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Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

CHINESE EXPORT STYLE

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.

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Style: Chinese Export
Chinese Republic Circa 1930's Hardwood Mother of Pearl Inlaid Table & Stools
Chinese Republic Circa 1930's Hardwood Mother of Pearl Inlaid Table & Stools

Chinese Republic Circa 1930's Hardwood Mother of Pearl Inlaid Table & Stools

$6,089 / set

Chinese Republic Circa 1930's Hardwood Mother of Pearl Inlaid Table & Stools

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

A very good looking and well made suite, the table is rosewood with mother of pearl inlay, the central section has peacocks which symbolised dignity and beauty and was favoured throughout the Republic period. The peacocks are surrounded by hearts and then on the outer edge flowers. We are delighted to offer this lovely suite of Chinese Republic circa 1930's rosewood with mother of pearl inlay dining...

Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood

Chinese Rosewood Dining Table & Four Chairs with Etched Decorative Brass Plaques
Chinese Rosewood Dining Table & Four Chairs with Etched Decorative Brass Plaques

Chinese Rosewood Dining Table & Four Chairs with Etched Decorative Brass Plaques

$7,578 / set

Chinese Rosewood Dining Table & Four Chairs with Etched Decorative Brass Plaques

Located in London, GB

A rare late 19th-century Chinese export square dining table with four matching corner chairs that stow nicely away underneath. The base with four outer legs and a central leg is unit...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Mahogany

Stunning Asian Hardwood And Mother-of-pearl Inset Dining Table And Eight Chairs
Stunning Asian Hardwood And Mother-of-pearl Inset Dining Table And Eight Chairs

Stunning Asian Hardwood And Mother-of-pearl Inset Dining Table And Eight Chairs

$4,831

Stunning Asian Hardwood And Mother-of-pearl Inset Dining Table And Eight Chairs

Located in Crawley, GB

We delight to offer for sale this stunning set of south East Asian hardwood and mother-of-pearl inset extending dining table, and eight chairs en suite, 20th century; the table with cleated panel top decorated with birds and foliage, with conforming friezes and straight legs to in-turned feet; with two extra leaves; 78cm high, 213cm long extended, 112cm wide; the conforming chairs...

Category

Late 20th Century British Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood

Midcentury Chinese Table and Eight Chairs in Traditional Taste
Midcentury Chinese Table and Eight Chairs in Traditional Taste

Midcentury Chinese Table and Eight Chairs in Traditional Taste

$5,345 / set

Midcentury Chinese Table and Eight Chairs in Traditional Taste

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a superior quality dining suite from the midcentury of Classic Chinese design, comprising of a table and eight chairs in the traditional taste. Mellow in color with good g...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Rosewood

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“Viking Oak” Dining Set, A Table with Eight “Horse Head” Chairs
“Viking Oak” Dining Set, A Table with Eight “Horse Head” Chairs

“Viking Oak” Dining Set, A Table with Eight “Horse Head” Chairs

$6,750 / set

H 34 in W 17 in D 18 in

“Viking Oak” Dining Set, A Table with Eight “Horse Head” Chairs

By Romweber Furniture Co.

Located in San Francisco, CA

On offer is a distinctive dining set, a perfect addition to a ranch setting or otherwise rustic décor. These furnishings are part of the "Viking Oak" line produced by the Romweber Furniture Company of Batesville, Indiana, known for its solid, hand-carved oak furniture. A solid oak wood dining table with slide...

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1940s American Vintage Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

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Oak

Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood and Marble Pedestals
Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood and Marble Pedestals

Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood and Marble Pedestals

$1,320Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 38 in W 11 in D 11 in

Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood and Marble Pedestals

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Pair of Chinese export hardwood and marble pedestals, each one of square form with inset marble tops, on subtly carved pedestal bases with lower stretchers.

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20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Marble

Giorgio Collection Brazilian Rosewood Dining Table in Satin Finish
Giorgio Collection Brazilian Rosewood Dining Table in Satin Finish

Giorgio Collection Brazilian Rosewood Dining Table in Satin Finish

$15,985

H 30 in W 78.5 in D 46 in

Giorgio Collection Brazilian Rosewood Dining Table in Satin Finish

By Giorgio Collection

Located in New York, NY

Rectangular table in Brazilian rosewood satin finish with Italian walnut inlay top with 2 extension of cm. 48 (19”) each. Brushed steel accents on the base. Art Deco Size 78’’ ½ W ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Midcentury Giovanni Offredi Paracarro Dining Table and Chairs for Saporiti, 1973
Midcentury Giovanni Offredi Paracarro Dining Table and Chairs for Saporiti, 1973

Midcentury Giovanni Offredi Paracarro Dining Table and Chairs for Saporiti, 1973

$5,416 / set

H 29.14 in Dm 47.25 in

Midcentury Giovanni Offredi Paracarro Dining Table and Chairs for Saporiti, 1973

By Giovanni Offredi, Saporiti

Located in Roma, IT

Unique "Paracarro" model dining table with a set of four chairs. It was designed by Giovanni Offredi and produced by Saporiti in Italy during 1973. Based on a prototype project, i...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Concrete, Steel, Chrome

Ebonized Oak and Antique Brass Large Dining Table
Ebonized Oak and Antique Brass Large Dining Table

Ebonized Oak and Antique Brass Large Dining Table

$8,500 / item

H 30 in W 90 in D 40 in

Ebonized Oak and Antique Brass Large Dining Table

By Stephen Kenn

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A solid oak and steel dining table, perfect for seating 6-10 people comfortably. This version has an antique brass frame finish and an ebonized oak tabletop. White oak, walnut, or ma...

Category

2010s American Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Steel

Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight

Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight

$9,500 / set

H 31.25 in W 17.5 in D 19 in

Norman Cherner Dining Chairs, Set of Eight

By Norman Cherner

Located in Atlanta, GA

Set of eight sculptural dining chairs, designed by Norman Cherner for Plycraft, American, circa 1950s. They have all been refinished and reupholstered in black vinyl. They measure: 3...

Category

1950s American Vintage Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s
Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s

Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s

$4,957 / set

H 28.15 in Dm 51.19 in

Dining Room Set with Table and Four Chairs by Giotto Stoppino, Italy 1970s

By Giotto Stoppino

Located in Hellouw, NL

Very nice dining room set by Giotto Stoppino from the 1970s in Italy. This set consists of a dining table and four matching dining room chairs. The table has a tubular, chrome-plated...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s
Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s

Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s

$12,835 / set

H 27.96 in Dm 47.25 in

Knoll Marble Dining Table With 5 Chairs by Eero Saarinen, 1960s

By Eero Saarinen, Knoll

Located in Oud Beijerland, NL

Magnificent and fully original Tulip dining set designed by Eero Saarinen. It is produced by Knoll International in the 1960s. The set consists of 5 original tulip chairs and the o...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Previously Available Items
Mid Century Chinese Rosewood Dining Table and Eight Chairs
Mid Century Chinese Rosewood Dining Table and Eight Chairs

Mid Century Chinese Rosewood Dining Table and Eight Chairs

Sold

H 37 in W 16.75 in D 17 in

Mid Century Chinese Rosewood Dining Table and Eight Chairs

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Fabulous Chinese rosewood dining room table with 8 chairs. An exceptional set which includes a table with 2 leaves, and eight chairs, (6 side chairs and 2 arm chairs. All created out...

Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Dining Room Sets

Materials

Rosewood

Chinese Export dining room sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export dining room sets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage dining room sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, asian art and furniture, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export dining room sets made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for dining room sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,893 and tops out at $8,672 while the average work can sell for $6,066.

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