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.
$1,606Sale Price|30% Off
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood Chest of Drawers
Located in Germantown, MD
South East Asian Handcrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood Chest of Drawers Measures 40" in width, 15.75" in depth c and 32" in height. Drawers inside are 35.75" W x 12.5" D x 6.25"H Exce...
Bone, Rosewood
Mid-Century Chinese Export Style Tanzu Chest by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese Export style Tanzu chest by Thomasville. It is two smaller drawers over two larger drawers and one cabinet. It is marked and has lite wear. The iron cor...
Iron
A Very Fine & Rare 18th Century Chinese Export Padouk Block-Front Bureau
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The richly figured case showing a drop-down panel affixed with a lectern bar, opening to an interior fitted with an arrangement of banks of small drawers, pigeonhole compartments &am...
Other
$2,737Sale Price|30% Off
Chinese Export Oriental Heavily Carved Camphor Wood Chest of Drawers Part Suite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made Chinese Export, circa 1900-1920 Camphor wood chest of drawers which is part of a set Please note the delivery fee listed is...
Wood
$5,927Sale Price|36% Off
Chinese Camphor Wood Secrétaire Campaign Chest
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th century Chinese camphor wood secrétaire Campaign chest in two sections, the secrétaire frieze drawer with fall-front writing surface and vari...
Wood
Lovely Chinese Burr & Burl Elm Apothecary Chest of Drawers with Cupboard Base
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely small Apothecary Burl Elm Chinese chest of drawers with cupboard base A good looking and decorative piece, it’s the right size as a ...
Elm
Chinese Red-Painted Wooden Commodes, Pair with Two Drawers, 1970s
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese red-painted wooden commodes / side tables with two drawers and breakfront doors with brass pulls (PRICED AS PAIR).
Brass
Vintage Asian Modern Pagoda Style Chinese Rosewood Altar Storage Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Asian Modern Pagoda Style Chinese rosewood altar storage chest Gorgeous Asian Modern pagoda style Chinese rosewood single lined top dra...
Brass
$3,677Sale Price|20% Off
ANTIQUE CHiNESE HAND CARVED CIRCA 1890 CHEST OF DRAWERS VERY DETAILED HANDLES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale these absolutely stunning, ornately hand carved Chinese export circa 1890 chest of drawers in Camphor wood ...
Wood
$16,000
H 35.5 in W 34 in D 13.75 in
English Camphor Wood Military Campaign Chest with Recessed Brasses, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English camphor wood five-drawer military campaign chest with the original recessed brasses, key hole escutcheons, brass corner mounts, and terminating on the original bracket feet, ...
Brass
$12,400Sale Price|29% Off
H 30.5 in W 25.75 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Period Empire Mahogany and Gilt Chest of Drawers, Denmark, circa 1800
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish late 18th Century pair of period empire chest of drawers. This rare pair was recently found here in the USA, which makes them very attractive because of the new UN/US import restriction of rare and protected wood sorts. More to the point, it is highly unlikely to locate a pair of chests...
Bronze
18th Century Chinese Medicine Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
Medicine Chest in original black lacquer. Shanxi province, China. Dating back from the late 18th Century.
Metal
$3,194Sale Price / set|21% Off
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 19.69 in
19th Century French Set of Hand Painted Carved Side Chests of Drawers
Located in Sofia, BG
French wooden chests of drawers hand painted in green with red edges and decoration in Louis XV style. Lion's heads on the handles. France, circa 1880.
Wood
$3,800
H 52.25 in W 41.75 in D 16.25 in
Tall Black Lacquered Elmwood Chest with Six Drawers and Wooden Pulls
Located in Yonkers, NY
Crafted from darkly lacquered elm, this tall chest of drawers features clean lines and solid proportions, with a focus on practicality and pared-down elegance. The rectangular top, s...
Elm
Mid Century Four Drawer Night Stand by Thomasville Furniture c. 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Chic four drawer night stand, or chest of drawers, in original blonde veneer with center brass disk form pulls. The night table is in good, original, untouched estate condition, show...
Brass
John Stuart Chrome and Lacquered Chest of Drawers
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1970s three drawer chest of drawers retailed by John Stuart in the style of Milo Baughman. Three drawers with chrome hardware float above the floor in a parsons form lacquere...
Chrome
Thomasville Faux Bamboo Chest of Drawers
By Thomasville
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% Original painted set of 2 Thomasville Faux Bamboo chest of drawers.
Wood
$4,100
H 42 in W 37.5 in D 19 in
Handcrafted Anglo-Indian Teak Chest of Drawers with Bone Inlay, India
Located in New York, NY
A charming 3-drawer chest, handcrafted in India out of aged teak wood and cruelty-free, responsibly sourced buffalo bone inlay. Inlay is ancient decorative technique that involves ...
Bone, Teak
$4,500
H 52 in W 42 in D 19.5 in
Thomasville Sculptural 'Arched' 6 Drawer Tall Dresser Walnut & Olive Burl
By Thomasville, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In the classic and timeless style of T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings, the 'Arched' series by Thomasville is made in the US, circa 1960s, and is of heirloom quality. The finest hardwoods of walnut and olive ash burl, create a sculptural rhythm that evokes ancient and classical Roman or Greek architecture. Exceptional styling and scale + superior materials and construction = a Mid Century Modern masterwork that fits well in any quality setting. This large 6 drawer tall dresser...
Olive, Walnut, Burl
Antique French Country Chest of Drawers Nightstand Painted Black
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful antique chest of drawers has been given new life with a recent black painted finish. Note in the photos the slight distressing which compliments its age and brings out touches of the natural oak wood beneath. The graceful cabriolet feet, paneled sides, serpentine front and lower carved medallion all reflect its French country styling. This small dresser may also be used as a nightstand, with two short top drawers over the two longer lower drawers which all function smoothly. This chest of drawers has been restored so it is strong and stable. Any nicks, scratches, separation, etc are simply signs of age and do not detract from the beauty nor function of this chest. ** In light of current affairs and fluctuating fuel prices shipping quotes and timelines are estimates only. Buyer is required to notify us upon purchase if there are interior or exterior stairs, steps, or freight elevators...
Wood, Paint
$5,584 / set
H 34.26 in W 29.14 in D 19.69 in
Georgian Design Pair of Antique Bedside Chest of Drawers & Brass Batwing Handles
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Elegant Pair of Matching English Antique Four Drawer Bedside Chests with Batwing Brass Handles on Bracket Feet of a Georgian Design.
Brass
Sold
H 41.5 in W 39.5 in D 22.5 in
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Burr Amboyna and Ebony Secretaire Chest
Located in Benington, Herts
A Very Fine Burr Amboyna Ebony and Ivory Strung Chinese Export Campaign Secretaire Chest of drawers. China c.1820 This fine piece of Anglo-Chinese furniture was made in China aroun...
Amboyna
Sold
H 48 in W 33 in D 18 in
20th-C. Hand Painted Chinoiserie Chest W/ Birds / Fruit / Lotus Made In Macau
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This chinoiserie chest is wonderful! It is had painted with a pretty birds holding cherry branches and a plethora of flowing lotus leaves and insects. The sides are also painted in a...
Brass
Chinese Export Chest of Drawers
Located in Westwood, NJ
Meticulously crafted with a distressed stone grey finish, this chest exudes an authentic vintage Chinese export feel that resonates with the warmth of a cozy country cottage. The ch...
Wood
Chinese Apothecary Chest of 24 Drawers, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
There is something visually mesmerizing about an old apothecary and this unique Chinese cabinet from the 1800's is no exception. The old brown painted finish has slight red undertones and is accentuated by a hand buffed finish, leaving a warm organic feel to this apothecary. Each of the 24 drawers has a functioning pull, and they all function. Interior drawer dimensions are:10.5" w X 12"d X 4.5"h Restored, this apothecary console...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 38 in W 35.83 in D 17.72 in
PAIR OF FINE ANTIQUE CIRCA 1920 CAMPHOR WOOD MILITARY CAMPAIGN CHEST OF DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare pair of original Camphor wood, brass inlaid, Chinese export, military campaign chests of draw...
Brass
Antiqued White Rustic Painted Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
An antiqued white Rustic painted dresser with eight drawers. Reclaimed pine painted and distressed with four short and four long drawers. Influenced by an...
Pine
Sold
H 32 in W 28 in D 16 in
Chinese Chest of Drawers Lacqua Decorated Animated Llandscape and Characters
Located in Miami, FL
Small Chinese Chest of drawer, elegant piece can be a touch of oriental design in any room. Three drawers decorated , representing a sea side lands...
Wood
Chinese cabinet, miniature, 1930
Located in Lejre, DK
Chinese cabinet in miniature version from around the 1930s. Measurements in cm: H:30 W:25 D:11.5 This product will be inspected thoroughly at our professional workshop by our educat...
Wood
Sold
H 41.15 in W 37.41 in D 18.12 in
Fine Chinese Export Camphor Wood Military Secretaire Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original Camphor wood, brass inlaid, Chinese export, military campaign chest with sliding Secrataire desk and writing slope A ve...
Brass
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood With Natural Patina and Lacquer Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood With Natural Patina and Lacquer Chest Gorgeous Chinese Shanxi province solid 4-door Elmwood storage chest, in its beautiful natural patina with antique brass hardware...
Wood, Elm, Lacquer
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Bonheur du Jour
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An exceptional black lacquer and silver and gold gilt decorated bonheur du jour from the early 19th century. The upper case is surmounted by a carved pediment with dragon finials and...
Wood
Rustic Painted Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Rustic painted eight-drawer dresser. Reclaimed pine painted and distressed with four short and four long drawers. Influenced by antique Chinese furnit...
Pine