid cabinet A ver...
Mother-of-Pearl
Pair of 19th Century Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Hardwood Cabinets
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese (Qing Dynasty) hardwood cupboard cabinets with carved relief on 2 front doors over 2 drawers with a carved apron on base (Priced as pair).
Brass
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Bernhardt Credenza Dresser Sideboard
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and sophisticated Asia Modern style credenza made by Bernhardt as part of their celebrated Flair line. This chic sideboard features a dark stained oak case with vibrant book ...
Oak, Rosewood
Mid-Century Chinese Export Style Tanzu Chest by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese Export style Tanzu chest by Thomasville. It is two smaller drawers over two larger drawers and one cabinet. It is marked and has lite wear. The iron cor...
Iron
Exquisite Rosewood Hand-Carved Oriental breakfront– Late 19th /Early20th Century
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This magnificent two-part Oriental China cabinet is a true testament to masterful craftsmanship, designed to serve as a grand curio or china dis...
Wood, Rosewood, Paint
Chinese Export Coromandel Lacquer Cabinet on Stand, Mid-19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful Chinese coromandel brown lacquer cabinet on stand, made for the export market, early to mid-19th century, China, presented on an early 20th century custom fitted stand. The gem of a cabinet is fitted with doors and drawers, and decorated on all sides. The top, back and sides with lacquer painted scenes of birds and flowers. The front of the cabinet featuring a pair of stunning coromandel doors carved with a shanshui (mountain and water) landscape scene, complete with temples and pagodas, boats and bridges, and figures, all set against craggy mountains shrouded in clouds and rippling water. The cabinet mounted with brass hinges and lock plates (key included) and a pair of carrying handles. Opening the doors reveals eleven wondrous black lacquer drawers...
Brass
South East Asian Hancrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood Drop Leaf Serving / Tea Cart
Located in Germantown, MD
A South East Asian Hancrafted Bone Inlay Rosewood Drop Leaf two tier rolling Serving Trolley Measures 33" in width, 18.5" in depth closed and 32.5" in depth open. Lower tier cleramce...
Bone, Rosewood
Large Chinese Apothecary Cabinet, 56 Drawers, Early 20th Century
Located in BORGO, FR
Large Chinese apothecary cabinet with 56 drawers, early 20th century. Originally used in traditional Chinese medicine, this exceptional piece carries a rich narrative, each drawer on...
Metal
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 Chinese Black Lacquered Coromandel Cabinets, Carved Pair
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19th Century) black lacquered and decorated coromandel cabinets with 4 doors with carved panels (PRICED AS PAIR). Antique condition, minor losses and cr...
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Walnut Brass Mounted Hardwood Silver / Jewel Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 19th Century to Ealy 20th Century Chinese Export Walnut Brass Mounted Hardwood Silver Chest or Jewel Chest in great vintage condition. Soft Chinese motif textile lined inte...
Brass
A Beautiful & Rare Napoleon III 19th Century, Chinese Lacquer & Gilt Secretaire
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful & Rare Napoleon III 19th Century, Chinese Lacquer & Gilt Secretaire On Lion Paw Feet A fall front reveals a letter rack and inkwells and pen holder...
Brass
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
A Very Fine & Rare 18th Century Chinese Export Padouk Block-Front Bureau
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The richly figured case showing a drop-down panel affixed with a lectern bar, opening to an interior fitted with an arrangement of banks of small drawers, pigeonhole compartments &am...
Other
Pair of Antique Chinese Apothecary Bedside Cabinets
Located in Faversham, GB
A wonderful pair of Chinese table top apothecary cabinets in elm with tortoiseshell coloured and enamel decoration. The spacious over sailing molded tops beneath a configuration of...
Elm, Paint
Large 19th Century Chinese Elm Sideboard 6-Door Cabinet Buffet
Located in IT
A striking and generously proportioned 19th century Chinese elm sideboard, celebrated for its rich, timeworn patina and simple architectural form. Crafted from solid elm wood, this i...
Elm
Asian Hardwood Trunk, Bronzed-Mounted Chest, Coffer, Late 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an Asian hardwood trunk, a bronzed metal mounted chest or coffer dating to the late 20th century. Of quality craftsmanship and stock Attractive variegated grain interest ...
Hardwood
A FINE 19TH CENTURY CARVED HUANGHUALI TWO DOOR CABiNET ON STAND QING DYNASTY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite Carved Huanghuali two door and two drawer Chinese Cabinet on stand Circa 1890-1910...
Wood
19th Century Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Hand-Painted Lacquer Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique Chinese lacquer cabinet from the original Spago restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, currently being remodeled. Patinated bronze hardware.
Bronze
Chinese Silverware Cabinet Collectors Chest Relief Carved Chinoiserie
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A nicely carved Chinese storage or silverware cabinet, circa 1960s. It features beautiful Chinese wood relief carved scenes throughout. The hinged top lifts to reveal a green velvet ...
Brass
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Mid-Century Chinese Parchment Cabinet with Blackened Wood Frame
Located in CABA, AR
Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of the Orient with this exquisite mid-20th century Chinese cabinet, imported from France and crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Ma...
Wood, Parchment Paper
Chinese Export Oriental Heavily Carved Camphor Wood Chest of Drawers Part Suite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made Chinese Export, circa 1900-1920 Camphor wood chest of drawers which is part of a set Please note the delivery fee listed is...
Wood
$2,400
Chinese Carriage Box
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th century Northern Chinese carriage box with five stacking trays. Adorned with brass trim and hand-carved details. Used for porting of personal...
Wood
Chinese Parchment Leather Trunk on Stand Brass Mounts and Handles
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Chinese parchment leather bound trunk on stand with brass mounts and handles. Used to store linens, clothing and other miscellaneous items, trunks were used in every room of th...
Wood
Antique Chinese Bogu Etagere Shelf, Carved Wood with Red Accents
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese Bogu wooden etagere featuring open display shelving connecting ornately carved, red framed doors, two red drawers with golden foliage ornamenta...
Wood
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
Lighted Chinese Rosewood Hexagon 4 Shelf Curio with 2 Door Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
This curio cabinet is made of rosewood. It's hexagon shaped and has 3 glass shelves. It has a light in the ceiling and dual doors at the bottom that open to reveal extra storage. The...
Glass, Mirror, Rosewood
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 Elm Cabinet with Hand Carved Arpon
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm cabinet with hand carved arpon. This Elmwood cabinet with original color and patina and hardware is from the Shanxi Province of China. It has carving details at the bottom with original lacquer. The cabinet suitable to be used for an elegant storage for clothing, beddings, china and crystal...
Elm, Lacquer
Fine Antique Chinese Butterfly Hand Painted Lacquered Large Side Table Cupboard
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage circa 1900's hand painted and lacquered Chinese Wedding cupboard decorated with gold l...
Wood
Fine Chinese Circular Display Stand Shelves Bookcase Mingei Room Divider Jumu
Located in London, GB
An exceptional, gorgeous and rare Chinese circular display stand in wonderful condition. Likely made in the second half of the 20th Century or possibly earlier, this show-stopping pi...
Elm
AMAZING ENGLISH STATIONERY BIN WITH LIFTING 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
AMAZING STATIONERY BIN WITH LIFTING English, 18th century. in lacquered wood. Gold decoration representing pagodas and river landscapes. Friezes with plant motifs. Lower body with ...
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Elm Sideboard Bleached Rustic Cabinet with Four Doors
Located in IT
A beautifully aged 19th century Chinese elm sideboard showcasing a soft bleached finish that highlights the natural grain, character, and patina developed over generations. Crafted f...
Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Tall 2 Drawer Elmwood Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province tall 2 drawer Elmwood cabinet This tall cabinet has 2 drawers located at the bottom apron and 2 shelves. The cabinet also has...
Elm, Lacquer