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.
Chinese Export Two-Tier Hardwood Lamp Table, Carved Design, Circa 1870
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Attractive And Relatively Unusual 19th Century Chinese Export, Oriental Hardwood, Two Tier Lamp Table Retaining Good Colour Throughout With Attractive Carved Decoration ...
Hardwood
Late 19thC Carved Chinese Rosewood Side End Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Antique hand crafted Chinese rosewood side table with a red marble top. Carved fretwork with rosettes. In excellent antique condition with ...
Marble
A Pair of Antique Chinese Rosewood Tables with turned legs
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of antique Chinese rosewood tables were probably made for the Europeans residing in China at the time, they are Chinese made b...
Rosewood
Antique Occasional Table, Victorian, Chinese Elm, Octagonal, Coffee, Moorish
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique occasional table. An English, Chinese elm octagonal coffee or lamp table in strong Moorish taste and dating to the mid-19th century, circa 1850. Burnt red hues ...
Elm
Pair of Vintage Single Drawer Boho Chic End Tables w/ Magazine Rack
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of Malaysian Boho chic End tables with a single drawer. The tables are made of bamboo and rattan. They have a magazine rack for a lower shelf.
Bamboo, Rattan
Fine Near Pair of Georgian Padouk Fretwork Gallery Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine near pair of George II period padouk fretwork gallery tea tables, the pierced laminated galleries with trellis designs over shaped single bo...
Padouk
Elegant Pair of Blanc de Chine Chinese Garden Seats Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of 6 sided Blanc de Chine garden seats/end tables that work in any room, very versatile. GG
Ceramic
Chinese Export Sewing Table with Removable Trays and Bone Sewing Tools/Spools
Located in Richmond, VA
Very good Chinese export sewing table with removable trays and bone sewing tools/spools. Remarkable condition original lacquer work chinoiserie table with...
Bone, Lacquer
Gorgeous Pair of Ceramic Chinese Garden Seat End Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely pair of pastel figural decorated garden seats that make a marvelous set of drinks tables. Gayle
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Stand with 8 Sides Marble Top
Located in Brea, CA
Antique Chinese hardwood carved flowers stands with 8 sides octagonal marble top insert, 19th century. Measures: H 18.625”, D 16.5”.
Hardwood
$1,380Sale Price|20% Off
Carved French Oriental Style Two Tier side table in the style of Gabriel Viardot
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 31in W: 27 1/4in D: 16in This is an Exceptional piece of french furniture! Highly uncommon due to the fact that most of the time french furniture was made to look like french furniture. In this case This piece believed to be by Either Gabriel Viardot or Perret et Vibert. Both french cabinet makers specialized in the making or oriental or chinoiserie style furniture...
Wood
$2,993 / set
Pair 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Stands
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of Chinese hardwood stands, having inset Rouge marble tops, carved flower and foliate decoration with birds. Each raised on ...
Hardwood
$9,500 / set
19th Century Chinese Bronze Side Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century Chinese bronze end tables.
Bronze
$1,160Sale Price|20% Off
Late Qing Dynasty Rosewood Export Side Table Carved With Floral Bamboo Theme
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Elegant hand carved late Qing Dynasty Chinese Rosewood table with delicate carving and slender bamboo theme legs. Some chips in relief carving as seen otherwise in good original cond...
Rosewood
Chinese Garden Seat End Table in Beautiful Colors
Located in Hopewell, NJ
One of the prettiest Chinese garden seats ever with flowers, birds and tobacco leaves makes a lovely end table with 11.75 diameter top. The color palette of pinks, purple, orange, ...
Ceramic
Ornate Pair of Meticulously Carved Wooden End Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of impressively carved solid wood end tables having the shape of garden stools, with dolphins, birds, flora and fauna. Beautiful grain on top which is 9” diameter
Wood
Chinese Export Black Lacquer and Gilt Decorated Sewing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Chinese export black lacquer and gilt decorated sewing / occasional table, late 19th century.
Bone, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
$476Sale Price|20% Off
Unique Asian Character Tablet Top Faux Bamboo End Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This unique Asian character tablet top faux bamboo end table is a striking piece of furniture that blends artistic design with functional purpose. The tabletop is decorated with engr...
Slate, Metal
$1,224Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Rosewood Hongmu Faux Bamboo Tiered Etagere Stand
Located in Pasadena, TX
Exceptionally hand-crafted in the early 20th century, high quality richly colored rosewood, with superb grain patterns and soft, warm tones, the faux-bamboo hand carved frame having ...
Faux Bamboo
Four Terra Cotta Garden Seats with a Blue Glaze, Priced Per Pair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking group of four large scale garden seats crafted in terra cotta in a traditional form, featuring a glorious blue glaze with a crackle finish. One with an old repair, as seen i...
Porcelain
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Carved Figural Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Carved Figural Table This 6 leg antique elm table has carvings of animals and people and beautiful patina.
Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Tall Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Tall Table This Antique Shanxi Province Tall Table is made out of elm and has its original color and patina. It has a stun...
Wood, Elm
Geo III Chinese Export Occasional Table
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A rare C18th Chinese export occasional table, of elegant design and constructed of exotic hardwoods including Padouk. The oval tilt top with blonde wood crossbanded edge and repeat...
Padouk
$650
H 32.5 in W 13 in D 13 in
Vintage Chinoiserie Chinese Carved Hardwood Marble Top Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinoiserie Chinese Carved Hardwood Marble Top Pedestal Plant Stand with Floral Carved Details. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 32.5" H x 13" W x 13" D.
Marble
$3,197
H 30.12 in W 17.13 in D 14.77 in
Fine French Antique Hardwood & Brass Etagere Three Tiered Side End Lamp Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, highly collectable circa 1880 French Mahogany and cast brass Etagere table. A truly stunning p...
Brass
Elegant Pair of Blanc de Chine Chinese Garden Seats Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of 6 sided Blanc de Chine garden seats/end tables that work in any room, very versatile. GG
Ceramic
End of Sofa, Side Table
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
End of sofa, side table with lacquered details and Metal lacquered structure, marble top Black lacquered metal leg. Measures: W 35 cm, D 35 cm, H 50 cm ...
Marble, Metal
Late 19th Century Octagonal Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
Very unusual late 19th century oak side table from England. The table is a great form. It has an octagonal top, which is beveled and carved around the edge, and is surrounding a ha...
Oak
Carved Mahogany Tilt-Top Pie Crust Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Made for us in England, this Classic tilt-top tea table on a four leg base features a pie crust edge and acanthus leaf carving on the legs that terminate in well-executed claw and ba...
Mahogany
19Thc Cherry One Drawer End Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Cherry one drawer stand with turned legs and wood peg & dovetailed drawer. This New England night stand or end table.
Wood
Petite Painted Faux Bamboo Occasional Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderfully handy small painted faux bamboo table that can be used as end table, side table or just place on the side of a bed or in front of a chair to hold magazines, a book or a t...
Wood
$3,950
H 30.25 in W 35 in D 35 in
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Burl Birch Tilt-Top Square Table on Pedestal Base
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exceptional 18th century Swedish Gustavian tilt-top table with a patchwork birch, burl rootwood top over a turned birch column that rests on a tripod pedestal base with cabriole l...
Birch, Burl
$2,296Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 20 in W 22 in D 28 in
Pair of MCM Walnut and Smoked Glass Single Drawer End Tables/Nightstands
By John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of sophisticated streamlined single end tables in the style of John Keal for Saltman Brown. Walnut with smoked glass tops. Drawers open and close...
Smoked Glass, Walnut
$250
H 27 in W 18 in D 16 in
Vintage Sheraton Federal Mahogany Magazine Rack Book Stand Side End Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sheraton Federal Style Mahogany Magazine Rack Book Stand Side End Table. Item features solid brass hardware and one drawer. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 27" H x 18...
Mahogany
Fine Antique Georgian Style Tilt Top Breakfast Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
19th Century mahogany Tilt Breakfast Table with fine traditional form and medium size and having handsome evenly patterned Mahogany, Reeded edge with rounded corners and an intricate...
Brass
Elegant Vintage Chinese Garden Stool
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very pretty elegant ceramic garden stool end table with slightly more delicate look than most and lovely colors against a white background.
Ceramic
Chinese Yu Mu Wood End Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese stained Yu Mu or Elm wood table, the rectangular top above a side-facing drawer over four long square legs conjoined by a Bing Lie or "cracked ice" trellis undertier. Dealer...
Elm
Cinnabar and Gilt Enamel Chinese Garden Seat End Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful Chinese garden seat end table having a rare and rich color combination of cinnabar, ebony and gilt enamel with blue and green accents. Signed on the bottom.
Enamel
Sold
H 14.25 in W 17 in D 17 in
Chunky Pair of ChineseCinnabar Square Lacquered Wood Low End or Cocktail Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stylish pair of cinnabar red square wood low end or cocktail tables having classic pagoda shaped legs and aged patina. Could add cushions on top to make low stools.
Wood
Pair of Chinese Ceramic Elephant Form Garden Seat End Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Gorgeous rare pair of vintage ceramic elephant form garden seat tables in marvelous colors including moss green, prussian blue, beige, mauve and turquoise. Surface on top 9.25 x 7.75
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Pair of Side Tables in Elm
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A very good quality pair of Chinese style mid 20th century two tier, single drawer side tables or lamp tables in elm wood, standing on square brass cup feet. Gorgeous colour and pati...
Brass
Sold
H 19.5 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Pair of Hand Carved Oriental Chinese Pedestals / Low Tables, Teak Wood, Marble
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Hand Carved Oriental Chinese Pedestals / Low Tables, Teak Wood, Marble Pair of ornately carved Chinese low stools or pedestals from the personal collection of iconic American designer, Vladimir Kagan. This pair of pedestals feature marble top inserts that sit on ornately carved dark stained cherry wood bases having detailed oriental hand carved floral motif's. Provenance: The Personal Collection of Vladimir Kagan, 1927-2016; removed from his offices in Northern NJ. Stained Cherry Wood, Marble 1960s "Our parents found inspiration everywhere they went, and they collected prodigiously. Art and objects from primitives to Deco to modern and all of it influenced their work and filled their various homes. The personal collection of Vladimir Kagan and Erica Wilson is so unique because it illustrates the journey from inspiration to the iconic designs that are so well known today. The family lived with all of these pieces and they became part of the rich fabric of our daily lives and now we are thrilled to share them with the public ensuring that our parent's legacy will live on beyond them." -Jessica Kagan...
Marble
Sold
H 19.25 in W 16 in D 15.5 in
Handcrafted Elm Side Tables, Made in China, circa Early 20th Century
Located in IT
A pair of handcrafted square elm wood side tables or stools made in China, circa early 20th century.
Elm
Lovely Pair of Blue and White Ceramic Chinese Garden Seats End Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely blue and white Chinese cylindrical garden seats. Makes a great pair of side or drinks tables.
Ceramic
Fabulous Pair of Green Wood & Metal Chinese Drum Side Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large pair of beautiful Chinese style drum tables. Each drum is constructed of wood with a metal top and base and are mounted with pairs of metal rings on each side. Unique and a bea...
Metal
Pair of Tables, Red Lacquer, China, Decoration, 20th Century
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of tables, end of sofa, in red lacquer with representation of flowers and characters. Provenance China. The work is from the 20th century.
Lacquer
Sold
H 26.25 in W 25.75 in D 25.75 in
Vintage Asian Pair of Bedside Chinese Teak Nightstand End Tables
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
This is a pair of vintage mid century bedside nightstand, Asian Chinese style teak, side cabinet, wood end tables. Square shaped Double drawers with dovetail mount. 2 top drawers fin...
Teak