Chinese Export Side Tables
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.
to
9
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
66
23
89
1
1
5,390
4,757
1,309
707
475
459
372
372
358
351
266
155
153
145
140
120
65
44
1
32
56
2
22
10
16
2
1
1
2
80
50
26
12
6
79
73
71
6
5
91
91
91
1
Style: Chinese Export
Late 19th Century Chinese Stained Elmwood Low Stand or Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Chinese Stained Elmwood Low Stand or Side Table. Very sturdy. Measures 15.5" in width, 17" in depth and stands 21".
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Elm
19th Century 23.5'' Chinese Carved Rosewood Flower Stands Marble-Top Insert
Located in Brea, CA
A 19th century antique Chinese heavily carved hardwood circular two tiered tables with rouge marble top insert, the inset marble top over carved rosewood apron with dogwood design an...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Mother-of-Pearl Decorated Rattan Flip Top Side Table Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
A sunning Mother-of-Pearl Decorated Rattan Flip Top side table cabinet in good vintage condition measuring 18.5" in width, 11.5" in depth and stand...
Category
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rattan, Wood
Vintage Chinese Cream Lacquered Hand Painted Side Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional vintage Chinese wooden square side table. Features a cream lacquered finish with hand painted gold and floral accents.
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Black Lacquer Elm Side Table, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province black lacquer elm side table - pair.
These beautiful black lacquered elm side tables have all its original color and patina.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
Chinese Square Corner Locking Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfecting line and proportion, the simple design of this low locking chest celebrates the restraint of classic Chinese furniture forms. Crafted from reclaimed elmwood, the cabinet i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Coffee Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique shanxi Province elmwood coffee / side table.
This antique Chinese rectangle coffee table can be also used as a game table. The table was made in the Shanxi Province. With st...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Elm, Bentwood
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Accent Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Accent Side Table
This antique elm side table from the Shanxi Province of China has its original color and pati...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Export Lacquer Side / work table, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality early 19th Century Chinese Export lacquer work / side table. Having wonderful classical oriental scenes hand painted. The top hinged open to reveal a fitted inter...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Side Table
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Chinese side table
Dimensions: 18" W x 18" D x 20" H.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood
20th Century Chinese Teak Center Table
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
20th century Chinese square teak center table all original.
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Teak
19th Century Chinese Side Table
Located in London, GB
An elegant Chinese side table with ornate open carving flanking two front drawers, 19th century.
Dimensions: H90 x W101.5 x D62.5 cm.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Side Table with Stone Top
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm side table with stone top.
This antique Shanxi Province Side Table is made with Elm. It has all its original bea...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Stone
Antique Chinese Carved Hardwood Stand with Burl Top
Located in Brea, CA
A antique Chinese heavily carved hardwood circular stand with burl wood top insert, over carved hardwood and unique 4 legs, see more pictures, measures: 9" height x 6” diameter.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Hardwood
18th Century Pair of Side Cabinets
Located in San Marino, CA
One of a kind elm side cabinets with “key design carving” and calligraphy from Shanshi, circa 18th century.
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Geometric Frieze Elm Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province geometric frieze elm side table.
This antique elm side table from the Shanxi Province of China has a unique geometric f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Pair of openwork Lacquer Consoles from 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Chinese style wood consoles with a half-moon upper tray. Openwork base in the Asian way of furniture and decoration of tawny lacquer with gilt highlights and flowers ornament...
Category
Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Wicker Rattan End / Side Tables, Set of 3
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Wicker Rattan End/Side Tables - Set of 3
The Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Wicker Rattan End/Side Tables are a stunning set of three tables with a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Rattan, Elm, Bentwood
Vintage Chinese Elm Tall Tea / Side Table with Decorative Feet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Elm tall tea / side table with Decorative Feet
This Vintage tall tea table/side table ia made of elm and has unique decorative feet. This table has its original colo...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Nightstand Sideboard
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elmwood nightstand / sideboard
This nightstand / sideboard has 3 drawers and 2 shelves.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Elm
Asian Round Coffee Table Carved with Dragons and Peacocks, Indonesia, circa 1920
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb Asian side table / tea or coffee table in carved solid wood.
The carved top represents a majestic peacock surrounded by two serpents or mythologi...
Category
1920s Indonesian Vintage Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood
VINTAGE CHINESE HARDWOOD SiDE TABLE WITH DECORATIVE SINGLE DRAWER & SHELF
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage Chinese hardwood side table with a single drawer and tier.
This well made table is ideal to be used as a side or end table as it can...
Category
20th Century English Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Natural Patina Square Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Natural Patina Square Side Table
This square side table from the Shanxi Province of China has natural patina and color.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Elm and Black Lacquer Nightstand / Side Table with Stora
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm and Black Lacquer Nightstand / Side Table with Storage
This antique elm wood and black lacquer tall side table from the Shanxi Province has its original ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Contemporary Chinese Black and Leaf Motif Square Side Tables
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese black lacquer, square side table distinguished by quatrefoil-shaped cutouts on all sides and a gold maple leaf motif throughout
Minor scratches to finish."
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Chinese Black Two-Tiered Tole Oval Server
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese black tole, two-tiered server with a black metal frame holding two oval shelves decorated in a garland border of gold leaves with red dots...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Metal
Vintage Chinese Green Two-Tiered Tole Oval Server
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese dark green tole, two-tiered server with a black metal frame holding two oval shelves decorated in a garland border of gold leaves with red...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Metal
Vintage Shanxi Province Elmwood Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage shanxi province elmwood side table
Chinese elmwood side table having a rectangular top. Beautifully aged patina.
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
19th Century Chinese Bronze Side Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century Chinese bronze end tables.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Chinese Natural Elm Tall Tea / Side Table with Decorative Feet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Natural Elm Tall Tea / side table with Decorative Feet
This Vintage tall tea table/side table ia made of elm and has unique decorative feet. This table has its origi...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Elm
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...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Box, Black Lacquered Rectangular Double Handled Box
Located in Buchanan, MI
A 19th century Chinese box. Black lacquered rectangular double handled box with gilt decoration throughout 7" x 25" x 21". Would make a great ...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Red Lacquer Elm Side Tables, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Red Lacquer Elm side tables - pair
These Antique Shanxi Province Elm Side Tables have been wrapped in linen and painted with red...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Side Tables
Materials
Linen, Wood, Elm, Lacquer
Chinese Export side tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export side tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage side tables 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 side tables made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original side tables, popular names associated with this style include and John Widdicomb. 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 side tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $30,579 while the average work can sell for $1,980.