Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
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.
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Glass, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Ebony
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Zitan
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Mahogany
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
1940s French Vintage Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Brass
20th Century French Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Metal, Iron
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century English Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Other
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
1970s Vintage Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Brass
1940s French Vintage Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Brass
Early 1900s English Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-20th Century Czech Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Beech
Mid-20th Century French Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Ceramic, Oak
20th Century English Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood, Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Abalone, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Glass, Teak
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood