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Chinese Export Tables

CHINESE EXPORT STYLE

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.

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Style: Chinese Export
Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Library Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Chinese bamboo library table. Amazing Chinese export center or library table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. The black wood table top is supporte...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Oval Nesting Coffee Table Set 6 Stools - A
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Oval Nesting Coffee Table Set - 6 Stools - A. Item features a custom oval glass top, black lacq...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Mid-20th Century Henredon Fruitwood and Brass Mounted Feet Coffee Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-20th Century Henredon Asian Style Fruitwood and Brass Mounted Feet Coffee Table in good vintage condition. Measures 45" in width, 26" in depth and stands 16.25" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

18th French Walnut Console Table in Chinese Style
Located in Houston, TX
18th century French walnut console table in Chinese style, constructed circa 1780. Hand-carved in walnut wood with mortise and tenon construction. Two drawers and a single two-door c...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Steel, Iron

Late Qing Dynasty Rosewood Export Side Table Carved With Floral Bamboo Theme
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Elegant hand carved late Qing Dynasty Chinese Rosewood table with delicate carving and slender bamboo theme legs. Some chips in relief carving as seen otherwise in good original cond...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Bohemian Handwoven Reed Caning Bamboo Breakfast Bed Tray Table Cup Book Holder
Located in Miami, FL
Add some Boho Chic vintage charm to your breakfast in bed with this amazing Tiger bamboo, caning and rattan bed tray table. Handwoven and hand-crafted in a medium yellow wood tone f...
Category

Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Reed

Fine Chinese Export Black Lacquer And Gilt Decorated Tilt Top Table
Located in Free Union, VA
A fine early Chinese lacquer tilt top table decorated with stunning painted and gilded vignettes. There are all manner of elegantly executed sacred objects and musical instruments ar...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint

Near Pair of Chinese Glazed Terra Cotta Pedestals
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of vintage Chinese pedestals handcrafted in terracotta in classic form with open fretwork, decorated in soft floral colors on an alluring cobalt blue background. From ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Terracotta

Stunning Asian Hardwood And Mother-of-pearl Inset Dining Table And Eight Chairs
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this stunning set of south East Asian hardwood and mother-of-pearl inset extending dining table, and eight chairs en suite, 20th century; the table with cleated panel top decorated with birds and foliage, with conforming friezes and straight legs to in-turned feet; with two extra leaves; 78cm high, 213cm long extended, 112cm wide; the conforming chairs...
Category

Late 20th Century British Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood

Asian Style Vintage Blue Coffee Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Asian Style Vintage Blue Coffee Table, a classic style inspired by the far east. This table is a square shape with horse hoof-style legs, a d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

19th century elm Chinese console table sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century elm Chinese console table sideboard circa 1890. Good quality console table, which could be used in multiple rooms around the home such as the living room, hallway or be...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Elm

Early 20th Century Chinese Altar Console: Vintage Elegance Restored
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unveil the timeless elegance and exceptional artisanship of our early 20th century Chinese altar console, skillfully revived and enhanced by our dedicated craftsmen. This distinguish...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Chinese Export Style Elephant Form Garden Seats / Stools / Tables -2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of mid-century Chinese Export style elephant form garden seats or side tables. They have a vibrant majolica glaze in blue, green and gold and are ceramic/ pottery. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Chinese Coffee Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautifully hand-carved coffee table features a marble inset top with mother-of-pearl inlay decoration. These tables are popular due to their beautiful aesthetic, craftsmanship,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Marble

Chinese Red & Black Lacquer Altar Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking black and red laquered Chinese vintage altar table having beautiful brass and copper accents and wonderful shape with one drawer, Makes a fabulous accent table.
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Rare Black Lacquer Carved Wood Elephant Garden Seat End Table with Brass Tusks
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Super chic black laquered carved wood garden seat or drinks table having intricately carved seat, red lacquer highlights and marvelous brass tusks. Conversation piece in any room.
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Ornately Carved Antique Ebonized Chinese Center Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Gorgeous ornately carved antique ebonized center table having glistening burgundy and gold highlights.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Rosewood Mid Century Round Occasional Table
Located in Lomita, CA
The form of this rosewood circular table with delicate fretwork and graceful legs is rare and worth a second look. The outstanding feature aside from the design details is the dark c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Asian side tables / coffee tables in carved wood and marble tops, 1880's
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb pair of side tables / stools / pedestal tables/ plant holders / pot holders in carved solid wood. The sculptures represent floral motifs and berries. The top is in marble, bo...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Marble

Late 19th Century Elmwood Console China Export
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant elmwood console is handcrafted and so the beautiful details under the top and to the corners, both the sides. This is a piece of glamorous timeless The top is in solid...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Elm

Asian low stand / side table in wood carved with Demons, marble top, Circa 1880
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb low side table / gueridon / Coffee table / pedestal table / plant holder / pot holder / pedestal in carved solid wood. The sculptures feature dragon/demon heads, tiger/lion p...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Marble

Asian low stand / side table in wood carved with Demons, marble top, 1880's
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb low side table / gueridon / pedestal table / plant holder / pot holder / pedestal in carved solid wood. The sculptures feature dragon/demon heads, tiger/lion paws and plant m...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Eastern Console Table - Working White
Located in Westwood, NJ
An eastern-influenced long hall table with an unusual form and hand-painted working white finish. With winged ends and angled supports. Dimensions: 96" W x 20" D x 42" H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Important high pedestal table/ column in carved wood, circa 1880, Indochina
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Asian work, Indochina or South China, circa 1880 Central shaft carved with animals and floral scenes: deer, doe, bats, butterflies, rats, peacocks, flowers, birds, plants... In ex...
Category

1880s Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Eastern Console Table - Mink Finish
Located in Westwood, NJ
An eastern-influenced long hall table with an unusual form and natural brown classic mink finish. With winged ends and angled supports. Dimensions: 96" W x 20" D x 42" H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Eastern Console Table - Whitewash White
Located in Westwood, NJ
An eastern-influenced long hall table with an unusual form and whitewash finish. With winged ends and angled supports. Dimensions: 96" W x 20" D x 42" H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Nest of 4 hardwood Chinese tables by mayfair and company
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality nest of 4 chinese made tables circa 1950. Made in hong kong by mayfair and company, retailed by tientsin bazaar in san francisco. Rich golden colour with detailed top ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Hardwood

1980's Chinese Export Black Lacquer Hand Painted Nesting Tables - Set of 4
Located in Charlotte, NC
A set of four hand painted Chinese Export Asian style nesting tables, unbranded. Solid wood with black lacquer, tops are recessed with painted traditional Chinese ladies, protective ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood, Lacquer, Paint

20th Century Chinese Red Painted Distressed Altar Table
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Chinese altar table, unbranded. Solid wood painted red, distressed to give appearance of advanced age, brass hardware, banded plank top with smooth edge, carved angular side...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Brass

19th Century Chinese hardwood Alter table.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century Chinese hardwood Alter table, having inset panels to the top and scrolling ends, hand carved and pierced ribbon and scrolling foliate decoration to t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Carved Wood Pedestal Table With Marble Inset Top
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th Century Chinese ornately carved wood pedestal table with marble insert. Table has intricately carved flowers on four curved legs with a...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Square Corner Locking Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfecting line and proportion, the simple design of this low locking chest celebrates the restraint of classic Chinese furniture forms. Crafted from reclaimed elmwood, the cabinet i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Carved Altar Table / Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late Qing Chinese Carved Altar Table with a paneled top and pierced carved skirt. Features two deep heavily carved dovetailed drawers with c...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Square Corner Locking Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfecting line and proportion, the simple design of this low locking chest celebrates the restraint of classic Chinese furniture forms. Crafted from reclaimed elmwood, the cabinet i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Square Center Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export center table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. The top of the square table has a black lacquered piece of wood supported by round bamboo ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Wood

19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Pedestal Table
Located in Toronto, CA
This is an exquisite Chinese export tilt-top table with a quatrefoil base and four claw feet. The pedestal is in a baluster shape and the top is round. All in black lacquer with extr...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Export Lacquer Tilt Top Rectangular Side or Center Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Mid 19th century beautiful Chinese Export chinoiserie tilt top table. Tripod base on original castors. Meticulously detailed decoration with pagoda and figures.
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Export Black Lacquer and Gilt Decorated Nest of tables
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Nest of 3 Chinese export black lacquer and gilt decorated tables, late 19th century. Each table top with oval central gilt decoration with figures and architectural monuments and gil...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

Chinese Export Rosewood Carved Altar Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional Chinese Huali rosewood table with remarkably straight wood grain patterns and distinctive carving. The aprons are carved in an intricate lattice work of blossoms and bird...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Chinese Hong Mu Wood Mah Jongg Table
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Hong Mu wood Mah Jongg table, square with galleried top above four sides, each with a single drawer and two wells for tiles decorated with fretwork p...
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Asian Black Coffee Table with Recessed Painted Floral Decoration
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stylish Asian coffee table with beautiful shape, pagoda style base, overall black background and embossed decoration in soft colors of flowers and birds. Gold greek key design is on...
Category

1980s American Vintage Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Chinese Oriental Fretwork Carved Hardwood Altar Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Oriental Fretwork Carved Hardwood Altar Console Table. Item Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 34" H x 32" H (to surface) x 53" W x 15" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Mid-Century Chinese Brown Majolica Glazed Elephant Garden Seats / Tables - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of mid-century Chinese brown glazed heavy ceramic elephant garden seats or side tables. They have are unmarked and in very good condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Late 19th Century Pair of Elmwood Console China Export
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of elmwood consoles coming from Eastern China, finely handcrafted in the late 19th century. Two timeless elegance pieces, easy to place in an entry way, or to the side of the fi...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Elm

Set of Two Late 19th Century Chinese Rosewood Nesting Side Tables
Located in Hawthorne, CA
Pair of Chinese rosewood nesting tables circa late 19th century. Intricate bamboo and floral carvings and delicate solid rosewood legs....
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Baker Michael Taylor Far East Asian Burl Wood Square Occasional Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Baker Michael Taylor Far East Collection Asian Burl Wood Square Occasional Side Table. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 24" H x 26" W x 26" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Chinese Oriental Black Lacquer Hand Painted Low Asian Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Oriental Black Lacquer Hand Painted Low Asian Side Table. Item features nice low form, carved and hand painted scenes with women, very nice vintage item. Circa Mid 20...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

VINTAGE CHINESE HARDWOOD SiDE TABLE WITH DECORATIVE SINGLE DRAWER & SHELF
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage Chinese hardwood side table with a single drawer and tier. This well made table is ideal to be used as a side or end table as it can...
Category

20th Century English Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Large Gilt Iron and 18th-Century Coromandel Top Coffee Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Gilt Iron and Chinese Chinoiserie 18th-Century Coromandel Coffee Table. The rectagular top with inset 18th century coromandel panels deco...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage Chinese Relief Carved Ho ho Bird Glass Top Display Black Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Relief Carved Ho ho Bird Glass Top Display Black Coffee Table. Item features a solid wood frame, black and gold painted finish, finely r...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

Cinnabar and Gilt Enamel Chinese Garden Seat End Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful Chinese garden seat end table having a rare and rich color combination of cinnabar, ebony and gilt enamel with blue and green accents. Signed on the bottom.
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Enamel

Oriental 19th Century Pair Of Coffee Tables
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Attractive Late 19th Century Pair Of Oriental Hardwood Coffee Tables, Having Inset Marble To Elegantly Shaped Tops, Over Richly Carved Friezes Raised On Bold Cabriole Legs With Cl...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Late Qing Period Chinese Gilt and Black Lacquer Partner's Desk and Chair
Located in Richmond Hill, ON
A Chinese Gilt and Black Lacquer Partner's Desk and Chair, Late Qing/Republican Period 民国 黑漆金木桌椅一套 An Amazing tabletop decorated with four phoenixes, the chair with birds and flowe...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of Chinese Ceramic Elephant Form Garden Seat End Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Gorgeous rare pair of vintage ceramic elephant form garden seat tables in marvelous colors including moss green, prussian blue, beige, mauve and turquoise. Surface on top 9.25 x 7.75
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Large Red And Gold Lacquered Center Console, China 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large console in carved and red and gold lacquered wood, has to be plave in the center of a room, but with a different pattern for the front and back. The feet have been re-entered,...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Quartetto Of Nest Tables, Chinese, Nesting, Occasional, Mid 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage quartetto of nest tables. A Chinese, rosewood graduated occasional table with Mother of Pearl inlay, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Delightfully prese...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Garden Seat End Table in Beautiful Colors
Located in Hopewell, NJ
One of the prettiest Chinese garden seats ever with flowers, birds and tobacco leaves makes a lovely end table with 11.75 diameter top. The color palette of pinks, purple, orange, ...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Hand Carved Asian Coffee Table with Red Green and Gilt Polychrome Finish
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Glamorous beautifully crafted hand carved rectangular coffee table having meticulously detailed apron with birds and foliage and polych...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, asian art and furniture, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export tables made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tables, popular names associated with this style include George Zee, Henredon, John Widdicomb, and Susanne Hollis. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $54,000 while the average work can sell for $2,543.

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