Trade between China and European during the 17th and 18th centuries ignited a sophisticated relationship between eastern and western furniture making, as illustrated in the story of the 18th century Chinese game table featured in this video.

The folding table top, which was built in China, is finished with Chinese lacquer and features a depiction of daily life in the Canton seaport where the table was probably commissioned and produced. The folding base that supports the tabletop was produced in Europe, presumably by way of the European trader who commissioned it.

Discover more details of this table and the history of Asian export furniture in this video with Bill Sargent, curator of the Asian Export Art exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.