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.
19th Century Monumental Carved Elmwood Chinese Altar Or Console Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This a late 19th century monumental carved elm wood altar / console table. It has beautiful scrolled ends and recessed legs. The size is exceptional and the wood grain is glorious.
Elm
$2,475 / item
Chinese Ming Style Carved Console
Located in Westwood, NJ
Console reflects timeless Eastern design, blending graceful proportions with artisanal detailing. Finished in a warm Husk tone, this piece captures the elegance of Ming-inspired furn...
Wood
Baker Furniture Walnut Chinoiserie Stye Altar Console Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
This console table is made in Chinese export style. It's made of solid walnut. by the Baker Furniture Comp. It's style is like an altar table.
Walnut
Chinese Export Rosewood Carved Altar Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional Chinese Huali rosewood table with remarkably straight wood grain patterns and distinctive carving. The aprons are carved in an intricate lattice work of blossoms and bird...
Rosewood
Vintage Chinese Oriental Fretwork Carved Hardwood Altar Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Oriental Fretwork Carved Hardwood Altar Console Table. Item Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 34" H x 32" H (to surface) x 53" W x 15" D.
Hardwood
Chinese hardwood Long Rectangular Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese (19th Century) hardwood narrow rectangular console table with open apron featuring interlocking circular design.
Wood
South East Asian Elmwood Six-Drawer Altar / Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
South East Asian / Korean Elmwood Five-Drawer Altar / Console Table fully Finished on all sides. Measures 35" in width, 15" in depth and 33.25" in height.Very good vintage condition.
Brass
19th century Chinese Dark Wood Console/Altar Table
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Chinese dark wood (likely Elmwood) console table. Traditionally used for ceremonial purposes, as well as functional display pieces, this table features a characterist...
Wood
Chinese 19th Century walnut Console Table
Located in New York, NY
A graceful 19th century Chinese hardwood altar table, with a carved apron. The table features for decorative carved elements, one on each side, between the top and stretcher . Table...
Walnut
Late 19th Century Elmwood Console China Export
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant elmwood console is handcrafted and so the beautiful details under the top and to the corners, both the sides. This is a piece of glamorous timeless The top is in solid...
Elm
Early 20th Century Carved Hardwood Chinese Console / Alter Table/ 3 drawer
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early 20th Century Carved Hardwood Chinese Console / Alter Hall Table with 3 drawers... Retains original finish / patina,,Really wonderful carvings,, Great proportions , size . Hand...
Rosewood
Mid 20th Century Asian Elmwood Three-Drawer Altar / Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid 20th Century Elmwood Three-Drawer Altar Table. Solid Elm, yet light weigh. Measures 37.75" in width, 19.5" in depth and 33.25" in height. Very good vintage condition.
Wood, Hardwood, Elm
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood console table Measures 36.5" in width, 12.75" in depth c and 30" in height. Excellent vintage condition
Bone, Rosewood
19th Century Chinese Lacquered Console Table
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Chinese Lacquered Console Table A characterful 19th century Chinese console table, finished in deep red and black lacquer, offering a striking decorative presence for a curated inter...
Elm
Chinese Altar/Scholar's Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and fine Altar Table in traditional form with particularly striking exotic graining. With carved and shaped vertical ends and carved scrollwork on the apron ends. Raised on t...
Wood
19th Century Chinese Elm Alter Table
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This 19th-century Chinese Elm Alter Table features dark elm wood with ornate carved legs and a distressed finish, giving it a warm, well-worn character. A classic piece with timeless...
Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Hallway Bench Altar Console Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Hallway Bench Altar console table The table features a rectangular top with scrolling patterns. On straight supports this long ...
Wood
Hand-Carved Dragon Motif Cypress Wood Console or Sofa Table
Located in Nantucket, MA
A very cool console or sofa table made of cypress wood. Hand-carved on both shelves and the legs in a dragon motif. Very Game of Thrones. A stylized Queen Anne leg. Mid 1900's. Asian.
Cypress
Vintage Chinese Hongmu Pair of Alter or Console Tables or Center Table
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning Early 19th to 20th Century Chinese Hongmu pair of alter or console tables or center table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will ha...
Wood
19th Century Chinese Console Table
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Chinese Console Table This striking mid-19th century Chinese altar table, dating to around circa 1860, is a richly carved and visually powerful piece, showcasing the craftsmanship an...
Elm, Lacquer
Late 19thCentury China Export Elmwood Black Lacquered Console
Located in Brescia, IT
This console is an hand crafted piece of furniture and was made in elm wood, typical of asian countries in Late 19th Century. It was cleaned and refreshed the old black finish. This...
Elm
Chinese Carved Wooden Altar Table / Console
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese hardwood altar / console table accented with ornately carved and pierced spandrels and recessed legs and topped with a surface bearing gently sloping sides.
Wood
Early 20th Century China Export Elmwood Console with Carrara Marble
Located in Brescia, IT
It is not easy to find this elegant console, that has very useful dimensions and has the top made in the precious Carrara marble. This is a piece that find its origin in China, in th...
Carrara Marble
Pair of Chinese Wooden White Painted Contortionist Console Tables
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese console tables comprised of whitewashed wooden bases carved to resemble acrobatic figures supporting gray, rectangular t...
Wood
19th Century Chinese hardwood Alter table.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century Chinese hardwood Alter table, having inset panels to the top and scrolling ends, hand carved and pierced ribbon and scrolling foliate decoration to t...
Hardwood
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Altar Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm altar table. This antique elm altar table has its original color and patina. It can be used as a sofa back table for lamps...
Elm
Vintage Shanxi Province Black Lacquer Wicker Rattan Altar Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage shanxi province black lacquer wicker rattan altar table. This vintage altar table features a single board flush floating panel with circul...
Wicker, Rattan, Wood, Lacquer
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Altar Carved Console Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province elmwood altar carved ornate console table. Gorgeous Chinese Qing dynasty style carved altar table constructed from Elmwoo...
Elm
$4,328 / set
Pair of openwork Lacquer Consoles from 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Chinese style wood consoles with a half-moon upper tray. Openwork base in the Asian way of furniture and decoration of tawny lacquer with gilt highlights and flowers ornament...
Wood
Chinese Antique Carved and Painted Altar Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A notable late 19th century carved wood altar table in old red and black paint now worn to a nice patina with a particularly decorative form. The plank top with tenons and carved edg...
Wood
$2,295
H 34.75 in W 55.25 in D 19.5 in
Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Lacquered Bamboo Top Console Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie style two-tier console table or sofa table By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Late 20th Century Beautiful deep brown crack...
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Altar Table
Located in New York, NY
Imperial 19th Century Carved Wine Table raised on stand with three drawers. Exceptional table having scalloped apron with carved spandrels and carved Rams legs front set on stand of...
Elm
Walnut and Black Lacquer Chin Hua Console Table with Ming Style Legs
Located in Pasadena, TX
A beautiful Ming style console table, supporting a walnut top. Classic elegant silhouette with a touch of flair at the top and at the feet. Sides have a very dark brown lacquer that...
Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Period Console / Altar Table
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period console / altar table from the 19th century with original aged black patina. Created in China durin...
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Hardwood Altar Table with Clouds and Dragons, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant console table was expertly crafted over 150 years ago and likely served as a family’s home altar where they paid their respects to revered ancestors. The top is comprise...
Lacquer, Hardwood
Chinese Hardwood Console Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Hardwood Console Table, with three short drawers and brass drawer pulls. 31.5" H x 48.5" W x 15.5" D. Provenance: From an East 80th Street, New York City Estate.
Brass
Chinese Ebonized Wood Console Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Ebonized Wood Console Table, in three pieces, two two-tier high tables with top. 34" H x 66" W x 10" D. Provenance: From an 850 Park Avenue Collection.
Wood
19th Century Chinese Elmwood Altar Table
Located in Houston, TX
A striking 19th-century Chinese Alter table (Qiaotou'an), handcrafted from solid elmwood (Yumu) with a rich, naturally weathered patina. This piece exemplifies the refined Ming-styl...
Elm
Antique Chinese Console Table with Carved Figural Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The console in old black paint, now worn. The frieze on front and sides set with elaborately carved figural panels in gilt with red backgrounds an...
Wood
$2,795
H 29.88 in W 39 in D 17 in
Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Federal Mahogany Console or Entry Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Federal or Hepplewhite style console or entry table By Baker Furniture, "Historic Charleston" Collection USA, Circa 1980s Mahogany, with inlaid satinwood marquetry. Me...
Mahogany, Satinwood
$2,875
H 34 in W 42 in D 28 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Altar Console Table with Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, with carved apron and side stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this altar console table fea...
Wood
Sold
H 38.39 in W 89.38 in D 15.56 in
Long Antique Altar Table, Oriental Elm, Display, Hall, Qing Dynasty, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a long antique altar table. An Oriental, Asian Elm hallway, display or serving table, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Graced with commanding proportion and ...
Elm
Chinese Export Console Table Carved Antique Hardwood 1840
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous and collectable Chinese hand carved console table Crafted from hardwood with marble insert top - smooth and chip free Circa 1840 Top - Rectangular top with...
Hardwood
Chinese Hard Rosewood Demilune Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A Chinese Hard Rosewood Demilune Console Table. Measures 36" in width, 18" in depth, 30" in height.
Hardwood, Rosewood
Chinese Console Table
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A refined and elegant Chinese hardwood console table, also known as a scroll table, dating to circa 1900. With its restrained proportions, subtle curves and finely worked details, th...
Hardwood
Sold
H 33 in W 71 in D 13 in
Mid-Century Asian Modern Chinese Export Red Lacquer Alter Style Console Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese console table with a red lacquer finish. It has four drawers with a Chinese brass pin locking system. The size is excellent.
Metal
18th French Walnut Console Table in Chinese Style
Located in Chireno, TX
18th century French walnut console table in Chinese style, constructed circa 1780. Hand-carved in walnut wood with mortise and teno...
Steel, Iron
19th century elm Chinese console table sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century elm Chinese console table sideboard circa 1890. Good quality console table, which could be used in multiple rooms around the home such as the living room, hallway or be...
Elm
Eastern Console Table - Whitewash White
Located in Westwood, NJ
An eastern-influenced long hall table with an unusual form and whitewash finish. With winged ends and angled supports. Dimensions: 96" W x 20" D x 42" H
Wood
Eastern Console Table - Working White
Located in Westwood, NJ
An eastern-influenced long hall table with an unusual form and hand-painted working white finish. With winged ends and angled supports. Dimensions: 96" W x 20" D x 42" H
Wood
Eastern Console Table - Mink Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
An eastern-influenced long hall table with an unusual form and natural brown classic mink finish. With winged ends and angled supports. Dimensions: 96" W x 20" D x 42" H
Wood
Chinese Style Bronze and Black Lacquer Console
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Style Bronze and Black Lacquer Console Table, 20th Century. Dealer: S138XX
Bronze
Ming Style Pair Of Chinese Lacquered Glossy Black Console Tables
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the whole description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects. The pair consists of two elegant and slender Chinese console tables made of elm wood lacquered in glossy black; the legs are very simple, and at the bottom, they are folded inward in the Chinese tradition; each has three small but convenient drawers without handles to keep the whole design linear. These consoles were inspired by the Ming Dynasty, at that time this type of furniture was called "Lady's Wardrobe," these pieces of furniture can be seen in the Forbidden City in Beijing and were originally used in Chinese court bedrooms as ladies' makeup tables...
Elm