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.
$1,089Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Hardwood Carved Pedestal Table with Marble Inlaid Top, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Chinese pedestal table. Striking Chinese design from the 1920s. hand carved "Hongmu" wood (Chinese hardwood) base with original multicolored marble inlaid top. T...
Hardwood
$1,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
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.
Marble
Antique Chinese export ornately carved marble topped pedestal
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a Chinese export ornately carved marble topped pedestal. This pedestal has four ornately carved legs with beautifully carved botanical elements around the apron and base. The...
Wood
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Carved Rosewood Plant Stand / Pedestal
Located in San Diego, CA
High quality vintage Chinese carved rosewood plant stand / pedestal, circa 1970s. The stand is in very good vintage condition and measures 11.5...
Rosewood
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Carved Chinese Rosewood Stand / Pedestal
Located in San Diego, CA
High quality vintage hand carved Chinese rosewood stand / pedestal, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 11.5" W x 11.5...
Rosewood
Vintage Chinese Rosewood Pedestal Plant Stand w/Mother of Pearl Inlaid Details
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic vintage Chinese Rosewood plant stand or pedestal table with Mother of Pearl details. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, there may be missing MOP. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 19th to Early 20th Century. What an absolutely GRAND PLANT STAND!!!!! This is a GORGEOUS plant or fern stand OR pedestal table composed of Chinese Redwood...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
$750Sale Price|40% Off
19th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Plant Stand with Marble Inset
Located in Hudson, NY
The exquisitely carved rosewood plant stand, shown here, reflects the character of its age and intricate detailing. Made in China in the mid 19th ...
Marble
Chinese Carved Rosewood Marble Top Stand
Located in Rockaway, NJ
High quality vintage Chinese Asian carved rosewood marble top lamp table stand pedestal.
Rosewood
Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Glazed Terra Cotta Pedestals or Stands
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of early 20th century Chinese glazed terra cotta pedestals or stands. These stunning antique Chinese pedestals are executed in an interestin...
Terracotta
Chinese Carved Wood Pedestal Table With Marble Inset Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th Century Chinese ornately carved wood pedestal table with marble insert. Table has intricately carved flowers on four curved legs with a...
Wood
$4,200Sale Price / set|40% Off
Chinese Dragon Ceramic Glazed Pedestal Table W/ 4 Ceramic Garden Stools
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original set of glazed art pottery garden furniture set featuring a pedestal dining table with a relief of chinese style dragon along the base and a set of 4 toadstool-shaped stools ...
Ceramic
Pair of Antique Chinese Wood Stands Pedestal Tables
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of tall Chinese pedestal stands circa 19th century the late Qing dynasty. These types of stands were traditionally used to display vases ...
Hardwood
Chinese Carved Hardwood Plant Stand / Pedestal with Marble Top Insert
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Chinese carved hardwood plant stand / pedestal with white marble top insert, circa 1980s. There are two stands available, but they are priced separately. The stands are i...
Marble
$3,107Sale Price / set|39% Off
Pair of Chinese Marble Tables
Located in Cheshire, GB
Pair of Chinese tables, the rectangular top set with panels of variegated marble, above pierced and carved panels and open shelves, on square tapering legs with carved feet. Dimensi...
Hardwood
Antique Chinese Wash Basin Stand Red Lacquer & Gilded w/Hand Carved Details
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous antique Chinese wash basin stand composed of red lacquer & gilded Asian hardwood with all-over hand carved details and a drawer with metal ri...
Metal
Vintage Chinese Black Lacquered Wood Pedestal
Located in Doylestown, PA
Chinese black lacquered cylindrical wood pedestal, 1960s. Exquisite pedestal with a scene depicting elegant ladies in a pavilion garden with birds, architecture and trees. A picture...
Wood, Lacquer
Rectangular Cube Chinoiserie Pedestal w/ Inlay Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
This pedestal is fashioned in the Chinese Export style. It's ebonized in lacquer and has inlaid painted scenes.
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Hardwood Pedestal Stand with Carved Bat Motifs
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century hand carved hardwood stand or pedestal with beautifully carved 'bat' motifs on two sides and floral on the opposite sides. Also lovely geometric openwork on the interior...
Hardwood
Antique Japanese Carved Hardwood Low Table with Cloisonne Dragon Top
Located in San Diego, CA
A stunning antique Japanese carved hardwood low table with cloisonne dragon top, circa early 1900s. The table is in very good vintage conditio...
Hardwood
Vintage 40" Cloisonne Top Rosewood Pedestal Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a finely crafted Pedestal/Plant stand. It's made of rosewood and is finely carved. The feet are scrolled and terminate in a rosewood ring that gives the piece plenty of stabi...
Rosewood
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Large Pair Chinese Carved Hardwood Bamboo Motif Scrolled Stands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive pair of 19th century Chinese hand-carved hardwood display stands featuring quality dovetail construction and an elegant bamboo motif. The simplicity of this timeless sc...
Hardwood
Near Pair of Chinese Glazed Terra Cotta Pedestals
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of vintage Chinese pedestals handcrafted in terracotta in classic form with open fretwork, decorated in soft floral colors on an alluring cobalt blue background. From ...
Terracotta
20th Century Chinese Qing Hongmu Side Table Ornate Floral
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Very early 20th century Hognmu petite stand/side/accent table, ornate but understated, blackened hardwood, possibly rosewood. Overall slightly askew but fully functional and level t...
Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Carved Wooden Pedestal / Table Stand
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese (20th Century) carved wooden pedestal / table stand featuring a waisted circular top followed by a molded openwork apron in a geometric scroll pattern, standing on five curle...
Wood
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Carved Mahogany Plantstand Pedestal, C1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Chinese carved mahogany plantstand pedestal, dating to circa 1920, exemplifies the timeless craftsmanship and elegance of early 20th-century Chinese furniture design. Constructe...
Mahogany
$1,954Sale Price|25% Off
Asian Pedestal Table in Carved Wood on a Mythological Theme, circa 1890
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb Asian high pedestal table in solid wood richly carved. The tripod base is composed of 3 heads of dragons / demons. In the center, a dragon walks on clouds. He is surround...
Wood
Chinese Heavily Carved, Occasional Tables or Pedestals, Teak, Marble, 1920s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Chinese Heavily Carved, Occasional Tables, End Tables Teak, Marble, 1920s Compatible pair of heavily carved large occasional tables or pedestals designed and produced in China in th...
Marble
Pair Chinese Pedestal Stand Tables Asian Interiors
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of Chinese pedestal stand tables Classic tall pair perfect for displaying urns or vases Vases pictured are available but not included Some of our items are in storage s...
Wood
19th Century Hand Carved Stand with Marble Top
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautifully carved hardwood square stand with marble top. Carved rosewood with a figurative rouge marble top with lower shelf. Perfect accent piece or for use as a stand for sculpture...
Marble
Pair Chinese Carved Hardwood Metal Pedestals Stands Tables
Located in London, GB
Pair Chinese Carved Hardwood Metal Pedestals Stands Tables Chinese, 20th Century Height 97cm, width 40cm, depth 49cm This distinctive pair of Chinese pedestals, dating to the 20th...
Wood
Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Inset Circular Carved Hardwood Pedestal
Located in London, GB
A Chinese cloisonné enamel inset circular carved hardwood pedestal Chinese, early 20th century Measures: Height 34cm, diameter 45cm Made in China in the early twentieth century,...
Enamel
Pair of Antique Chinese Hardwood and Veined Marble Stands
Located in London, GB
The stands in this matching pair are made from 'Hongmu' wood (Chinese hardwood). Each stand rests upon four stylised and flared dragon feet, which extend into four ornately carved ca...
Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Hardwood Display Table or Stand
Located in London, GB
This display table is a refined work crafted in the 19th century of the Chinese Qing dynasty. It would serve as a beautiful ornament upon which to display plants, urns or other decor...
Hardwood