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
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
Chinese 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
A Chinese Inlay Carved Marble Top Coffee
Located in New Haven, CT
A beautiful Chinese teakwood and white marble coffee table, circa 1950. The original top is a single slab of white marble and depicted is a hand carved relief...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Carrara Marble
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
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Small Huali Kang Coffee Table, c1880
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Chinese antique Quing Hauli wood table
This intricately carved Small Huali wood Kang Table from c1880 is a collector's dream. Crafted of traditional jointe...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
1990s Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Tall Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Tall Table
This Antique Shanxi Province Tall Table is made out of elm and has its original color and patina. It has a stun...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Linen Wrapped Lacquered Elm Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Linen Wrapped Lacquered Elm Coffee Table
Circa: 1900
Dimensions:
W: 55"
D: 31.5"
H: 17.5"
The Antique Shanxi Province Linen W...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Linen, Elm, Lacquer
Antique Shanxi Province Linen Wrapped Lacquered Elm Kang Style Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Linen Wrapped Lacquered Elm Kang Style Coffee Table
Circa: 1900
Dimensions:
W: 50"
D: 36"
H: 21"
The Antique Shanxi Province Linen Wrapped Lacquered Elm K...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Linen, Elm, Lacquer
Chinese 20th Century Black Laquer & Mother Pearl Inlaid Low Coffee Table
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this gorgeous Chinese black lacquer low coffee table with beautiful colours and design.
The wooden and rectangular table is delicately crafted a...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Chinese Scholar's Table
Located in New York, NY
Low Chinese scholar's table with fretwork sides and legs, possibly of Zitan wood, with burlwood inset sides, early 20th century. Measures: 16.25" H x 3...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Zitan
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table with Enforced Rattan Top
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table with Enforced Rattan Top
Circa: 1900
Dimensions:
W: 82"
D: 42"
H: 19.5"
The Antique Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table with Reinforced Ratt...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rattan, Elm
Vintage Shanxi Province 6 Seat Elm Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province 6 Seat Elm Dining Table
This vintage elm dining table is from the south of China. It can seat up to 6 people. It has ...
Category
1990s Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Antique Chinese Elm Humpback Stretcher Altar Table with Original Color and Patin
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Chinese elm altar table with original color and patina.
This is an antique Chinese elm wood alter table with original color...
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
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 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
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
19th Century English Bamboo Square Occasional Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century. English. Bird and flower lacquered panel. Hand painted.
Category
19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Wood, Paint
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 ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Unusual & Beautiful 3 Tier Lacquer and Steel Side Table with Goldfish Motif
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautifully designed unusual 3 tier side table having burnished steel and brass form and lovely black lacquer graduated levels of table surfaces decorated with gold fish. Handsome br...
Category
1980s Indonesian Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Brass, Steel
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 Tables
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rattan, Wood
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 impregnated top, and decorative upper under t...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Teak
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Small Side Table with Carved Apron
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm small side table with Carved Apron
This antique side table from the Shanxi Province of China has its origin...
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
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 durabili...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rattan, Elm
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 o...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Vintage Kang Style Chinese Teakwood Red Lacquer Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Kang Style Chinese Teakwood Red Lacquer Coffee Table
Circa 1999
H 16"
W 49"
D 34"
The Vintage Kang Style Chinese Teakwood Red Lacquer Coffee Table is a stunning piece of f...
Category
1990s Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Teak, Lacquer
Antique Chinese Elm Coffee Table with Original Color and Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Chinese Elm coffee table with original color and patina
This antique Chinese coffee table is hand carved and has all its original c...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
20th-C. Chinese Export Imari Style Blue and Orange Garden Seats / Tables, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are lovely. They are a pair of late 20th century Imari or Chinese Export style garden seats or side tables. They have vibrant hand painted blue and Orange hues on a white backg...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Square Side Table, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province elm square side table - pair
These rare side tables are from the Shanxi Province of China. They are made of elm and have their original color and patina.
...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
19th Century Red Chinese Side Table
Located in London, GB
Red Chinese side table, dating to the 19th Century, in hard wood.
Dimension: H50 x W47 x D47.5 cm.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
Late 19thC Carved Chinese Rosewood Side End Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Antique hand crafted Chinese rosewood side table with a red marble top. Carved fretwork with rosettes. In excellent antique condition with ...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Marble
Antique Shanxi Province Ming Dynasty Opium Bed Elm and Rattan Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Ming Dynasty Opium Bed Elm and Rattan Coffee Table
This Shanxi Province elm and woven rattan top Ming dynasty opium bed has been converted into a table. The ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rattan, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Tall Elm Round Accent Table with Animal Carvings
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province tall elm round accent table with animal carvings on Apron
This elm, tall, round table with carved apron with animals and car...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table with Carved Apron
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm coffee table with Carved Apron
This Vintage elm coffee table is from the Shanxi Province of China. It has a han...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
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.
C...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Kang Style Black Linen Wrapped Elm Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Kang style black linen wrapped elm coffee table
This antique elm wood coffee table has black lacquer applied in several layers over hand woven linen...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Linen, Elm, Lacquer
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 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Chinese Export Famille Rose and Chintz Style Garden Seat / Side Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is lovely Chinese Export Famille Rose style garden seat or side table. It depicts family pastoral scenes and has almost a chintz-like floral motif throughout the body. Itis in v...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Ceramic
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 ori...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Elm and Bamboo Small Tea Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm and bamboo small tea table.
This antique elm and bamboo small tea table has its original color and patina. Can be used ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Red Lacquer Elm Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Red Lacquer Elm Coffee Table
This Antique Shanxi Province coffee table is made of elm, and has red lacquer. The color and patina...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
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 co...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Lacquer, Elm
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.
Circa: 1900
Dimensions:
W: 20...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Pierced Apron Elm Side Table - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province pierced apron elm side table - pair.
A rare pair of elm side tables from the Shanxi Province of China. These side tables have ...
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Late 19thCentury China Export Elmwood Black Lacquered Console
Located in Brescia, IT
This console is an hand crafted piece of furniture and was made in elm wood, typical of asian countries in Late 19th Century. It was cleaned and refreshed the old black finish.
This...
Category
Late 19th Century Central Asian Antique Chinese Export 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...
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Square Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm square side table.
This antique Shanxi Province elm square side table from China, has its original color and patina.
Circa 1900
D 17.5”
W 17”
...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Linen Wrapped Elm Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Linen Wrapped Elm coffee table
This antique Shanxi Province coffee table has been cut down from a bed. It has a stunning finish of its original color and ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Linen, Wood, Elm, Lacquer
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 p...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
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 b...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Stone
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.
Circa: 1999
Dime...
Category
1990s Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Asian Modern John Widdicomb Square Lacquered Table with Incised Decoration
Located in Houston, TX
Asian Modern John Widdicomb square lacquered table with incised decoration. This gorgeous low table or end table is lacquered a Chinese burgundy /...
Category
1960s North American Vintage Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
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
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.
Circa: 1900
Dimensions:...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
Pair of Early 20th Century Carved Rosewood Chinese Center Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Chinese carved rosewood center tables that could be used for dining as well. They are part of a suite of dining furniture made Europeans living in China in the early 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Low Bed Bench / Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province elm low bed bench / coffee table.
This antique elm low bed bench can also be used as a coffee table or a display table. It has a ric...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Vintage Shanxi Province Elmwood Long Narrow Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi province elmwood long narrow coffee table
This vintage Chinese elm carved coffee table has carved curved legs and stretchers...
Category
1990s Chinese Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Wood, Elm
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Stone Insert Side Table, Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Stone insert side table - pair
These rare pair of Shanxi Province elm tables have a stone insert. They are made of elm...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Stone
19th Century Chinese Zitan Wood Tall End Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here is a wonderful 19th century Chinese Zitan wood tall end table, with intricate hand carved relief on it's apron, with a shelf that has a si...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables
Materials
Zitan
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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