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.
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Water Pipe
Located in Pomona, CA
This antique Chinese water pipe, from the late 19th century and originating from Canton, China. This water pipe designed for smoking tobacco, often mistaken for an opium pipe due to ...
Copper
Gump’s Exotic Chinese Jade & Sterling Silver Cigar Lighter
By Gumps
Located in New York, NY
Exotic cigar lighter, ca 1920. Sterling silver globular bowl with chained cap swing-mounted to round frame, in turn, swing-mounted to hemispheric frame mounted to open support. Chine...
Jade, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Chinese Cigarette 420 Business Card Holder with Repoussé Dragon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful hand crafted Sterling Silver Cigarette Box, that can also double as a 420 or business card holder. The silver is in great condition and is so brilliant it's difficult to...
Sterling Silver
$1,628Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Chinese Export Silver Cheroot Case
By Khe Cheong
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver cheroot case, ca 1860. Oval with hinged push-button cover. Allover repousse. On front are scenes of daily life with indigenous spear...
Silver
Pair of cloissone ashtrays, China, Early 20th Century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of cloissone ashtrays, China, Early 20th Century.
Bronze, Enamel
Antique Chinese Jade Archer's Ring, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This carved jade object is a traditional Chinese archer's ring, worn to protect one's fingers while drawing a bowstring. Over time, what began as practical equipment became a fashion...
Jade
19th Century Bronze Pipe
Located in Copenhagen, K
Fantastic bronze pipe from the Vienna tobacco museum’s collection, from Belgian Congo.
Bronze
19th Century Austrian Meerschaum and Silver Carved Pipe
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Austrian silver mounted meerschaum carved pipe, circa 1890. Note, missing stem.
Silver
$461
H 0.6 in W 3.27 in D 2.45 in
Antique 1917 Joseph Gloster Sterling Silver Cigarette Case, Botanical Scrollwork
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite antique sterling silver cigarette case was crafted by Joseph Gloster Ltd in Birmingham, dated 1917. The case showcases a fine chiseled botanical scrollwork design on b...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique French Silver Mussel Vesta Case, Late 19th Century
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique French silver vesta case in the form of a mussel; an addition to our diverse smoking related silverware collection This exceptional antique French silver vesta case has an elongated asymmetrical form, realistically modelled in the form of a mussel shell. The anterior and posterior surfaces of the vesta are embellished with engraved decoration replicating the contours of the natural shell. This fine antique silver vesta...
Silver
$1,895
H 35 in W 4.5 in D 0.33 in
Chinese Export Silver Cigarette Case Depicting the Bund and the Angel of Peace
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Silver Cigarette Case Depicting the Bund and the Angel of Peace, Shanghai, c. 1930–1940 129 grams, 4.5" W × 3.5" H × 0.33" D (8.75" W open) A rare and historically s...
Sterling Silver
Chinese Jade Pendant
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Nicely carved Jade pendant. Weight: 29.13 grams. Jewelry / Necklace.
Jade
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Table Lighter #203A
By Georg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Georg Jensen sterling silver table lighter in pattern 203A with small engraving on the body. A great gift and addition to one's...
Sterling Silver, Silver
$995
H 3.25 in W 2.5 in D 0.25 in
Antique Austrian Silver & Enamel Cigarette Case with Floral & Ribbon Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This silver and enamel cigarette case is hallmarked by an unknown maker and is presumed to have been made in Austria in approximately 1920. The case is composed of .800 silver and ha...
Silver
$2,750
H 1.89 in W 1.69 in D 0.77 in
The Charles London 1947 Pocket Petrol Lighter Guilloche Plated Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
The Charles petrol lighter designed by Meyer Maximilian Levene An exceptional and rare silver-plated 'The Charles' petrol pocket lighter stamped 'The Charles Lighter', made in London England, back in the 1947. It was rafted with slim rectangular form, decorated with engine-turned casing, double entry hinged lids with innovative internal mechanical features, including a revolving flint tube to provide even wear to the flint, and a rear barrel containing spare flint chambers so that semi-automatic loading of the spare flint can be undertaken. The Charles Lighter has an extremely complicated mechanism. The flint rotates while grinded by the friction wheel. Also interesting is the revolving magazine for spare flints. A fine example of complete over-engineering. This was made only for a very short period and was patented by Meyer Maximilian Levene in 1949. Weight: 70.50 Grams, (45.19 Dwt). Measurements: 48 mm by 43 mm by 12 mm (1.89 x 1.69 x 0.77 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark and signed in full, "THE CHARLES LIGHTER MADE IN ENGLAND BRITISH & DOMINION & FOREIGN PAT GRANTED.". Literature: Stuart Schneider and Ira Pilossof, The Handbook of Vintage Cigarette Lighters...
Silver
Burmese Wood, Bone and Brass Tobacco Pipe, Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A large tobacco pipe from old Burma (Myanmar), circa 1850. Solid wood bowl, chamber and shank. The stem is made of bone, attached to the shank by a mor...
Brass
Sold|$48 / set
H 4 in W 0.5 in D 0.5 in
Art Deco Era Bakelite Cigarette Holder Pair with Decorative Finishes
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A striking pair of 1930s Art Deco cigarette holders crafted from rich, genuine Bakelite. Featuring elegant, tapered silhouettes and unique decorative finishes, this duo showcases the...
Plastic
Sold
H 2.56 in W 6.5 in D 3.55 in
Antique 20th Century Chinese Solid Silver Dragon Cigar Box, Bao Xing c.1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century Chinese solid silver cigar box. The lid is adorned with an intricately detailed dragon in high-relief, while another dragon swims through the ocean waves t...
Silver
Sold
H 2.37 in W 6.7 in D 3.55 in
Antique 19th Century Chinese Solid Silver Dragon Cigar Box, Canton c.1880
By Kwan Wo
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th-century Chinese solid silver cigar box featuring smooth surfaces on all sides and a striking high-relief dragon embossed on the lid. The interior is fully lined with dar...
Silver
Chinese Export Sterling Silver Aladdin's Lamp, Form Table Lighter
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export sterling silver Aladdin's lamp - form table lighter on tall pedestal base, China, Ca. 1900. Graceful design. Measures 5 1/4 inches high x 3 1/2 inches wide from outer ...
Sterling Silver
Chinese Export Silver Matchbox Cover by Hone Wo, Early 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful Chinese export silver matchbox holder or cover, by Hone Wo, early 20th century, China. The silver matchbox cover decorated with a fantastic...
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Chinese Reverse Painted Glass Snuff Bottle
Located in Middleburg, VA
This beautiful late 19th century Chinese reverse painted glass snuff bottle is an incredible example of the intricate skill required for ...
Glass, Paint
20th Century Silver Plate Chinese Bamboo Decorated Tobacco Box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
20th century silver plate Chinese bamboo decorated tobacco box Fine quality Chinese silver plate box, signed and dated 1925. Profusely cast ...
Silver Plate