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.
Vintage Chinese Elm Demi-Lune Marble Insert Console Demi-lune Table
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage Chinese Elm Demi-Lune Marble Insert Console Table. Two tiered construction, top with a white marble insert. Dimensions 33ʺW × 16ʺD × 33ʺH
Marble
Chinese Export Gilt Lacquer Decorated Demi-lune Console Table Early 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese-export gilt lacquer decorated Demi-lune console table First half 19th century. Black lacquered demilune table, top decorated with pavilions set within rocky and...
Lacquer
Pair of English Demi-lune Console Tables
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of 19th century English demi-lune oak console tables. 1840. Internal reference: H Code: 9172 Dimensions: W: 46.5" (118.1 cm) H: 29" (73.7 cm) D: 22.5" (57.2 cm)
Oak
Pair of Swedish Demi-lune Console Tables
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Pair of early 19th century Swedish pine demi-lune console tables with later distressed paint. 1820. Internal reference: C Code: 8882 Dimensions: W: 47" (119.4 cm) H: 30" (76.2 c...
Pine
$2,320
H 35 in W 86.5 in D 15.5 in
19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Altar Table/Sofa Table/Console More Views
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique Carved Altar table from China was made in late 19th century and still maintained very good condition. It shows the traditional style of Northern China's cultural. This Chinese antique altar table was made from solid wood with raised carving works of traditional Chinese folks arts design of "Qin, Qi, Shu, Hua" and twig-wrapped patterns on the front and open carved Bats on the legs. Very heavy, solid and sturdy. From the pictures, you can see that there are some of the age wear but still shows your beautiful patina. It is truly a wonderful collection item. Don't miss it. Size: 35in H x 86.5in W x 15.5in D Origin: China Circa: 1850 - 1900 Material: Wood Condition: Original finish, solid wood construction, hand carved, very heavy, sturdy, normal age wear. Disclaimer: Due to differences in monitor/screen settings, product colors may differ slightly between product photos...
Wood
Antique Chinese Phoenix Tail Console Table, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive antique console table dates to the mid-19th century and displays the balanced proportions of classical Chinese furniture. The table's form is streamlined and simple, ...
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Rosewood Dragon Altar Table/Entry Console
Located in Pomona, CA
his carved Altar table from China was made from solid Rosewood in about 1900 - 1940's and still maintained very good condition. This table has beautiful open carving works of two dragons playing fire balls...
Rosewood
Swedish Rustic Antique Wooden Demi-Lune Console Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish single wooden demi-lune table from the early 20th century. This nicely-sized antique table from Sweden has a semi-circular, or half moon top, with a small area at the back ...
Wood
19th Century Swedish White Demi Lune Console Tables
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair, Gustavian demi-lune side tables or consoles with gently tapered legs and decorative egg and dart carving along skirt. Newer professionally applied layered antique white painted...
Wood, Paint
19th Century Italian Walnut Demi Lune Console Table
Located in Vosselaar, BE
This console is of a classic design. Made for centuries and perfected by local artisans. The proportions are unusual but work beautifully together. In particular the one piece walnut...
Walnut
$6,880
H 32.75 in W 76.25 in D 16 in
Crackled Lacquer Console Table with Ball Feet, Early 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
With an elegant silhouette and balanced proportions, this early 19th-century lacquered console table demonstrates the austere beauty of classical Chinese furniture. The long table is...
Wood
Vintage Mahogany Demi-Lune Entryway Table
Located in Winston-Salem, NC
This vintage mahogany demi-lune entryway table features a graceful serpentine front, long cabriole legs, and carved shell motifs at the knees. The narrow proportions and softly scall...
Brass
Late 18thC Adam Period Demi-lune Console Table
By Robert Adam
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A fine quality late 18thC Adam period demi-lune console table; the entire table is painted a cream colour, the four shaped and tapered legs decorated with gilded wood fillets; the frieze is fluted all round with large gilded patterae above each leg. The painted top has an outer green banding decorated with garlands of flowers and gilding, the back of the painted top has a neoclassical fresco; depicting a classically draped winged Goddess surrounded by cherubs, flowers and scrolling, in the manner of Angelica Kaufmann...
Pine
Adams Style Demi-Lune Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Adams style demi-lune console table is a refined example of neoclassical elegance, inspired by the late 18th-century designs of Robert Adam. Crafted with timeless balance and pr...
Wood
Pair Chinese Lacquer Demilune Tables, Qing Dynasty
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Chinese Lacquered softwood Demilune tables, Qing Dynasty. Created in China during the Qing dynasty, each of this pair of demilunes features a semi-circular top sitting above ...
Softwood
18th Century Chinese Console Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
An antique 18th Century Chinese Elm half-round console table with stylized dragon carving in low relief and faux bamboo struts on the recessed waist, narrow beading on legs terminati...
Elm
Chinese Export Faux Bamboo Gilt Lacquered Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary Chinese export console table featuring an angular demilune form of gilt decorated faux bamboo. The top is decorated with a Coromandel style black lacquered landscape sc...
Faux Bamboo, Wood
Large Chinese Elm Demilune
Located in Chireno, TX
Large Chinese elm demilune console, circa 1910-1930. Remnants of original brown paint and lacquer finish.
Elm
Pair of 19th Century Red Lacquer Chinese Demilune Tables
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stunning pair of demilune Chinese tables, circa 1880. These tables work as a pair of demilune tables and Stand back to back, slotting together to form a center table. Pierced a...
Elm
Fine Pair of Chinese Export Console Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Fine pair of Chinese export black lacquer and gilt decorated demilune console tables, the tops with landscape scenic decoration, the frieze and legs on all sides with scrolling mot...