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.
$1,710Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Vintage Dog of Fo Bookends, Oriental, Bronze, Book Rest, Art Deco, 1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage Dog of Fo bookends. An Oriental, bronze decorative icon book rest, dating to the Art Deco period, circa 1930. Iconic and distinctive bookends with superb w...
Bronze
$385Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Antique Brass & Enamel Cloisonne Chinese Bookends
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Antique Brass & Enamel Cloisonne Chinese Bookends. Measure 4.35" in width, 3.5" in depth and 6" in height
Brass
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Brass and Enamel Foo Dog Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely and vibrant pair of brass bookends with Foo Dog repousse in brilliant enamel colors - well suited for any room and lovely for the Childs room
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3652 Brass Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3652 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pie...
Brass
Pair of Solid Brass Folding Chinese Foo Dog Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of solid brass folding foo dog bookends, circa 1960s. The bookends are in good vintage condition and measure 7"W x 3.5"D x 6"H. Great look! #3588
Brass
$1,245 / set
H 5 in W 5.5 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Green Enameled Double Greyhound Bookends signed Nuart Creations
Located in New York, NY
This charming pair of bookends by Nuart Creations serves as an artistic expression of the Art Deco era's love for stylized forms and refined craftsmanship. Made circa 1935, these boo...
Enamel
$1,996Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 6 in W 6 in D 4 in
Pair Art Deco Silvered-Bronze 'Turkey' Bookends by G. Rischmann France, 1930s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair Art Deco Silvered-Bronze 'Turkey' Bookends by G. Rischmann France, 1930s Each one signed in script 'G. Rischmann France' By Gaston Rischmann (1907-1979) A unique pair of Art De...
Marble, Bronze
$475 / set
H 5 in W 5.5 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Chinese Green Marble Foo Dog Guardian Lion Bookends Sculptures, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking pair of hand-carved green marble Foo Dog (Guardian Lion) sculptures fashioned as decorative bookends. Rendered from richly veined green marble with natural variations rang...
Marble
$1,100 / set
H 5.83 in W 5.12 in D 3.08 in
French Art Deco Cat and Dog Bookends, Spelter and Marble, 1920
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Bookends with Cat and Dog, France, 1920s. Charming pair of French Art Deco bookends, France, 1920s, depicting a cat and a dog rendered in a refined and highly styliz...
Marble, Spelter
$900Sale Price / set|41% Off
H 6.5 in W 5 in D 2.5 in
Pair Antique Jade Red Agate Bookends Engraved Solid Brass
Located in Somis, CA
A rare, beautiful pair of antique Chinese bookends. Showcasing the beauty of translucent white jade with clarity almost to transparency, hand-carved dep...
Jade, Brass
Pair of Marble and Brass Dice Bookends
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Marble and Brass Dice Bookends Artist Unknown Have Books - Need Bookends
Marble
Brass and Chrome Golf Club Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Set of brass and chrome golf bookends featuring brass club and ball with nice detail. Thin foam on bottom to prevent scratching. Great for the golfer or man cave or she shed. Very go...
Brass, Chrome
Crystal and Brass Bookend by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Crystal and Brass Bookend by Dainte Dimensions: D 19 x W 18 x H 15 cm. Materials: Crystal and brass. The multifaceted triangular bookend is brilliantly designed with light-bending c...
Crystal, Brass
Crystal and Brass Bookend by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Crystal and Brass Bookend by Dainte Dimensions: D 19 x W 18 x H 15 cm. Materials: Crystal and brass. The multifaceted triangular bookend is brilliantly designed with light-bending c...
Crystal, Brass
Pair Brass Seashell Nautilus Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Brass nautical bookends. Nice detail in casting, heavy weight with substantial feel. Holds a shelves worth of books. Felt on bottoms as shown. Good condition, some light patina. Grea...
Brass
Vintage Pair of Decorative Foo Dogs Sculptures Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking pair of Chinese Guardian lions, also known as Food Dogs, beautifully rendered in a rich, deep oxblood red lacquered finish. The pair is finely detailed with traditional sty...
Resin
Sold
H 9.06 in W 6.5 in D 7.88 in
Pair Of Vintage Decorative Book Dogs, Chinese, Ceramic, Blue & White, Bookends
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage decorative book dogs. A Chinese, ceramic blue and white bookend, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Add a touch of ...
Ceramic
Pair of Soapstone Chinese Scholar Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A fabulous vintage pair of soapstone Chinese scholar bookends, circa 1980s. The bookends depict two Chinese scholars and are beautifully sculpted;. the set is in very good vintage co...
Soapstone
Chinese Elephant Crackled Porcelain Bookend, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Chinese elephant crackled porcelain bookends or diminutive plant stand with red floral motif, apparently unsigned. In good vintage condition. ...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Foo Dogs, Bronze Silver Plated
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Chinese foo dogs. Bronze silver plated solid heavy decorative foo dogs. These large and impressive guardians of the home are certain to spa...
Bronze
Unique Pair of Decorative Mini Foo Dogs Sculptures Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of vintage, mini, burgundy, resin foo dogs, circa 1970s. Excellent condition and patina, makes a fun decor item in any room!
Resin
Pair of Brass Dragons Chasing Ball
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of brass dragons chasing ball - an impressive, stand alone pair, or perfect for this "Game of Thrones' Gnomes who need a dragon! - perfectly suited f...
Brass
Sold
H 6 in W 4 in D 5 in
Pair of Hand Carved Green Soapstone Bookends with Asian Chinese Dragon Motif
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of finely hand carved stone bookends featuring high relief landscape scene with dragon heads. A very well done Chinese figural soapstone art obj...
Soapstone