Chinese Export Urns
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 Off-White and Navy Blue Bird Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) off-white, porcelain urn with a navy blue bird amid florals and two blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Village Scene Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) large white, porcelain urn depicting a blue scene of a village along the water, and finished with two dark blue scrolled handles along the neck.
...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Pair, Sampson French Porcelain Famille Rose Medallion Pallet Porcelain Urns
Located in Atlanta, GA
Samson & Cie was operated by four generations in Paris and Montreauil-sous-Bois from 1845 to 1979/1980. It was first established by Edme Samson (Paris 1810 – 1891) at 7, Rue Vendôme ...
Category
20th Century French Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Enamel
Monumental Antique Chinese Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Palace Urns Vases 53"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare pair of two monumental antique Chinese Qing Dynasty palace urns or temple vases, circa 1900s. Made of porcelain featuring chinoiserie Canton Famille Rose and medallion design w...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Large Cobalt Blue Ceramic Urn or Planter
Located in Nantucket, MA
An Asian ceramic large tea container with an amazing cobalt blue glaze. Brass collar. Beautiful shape and in good condition. Could also be used as a planter. Opening of the mouth of the urn is 9".
The Lockhart Collection is a personally curated gallery...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese White and Blue Nature Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) large white, porcelain urn with a scene of blue flora and fauna, and two dark blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Dried Flower Vase, Chinese, Handpainted, Decorative, Chinoiserie, C.1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage dried flower vase. A Chinese, waxed paper over board decorative drum vase, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970.
Striking col...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Cloisonne Pot
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Antique Chinese Cloisonne Pot. It shows very detailed hand craft works of cloisonne art - a lot of Chinese traditional f...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Metal
Chinese Export Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Palace Urns
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain urns with cat lid handles and ambitiously hand decorated with aquatic fauna and flora having a rare touch of whimsy.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Monumental Pair of 1920s Chinese Blanc de Chine Urns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These large vases are circa 1920-1940. They most likely are blanks meaning they were never decorated. Very unusual and hard to find.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Censer Mid-Century Bronze with Asiatic Lion and Gilt
Located in Lomita, CA
Bronze and gilt detailing combine to make this Chinese censer a beautiful decorative cast bronze accent. The bowl and cover are cast with various object...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Bronze
Pair 19th Century Blue & White Chinese Lidded Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th century blue & white Chinese Lidded Urns will make a delightful addition to your decorating scheme! handcrafted from local clays, each fe...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Ironstone
Chinese White and Blue Chrysanthemum and Bird Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white and blue porcelain urn decorated with a bird amid flowering chrysanthemums, and accented with two navy scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Floral and Character Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) porcelain urn decorated with a blue geometric floral pattern surrounding a centered emblem with dark blue characters, a Greek key band around the...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
China Republic 1912-1960 Inside Paint Carved Rock Crystal Vase Silver & Enamel
Located in Miami, FL
An impressive China inside-painted vase in rock crystal.
Beautiful and one-of-a-kind art-piece. created in China during the first years of the China-republic, circa 1912-1949. Thi...
Category
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of 20th Century Yongzheng style Chinese Porcelain Vases in High Gloss
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of Yongzheng style Chinese porcelain vases in a high gloss finish in the Gu shape. The vases are decorated with deer, flowers, and animal motifs. Lovely shades of aqua, turquois...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Peacock Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) large white, ceramic urn with blue peacocks amid florals and two light blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Urns with Lilies
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming pair of Chinese blue and white urns crafted in porcelain in a classic form with removable lids and hand decorated with lilies and flowers.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Garden and Bird Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th century) white and blue porcelain urn decorated with a bird amid a flowering garden, and accented in two navy scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Classic Pair of Mottahedeh Chinese Export Style Covered Urns
By Mottahedeh
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful classic pair of Mottahedeh painted Chinese Export style lidded urns having a striking color palette of white, blue and gold.
Bases arae 4 x 4.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese White and Figurative Pastoral Scene Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with a detailed and lively scene of people gathering in a pastoral setting and blue ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Character and Floral Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) ceramic urn with blue floral designs surrounding bold, centered characters on 4 sides.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Monumental Blue and White Floor Vase or Dramatic Center Piece
Located in Buchanan, MI
Monumental blue and white floor vase or dramatic center piece 30" tall, 12" wide. We also have a large evolving collection of blue and white.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Dragon Motif Porcelain Floor Urn
Located in New York, NY
Chinese large white porcelain floor urn decorated with a blue dragon and cloud motifs and accented with dragon ornamentation around the opening.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese White and Cherry Blossom Branch Porcelain Urns
Located in New York, NY
Pair of similar Chinese white porcelain urns depicting small yellow birds in cherry blossom branches on the fronts, and characters on the rever...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Navy Blue Botanical Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn decorated with a blue botanical scene of an oversized peony emerging from a marsh under a bird ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Large Chinese Blue and White Baluster Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This blue and white baluster jar was made in the Jiangxi region of China. The landscape scenes hand painted by feathery brushstrokes are richly evocative and bring to mind ancient Ch...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Maitland-Smith Blue & White Chinoiserie Ginger Jars with Bronze Accents, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of blue and white transferware chinoiserie ginger jars by Maitland - Smith. The caps and bases are cast bronze. They are in very ...
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Bronze
Chinese White and Pink, Blue and Yellow Bogu Pattern Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) white porcelain urn painted with pink, light blue, and yellow bogu pattern - a traditional decorative theme that employs items like bronzeware, p...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Two Late Qing Dynasty Cloisonné Enamel and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
The enamel vases in this pair are of ‘garlic head’ form, each sitting on a four-leg, four scrolled foot wooden stand. The vases are of tripartite form. Each vase features a flared neck, an ovoid body, and a pinched stem, and each includes four gilt bronze (ormolu) medallions fashioned into reticulated cloud scroll patterns. Glimpsed through the reticulated medallions of each vase is a smaller, nestled vase, similarly decorated to the external shell. The body of each vase presents a rich blue enamel ground onto which cloisonné enamel motifs, bounded within gold enamel wire, are worked. The motifs are traditional, ranging from lotus scrolls and lotus flowers to ruyi heads, and are executed in a bold green, red, yellow, and pink palette. Upon the neck of each vase are mounted two gilt bronze elephant...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
Chinese White and Blue Natural Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn decorated in a blue scene of a bird perched on a flowering branch above water, and accented with two light blue scrolled hand...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Vases are truly a product of exceptionally skilled artisans! Thrown on a larger scale, the graceful form of each porcelain urn is centuries if not ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Off-White and Light Blue Vine Motif Porcelain Urn Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) off-white porcelain vase with an urn form decorated in a light blue, delicate vine and floral motifs and bold characters on 4 sides.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Feather and Floral Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Chinese porcelain urn painted with a blue and white floral background surrounding a center white oval with bold markings, dark blue feathers along the neck, and geometric patterned b...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Foo Dog and Serpent Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th century) white porcelain urn decorated with blue foo dogs, clouds, and serpents, and accented in two pale blue scrolled handle...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Porcelain Light Green and White Cartouche Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) bulbous porcelain urn with a large white cartouche depicting a basket of botanicals on each side against a light green background patterned with ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Bronze Mounted Rose Medallion Lidded Urns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century rose medallion covered urns with beautifully cast dore bronze French mountings. In excellent condition. Lids are not removable.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Bronze
Chinese White and Orange Botantical Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with green and blooming orange florals with two birds perched on a nearby branch, and accented with orange dog...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Off-White and Blue Symbol Patterned Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large, off-white porcelain urn painted with a blue pattern featuring Buddhist symbols and other shapes with accented blue scrolled handles.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Green and Red Faded Floral Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with a faded green and red floral pattern and accented with pale pink scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Off-White and Navy Vine Motif Porcelain Urn Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) off-white porcelain vase with an urn form decorated in a navy blue vine and floral motifs and bold characters on 4 sides.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Multi-Pattern Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Chinese white porcelain urn painted with a variety of blue, decorative patterns, including feathers and bold vertical markings, that are proportionally balanced to create a harmoniou...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese White Peacock and Floral Design Urn-Shaped Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese white porcelain vases with urn-shaped forms decorated in large scale dark blue leaves outlined in gold, amid green, yellow and pink foliage and flora topped with blue...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Vine Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with an all-over blue vine and flower patterned ground, surrounding spaced bold, blue characters.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Rust Agate Incense Burner
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese rust colored agate urn (incense burner) with pierced round cover with rings and carved monkey and dragon handles resting on a base of 4 fish. (modern base 1¬O" high).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Stone, Marble
Chinese White and Navy Blue Symbol Patterned Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) large, off-white porcelain urn painted with a navy blue pattern featuring Buddhist symbols and other shapes with accented blue scrolled handles.
...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Navy Blue Patterned Handled Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white porcelain urn painted with a blue pattern featuring urns, furniture, and florals with blue scrolled handles on the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Pink Floral and Blue Cartouche Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) pink porcelain urn decorated with a light blue floral design grounding multiple light blue cartouches, each bearing a bogu pattern that signifies ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Large Chinese Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of two beautiful asian style large vases/urns.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Lily Pad and Floral Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white and blue porcelain urn decorated with a lily pad and floral motif, and accented in two navy scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Pink Cherry Blossom Tree Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Chinese white porcelain urn decorated with dark pink cherry blossom branches growing up its form, and accented with white foo dog doorknocker o...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Foo Dog Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) off-white porcelain urn decorated with blue foo dogs playing amid the clouds and accented in two pale blue scrolled h...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese White and Pink Cherry Blossom Motif Lidded Porcelain Urns
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese white porcelain urns decorated with dark pink and green-leafed cherry blossoms growing up the rounded forms, finished with red-finial topped lids and made with holes ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Green and Botanical Hand-Made Tole Lidded Urn
Located in New York, NY
Chinese hand-made, light green tole urn painted with branches, fruit, and a dark green band at the base and finished with a finial atop its lid.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Metal
Chinese Blue and White Peacock Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) large off-white, porcelain urn with a blue peacock amid florals and two blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White, Green, and Pink Floral and Rooster Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) white porcelain urn incised and painted with decorations of roosters amid blooming floral branches mixed with geometric patterned bands at the bo...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Navy Egret Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn with a navy egret amid florals and two blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Deer and Floral Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) large porcelain urn with blue spotted deer amid florals on an off-white background and two navy scrolled handl...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Urns
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export urns for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export urns for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, pewter and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export urns 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 urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $289 and tops out at $22,777 while the average work can sell for $1,749.
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