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.
Five wallpaper panels, China, 18th century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
These five wallpaper panels are hung on canvas stretched over wooden frames. Against a plain beige background, a hilly landscape unfolds across the lower quarter of the panels. Each ...
Paper
$15,000 / set
Pair Of Chinese Export Wallpaper Panels
Located in Essex, MA
Each with simple giltwood frames with plexiglass. The paper is backed with cloth.
Plexiglass, Paper
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Peacock Chinoiserie Wallpaper Hand Painted Wallpaper on Silk Panel
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3 ft x 8 ft. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be a...
Silk
$1,328Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 72 in W 21 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Murals Hand Painted Wallpapers on Silk Panel, 4 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be applied to any designs an...
Silk
$1,932Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 58 in W 41 in D 0.1 in
Japanese Garden Wallpaper Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on gold gilded paper
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 41" wide x 58" The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be a...
Gold Leaf
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Blue Silk / Panel- 3 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3ft x 8ft The colorways in this sections present our...
Silk
$1,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Gold Metallic with Antiques
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3 ft x 8 ft. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be a...
Silk
$1,932Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 58 in W 41 in D 0.1 in
Japanese Garden Wallpaper Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Gold Gilded Paper
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 41" wide x 58" The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be...
Gold Leaf
$4,229Sale Price|20% Off
H 233.08 in W 19.57 in D 0.02 in
France 18th Century Wallpaper with Landscape Scenes in Turquoise Color
Located in Brescia, IT
It is not easy to find this kind of hand drawed and hand-made French wallpaper in good conditions. The shining turquoise and the scenes of the games of the characters and jugglers i...
Paper
$864Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 60 in W 30 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Panel Hand Painted Wallpaper on Green Silk, 2 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 30" W x 60" H each on green silk. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be applied to any designs and any base ground (silk, tea paper, metallic, fabric and etc.) Price There are 2 panels in the listed photo, price is for 2 panels of 30" wide x 60" high each, background is on silk. We accept custom size and painting colors. Price doesn't include the embroidery. Dear customer, please note: For safe delivery, all the panels roll in a strong tube. Please have the professional installer to install the wallpapers, there is a standard overlap between panels, and a black dot marked on the top and bottom of each panel, please check well before installing. Shipping We do our best to process & ship all orders...
Silk
Gracie Hand Painted Wallpaper Panel Chinoiserie Gated Garden
By Gracie
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous large 20th century hand-painted wallpaper panel featuring a chinoiserie style scene. Panel SY-217, S-14442. Gated garden depicts flowe...
Paper
Pair 19th Century French Chinoiserie Wallpaper Panels
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of late 19th century French wallpaper panels made in the Chinoiserie revival period of Europe after Jean Pillement (French 1728-1808). The panels have amazing detail wi...
Giltwood, Paper
$9,500
H 58 in W 35.5 in D 0.5 in
Jonas Wood - Basketball Wallpaper Panel Lever House Exhibition, 2013
Located in Chicago, IL
Jonas Wood - Basketball Wallpaper Panel Lever House Exhibition, 2013 Medium: Digital print on 212 GSM Wet Strength paper, mounted on aluminum panel Display Options: Vertical or horiz...
Paper
$1,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Palm Tree Chinoiserie Wallpaper Hand Painted Wallpaper on Silk Panel
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3 ft x 8 ft. The colorways in this sections present ...
Silk
Sold
H 103 in W 48 in D 2 in
A Spectacular Set of 4 Antique Chinese Export Hand-Painted Wallpaper Panels
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare set of four Chinese wallpaper panels, each with a pale mint-green ground and expansive hand-painted landscapes with figures; the upper ...
Paper
Magnificent Pair of Hand-Painted Chinese Wallpaper Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
A magnificent pair of beautifully hand painted Chinese wallpaper panels. Depicted are tall, Swaying plants with a variety of bird...
Wood, Paper