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.
$1,091Sale Price|34% Off
19th Century Chinese Gilt Inkwash Miniature Six-Fold Screen, Framed
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a singular piece, a framed vintage Chinese gilt and inkwash miniature six-fold paper screen, that was possibly a salesman's sample, and it is beautiful. This is from the la...
Giltwood
Vintage Brass Chinese Hardware Art Shadow Box Engraved 8 Immortals
Located in Somis, CA
This large decorative framed artwork features an elaborately shaped butterfly-form panel engraved with the Chinese Eight Immortals, depicted among auspicious clouds, flowers, and tra...
Brass
$175
H 1.25 in W 20.25 in D 20.25 in
Vintage Decorative Shadow Box Art by Virgil Thrasher for Lucid Lines, 1972
By Joseph Cornell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
*FLOWER PITCHER WITH CHECKERED BACKGROUND IS SOLD* Vintage Decorative Shadow Box Art by Virgil Thrasher for Lucid Lines Culver City CA, 1972 "so kitsch ...... so good" "kitsch - ...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Geometric Shadow Box Wall Shelf
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A dynamic and graphic Mid-Century Modern shadow box wall shelf, featuring an asymmetrical geometric composition and bold color contrast. The outer frame is finished in a warm blonde ...
Wood
$3,600
H 13 in W 12.5 in D 4 in
Vintage Ron Fritts Pop Art Shadow Box Wall Sculpture, Ebonized Wood, Plexi, 1960
By Ron Fritts
Located in North Miami, FL
This eye-catching and rare vintage Ron Fritts Pop Art shadow box wall sculpture has suspended resin or lucite balls floating in four different window vignettes that change. The background is black Mylar plexiglass and the exterior wood is newly ebonized. The original labels on the back that says RF studios Inc. and a number. The silver interior balls jump around as you pick it up and rotate it and even turn it upside down. The components of the resin have slightly yellowed from age and sun exposure. There is also glue residue from age and coming apart. It is what it is...
Aluminum, Chrome
$343
H 9.06 in W 24.81 in D 2.17 in
Antique Butterfly Collection Glass Shadow Box Wall Decoration, Spain, 1970
Located in Madrid, ES
Shadow box made in wood and glass containing a butterfly collection.
Glass, Wood
$650Sale Price|33% Off
H 28 in W 15 in D 2 in
Antique Sea Life Diorama Shadow Box, Walnut Frame, Shells, 1950
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-715 Beautiful sea life diorama including sea shells various crustaceans ,seahorse starfish encased in a walnut frame under glass. Brass hanging ring
Shell
Chinese Export Six Panel Coromandel Screen Gilt Courtyard
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning 20th century Chinese export lacquered six-panel coromandel screen depicting a lush courtyard over a dramatic gold leaf ground. The lacquered panels are incised and painted w...
Brass
Chinese Export Six Panel Coromandel Screen Gilt Courtyard
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional 20th century Chinese export six panel coromandel screen featuring a busy idyllic courtyard scene with a dramatic gilt background. The screen has six panels lacquered and ...
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese folding screen
Located in Martlesham, GB
A highly decorative early 20th Century Chinese folding screen / divider consisting of seven panels, with each panel incorporating five individual panels, depicting various countrysid...
Pine
$4,800
H 68 in W 150 in D 0.75 in L 68 in
19th C. Japanese Edo Six Panel Screen Chinese Official's Gathering
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand Japanese Edo period six panel folding byobu screen depicting a large gathering of a Chinese official. The painting is set in a lovely garden terrace with a high-ranking Chinese...
Wood, Paper
$396Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.5 in W 9 in D 3.13 in
Nautilus Shell Shadow Box, Art Deco, Hand-Crafted Walnut, Mid-Century
Located in Round Top, TX
A custom walnut shadow box featuring a natural nautilus shell presented against deep black velvet. The hand-built composition reflects a study in balance, restraint, and material int...
Shell, Glass, Walnut
Chinese Six-Panel Decorative Folding Screen, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Chinese six-panel folding screen with decorative carved forest with standing and flying cranes, with reverse side depicting village and figures of people, terminating on brass square...
$490Sale Price|28% Off
H 22 in W 20 in D 2 in
Vintage Sea Fan Shadow Box Wall Art, Framed Nutwood, 1950s Decor
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Natures Beauty large Black Coral Sea fan from Palm Beach estate framed in a walnut shadow box frame.
Nutwood