Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
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.
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Beech, Mahogany, Walnut
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Elm
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Mother-of-Pearl
20th Century English Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paint, Paper
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Elm
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century Korean Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Elm, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Composition
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Bamboo
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Vietnamese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Soapstone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Leaf, Brass
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Copper, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 17th Century Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Jade
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Rattan, Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Soapstone, Brass
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Gold Leaf
19th Century Tibetan Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wrought Iron
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Stone
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood