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 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
$720 Sale Price
20% Off
Monumental Chinese Export Gilt and Painted Low Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
Monumental Chinese Export low coffee table with a raised scalloped gallery surrounding a gold texture painted tabletop, surrounded by a dark brown apron with gold painted floral deta...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Square Center Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export center table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. The top of the square table has a black lacquered piece of wood supported by round bamboo ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
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
19th Century Chinese Lacquered Chest on Stand
Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome Chinese lacquered trunk or coffee table with exceptional heavily embellished hand-hammered hardware -- iron handles, hinges, corner plates and lock which uses a cross...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Gilt Lacquer Decorated Demi-lune Console Table Early 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese-export gilt lacquer decorated
Demi-lune console table
First half 19th century.
Black lacquered demilune table, top decorated with pavilions
set within rocky and...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table with Enforced Rattan Top
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table with Enforced Rattan Top
The Antique Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table with Reinforced Rattan Top is a stunning vintage piece from the 1900s....
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rattan, Elm
A Pair of Red Lacquered Chinese Style Square Low Sofa Tables Sold By Christie's
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Pair of Red Lacquered Chinese Style Square Low Sofa Tables
Auctioned at Christies 2542 3rd April 2012 (USA).
Swing tag to the leg.
Category
20th Century Chinese 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
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 Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
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
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rosewood
$1,160 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
1760s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Padouk
Elegant Elmwood Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Low Coffee Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sophisticated and elegant elm Chinese coffee table having handsome carvings on all sides and beautiful Asian style legs that turn in at the ends.
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Rosewood Mid Century Round Occasional Table
Located in Lomita, CA
The form of this rosewood circular table with delicate fretwork and graceful legs is rare and worth a second look. The outstanding feature aside from the design details is the dark c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rosewood
$863 Sale Price
20% Off
A Pair of Vintage Chinese Elephant Side Tables in Painted Wood
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of matching Chinese elephants in painted wood. Original paint and featuring bejeweled gold head-dresses. The set was made in Asia, probably China during the early to mid 20th ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Paint
Antique Chinese Two Tiered Brass Occasional Tray Table with Engraved Tops
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique tray table is unsigned, but presumed to have originate from China and date to approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese Export s...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Brass
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
$6,611 Sale 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
Category
1940s Chinese Vintage 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
$2,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 19th Century Elmwood Console China Export
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant elmwood console is handcrafted and so the beautiful details under the top and to the corners, both the sides. This is a piece of glamorous timeless
The top is in solid...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Set of Four Diminutive Chinese Export Hardwood Nesting Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive miniature set of four diminutive stacking or nesting tables crafted from hardwood. The Chinese export tables feature gracefully carved aprons in an open geometric fretwork...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
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
Antique Shanxi Province Natural Color and Patina Elm Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Natural color and Patina Elm coffee table
This Antique coffee table from the Shanxi Province of China is made of Elm and has all it...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
19th Century Handcrafted Chinese Elm Wood Side Table – Solid Rustic Design
Located in Milano, IT
This 19th-century handcrafted elm wood side table from China is a beautifully rustic piece with timeless appeal. The table features a solid, single piece of elm wood for the top, sho...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
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 Tables
Materials
Wood
$316 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Red & Black Lacquer Altar Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking black and red laquered Chinese vintage altar table having beautiful brass and copper accents and wonderful shape with one drawer, Makes a fabulous accent table.
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Marble
18th Century Ming Style Altar Table
Located in San Marino, CA
A 17th-18th century Ming-style small altar table. Elmwood with scroll ends from Shanshi.
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Hallway Bench Altar Console Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Hallway Bench Altar console table
The table features a rectangular top with scrolling patterns. On straight supports this long ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Ming Dynasty Elm and Rattan Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Ming Dynasty Elm and Rattan Coffee Table
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rattan, Elm
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Marble
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
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 Tables
Materials
Wood
Rare Antique Shanxi Province Large Elm Calligraphy Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Antique Shanxi Province Large Elm Calligraphy Desk
Rare calligraphy table in great antique condition, with original color and patina. Can be used as a large desk, a tall dining table...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Antique Chinese Huanghuali Hardwood Round Table
Located in North Miami, FL
Antique Huanghuali hardwood round low center table with great patina. very nice original wear. Elegant appearance. Structurally sound. Apparently unmarked. Measures: Approximate heig...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
Chinese Lacquered Wood Table Stone Top with Carved Essay
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese antique table from Northern China likely Shanxi Province circa late Qing dynasty to Republic period (late 19th century). The square for...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Stone
Pair of Chinese Wooden White Painted Contortionist Console Tables
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese console tables comprised of whitewashed wooden bases carved to resemble acrobatic figures supporting gray, rectangular t...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bone, Lacquer
Chinese Qing Style Elm Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive Chinese export writing table or desk made in the Qing style. Constructed from elm with rich grain patterns having mortise and tenon joinery. The...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Brass
Two Ebony Black Chinese Tall Sculpture Stands
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add class and elegance with these highly stylish sculpture or plant stands in ebonized black. The sleek styling lends itself to be used in various styles of decor. Wonderful statemen...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
$5,400 / set
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Marble
Chinese Lacquered Wooden Table with Curved Legs, c. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This elegant lacquered table was crafted in Northern China at the middle of the 20th century. It features elegant legs that are beautifully proportioned with curved ends. It features...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Antique Chinese Carved Rosewood Flower Stands Marble-Top Insert
Located in Brea, CA
A pair of antique Chinese hardwood stands 6 sides marble top insert, 2 pieces, the inset marble top over carved rosewood apron with dogw...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Set of Antique Chines Hongmu Nesting Tables
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A set of 2 antique Chinese hongmu hand carved nesting tables. The smaller that fits neatly into the larger table for easy access. 22 wide, 2...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
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”.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage Chinese Black and Gold Tole Lake Scene Oval Tray
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese tole serving tray with a painted gold design of a lake scene on a black background with a shallow lip with two cut out handles.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Metal
Pair 19th Century Chinese stands with inset porcelain panels
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite pair of 19th-century Chinese hardwood stands is a stunning example of craftsmanship and artistry. Each stand features an inset Famille Rose porcelain panel, renowned f...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Porcelain, Hardwood
Faux Bamboo Square Cocktail Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
19th century style square cocktail table with a carved faux bamboo edge to the entire frame, a brushed and textured veneered top, and four bold ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
$3,525 / item
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
$28,950 Sale Price
76% Off
Late 19th Century Chinese Petit Taboret, Birds, Branches, Blossoms Motif
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century Chinese petite taboret. Birds, branches, blossoms motif. Jewelry like fine details.
Dark hardwood with mother of pearl shell blossoms. Openwork carved branches motif with finely carved birds throughout. Fine incised / engraved details on the mother of pearl birds...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Marble
19th Century Pair of Chinese Carved Rosewood Flower Stands Marble-Top
Located in Brea, CA
19th century a pair of antique 31.5” large Chinese rosewood flower stands marble top insert, 2 pieces, the inset marble-top over carved rosewoo...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese 19th Century Hardwood Stand
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century Chinese hardwood stand, having inset rouge marble top, wonderful hand carved palm leaves and exotic bird decoration, raised on tree like cabriole leg...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Hand Painted Chinese Export Trunk with European Landscape Scenes, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
An unusual and larger size Chinese Export leather trunk with a beautifully hand painted European pastoral scenes in the Barbizon style, pa...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Leather
Vintage Chinese Oval Black and Gold Tole Floral Walkway Design Tray
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese oval tole serving tray with a painted gold design of a figures climbing a staircase to a walkway surrounded by flowering plants on a black background with a shallow l...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Metal
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table Cut from Chinese Bed
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table Cut From Chinese Bed
Introducing our Exquisite Handcrafted Elm Wood Coffee Table - a remarkable piece repurposed from a traditional Chinese bed, embodying the rich history and artistry of Chinese craftsmanship. This coffee table is a testament to the ingenuity of repurposing, transforming a traditional bed...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Altar Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm altar table.
This antique elm altar table has its original color and patina. It can be used as a sofa back table for lamps...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Nest Of Four Chinese Export Lacquer Tables
Located in Essex, MA
A graduated set of four with seated figures in a landscape. Trestle base. Giltwood feet.
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
$2,800 / set
Baker Michael Taylor Far East Asian Burl Wood Square Occasional Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Baker Michael Taylor Far East Collection Asian Burl Wood Square Occasional Side Table. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 26" W x 26" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
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.
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