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.
Original Japanese Woodblock Print by Japanese Artist 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rare, original 19th century woodblock print. Beautiful Edo period print from the original publisher. Quality framed with conservation glass in an black painted frame. Red Blue Gree...
Paper
Chinese Horse Print by Rajhastani, Lithograph, Red Wood Frame, 1950
By Rajhastani
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Asian Chinese horse print in a red wood frame. Chinese lithograph print study of a horse. Well framed, no glass. Size: 21" x 15". From an esta...
Paper
Set Of Six Chinese Export Framed Pith Paper Watercolor Botanicals
Located in Essex, MA
Set of six Chinese export pith watercolors of insects and flowers. In giltwood frames.
Giltwood, Paper
Set Of Four Chinese Export Framed Pith Paper Watercolors Of Plants And Insects
Located in Essex, MA
Four framed Chinese export pith paper watercolors in elaborate frames.
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Japanese Framed Prints Reproduction 20th Gilt Frame 20 Century Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Very Decorative set of 2 reproductions of Japanese Print . Gilt Frame. Japan 20th Century.
Paper, Wood
Original Japanese Woodblock Print by Totoya Hokkei 19th Century
By Totoya Hokkei
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rare, original Utagawa Hiroshige 19th century woodblock print. Beautiful Edo period print from the original publisher. Museum quality framed with con...
Paper
Chinese Export Watercolor Exotic Bird Paintings on Paper
Located in Downingtown, PA
Natural History of the East: Pair of Fine Chinese Export Bird Watercolors (c. 1800–1820) A superb pair of early 19th-century Chinese Export ...
Paper
$6,200
H 36.5 in W 49 in D 1.25 in
Large Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wallpaper Section in Carved Hardwood Frame
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderfully charming large and colorful Chinese hand painted wallpaper section in a carved and shaped hardwood frame. The wallpaper dates to the first half of the 20th century or e...
Hardwood, Paper
Large Chinese Heavily Carved Wood Relief Plaque Wall Mounted Sculpture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning vintage heavily carved relief, ready to hang. Now, more than ever, home is where the heart is.
Wood
$1,375
H 13.5 in W 15.5 in D 1 in
Antique Framed Japanese Shunga Woodblock Print of a Couple Making Love
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese Shunga woodblock print in gilt frame depicting a man and a woman making love. Created in Japan, this woodblock print called...
Glass, Wood, Paint
$500 / set
H 12.5 in W 16.75 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Pair of Red-Figure Prints, Mid-20th Century, Framed Art
Located in San Francisco, CA
A vintage pair of framed prints inspired by the red-figure pottery of ancient Greece, dating to the mid-20th century. One depicts two armed warriors in profile, the other shows three...
Glass, Paint, Paper
$601 / set
H 13.39 in W 11.42 in D 0.79 in
Set of Four Framed Botanical Prints, Victorian, Early 20th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Set of four framed botanical color prints after the renowned Scottish architect, designer, and watercolorist Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Each piece features a stylistic watercolor pl...
Mahogany
$1,707 / set
H 14.97 in W 10.63 in D 0.79 in
Pair Early 20th Century Japanese Framed Woodblock Prints C.1925
Located in London, GB
Pair Early 20th Century Japanese Woodblock Prints A Pair Early 20th Century Japanese Framed Woodblock Prints Of Old Masterpiec...
Paper
Traditional Japanese Woodblock Print by Nishijima Katsuyuki
Located in Weesp, NL
Nishijima Katsuyuki (西島 勝之) is a contemporary Japanese artist known for his woodblock prints, which often depict traditional Japanese architecture and landscapes. Born in 1945 in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Nishijima studied at the Kyoto Prefecture Art School and began his career as a painter before transitioning to woodblock printing. His works are celebrated for their detailed and vibrant representation of the Japanese countryside and urban scenes. Nishijima's prints are recognized for their use of bold colors and intricate details. He employs traditional woodblock printing techniques, which involve carving the image into woodblocks, inking the blocks, and then pressing them onto paper. Each color in the print requires a separate block and precise alignment, or registration, to create the final image. The print's title is "Bunraku" and is one of Nishijima's works that showcase traditional Japanese buildings and scenes. The print features a detailed depiction of a traditional Japanese storefront with a noren...
Paper
Framed Japanese Woodblock Print Designed by Kikukawa Eizan
Located in Yonkers, NY
This framed Japanese woodblock print, designed by Kikukawa Eizan (1787–1867), depicts an elegantly dressed *bijin*, or beautiful woman, examining a small lacquered box. Renowned for ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Set of Six Framed 18th c. Engravings of Moths
Located in Greenwich, CT
A set of six original hand-colored engravings of rare and unusual moths. Plates from The Aurelian or Natural History of English Insects (1766) by Moses Harris. These engravings wer...
Paper
Framed Chinese Erotic Album Leaf, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Despite its explicit content, this intimate scene conveys a sense of tenderness and romantic love characteristic of Chinese erotic art. Known as “sp...
Paper
Framed Chinese Erotic Miniature Painting, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Despite its explicit content, this intimate scene conveys a sense of tenderness and romantic love characteristic of Chinese erotic art. Known as “sp...
Paper
Sold
H 14 in W 12 in D 1 in
S. Bradshaw 1810-1880 English Engravings Set of Four Framed of Chinese Subjects
Located in Savannah, GA
This lovely set of four framed prints are by famed English engraver, illustrator and painter Samuel Bradshaw 1810-1880. His worked can be vi...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Chinese Bamboo Forest Landscape Ink on Paper
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese School, Bamboo Forest Landscape Scene, Ink on Paper, circa 19th century, with calligraphy and artist's chop seal signature upper left, gilt wood frame. Image: 57" H x 15.25" ...
Paper
Set Of Twelve Chinese Framed Pith Paper Watercolors
Located in Essex, MA
Set of twelve with cream colored faux bamboo frames. Each depicting Chinese furniture and interiors.
Glass, Wood, Paper
Framed Print of Chinese Gentleman in Red
Located in Sheffield, MA
The black-framed print (under glass) is of a distinguished Chinese ancestor painting of a gentleman who is wearing a red robe embellished wit...
Fabric, Wood, Paint, Paper
Sold
H 9.75 in W 6.25 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Botanical Print Orchid Zygopetalum, Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the orchid Zygopetalum Maxillare Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand colo...
Paper
Chinese Silk Hanging Scroll with Original Gold Lined Box
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Chinese silk scroll painting of a peacock surrounded by stunning foliage with calligraphy on the upper left side. Housed in its original...
Silk
Sold
H 9.75 in W 6.25 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Botanical Print, Orchid Onchinium, Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the orchid, Oncidium Lanceanum Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color....
Paper
Sold
H 9.75 in W 6.25 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Botanical Print, Rose Lophosperum, Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the rose, Lophosperum Scandens Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color....
Paper
3 Original Antique Botanical Prints . Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of flowers Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithographs with original hand color. Published, circa 1850. ...
Paper
Sold
H 9.75 in W 6.25 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Botanical Print - Bignonia Grandiflora. Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the Bignonia Grandiflora Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color. Pu...
Paper
Original Antique Botanical Print - Combretum Purpureum. Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the Combretum Purpureum Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color. Pub...
Paper
Sold
H 9.75 in W 6.25 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Botanical Print - Rhododendron. Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the Rhododendron Arboreum Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color. P...
Paper