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.
Chinese Carved Hardwood And Glass Tilt-Top Tea Table or Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful hand-carved Chinese Carved Hardwood And Glass Tilt-Top Tea Table or Side Table Measures 24" in diameter, 22" in height closed and 34" in height tilted.
Glass, Hardwood
$1,859Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Carved Hardwood Tilt Top Glazed Gate Leg Circular Tea Table
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Chinese Carved Hardwood Tilt Top Glazed Gate Leg Circular Tea Table With Heavily Carved Decorative & Floral Motifs
Glass, Hardwood
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Tea Table with Display Shelf
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm tea table with display shelf. This antique elm tea table from the Shanxi Province of China has a display shelf and its original color and patina.
Elm
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Hardwood Chinese Tea Table
Located in Huntington, NY
Hardwood Chinese tea table.
Hardwood
Antique Dark Brown Lacquered Low Display Table with Carved Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese low dark brown lacquered display table from the early 20th century with carved legs and apron. Created in China during the early years of the 20th century, this la...
Wood
$1,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 38 in W 11 in D 11 in
Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood and Marble Pedestals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese export hardwood and marble pedestals, each one of square form with inset marble tops, on subtly carved pedestal bases with lower stretchers.
Marble
$911Sale Price|25% Off
H 19.5 in W 48.5 in D 16 in
Antique Chinese Altar Cabinet, Handcrafted Elm Wood, Circa 1900-1940
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique Chinese Altar Cabinet is from the early 20th century, handcrafted from northern China area. The intricate carvings of traditional Chinese design decorate the front of th...
Wood
$3,375
H 29.25 in Dm 30.75 in
Early 20th C Federal Style Hand Carved Mahogany Piecrust Edge Tilt-top Tea Table
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
This is a magnificent Federal Style (or Federal Revival) early 20th century bench made solid mahogany Piecrust Edge Tilt-Top Tea Table with birdcage action. The top is exceptionally...
Mahogany
Scottish Mahogany Pie Crust Tilt-Top Tea Table, Circa 1760
Located in Charleston, SC
Scottish mahogany tilt-top tea table with carved molded edge top, centered rotating bird cage, original locking mechanism, carved turned ringed spiral pedestal and resting on tripod ...
Brass
Sideboard from Shanxi Province, Late 18th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
Sideboard crafted from walnut, featuring four drawers and a pair of double doors. The sides are adorned with carved scroll details. Expertly crafted, the piece retains traces of its ...
Elm
$1,941Sale Price|25% Off
H 77.5 in W 82 in D 9.75 in
Mid-20th Century Chinese Carved Collector's Display Shelf/Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique piece is a classical Chinese art decor display/room divider in the original condition, all hand carved and free standing shelving unite in dark mahogany finished. It feat...
Elm
Brown Sideboard, Shanxi Province
Located in Kastrup, DK
Sideboard in an original beautiful nut colored lacquer with a good patina. Two drawers under which a pair doors with a central bar. If needed the center bar can easily be removed to make it easy to place a wider item into the cabinet From Shanxi Province...
Metal
A Georgian Oval Tilt-Top Table
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A small Georgian mahogany tilt table with pleasing oval shape top above a tripod pedestal base.
Mahogany
Chinese Craved Hardwood Coffee Table, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome Chinese carved hardwood coffee table with a design of dragons, Republic Period, early 20th century, circa 1920, China. The table well-proportioned and well-carved. The top is comprised of a single, solid floating panel. The apron has been carved and pierced with pairs of enchanting and energetic dragons that writhe and weave amongst the clouds, the flaming pearl of wisdom between them. The cabriole leges feature further dragon heads, ending in paw and clawed...
Hardwood
Charleston Mahogany Tilt Top Tea Table with Birdcage. Mid 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Charleston mahogany one board tilt top tea table with birdcage, turned bulbous spiral pedestal, terminating on tripod base with stylized pad feet. Mid-...
$9,500
H 28.25 in Dm 32.25 in
English Chippendale Mahogany One Board Tilt-Top Urn Pedestal Tea Table, C. 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany one board tilt top tea table with the original interior brass banjo locking mechanism, supported by a turned bulbous spiral urn ringed pedestal, and rest...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Chinese Round Tea Table, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
With an expansive round tabletop and sinuous curved legs, this late 19th century tea table was likely designed with Western tastes in mind. The...
Hardwood
Chinese Lacquer Pedestal Table, 1830
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Chinese lacquer pedestal table, 1830, made in Guangzhou for England, 19th century. Measures: H 78 cm, D 63 cm.
Wood
Chinese Foliate Carved Hardwood Folding Table with Brass Tray Top
Located in Milford, NH
A fine reticulated foliate carved Chinese hardwood folding table with removable brass tray top encased in a wood border. The tray is decorated with a central Chinese character, surro...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Carved Hardwood Envelope Card Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality 19th century Chinese carved hardwood envelope card table, opening to reveal a green baize playing surface on stylized dragon supports, united by a carved s...
Hardwood
Mid-Century Hand-Carved Chinese Tea Table by George Zee Company
By George Zee
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful hand-carved mahogany Chinese tea table with four stools that stores underneath the table. Manufactured by George Zee and Company in 1960 - manufacturer's label attached to ...
Mahogany
Chinese Qing Rosewood Hardwood Games Table, circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
A Chinese hardwood games table. The wood may be zitan wood but I am not an expert. This dark hardwood table comes apart in two pieces (the top and the legs) which fold for easy trans...
Rosewood