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Chinese Export Furniture

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
Antique Tibetan Buddhist Handcrafted handheld Spinning Prayer wheel
Located in Pomona, CA
This is handcrafted Tibetan handheld spinning Prayer Wheel. This spinning prayer wheel was made from Sky Iron and has detailed handcrafted Tibetan traditional design with Copper wire...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of 8 Blue Canton Rice Ware Salad or Dessert Plates, Chinese Export
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 8 Blue Canton Rice Ware Salad or Dessert Plates, Chinese export, circa 1900-1925. Combining the best attribues of the traditional lake scene with a rice border. Brought back b...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

20C Chinese Soapstone Foo Dog Carving
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely 20C Chinese soapstone foo dog carving. Made in China in the early 20th century circa 1930. This is a small green and brown ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Set of 3 Small Chinese Carved Soapstone Sculptures
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely set of 3 small Chinese carved soapstone sculptures. Made in China in the early 20th Century circa 1930. This set comprises of: 1. A Medium/Tall mottled b...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

20C Chinese Soapstone Polished Bowl
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely 20C Chinese soapstone polished bowl. Made in China in the early 20th century circa 1930. This is a medium sized jade green an...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

6 Antique Chinese Cloisonne Teapots
Located in Brea, CA
Collection of 6 Chinese cloisonne teapots in varying shapes and designs of flora and fauna. The highest one is 5.5'' H x 2 W x 2.5'' D. the sm...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Blue and White Brush Pot with Shan Shui Landscape
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Art Deco Blue Silk Rug with Asian Décor, Peking Blue
Located in Bochum, NRW
An excellent silk rug, Art Deco decor of stylized clouds and waves in beautiful shades of blue and ivory, also called Chi and Ruyi. Beautiful midcentury...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Vintage Chinese Hand Painted Porcelain Floral Ginger Jar
Located in Pomona, CA
This large porcelain ginger jar with lid has a stunning hand painted design of flowers, vines, leaves and butterflies. Beautiful colors of Pink, Orange, Green, Yellow and Blue plants...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Three Antique Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Vases with Gorgeous Chinese Carvings
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Set of Three Antique Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Vases/cashepots/flower pots; with Gorgeous Chinese Carved Decoration. This set of three lacquer brush pots feature intric...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Antique Tibetan Buddhist Conch Shell with Turquoise, Coral and DZI inlay
Located in Pomona, CA
This is handcrafted Tibetan Buddhist Natural Conch Shell made from 100% natural Conch shell with Tibetan silver, Turquoise, Coral and stones. Also, there are three Tibetan Dzi beats ...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Shell

Mid-20th Century Chinese Rosewood Carved Coffee Table
Located in Pomona, CA
This classic solid rosewood coffee table has hand-carved imperial dragon cloud motif along the four sides. The Huge carved legs ending on the big cube feet give a graceful and also s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Chinese Cloisonné - Vase, Beaker and Owl Ornament - Blue Toned
Located in Glasgow, GB
This vintage Chinese cloisonné collection features a trio of miniature blue ornaments, with each exuding its own unique charm and delicate design....
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Chinese Jade Foo Dogs, Set of Two
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Chinese Jade Foo Dogs. The jade, or stone resembling its pale green hue, beutifully exhibits shades that span from milky white to pale jade green. The Foo Dogs possess a playful, li...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

20th C. United Wilson Blue and White Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Lamps, Signed Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of late 20th century ormolu and crackle porcelain lamps by United Wilson Porcelain, signed. Stunning blue and white vase form lamps with ornate ormolu mounts. Part of United Wilson's ormolu series inspired by 18th century French antiques, the collection infuses Eastern and Western artistry using Asian porcelain and European-style sculptural gilt bronze. The shapely body features a floral and foliate design with pairs of cherub figures noting the French influence as well as the gorgeous silk shades with pleat detail and long fringe. The original bronze finials coordinate with one another as they are slightly different adding uniqueness to the pair. These are exceptional lamps of the finest quality in very good condition. Signed on the bottom with United Wilson 1897...
Category

Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Chinese Export Silver Ship Centerpiece
Located in New Orleans, LA
This delightful and exceptionally rare steamboat centerpiece exemplifies the remarkable artistry of Chinese export silver. Chinese silver pieces are renowned for their exceptional qu...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Antique 19th Century Oriental Hardwood Table
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A late 19th century oriental hardwood stand or coffee table having marble inset Shaped top and carved decoration raised on cabriole legs with under t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Hongmu Corner Chair, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese Hongmu corner chair, 19th century. The horseshoe-form back with molded crest above a pair of open carved splats with fruiting and fl...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Rug, Tan and Blue Oriental Handmade Wool Rug
Located in Port Washington, NY
China has a long tradition of carpets and the original ones, probably used as merchandise, are dated at over 2000 years ago. The art of knotting carpets was however, introduced somewhere around the 15th century in China. The patterns on some of the older Chinese carpets...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th century lacquered vanity box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century lacquered vanity box circa 1910. Good quality Chinese export table top vanity box.  Hand painted in a plum and black colour scheme in a lacquered finish. Cube sh...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Blue and White Four Flowers Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round, blue-and-white storage jar is underglazed with lush garden scenery featuring the flowering plants of the four seasons. Tree peo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Watercolor Exotic Bird Paintings on Paper
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade watercolor paintings of exotic birds on branches are in watercolor and gouache on Chinese paper. One picture depicts a pigeon perched on a tree branch with a landscape background. Chinese calligraphy can be seen in the top right corner. The second picture depicts two courting birds in shades of brown, both perched on a branch, also in a landscape background. Both paintings framed with a green silk mat and contemporary gilt and dark wood frame. Reference: Chinese Export...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Elegant Pair of Blue & White Planters on Teak Stands
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely pair of blue and white Chinese planters on curvy carved teak stands. For indoor display.
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Early 20th Century Chinese Folding Screen/Room Divider with Cloisonne panels
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of 6 panels of Chinese vintage lacquered wooden screen which to be used as the room section panels in ancient China that are put ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Pair Chinese Export Porcelain Vases and Covers, c. 1775
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine pair of Chinese Export porcelain vases and covers. Dating from the third quarter of the 1700s, and originating in the Jingdezhen region of China, near the important China Trad...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Green Glazed Lotus Motif Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese green glazed lotus motif vase, with three handles.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Blue and White Bowl Circa 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Era
Located in seoul, KR
Bowl decorated with beautiful floral and bird pattern. Cracks on surface due to underwater excavation condition. Relatively rare piece among Ca Mau ship pieces. Period : Qing Dynast...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Vases, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Vases, hand-painted with figures and interior scenes. 13.75" H x 6.75" Diameter.
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Intricate Carved Hardwood Curio Cabinet, Display
Located in Pomona, CA
This wonderful Chinese hand carved Treasure Curio Cabinet Shelf was made from solid rosewood in about 1900 to 1940. You may easily see from the pictures that It is still in its origi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Blue & White Canton Pattern Chinese Export Porcelain Shrimp Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain shrimp bowl. In the Canton pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue depicting a mountainous Chinese village. The background has houses, mountai...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Bowl Hand Painted Blue and White, 17th Century Ming Export
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand painted Chinese Export porcelain bowl, which we date to the 17th century, Ming Dynasty. The bowl is fairly thickly potted with a fairly high, slightly undercut foot and an everted rim. The bowl is decorated inside and outside, in varying shades of under-glaze cobalt blue with various symbols and designs separated by curvy lined panels...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Tibetan Floral Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful late 20th century Tibetan rug with a lovely floral design Measures: 2'11'' x 5'9".
Category

Late 20th Century Tibetan Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

RARE Antique Tibetan Brass Temple Bell
Located in Pomona, CA
This is handcrafted Tibetan Brass Dharma Instrument Tibetan Temple Bell. It is all hand made and used in practice Tibetan religious law in local Temple. Look at the pictures, fine cr...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Set of 10 Chinese export Blue Canton Luncheon Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 20th century Set of 10 Chinese export Blue Canton Luncheon Plates. Brought back in the early 20th century by the famous ichthyologist Dr. Hugh McCormick Smith & by descent to h...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair Of Metal Asian Men Busts
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Pair of Patinated Metal Asian Men Busts. It depicts two large busts of an Asian men with long mustache and beards. Both of them are wearing what appears to be like a crown ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

18th Century Chinese Export porcelain Can/Mug Depicting Archery, As Found*
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
18th Century Chinese Export porcelain Can/Mug Depicting Archery, As Found* A rare and unusual subject in Chinese export porcelain. This large handles Can or Mug, Depicting a large ...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

ANTIiQUE DECORATIVE HAND HAMMERED CHINESE RICE MEASURE MASKET GREAT FRUIT BOWL!
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Chinese rice bowl measure which can be used as a fruit bowl A super decorative and high...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of Chinese Stoneware Famille Verte Planters or Fishbowls on Hardwood Stands
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pretty pair of Chinese export planters or fish bowls in the famille verte palette depicting robed men and women in a fantastic garden setting with animals, plants, flowers, fans an...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Asian Gold Painted Octagon Wood & Metal Four Seasons Wall Plaques Made Hong Kong
Located in Topeka, KS
Spectacular vintage Asian gold painted octagon wood frame & 3-dimensional gold painted metal interior four seasons wall plaques with brass Asian symbol hangers, made in Hong Kong, se...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

EXQUISITE ANTIQUE CIRCA 1900 CHiNESE EXPORT CAMPHOR WOOD STEAMER LUGGAGE TRUNK
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this original circa 1900-1920 original Chinese Export Camphor wood and Iron steamer trunk with the original ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

PAIR OF ANTIQUE CIRCA 1900 CHINESE EXPORT CHINOISERIE DRAGON FOLDING SHELVEs
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of original Chinese Export gilt and lacquered folding shelves with Chinoiserie Dragon pai...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Pink Porcelain Pink Floral Vases
Located in Pasadena, CA
Pair of Pink Porcelain Pink Floral Vases circa 1960s.
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Snuff Bottle in Overlay Cameo Glass Finely Carved, circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good Chinese cameo or overlay glass snuff bottle with a spoon top, which we date to circa 1925. These overlay glass cameo snuff bottles are very decorative and sought after, particularly with two different colour/ shades of overlays and this level of good carved detail. It is made of a clear / yellow tinged opaque glass which has been over-layed with an orange glass which shades to red at the base, producing a very decorative detail. It has then been well hand carved and polished to produce a scene with a basket of fruit, ribbon bow, musical instrument and other motifs. The bottle has a rounded red glass / stone stopper which is fitted with a bronze spoon.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Set of Eight Antique Pictures of Flowers and Butterflies
Located in Richmond, London
A set of eight exquisite hand-coloured botanical prints of exotic flowers and butterflies, early 20th century. Why we like them Exquisitely hand-painted with lots of minute details...
Category

Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper, Paint

Exquisite Chinese Export Carved Two Door Five Campaign Drawer Camphor Chest
Located in High Wycombe, GB
An Exquisite Carved Chinese Export Two Door Camphor Chest With Etched Brass Lock Fitted With A Removable Glass Top. Open the two doors to reveal three long, and two short campaign ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

2 Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowls from the Ship Wrecked "Tek Sing"
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In 1822 the Chinese Junk "Tek Sing" or true star sank in the south China sea, where the ship and its cargo remained until salvaged in 1999. These antique blue...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Rose Medallion Lamps
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 19th century Chinese Rose Medallion Lamps. Beautiful painted florals, butterflies and birds on sides with Chinese figures in blue, red, green on other side. Gilding throughou...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Chinese Blue and White Botanical Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This round, porcelain storage jar is brightly glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner with an allover pattern of botanical motifs. A combination of stenciled linework and hand-br...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Chinese Rose Medallion Fish Pot on Stand
Located in Houston, TX
This 20th-century Chinese Rose Medallion Porcelain Fish Pot possesses timeless elegance. Adorned with intricate village scenes, vibrant floral motifs, and delicate birds, it captivat...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Vintage Asian Low Chess Table
Located in Denton, TX
Mid century Asian style Chess board with carved wood chess pieces and drawer for storage. This would be great on the floor with two big pillows.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Beech, Mahogany, Walnut

Set of 10 Rice Ware Dinner Plates, Chinese export, circa 1900-1925
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 10 Rice Ware Dinner Plates, Chinese export, circa 1900-1925. For 7 the central decoration features an Egret by an abundance of flora at water's edge and for 3 there is a duck ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Blue and White Botanical Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This round, porcelain storage jar is brightly glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner with an allover pattern of botanical motifs. A combination of stenciled linework and hand-br...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Rose Mandarin Chinese Export Porcelain Moon Flask
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese porcelain moon flask. In the Rose Mandarin pattern (with a very green palette). With a flattened circular body having two cartouches to either side with medi...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Peking Glass Bird & Floral Vase, Signed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Peking Glass Bird & Floral Vase, Signed China, 20th Century A magnificent 20th-century Chinese Peking Glass Vase, a true testament to exquisite craftsmanship. This stunnin...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Set of 12 Rice Ware Dessert or Salad Plates, Chinese Export, circa 1900-1925
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 12 Rice Ware Dessert or Salad Plates, Chinese export, circa 1900-1925. Central decoration features an Egret by flora at water's edge. Diamond geometric border, inner border wi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese porcelain vase with Floral decorations
Located in Milano, IT
Explore the artistry and elegance of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with this stunning porcelain vase. Adorned with intricate floral decorations, this piece showcases the meticulo...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Mid-20th Century Chinese Blue and White Peony Porcelain Vases with Lid
Located in Pomona, CA
An exquisite pair of Chinese porcelain lidded vases, in Ginger Jar shape and beautifully hand-painted with a traditional decoration of Peony flower on the lid and body. This magnific...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Famille Rose Porcelain Umbrella Stand
Located in Houston, TX
A 20th-century Chinese Famille Rose porcelain umbrella stand, featuring intricate hand-painted designs in vibrant hues on a white glazed background. Traditional motifs such as floral...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Wang Hing & Co., Luen Wo, and Hung Chong & Co.. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $40 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,998.

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