Chinese Export 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.
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Style: Chinese Export
Chinese Export Dowry Box / Trunk On Stand Or Coffee Table Depicting Horses.
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Chinese Export style dowry trunk on ebonized base. It is beautifully painted and depicts a Chinese ceremonial horse parade. The brass hardware is intentionally weathered. I...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Brass
19th Century Chinese Side Table - Carved Hongmu
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique Chinese Side table.
Made of Hongmu, with beautiful traditional wood carving, reminiscent of Faux Bamboo.
The table is el...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Inlay Rosewood CocktailTable
Located in Germantown, MD
A South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Inlay Rosewood Cocktail / Coffee Table in great vintage condition. Measures 42" in width, 20.5" in depth and 18" in height.
Category
Late 20th Century Indonesian Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bone, Rosewood
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood Center Table Breakfast Tabl
Located in Germantown, MD
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood Center Table Breakfast Tabl
Measures 42" in width, 42" in depth and 30" in height. Knee clerance is 26.25".
Category
Late 20th Century Indonesian Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bone, Rosewood
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 Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Chinese Side Table Hardwood Bone Inlay 1840
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Chinese hardwood bone inlaid side table
Circa 1840
Bought from a private house sale in London's Hampstead
Fully restored by our inhouse restorer
We ship to every corner of the planet...
Category
1840s Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Inlay Rosewood Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Inlay Rosewood Side Table in great vintage condition. Measures 27" in width, 17" in depth and 25" in height.
Category
Late 20th Century Indonesian Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bone, Rosewood
Chinese Ruyi Stone Drum
Located in Chicago, IL
Drum-form stools such as this were traditionally used in gardens and outdoor pavilions where upper class scholars read, wrote, gathered for discussion and, in general, developed thei...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Limestone
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...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Distressed Chinoiserie Pair Black Lacquered End or Side Tables Ming Style Feet
Located in Topeka, KS
Exquisite vintage distressed Chinoiserie pair of black lacquered end or side tables with straight legs, Ming feet, and hand painted Asian details. Bea...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Hard Wood Dining Table & Eight Matching Chairs all with Stylized Carving
Located in London, GB
A super quality Chinese hardwood dining table, with eight matching chairs including two armchairs.
The dining table with a wipeable rice impregna...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Teak
Bohemian Handwoven Reed Caning Bamboo Breakfast Bed Tray Table Cup Book Holder
By Ficks Reed
Located in Miami, FL
Add some Boho Chic vintage charm to your breakfast in bed with this amazing Tiger bamboo, caning and rattan bed tray table.
Handwoven and hand-crafted ...
Category
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Reed, Cane
Mid-Century Chinese Coffee Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautifully hand-carved coffee table features a marble inset top with mother-of-pearl inlay decoration. These tables are popular due to their beautiful aesthetic, craftsmanship,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Marble
20th Century Vietnamese Hand-Carved Asian Coffee Low Table with Elephant Scene
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Inset glass top deep relief carved Vietnamese low table. Heavily carved throughout depicting elephants working in a forest. Very nicely done with figural carved legs/feet and floral ...
Category
Late 20th Century Vietnamese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Teak, Glass
Chinese Chinoiserie Dining Table Rosewood & Mother of Pearl Round to Oval
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Chinese Chinoiserie dining table comprised of Rosewood & Mother of Pearl (m-o-p) round top with 2 leaves, converting it to a small oval with one leaf and large oval with 2 leaves. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. This Asian style table is in excellent vintage condition with the exception of a small missing piece of m-o-p on the top which we have repaired by filling with wood filler and painting with a pearlized paint. You can still see the spot when looking for it but doesn’t show overall. There was also a nick on the inside edge of one of the leaves that has been filled. The whole top and leaves have been scuffed and given a coat of poly for durability. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-Late 20th Century.
Mother of Pearl comes predominantly from the shell of the pearl oyster, freshwater pearl mussel, and abalone… making this table a true GEM!! This is a GORGEOUS Chinese rosewood dining table...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
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 Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Chinese Relief Carved Ho ho Bird Glass Top Display Black Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Relief Carved Ho ho Bird Glass Top Display Black Coffee Table. Item features a solid wood frame, black and gold painted finish, finely r...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Oriental Hardwood Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A late 19th century oriental hardwood stand or coffee table having marble inset
Shaped top and carved decoration raised on cabriole legs with under t...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
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 Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
A Pair of Chinese Rosewood Circular Drum Side Tables with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A vintage pair of very well made Chinese side tables with mother of pearl inlay. These are a matching pair of good quality with perfect symmetry, unlike some of the cheaper examples...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
South East Asian Elmwood Six-Drawer Altar / Console Table
Located in Germantown, MD
South East Asian / Korean Elmwood Five-Drawer Altar / Console Table fully Finished on all sides.
Measures 35" in width, 15" in depth and 33.25" in height.Very good vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Korean Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood Garden Stools or Drink Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome matching pair of Chinese export carved hardwood garden stools or drinks tables having a round tabouret or drum form. The stools are are sturdy and solid with excellent joine...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Set of Chinese Side Tables With Drawers Made In Polished Dark Wood From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
The set of Chinese side tables with drawers, crafted from polished dark wood and dating back to the 1880s, is a captivating blend of e...
Category
1880s Unknown Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Chinese Red Lacquered and Gilt Altar Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese (Possibly Vietnamese 19th Century) red lacquered and gilt carved console (alter) table with scroll top sides and 3 front panels with carved floral and bird design.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Gold Leaf
China 4 hongmu wood nesting tables early 20th century
Located in Miami, FL
Chine, 4 nesting tables in hongmu. Beginning XXe century
Very interesting for end sofa tables , elegant and easy to use in any decoration style even minimalist design.
- Table 1 - ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid-20th Century Heavily Hand Carved Wood Cocktail Bar Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship and hand carved aromatic wood cocktail bar cabinet. the bar cabinet features heavily urban chinoiserie carved scenes detail with rounded rectangular top and a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Chinese Export Tray Table with Faux Bamboo Base
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this oval Chinese tray table dates from the 1940s. Table top is a removable oval tray with a faux bamboo outer rim. Base has decorative open work details and folds ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
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...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
19th. C. Chinese Hardwood Low Coffee Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this area looking 19th. C. Chinese Hardwood Low Coffee Table.
Chinese hardwood low table with a paneled top with a an openwork apron of linked C-scroll and oval carvings rais...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
ANTIQUE CHINESE EXPORT HARDWOOD MOTHER OF PEARL CIRCA 1920's TABLE & CHAIRS SET
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely lovely antique Chinese Export Circa 1920-1940 Rosewood with ornate Bird & Flowers Mother of ...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Chinese Brass Tray Folding Table with Engraved Top and Wooden Base
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This small antique brass tray table shows no maker's signature, but is presumed to have been made in China in approximately 1920 in the period...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century antique Chinese Tea Table Lacquered with Porcelain inclusions
Located in BILBAO, ES
Chinese black lacquerd tea table with gilt highlights, circa 1930's.
Needs restauration in left side, but the design and style is precious because it reunites black lacquered with a...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bentwood
Early-Mid 20th Century Chinese Red & Gilt Coffee Table Trunk
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early-mid 20th century Chinese red & gilt coffee table trunk on custom iron stand. Parchment leather applied to wood - various losses & scuffs commen...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Iron
Chinese Export Style Wicker Elephant Side Table / Stool / Garden Seat
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a fun Chinese Export style wicker elephant form garden stool or side table. The red is not original. The tail is a gilt tassel. He is in very good condition and dates to the ...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wicker
Large Gilt Iron and 18th-Century Coromandel Top Coffee Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Gilt Iron and Chinese Chinoiserie 18th-Century Coromandel Coffee Table. The rectagular top with inset 18th century coromandel panels decorated with polychrome landscape scene. ...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Lacquer
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Carved Wine Entry Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chinese Ming style wooden wine table featuring a floating top panel and a simple carved apron and spandrels. Finished in a light natural clear lacque...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Export-Style Chinoiserie Gate-Leg Drop Leaf Tea Table
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese Export style tea table. Hand detailed japanned finish in unusual deep medium blue with polychrome overlay. Chinoiserie bell detailing. Double gate-leg drop leaf style. 17" L ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Small Hand Carved Rosewood Chinese Altar Table
Located in San Diego, CA
High quality small hand carved rosewood Chinese altar table / side table, circa 1960s. The table is in very good vintage condition and measures 29.5"W x...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rosewood
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
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Export Rosewood Carved Altar Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional Chinese Huali rosewood table with remarkably straight wood grain patterns and distinctive carving. The aprons are carved in an intricate lattice work of blossoms and bird...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Hardwood Chinese Carved Pedestal Table with Marble Top, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Chinese pedestal table.
Striking Chinese design from the 1920s.
hand carved "Hongmu" wood (Chinese hardwood) base with original multicolored top.
Rare because of its height of 92 cm or 36.22 in.
This wonderful Chinese pedestal table is in very good condition with minor wear consist with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
A real eye-catcher in your Asian interior...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Marble
Rustic Antique Chinese Stool or Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique Asian stool has a square top and a balanced form with timeless rustic appeal. Beautifully worn from a century of use, the aged wood pat...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Rosewood Antique Chinese Export Alter Table with Hand Carving
Located in Lomita, CA
The warmth and patina of the antique rosewood and the intricate hand carving makes this altar table irresistible. The silhouette
A vintage Chinese export carved rosewood altar or co...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Pair Vintage Ethan Allen Asian Side Chest End Tables
Located in Houston, TX
Pair vintage Chinese style chests: wood, brass, and paper lined.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Brass
Chinese Altar/Scholar's Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and fine Altar Table in traditional form with particularly striking exotic graining. With carved and shaped vertical ends and carved scrollwork on the apron ends. Raised on t...
Category
20th Century Asian Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Fine Chinese Late 20th Century Carved Green Serpentine Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Chinese late 20th century finely carved green serpentine center table. The six-legged pedestal table entirely carved of green serpentine, with a pierced apron in a Cantonese design...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Serpentine
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, ...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Library Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Chinese bamboo library table. Amazing Chinese export center or library table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bamboo
Gorgeous Pair of Chinese Garden Seat End Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very pretty pair of vintage Chinese garden seats having decoration in turquoise, celadon, pink and yellow.
Note: Will split the pair, pr...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Chinese Brown Majolica Glazed Elephant Garden Seats / Tables - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of mid-century Chinese brown glazed heavy ceramic elephant garden seats or side tables. They have are unmarked and in very good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Ceramic
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.
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Ceramic
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.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Marble
Chinese Console or Altar Table, 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a stunning and long Chinese altar table that measures a full 10 ft. in length with carved end pedestals featuring high relief buddhist...
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Chinese Export tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export 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 tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, asian art and furniture, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export 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 tables, popular names associated with this style include George Zee, Henredon, John Widdicomb, and Susanne Hollis. 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 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 $54,000 while the average work can sell for $2,543.