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.
Antique Chinese Carved Hardwood Flower Stands Marble-Top Insert
Located in Brea, CA
A antique Chinese heavily carved hardwood circular stand table with rouge marble top insert and dark wood carved with abundant floral motif , the inset marble top over carved hardwoo...
Hardwood
Chinese Export, Low Occasional Tables, Hardwood, Marble, China, 19th c.
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese Export, Low Occasional Tables, Side Tables or Plant Stands, Hardwood, Marble, China, 19th c. A pair of 19th-century Chinese carved hardwood low side tables, each with a circ...
Marble
$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
19th Century Tall Chinese Carved Hardwood Flower Stands Table Marble-Top Insert
Located in Brea, CA
A 19th century antique tall Chinese heavily carved hardwood circular stand table with rouge marble top insert, the inset marble top over carved hardwood apron with beaded trim, fancy...
Hardwood
$843Sale Price|20% Off
Asian low stand / side table in wood carved with Demons, marble top, 1880's
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb low side table / gueridon / pedestal table / plant holder / pot holder / pedestal in carved solid wood. The sculptures feature dragon/demon heads, tiger/lion paws and plant m...
Wood
19th Century Chinese Console Table
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Chinese Console Table This striking mid-19th century Chinese altar table, dating to around circa 1860, is a richly carved and visually powerful piece, showcasing the craftsmanship an...
Elm, Lacquer
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...
Hardwood
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 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.
Wood
White Glazed Chinese Double Coin Garden Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually proportioned ceramic table is a modern interpretation of the classic Chinese drum-form garden stool. Cloaked in a pristine, monochrome white glaze, the wide stool is d...
Ceramic
$737Sale Price|43% Off
Two Beautiful Chinese Softwood Stand
Located in Crawley, GB
Beautiful chinese lamp table togheter with a similar one from early 20th century , the tables have carved apron shelves , and horse hoof feet . Two...
Softwood
Cobalt Blue Glazed Terracotta Drum Form Garden Stool, China, Early 20th Century
Located in Darien, CT
A striking early 20th century Chinese export garden stool, glazed in a rich cobalt blue with subtle tonal variations that range from deep sapphire to lighter blue where the glaze flo...
Terracotta
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.
Wood
$3,040Sale Price|47% Off
Mid-19th Century Server or Sideboard with 3 Drawers and Carved Details in Drawer
Located in Charleston, SC
Mid-19th century server or sideboard with 3 drawers and carved details in drawer.
Wood
20th Century Chinese Antique Console Tables in Whitewashed Wood
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese console tables comprised of whitewashed wooden bases carved to resemble acrobatic figures supporting gray, rectangular t...
Wood
Antique Shanxi Province Hand Woven Rattan Top Elm Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province hand woven rattan top elm coffee table This elm wood round leghed coffee table and hand woven rattan top is backed with solid elm wood beneath for durability...
Rattan, Elm
White Glazed Chinese Double Coin Garden Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually proportioned ceramic table is a modern interpretation of the classic Chinese drum-form garden stool. Cloaked in a pristine, monochrome white glaze, the wide stool is d...
Ceramic
$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
$2,800 / set
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.
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Republic Circa 1930's Hardwood Mother of Pearl Inlaid Table & Stools
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
A very good looking and well made suite, the table is rosewood with mother of pearl inlay, the central section has peacocks which symbolised dignity and beauty and was favoured throughout the Republic period. The peacocks are surrounded by hearts and then on the outer edge flowers. We are delighted to offer this lovely suite of Chinese Republic circa 1930's rosewood with mother of pearl inlay dining...
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Chinese Black Lacquered Trunk
Located in Barcelona, ES
An antique Chinese parchment and wood trunk in black lacquer, China, 1920s-1930s It has its original hardware with a frontal lock, handles at both sides and a beautiful stripped orig...
Wood, Parchment Paper, Fabric
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....
Rattan, Elm
19th Century Chinese Hardwood Stand
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality Chinese hardwood hexagona; inset marble-topped stand. Having well carved foliate and floral carving to the frieze, raised on six ornately carved legs, united by a carv...
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”.
Hardwood
MID CENTURY MODERN MOROCCAN BRASS TRAY TABLE WITH TEAK FOLDING BASe
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this ornately hand carved Moroccan brass tray table with teak folding base retailed through Liberty's in the...
Brass
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...
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...
Wood
Antique Tall Chinese Carved Rosewood Two Tiered Flower Stands Marble-Top Insert
Located in Brea, CA
A 19th century antique Chinese carved rosewood two tiered flower stand table with rouge griotte marble top insert, the inset marble top over carved ...
Hardwood
20th Century China Deep Ebony Black Pair Of Lacquered Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of lacquered stools in Deep Ebony Black. The deep ebony black surface highlights clean rectilinear legs, black lacquered finish, characteristic of China furniture making in the ...
Wood
$4,781 / set
Pair of Chinese 19th Century Hardwood Stands
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century Chinese hardwood stands. Each having inset marble tops, carved grape vines to the frieze, two shelves beneath an...
Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Carved Hardwood Flower Stands Marble-Top Insert
Located in Brea, CA
A 19th century antique Chinese heavily carved hardwood circular stand table with rouge marble top insert, the inset marble top over carved hardwood apron with mother of pear inlay pl...
Hardwood
Vintage Chinese Black Elmwood Coffee Table with Carved Legs
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese black elmwood coffee table with carved legs. This vintage elm low coffee table has been lacquered with a unique slate / black c...
Elm, Lacquer
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
Chinese Carved Hardwood And Glass Tilt-Top Tea Table or Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful hand-carved Chinese Carved Hardwood And Glass Tilt-Top Tea Table or Side Table Measures 24" in diameter, 22" in height closed and 34" in height tilted.
Glass, Hardwood
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Calligraphy Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Calligraphy table This antique lm wood calligraphy table with original color and patina is from the Shanxi Province of ...
Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Sofa Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm sofa table This Antique Shanxi Province Elm sofa table has its original color and patina. This piece would be great in any...
Wood, Elm
IMPORTANT COFFEE TABLE Chinese 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT COFFEE TABLE Chinese 19th Century in hardwood, with carvings. Pink marble top. Dim.: 76 x 100 x 55 cm good conditions
Wood
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
19th Century Anglo-Chinese Carved Teak and Inlaid Stand, circa 1880
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century Anglo-Chinese carved teak and inlaid stand, circa 1880 From the China Trade, clipper ship, period. Very in vogue and exotic decor popular in Europe and America in the late 19th century. Ornately carved and inlaid decoration. Boxwood and bone inlays on the top and legs. A "tour de force" Chinese pavilion...
Bone, Boxwood, Teak
Jade Green Glazed Blossom Garden Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
Sculptural and drenched in color, this ceramic garden table reinvents the barrel shape of classic Chinese drum stools. Slip casted in low relief, th...
Ceramic
NEST OF THREE ANTIQUE CIRCA 1920 CHINESE CHINOISERIE SiDE TABLES HAND PAINTED
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely nest of three original Chinese Chinoiserie green lacquered and hand painted nested tables Pleas...
Wood
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.
Wood, Elm
$1,847Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Carved Hardwood Tilt Top Glazed Gate-Leg Circular Tea Table
Located in Reading, Berkshire
This is a Chinese-inspired carved wooden occasional table or decorative stand, with a distinctive circular panel as its main feature. The piece has a dark, almost black-stained timb...
Glass, Hardwood
Pair of Drip Glaze Blue & White Cloud Garden Stools
Located in Chicago, IL
Sculptural and drenched in color, these ceramic garden seats reinvent the classic Chinese drum stool. Slip casted in low relief, the small stools ha...
Ceramic
Oriental Deep Side Table in Fruitwood, Chinese Export Style, 1920
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental deep side table or work table This is a very attractive piece, the table has a broad cleated border which has superb worn patina where it...
Fruitwood
Beautiful Carved Oak Vintage Asian Style Console Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Great looking vintage Asian carved oak console table having beautiful ornamentation with a slightly cerused finish on the base.
Oak
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...
Linen, Wood, Elm, Lacquer
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...
Metal
Antique Chinese Side Table Amboyna 1900
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Chinese amboyna occasional table Circa 1900 This table stands upon turned legs with carved feet Having typical chinese carved and pierced decoration The top of the table having wonde...
Amboyna
Pair of Vintage Chinese Carved Wood Garden Seats or Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of mid century Chinese stands hand carved in mahogany with painted faux stone inset tops.
Mahogany
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...
Wood, Elm
19th Century Chinese Hardwood Centre Table
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality early 19th century Chinese hardwood centre table. Having an inset rouge marble top with brass inlay to the cr...
Marble
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Altar Carved Console Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province elmwood altar carved ornate console table. Gorgeous Chinese Qing dynasty style carved altar table constructed from Elmwoo...
Elm
$32,789 / set
Two Carved Wood, Marble and Onyx Chinese Tables
Located in London, GB
Two carved wood, marble and onyx Chinese tables Chinese, Early 20th Century Height 77cm, diameter 51cm Intricately carved and elegantly formed, the two Chinese tables feature r...
Onyx, Marble
Hand-Carved Dragon Motif Cypress Wood Console or Sofa Table
Located in Nantucket, MA
A very cool console or sofa table made of cypress wood. Hand-carved on both shelves and the legs in a dragon motif. Very Game of Thrones. A stylized Queen Anne leg. Mid 1900's. Asian.
Cypress
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 ...
Wicker
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
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
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 ...
Paint
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Tea Table with Display Shelf
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm tea table with display shelf. This antique elm tea table from the Shanxi Province of China has a display shelf and its original color and patina.
Elm