Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
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
Two Famille Rose Cosmetic Boxes, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period
Located in seoul, KR
Circular form with flattened doomed covers, the covers with a medallion of flower with full bloom, the bowls with two round borders.
Period : Qing Dynasty, Kangxi-Yongzheng Period
P...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Collectible Gilt Metal Tibetan Box with Turquoise 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Collectible Chinese Tibetan Gilt Brass Metal Filigree with Turquoise and Coral beads round Box Handcrafted round Tibetan, Nepalese decorative brass trinket wish box with pull-off lid...
Category
Mid-20th Century Nepalese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Antique Tibetan Silver Turquoise Ghau Prayer Box
Located in Pomona, CA
Ghau is a small prayer box worn as pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines which can be pray by prayer during their travel. This Ghau prayer box (travel Buddha shrine) made from Tib...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Vintage solid brass and jade Chinese export trinket box
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a solid brass ornately decorated Chinese made trinket box. This trinket box has four medallions on each corner of the top with a center medallion that has a carved jade inset...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Vintage solid brass and enamel Chinese export trinket box.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage Chinese export solid brass and enamel trinket box. This solid brass box has four medallions on the top and medallions on each side of the box. The top of the box fe...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique Tibetan Painted Leather And Iron Chest or Trunk
Located in Bradenton, FL
AntiqueTibetan chest, beautifully aged painted leather with original iron hardware. Chest has a spacious wooden interior, offering a large amount of storage. Outside features polychrome painted dragons and Asian...
Category
18th Century Tibetan Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Box or Desk Accessory
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely made and hand enameled box with its cover, possibly for a desk or dresser top. Divided on the inside and in very good shape. Lovely cartouches of classic Chinese scenes and ...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Chinese Silver Filagree Gold Washed & Enamel Bird Motif & Coral Pagoda Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Silver Filagree Gold Washed and Enamel Bird Motif and Coral Pagoda Box
China, circa 1900s, stamped 'Silver'
An exquisite Chinese Silver Filigree Gold Washed and Enamel Bird ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
Chinese Cloisonne Decorative Box w/ Jade Panel
Located in New York, NY
Chinese cloisonne decorative box with jade panel and floral motifs, unmarked.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Jade
Canton Chinese Porcelain Box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Canton Chinese porcelain box.
Chinese export.
Circa 1920 origin China.
Rectangular format.
With internal divisions.
Family Rosse style.
Box...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Hand Painted Leather Mounted Box with Metal Hardware
Located in Ross, CA
Wooden box covered in leather then hand painted with flowers and birds. The hardware is a black metal, the inside is leather lined and stitched.
Category
Early 2000s Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
Early 20th Century Antique Tibetan Silver Turquoise Ghau Prayer Box
Located in Pomona, CA
Ghau is a small prayer box worn as pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines which can be pray by prayer during their travel. This Ghau prayer box (travel Buddha...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Chinese Red Lacquered Box With Brass Mounts, Mid 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese red and black lacquered box with fine brass mounts in the Chinese Export style. Lovely color. A refined and classic decorative box, beautiful craftsmanship.
16 inches wide, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Red Lacquered Box With Brass Mounts, Mid 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese red and black lacquered box with fine brass mounts in the Chinese Export style. Lovely color. A refined and classic decorative box, beautiful craftsmanship.
20 wide 14 deep ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Large Antique Tibetan Ghau Prayer Box With Three Buddha
Located in Pomona, CA
Ghau is a prayer box worn as pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines which can be pray by prayer during their travel. This large Ghau prayer box (travel Buddha...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver, Bronze
Vintage Chinese Black and Red Lacquer Floral Painted Lidded Wooden Basket Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Black and Red Lacquer Floral Painted Lidded Wooden Basket Box. Circa Early to Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 11" H x 12" W x 12" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful floral pattern on a green background. This decorative box was most likely a cigarette box or trinket b...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Enamel
A Shapely 19th Century Chinese Export Black Lacquered Dressing Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
the scalloped top centering an oval medallion radiating coved reserves above a conforming body fitted with brass bale handles; finely decorated with gilded figures in a garden lands...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Decorated Tea Caddy Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese for the English market, 19th century.
A fine quality antique Chinese export tea caddy decorated with beautiful gilding surfaces, a hinged lid which opens to reveal a tooled ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pewter
Mid 20th Century Chinese Hand Painted Sewing Box, Jewelry Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique vintage Chinese sewing box is 100 percent hand made and hand painted with traditional Chinese painting on the side and lid of the box. It wa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Blue and White Porcelain Box
Located in New York, NY
Decorated in cobalt blue with pagodas in a riverscape; interior fitted with six compartments.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful floral pattern in beautiful colors of red, green, blue and red. The box rests on ball feet. This chino...
Category
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Antique Chinese Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique Chinese Cloisonné Box with wood lined interior. The box rests on round brass ball feet. The interior appears to have had dividers...
Category
1920s Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Antique Cleric's Swing Out Case, Chinese, Travelling Box, Qing, Victorian, 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cleric's swing-out case. A Chinese, hardwood travelling box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890.
Charmingly provincial box, presented in original tim...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Vietnamese Silver Treasure Box with Guardian Dragons
Located in New York, NY
Vietnamese silver box, late 19th century. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Box sides have embossed blossoming branches, bamboo...
Category
Late 19th Century Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Chinese Wedding Ceremonial Hat Box, Zhijang Province, circa 1870s
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
circa 1870s Chinese wedding ceremonial hat box, Zhijang Province. Woven rattan & bamboo with brass hardware. The pedestal base has lost some of the molded floral decoration. Note the...
Category
1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Rattan
Vintage Bronze Cloisonne Powder Box with Prunus - Unsigned - China - Mid-20th C
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage bronze cloisonne lacquer powder box featuring Prunus blossoms - removeable lid - unsigned - China - mid 20th century.
Excellent vintage condition - no loss - no damage - n...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
English 19th Century Leather Trunk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
We absolutely love this decorative trunk from England! Bound in perfectly worn dark leather and adorned with brass studs in swirling patterns. The lock is in working condition and in...
Category
19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Metal
Chinese Silversmith, Lidded Jar / Box Richly Decorated in Relief, Approx. 1900
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Chinese silversmith. Lidded jar richly decorated in relief with flowers and ornaments.
China approx. 1900.
Stamped with Chinese characters.
In excellent condition with traces of u...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Chinese Foliage Painted & Brass Mounted Tacked Chest on Stand with Key, C. 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
Chinese foliage painted and brass mounted tacked hinged chest on stand with flanking side handles and interior lock with key, Late 19th Century
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Carved Cinnabar & Enamelled Box with Imperial Dragon Top
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique decorative box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Red Lacquer Decorated Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century Chinese Red Lacquer decorated box. Relief carved top panel of an attendant and scholar. Fine finger joints on the box and lid. Inside top of the lid having Chinese...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Antique, Chinese Hand Painted Meal Delivery and Lunch Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique lacquered painted lunch box from China has about 100 years history and still maintained very good condition. There are some traditiona...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Fine Antique Collectable Chinese Table Top Cabinet Jewellery Collectors Storage
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage circa 1920's hand painted and lacquered oriental Chinese table chest or jewellery box.
A very good looking and well made pie...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Chinese Brass Box with Jade Medallion
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Chinese brass decorative box with Jade Medallion. This stunning Chinese export brass box features a beautiful etched bat design with a central c...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Jade, Brass
19th Century Asian Wooden Decorative Storage Box
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 19th Century Asian Wooden decorative storage box with lid.
Measures 13.5"W x 11"D x 11.5"H.
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Chinese Wicker Giraffe Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout vintage Chinese giraffe box ambitiously hand crafted in wicker and wood having a removable lid with a baby giraffe handle. From the famed Shangha...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wicker, Wood
Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest, Jewellery Casket
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Oriental carved camphor wood chest, jewellery casket.
This beautiful carved chest is made from camphor wood, for those of you who...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Box, with Flower Pattern Decor, Lacquered 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Small lacquered painted box, with floral decorations in yellow, red and green, it was made in China in the 19th century.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Carved Wood, Trees and Birds Decor, China
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
It is a carved wooden box, brown and black. One part is hand carved, the other Painted lacquered. It was made in China during the 1930s and 1940s, so it is from the Republic period.
Category
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Decorated Lacquer Decorative Box
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Chinese lacquer decorated decorative box. This Stunning Chinese export hand decorated lacquered box is the perfect accessory for a coffee table or dressing table. Could be used for jewelry or important documents.
Category
1920s Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Chinese Cinnabar Lacquered Rectangular Box and Cover, China, circa 1880,
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Red lacquer box with the lid representing a scholar and children playing in a mountainous garden, the outer sides covered with repeated geometric patterns. This box was made in China...
Category
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Lacquer Box
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A metal framed box with all-over lacquer decoration featuring multi-coloured flowers, leaves, ribbons. The inside of the box is veneered in a light wood. It is stamped China on the u...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Etched Brass Box with Carved Jade Inset Top, Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Sweet little Chinese export brass box with beautiful floral etched designs, looks like peonies to me. With a lovely white jade top carved in fretwork with a vase framed by the flower...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Jade, Brass
1920s Chinese Export Silver Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver box; an addition to our collection of boxes and cases.
This exceptional an...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Wicker Elephant Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chinese elephant box ambitiously crafted in wicker with carved wood tusks, feet, and lid handle. From the noted Shanghai collection.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wicker
Chinese Wicker Camel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century Chinese smiling camel caught in mid strut, ambitiously crafted in wicker with wood highlights. From the noted Shanghai Collection.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wicker
Mid-Century Chinese Black & Gold Cloisonné 'Good Luck' Circular Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Chinese black & gold cloisonné 'good luck' circular table box.
The tall circular box of exceptional quality, The conforming removable lid enameled with the Chinese character for 'Happiness' A stately piece, its an unusual example in black cloisonné fish...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th C. Chinese Paper Machiere Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century lidded box made from paper-machiere.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Paper
Cylindrical Box, Brown Lacquer Paint with Flower Decoration, Japan, Early 20th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a very beautiful Japanese box dating from the beginning of the 20th century. It is lacquered in brown color, with flower patterns.
It was made in Japan.
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Huanghuali Stacked Wood Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese Huanghuali picnic box with carrier frame featuring three removable stacking trays. It appears to be made with old Chinese rosewood (Huagnh...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Porcelain oval Lidded Box Hand Painted, circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative, oval shaped porcelain box with Lid, made in China, circa 1920
The box is well potted in an oval shape, the lid ha...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Gilt-Decorated Black Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular box with canted corners, opening to a lacquered interior; decorated overall with floral and foliate motifs and cartouches of floral sprays and temples; on gilt claw f...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Engraved Chinese Brass Box with Carved Nephrite White Jade Lid
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Antique carved nephrite white jade from a ruyi, mounted to the hinged lid of a conforming brass box. The inside of the lid and outer surfaces are engraved with propitious symbols.
C...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Jade, Brass
Mid-Century Chinese Wooden Scenic Design Carved Hinge Top Box
Located in New York, NY
Mid-century Chinese carved wooden box featuring an elaborate scenic design with a hinged top and brass closure hardware. (Stamped HUNG HOP CHEST CO. HONG...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Chinese Export Silver Dragon Cigar Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century, circa 1890 Chinese export silver rectangular box. Hand engraved repoussè dragons. Wood lined. Makers mark on the underside.
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Asian Style Leather Box on Stand
Located in Westwood, NJ
An Asian style leather box on stand table. The rectangular box with a removable lid is covered in leather with nailhead trim. It sits on a reclaime...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Set of Chinese Red & Black Boxes, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Set of Chinese red & black boxes, 20th century.
Set of three Chinese red and black boxes, decorated with scenes of figures amongst landscapes with temples and pavilions.
Wood,...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export decorative boxes 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 decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $360 and tops out at $360 while the average work can sell for $360.
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