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.
19th Century Carved Hardwood Chinese Etagere
Located in Norwood, NJ
An exquisite 19th-century Chinese hardwood display cabinet, masterfully carved and richly detailed throughout. Crafted during the late Qing Dynasty, this rare piece exemplifies the a...
Hardwood
Fine Chinese Circular Display Stand Shelves Bookcase Mingei Room Divider Jumu
Located in London, GB
An exceptional, gorgeous and rare Chinese circular display stand in wonderful condition. Likely made in the second half of the 20th Century or possibly earlier, this show-stopping pi...
Elm
Vintage Chinese Traditional Curio Display Shelf/Multi-Treasure Cabinet 26LP112
Located in Pomona, CA
This item is a traditional Chinese Bo Gu Jia (博古架), also known as a Chinese curio display shelf or multi-treasure cabinet. It features a signature asymmetric shelving layout set insi...
Hardwood
Vintage Display China Cabinet by Dyrlund Denmark, 1970s
By Dyrlund
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Mid century display/china cabinet, with lights, designed and manufactured by Dyrlund of Denmark. Produced in beautifully grained Teak this piece is another classic example of Dyrlund...
Metal
Midcentury Walnut Cado Display Shelf
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Walnut Cado System display shelf thats meant to hold books or flat artwork. The shelf has a beautiful catch at the bottom preventing a book from...
Rosewood
$239
H 42.33 in W 19.1 in D 13.55 in
Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Bamboo, Pine
$6,500
H 58.25 in W 70.13 in D 12.25 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Display Shelf/ Room Divider Super-Structure Model 5223
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Versatile Room Divider/ Display Shelf, Super-Structure Model number 5223 Designed to be used on top of a cabinet, or on the floor. This simple elegant Pie...
Glass, Mahogany
$9,300Sale Price|22% Off
H 80 in W 92.5 in D 17.75 in
Emerald Green Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This absolute show-stopper modular bookcase refinished in gorgeous emerald green cerused oak is by Lou Hodges, designed and produced in California in the 1970s and 1980s. You can con...
Oak
$1,250
H 40.25 in W 21.13 in D 12.75 in
English Aesthestic Movement Burnt Bamboo Four Shelf Curio / Etagere / Bookshelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique Aesthetic Movement/Victorian-Style bookshelf/etagere/curio shelf (ca. 19th Century, England). Composed of a burnt/scorched bamboo frame supporting four wooden shelves adorned...
Metal
Vintage MCM Oak Frame & Smoked Glass Etagere Display Shelf Bookcase
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern oak frame and smoked glass shelves etagere, display shelf, or bookcase with adjustable chrome & nylon feet. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind ...
Smoked Glass, Oak
$9,400
H 73.63 in W 53.15 in D 16.74 in
Early Pierre Chapo 'B10' Bookcase or Room Divider in Solid Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, shelf unit, model 'B10', solid elm, France, 1975 Dating from 1975, this open bookcase that doubles as a room divider is an early example of the designer's work. It is ...
Elm
$13,500Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 76 in W 34.75 in D 18 in
California Modern Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 157.5 inch wide pink cerused oak modular wall bookcase, which is finished on the back so can also be used as a floating room divider, is by Lou Hodges and was designed and produ...
Oak
$900
H 41.25 in W 24 in D 8.75 in
Antique Aesthestic Movement Bamboo Four Tier Curio Shelf / Etagere / Bookshelf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique Aesthestic Movement/Victorian-Style four-tiered etagere/bookcase/shelving unit (ca. early 20th Century, USA). Composed of a bamboo frame with metal hardware supporting four w...
Metal
$18,000
H 76 in W 159.5 in D 18 in
California Modern Cerused Oak Modular Bookcase Room Divider by Lou Hodges, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 80's light blue cerused oak modular wall bookcase, which is finished on the back so can also be used as a floating room divider, is by Lou Hodges and was designed and produced i...
Oak
Large Mid-Century Italian Pine Shelf Room Divider
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A large architectural Mid-Century Italian pine shelf room divider or shelf in pine. Circa 1970.
Pine
$2,295
H 40 in W 26.5 in D 18.5 in
Austrian Wiener Werkstätte Bookcase/ Shelf /Bakers Rack/ Display Stand
By Thonet
Located in New York City, NY
A three shelf Jugendstil bookcase / etagere / bakers rack, two tone in stained and polished beechwood with decorative openwork side panels extendin...
Beech
$5,495 / set
H 70 in W 34 in D 14 in
1970s Pagoda Rattan Glass Bookcase Etagere Display Shelves, Ser of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, pagoda rattan and glass design tier etagere set you could hope to find. In original and unfinished condition. Outstand...
Rattan, Glass
Liberty Display Shelf 1920's
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This elegant display piece was originally used as a store fixture at Liberty, the iconic and historic department store in London, renowned for its contributions to art, design, and c...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Petite French Bamboo Three-Shelf Étagère
Located in Chireno, TX
Late 19th century petite French bamboo three-shelf étagère. Shelves' surfaces are woven sisal.
Bamboo, Wood, Grasscloth
Antique Chinese Carved Hongmu Display Cabinet
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
This Intricately carved Hongmu this multi layered cabinet with removable pediment, the cabinet is carved heavily with Dragons and exotic fruits and flowers, the lower doors have cher...
Wood
Chinese Export Elm Bookcase or Scholars Display Shelf Étagère
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Qing dynasty style Chinese export bookcase or scholar's display shelf étagère constructed from elm. The four shelf bookcase features an open fretwork lattice design on the back and s...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Hardwood Shelves
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality set of 19th century Chinese hardwood open shelves. Having wonderful hand carved pierced, fretwork foliate decoration, cupboard doors and drawer. Raised on carved ...
Hardwood
Sold
H 41.34 in W 24.41 in D 13.19 in
Vintage Chinese Elm Cupboard with Shelves and Internal Storage Versatile Piece
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice vintage Chinese elm cupboard with shelves and internal storage A good looking and decorative...
Elm
Pair of Asian Distressed Hand Painted Red Étagères
Located in West Hartford, CT
Lovely matching set of Asian hand painted red étagères, circa mid-20th century. Great scale, lines and storage. Hard to find a matching set like this. Al...
Wood
Chinese Étagère Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A antique Chinese hardwood and ebonized four-tier tall étagère with lower cabinet section.
Wood
Sold
H 87.01 in W 48.23 in D 21.66 in
Rare Chinese Export Hand-Carved Dragon Bureau Bookcase Cabinet Solid Oak
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning late 19th-early 20th century Chinese export hand-carved bureau bookcase cabinet with all original fixtur...
Glass, Oak
Small Chinese Curio Display Case
Located in Sheffield, MA
This exquisite piece features six shelves with varying levels and glass door for displaying small items such as jade carvings and snuff bottles. The case can be freestanding or wall ...
Wood
Chinese Open Shelf Cabinet with Cream Colored Lacquer Finish
Located in Troy, MI
Chinese cabinet has a cream color lacquer finish on the outside with a contrasting celadon interior, circa 1900s. The top level features three open shelves over two larger shelf comp...
Brass