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.
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
$1,550Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
$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
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
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
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
$2,981 / 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
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
$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
$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
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
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
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
$9,500 / set
19th Century Chinese Bronze Side Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century Chinese bronze end tables.
Bronze
$1,800Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 17 in W 22 in D 22 in
Pair of Rosewood and Black Lacquer End Tables by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of rosewood and black lacquer end tables, designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, American, circa 1960s. They are a versatile size and can be used as side or end tables in ...
Rosewood, Wood
$2,072Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.75 in W 23.25 in D 13.625 in
Exceptional Chinese Export Gilt Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Decorated Lap Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese export, circa 1820. An exceptional quality and rare form. Featuring figural landscape decorations in gilt to the main black lacquer doors, which open to reveal 13 separated c...
Giltwood, Lacquer
$2,850
H 26.38 in W 26.19 in D 25.79 in
Antique French Art Deco Octagonal Side Table Geometric Oriental scene 1930 inlay
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Marvelous French Art Deco octagonal table with superb Inlay 1930. This rare Art Deco piece is a stunning display of craftsmanship with numerou...
Wood
Rosewood Sewing Table or Cart by Ejvind Johansson
Located in Highland, IN
This little sewing table by Ejvind Johansson for FDB Møbler is handsome and useful. Clad in beautiful rosewood, the top opens to a storage compartment and the wicker basket slides ou...
Brass
$3,750
H 28 in W 18.25 in D 12.75 in
Antique Chinoiserie Table w/ Painted Landscape Scenes over Black Lacquered Wood
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Black-lacquered chinoiserie work table with polychrome painted scenes on trestle base with hinged lift-top exposing lidded compartments and open cubbies, with original key plate in t...
Wood
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
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
Pair of Lacquered and Eggshell Side Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of end tables finished with very high quality lacquer and eggshell top in the manner of Jean Dunand.
Eggshell, Lacquer
Pair of Danish Modern End Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
A stylish and straightforward pair of Danish Modern rosewood end tables with square tapered legs and black composition tops framed with a low beaded rim. From the famed Copenhagen department store, Illums Bolighus, marked under each top. The perfect end tables next to your sofa, or placed in front as moveable coffee tables.
Rosewood
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in W 14.5 in D 11 in
19th Century Chinese Export Black Lacquer & Mother Of Pearl Sewing Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning 19th-century Chinese Export sewing box showcases exceptional craftsmanship and intricate decorative artistry. The rectangular box features a black lacquered surface ado...
Wood, Lacquer
Aesthetic Bronze Marble and Black Lacquer Side End Table, circa 1940
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous black marble top table and covered with beautiful cast bronze adornments. Marble is set into the top, and mounted with a bronze edge. O...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated all over beautifully with intricate designs and images of ancient C...
Lacquer
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
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
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 Stamford, CT
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