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.
A very fine 19th century Bamboo and leather ladies writing desk
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful 19th century bamboo and leather writing desk . Very fine construction . Lined drawers with brass pulls
Leather, Bamboo
Rare Antique Shanxi Province Large Elm Calligraphy Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Antique Shanxi Province Large Elm Calligraphy Desk Rare calligraphy table in great antique condition, with original color and patina. Can be used as a large desk, a tall dining table...
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Calligraphy Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Calligraphy table This antique lm wood calligraphy table with original color and patina is from the Shanxi Province of ...
Elm
Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Library Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Chinese bamboo library table. Amazing Chinese export center or library table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. ...
Bamboo
Vintage Chinese Elm Calligraphy Table from Shanxi
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Shanxi Elm Calligraphy Table with Carved Panel Legs Crafted from solid elm, this monumental vintage Chinese calligraphy table...
Elm
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
Late 19th Century Hand-Carved Chinese Scholar's Writing Desk and Chair Set
Located in Dekalb, IL
Hand-carved hardwood desk and matching chair set featuring intricate bas-relief carvings throughout. This desk likely originates from the Canton region of China, where it would have been produced for the Western export market at the time. This Chinese scholars desk...
Glass, Wood
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
$3,982
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
$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
$1,617
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
19th Century Swedish Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish writing desk exemplifies the timeless charm of Gustavian design, combining functionality with understated beauty. Crafted from solid pine wood, the ...
Pine
Early 19th Century Gustavian Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A charming early 19th century Gustavian writing desk featuring elegant provincial craftsmanship and beautifully aged painted surfaces. The desk is designed with clean neoclassical li...
Wood
$5,333 / set
H 30.32 in W 51.19 in D 26.78 in
Early Paint Antique French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat Writing Desk & Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning early painted circa 1880-1900 French Louis XV style Bureau plat writing table with later stool This is a wonderful find, the burea...
Brass
$5,798 / 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
Italian Louis XV Style Elegant Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant Italian desk dating back to the second half of the 20th century. An extremely refined desk, inspired by the Louis XV style. Featuring a captivating design wi...
Bronze
19th Century German Marquetry Writing Desk
Located in Apeldoorn, NL
19th century German collector’s desk with geometric marquetry top featuring star motifs in contrasting woods. The desk is fitted with 20 small upper drawers, open compartments and t...
Wood
Regency Mahogany Library Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Regency mahogany library table features twin hinged, solid mahogany leaves that can either extend the top as writing surfaces or be used as book supports for reading. Underneath the...
Mahogany
Regency Rosewood Library Table Attributed To Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Sherborne, GB
English rosewood library table, attributed to Gillows of Lancaster and London. With elaborate holly wood inlay/marquetry cross banding using Thomas Wilkinson’s tracings who was a dra...
Rosewood
Sold
H 32.75 in W 38 in D 21.25 in
Chinese Export Black Lacquered Writing Table or Desk with Gilt Landscapes
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Black Lacquered Writing Desk with Gilt Landscape and Floral Decoration, Canton, Early 19th Century An early 19th century Chinese Export writing desk, produced for the...
Wood, Lacquer
Antique China Trade Desk
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
Antique China Trade desk A fine China Trade desk in padouk with well-carved ebony hairy paw feet and ebony and bone inlay; recessed military handles ...
Padouk
French 1960s Ebonised Bamboo Desk With Leather Top
Located in London, GB
A lovely Chinese style partner's desk, with the original leather top with faded guilded tooling. As you can see from the pictures, one side of the pedestals have drawers and the o...
Leather, Wood
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
19th Century Bamboo & Leather Lift Top Writing Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century bamboo & leather lift top writing desk Outstanding antique bamboo writing desk with a lift top, leather surface, various shelves ...
Bamboo
Chinese Carved Hardwood Altar Table or Desk
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese carved hardwood altar table or desk, the top and apron with inset panels, curved spandrels, and double column stretchers about the cylindrical legs. Measures: 32” H x 40.5” W...
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
19th Century Chinese Canton Black Lacquered Desk Cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Chinese canton black lacquered desk cabinet, circa 1830. Stunning quality Chinese export desk, circa 1830. Main feature is t...
Lacquer
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
19th Century Elegant Hardwood Asian Campaign Style Writing Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A gorgeous and rare Huanghuali wood desk purchased 25 years ago at an antiques store in Singapore. Wonderful original brass hardware on six drawers, four along the top and two on eac...
Hardwood