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.
PAIR OF 196CM TALL DRAGON FLOOR STANDING ORNAELTY CARVED CHINESE PAGODA LAMPs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super decorative pair of Circa 1940's Chinese Pagoda style floor standing lamps with ornately hand carv...
Wood
ANTIQUE CHINESE EXPORT CIRCA 1920 ANTiQUE CHINOISERIE BLACK LACQUER FLOOR LAMP
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare hand painted and lacquered Chinese Export circa 1920's Chinoiserie floor standing lamp Pleas...
Wood
1920s Fine Antique Chinese Carved Floor Lamp with Pagoda Shade
Located in Antwerp, BE
An early 20th century sculptural table lamp, hand-carved in wood, retaining its rare original tiered pagoda lampshade with printed textile and original fringe. A highly characterful and authentic piece with visible patina consistent with age. This early 20th century table lamp is distinguished by its sculptural presence and refined craftsmanship. The carved wooden base shows careful handwork and strong three-dimensional modelling, giving the lamp an almost architectural quality. The surface retains its original patina, enhancing the depth and character of the carving and confirming the lamp’s age and authenticity. The lamp is complemented by its original tiered pagoda lampshade, an increasingly rare survival. Constructed in multiple stepped layers, the shade is covered in printed textile decorated with stylized floral motifs. The layered silhouette creates a warm, atmospheric diffusion of light and adds a strong decorative rhythm to the overall composition. The shade is finished with its original fringe, which further emphasizes the sculptural outline when illuminated. Original lampshades of this complexity and scale are seldom preserved, as they were often replaced or discarded over time. The presence of the original pagoda shade...
Metal
Early 20th century carved Chinese hard wood floor lamp
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century carved Chinese hard wood floor lamp circa 1920. Carved in heavy hardwood. Carved dragons head forming the outlet for the light fitment, long stem leading down to ...
Hardwood
Chinese Export Barley Twist Lacquer Decorated Floor Lamp
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A made for the English market, Chinese export carved to a barley twist floor lamp, once probably a torchiere. Lacquered in black and burnished with gold Asian motifs. Classic, chic a...
Paint
Chinese Export Adjustable Height Floor Lamp
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Chinese export floor lamp with adjustable height. The height can be adjusted up to 76".
Mahogany
$1,376Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Chinese Export Chinoiserie Floor Lamp For The English Market
Located in New Orleans, LA
An outstanding antique lacquered, hand painted and hand crafted chinoiserie Chinese Export floor lamp, made for the English market and dating from about 1920. This is a quality lamp ...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Red Lantern Floor Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Red Lantern Floor Lamp This limited edition Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Red Lantern Floor Lamp is crafted from antique elm tha...
Fabric, Elm
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Cream Lantern Floor Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Cream Lantern Floor Lamp This limited edition Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Cream Lantern Floor Lamp is crafted from antique elm that is over a 100 years o...
Fabric, Wood, Elm
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Brown Lantern Floor Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Brown Lantern Floor Lamp This limited edition Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Brown Lantern Floor Lamp is crafted from antique elm that is over a 100 years o...
Fabric, Elm
Asian Motif Etched Brass Free Standing Floor Lamp, circa 1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
Asian Motif etched brass free standing floor lamp, circa 1920 Finely etched brass floor lamp Dimensions: 17" triangular base x 69" high t...
Brass
Pair of Chinese Style Filigree Gilt Wood Dragon Floor Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) carved and filigree gilt wood 6 sided dragon base floor lamps with round brass filigree shade (PRICED AS Pai...
Brass
Turned Wood Chinoiserie Floor Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Charming antique floor lamp, constructed of solid turned wood, with a hand painted Chinoiserie, Japonisme style, made in the US, circa 1900/30's. This example is in overall good, or...
Wood, Paint
Pair of Lacquered Wood Chinoiserie Gilt Decorated Floor Lamps
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of lacquered wood floor lamps featuring a dramatic dark scarlet Japanned finish decorated with gilt Chinoiserie style foliate motifs. The lamps have turned wood columns...
Lacquer, Paint
1980s Chinoiserie Pagoda Form Gilded And Black Lacquer Floor Lamp
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a fun 1980s chinoiserie floor lamp. It is in working order. The gilded top is removable for bulb changing. It is in very good condition.
Wood
Stunning English Early 20th Century Bobbin Turned Oak Floor Standing Lamp
Located in Leicester, GB
A gorgeous solid oak standard lamp. This floor lamp was made in England - approx c.1910. The lamp has a wonderfully playful bobbin turned stem standing on top of a bulbous thick turn...
Oak
$2,495 / set
H 70 in W 20 in D 20 in
Antique Italian Florentine Hand-Carved & Gilt Finished Floor Lamp & Shade
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique florr lamp is unsigned, but presumed to originate from Italy and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Classical Florentine style. The lamp base is composed of a softwood that have been heavily hand-carved with considerable decorative elements from the top to the base, and has three pull chain light...
Gesso, Softwood
Early 20th Century Carved Wood Floor Lamp, English
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 20th century carved wood floor lamp, English. Likely made from a much earlier bed post or torchiere. Mahogany. The shaft well reeded ending in bulbous turnings and disc base. S...
Wood
Scandinavian Modern Wrought Iron Floor Lamp with Adjustable Height, 40s
Located in Göteborg, SE
Constructed in wrought iron with a beautifully oxidized verdigris patina, the lamp showcases the skilled metalwork characteristic of Swedish artisan tradition during the 1920s-1940s ...
Iron
Antique Bronze Floor Lamp with Stained Glass Shade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique Tiffany-style floor lamp featuring a richly colored stained glass shade with intricate floral motifs. The ornate metal base complements the handcrafted glasswork, casting a w...
Bronze, Enamel
Chinoiserie Style Floor Lamp
Located in Pomona, CA
Chinoiserie style floor lamp. Two-tier trays with faux-bamboo stand.
Metal
Antique Iron Floor Lamp with Original Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: New Linen Shade Materials: Patinated Iron, New Linen Shade
Iron
20th Century Murano Glass Floor Lamp
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A beautiful 20th Century Murano glass floor lamp. With gold powdered internal decoration to the glass. Metalwork is satin brass. Fully rewired to UK standards.
Murano Glass
Mid Century Modern Chrome Industrial Floor Lamp, Adjustable Height
Located in San Francisco, CA
This large industrial style floor lamp is of Mid 20th Century origin and in very good condition. Made of chrome, the hooded shade is 17" in diameter, which tilts and pivots to direct...
Metal, Chrome
![Chinoiserie Decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s [B]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/chinoiserie-decorated-standard-lamp-circa-1930s-b-for-sale/f_81422/f_422426321731145817519/f_42242632_1731145818403_bg_processed.jpg?width=240)
![Chinoiserie Decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s [B]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/chinoiserie-decorated-standard-lamp-circa-1930s-b-for-sale-picture-2/f_81422/f_422426321731145854158/_OYS1851_min_master.jpg?width=240)
Chinoiserie Decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s [B]
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie Decorated Standard Lamp circa 1930s Black Background, Gold & painted Chinoiserie decoration, Depicting: Figures, Houses. Trees & Foliage Good original Condition Recently ...
Lacquer
![Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s[A]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/chinoiserie-decorated-standard-lamp-circa-1930sa-for-sale/f_81422/f_422423021731142173003/f_42242302_1731142174296_bg_processed.jpg?width=240)
![Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s[A]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/chinoiserie-decorated-standard-lamp-circa-1930sa-for-sale-picture-2/f_81422/f_422423021731142203685/_OYS1830_min_master.jpg?width=240)
Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s[A]
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s Black background with gold Chinoiserie Decoration, Depicting: Figure, Houses, Trees & foliage Circular base with 3 bun shaped gilt fe...
Lacquer
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Floor Lamp
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout stand up antique Chinese floor lamp crafted in brass with a repeating geometric design and decorated with enamel in a cloisonne te...
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th century carved Chinese hard wood floor lamp
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century carved Chinese hard wood floor lamp circa 1920. Carved in heavy hardwood. Carved dragons head forming the outlet for the light fitment, long stem leading down to ...
Hardwood
Antique Asian carved wooden floor lamp, Indochina or China, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Asian carved wooden floor lamp. Indochina, circa 1900 In carved wood (Chinese mahogany) with vines, flowers, animals: birds, insects.... Excellent condition. Restored, electricity ...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 62.41 in Dm 13.19 in
Stunning Chinese Export circa 1920 Antique Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Floor Lamp
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare hand painted and lacquered Chinese Export circa 1920's Chinoiserie floor standing lamp The lamp has been fully rewired with new c...
Wood
Sold
H 56.5 in Dm 12.01 in
LOVELY CHINESE EXPORT CIRCA 1920 ANTIQUE CHINOiSERIE BLACK LACQUER FLOOR LAMP
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare hand painted and lacquered Chinese Export circa 1920's Chinoiserie floor standing lamp Pleas...
Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Tripod Chinese Floor Lamp, Fabric and Wood, Brown and Yellow, China, Circa 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Tripod Chinese floor lamp, fabric and wood, brown and yellow, China circa 1950. It has been made in China circa 1950. Ambiance light, with smooth light intensity.
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Cast Bronze Floor Lamp with Neolithic Chinese Motif
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century cast bronze floor lamp with neolithic Chinese motif 13" diameter at the base x 74" high The wiring needs to be updated (please see images) This is truly an exception cast bronze lamp. The Chinese motifs around the base also have a strong resemblance to Mayan motifs...
Bronze
Early 20th Century Carved Chinese Hard Wood Floor Lamp
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century carved Chinese hard wood floor lamp, circa 1920. Carved in heavy hardwood. Carved dragons head forming the outlet for the light fitment, long stem leading down ...
Hardwood
Single Imari China Porcelain Table Lamp of the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Single Imari China porcelain table lamp of the 19th century mounted on a gold gilt bronze base, decorated in a floral motif.
Porcelain
Two Large Chinese Table Lamps with Decor of Stylized Flowers and Dragons
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large pear-shaped vases with decor of stylized flowers and relief decor of dragon heads. 19th century. Two table lamps of the vases were made in the middle of the last century. Me...
Brass