Chinese Export Lighting
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
Early 20th Century White Porcelain Vase Lamp
Located in London, GB
An early 20th century white porcelain sleeve vase, the trumpet neck above a baluster body. Now wired as a table lamp.
Dimensions refer to height of vase and base only.
Wired an...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Pair of Late 19th Century Ching Blue and White Chinoiserie Lamps
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an iconic pair of Chinese blue and white vases that date to the late Ching period. They are recently mounted as lamps with a French wire so as not to drill the vases. The vas...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large Pair of Canton / Rose Medallion Vases or Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive pair of 19th century Chinese Cantonese or rose medallion vases or lamps. Each with wonderful bold colors, with classical oriental scenes of courtiers walking around...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Vintage Brass Handled Lamps with Shades, Pair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of vintage brass lamps is stylized urns with handles. The bases are trimmed in black and the bottoms are lined with felt. The rect...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
19th Century Famille Rose Style Samson Porcelain Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century Famille rose style Samson porcelain lidded vase / lamp. Having classical oriental scenes with flowers, folate and motif decoration, inset painte...
Category
19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Celedon Porcelain Vases / Lamps, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of Chinese Celadon porcelain vases / lamps, each with raised decoration depicting birds and blossom trees. Mounted on gilded wooden bases.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Square Porcelain Vase Lamp
Located in London, GB
A mid-19th century polychrome vase of square tapering form, the black glazed neck with dragon motifs, the sides intricately worked with figurative scenes upon a pierced scrolling gro...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Chinese Export Prunus Vase, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Prunus Vase, Now as a Lamp
Early 20th Century, China
Dimensions: Height: 24 in Diameter: 7 in
Bring home this beautifully crafted Chinese E...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Crackle Ware Vases/Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of Chinese blue and white crackle ware vases / lamps, each with oriental figures looking up at bats flying around the sky.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Large Pair of 19th Chinese Yellow and Green Ground Vases/ lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large, good quality pair of 19th century Chinese green and yellow ground vases, each with classical motif decoration, scrolling flowers, leaves an...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Porcelain Polychrome and Gilt Rouleau Vase Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Each decorated in the 18th century spirit with floral blossoms, butterflies and bees, and gilt banding, on a giltwood turned base. Fitted with brass ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Fine Pair of 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted Chinese Porcelain Vases Oil Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of Chinese Export, 19th century porcelain bottle vases mounted with French ormolu as oil lamps. The well potted ovoid porcelain pear-shaped body decorated with hand-paint...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Samson Porcelain Famille Rose Style Lidded Vase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century Famille Rose style porcelain lidded vase / lamp. Having wonderful colorful floral and motif decoration with scenes of vases with exotic flowers....
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Samson Famille Rose Style Ormolu Mounted Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century Samson porcelain, Famille Rose style porcelain lidded vase / lamp. Having wonderful colorful classical oriental motif, floral and foliate decora...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century Rose Medallion Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A pair of 19th century Chinese Cantonese / rose medallion vases / lamps. Each with wonderful green ground decoration with inset hand painted panels depicting classical scenes with Geisha girls, courtiers and children, gilded ormolu mounts...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Rustic Antique Chinese Water Bucket Jar Shape Lamp
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic Chinese water bucket jar shape lamp with raised rib trimmed detail encircling the body. Topped with coolie style Belgium linen lamp shade. Euro t...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Linen, Wood
19th Century Samson, Famille Verte Style Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century Samson, famille verte style lidded vase / lamp, having wonderful gilded ormolu scrolling foliate and beeded decoration. The vase having a green folia...
Category
19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Vase with Black Background in the Style of Chinese Famille Verte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Japanese Vase with Black Background in the Style of Chinese Famille Verte. Well decorated with woman in a garden. No chips, cracks or repairs, drilled for electricity
21" h to socke...
Category
20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Large 19th Century Chinese Rose Medallion / Canton Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century Chinese Cantonese / rose medallion vase / lamp. Having gilded dog of faux handles and serpents, classical green ground decoration with inset painted ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Table Lamp Oriental Colors 19th Century, China
Located in New York, NY
Table lamp oriental colors 19th century, China. A table lamp made during the 19th century in China. Multicolored with gilded details.
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Late 19th Century Chinese Famille Verte Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century Chinese Famille Verte vase/lamp. Having classical green motif and symbol decoration, mythical dog of faux handles either side. Mounted on a gilded wo...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Associated Pair of 19th Century Chinese Porcelain Mirror Black Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
Associated pair of 19th century Chinese porcelain mirror black lamps, circa 1880
Baluster Classic form. Both on old hardwood bases.
Two similar age...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Hardwood, Porcelain
Importance Chinese Lamp from the Beginning of the 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Importance Chinese lamp from the beginning of the 20th century mounted on gold gilt bronze.
Measures: Height 1m10.
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Lamps in Black Cloisonné Enamel and Gilt Bronze, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Origin: probably China and France.
Pair of bottles shaped lamps in black cloisonné enamel mounted with chiseled and gilt bronze mount with a quadripod...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Antique Japanese Porcelain Vase Custom Mounted as a Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Japanese vase newly custom mounted as a lamp. Painted in a Chinese style with multicolored floral and bird motifs against a vibrant pink background now custom mounted as lamp...
Category
1910s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Silk, Lucite
Two Antique Cloisonné Enamel and Gilt Bronze Lamps
Located in London, GB
These antique lamps feature beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel bodies and fine French gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts.
Each item is comprised of two light sockets, which are attached ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
Chinese Bronze Vase with Dragons Now Mounted as a Lamp
Located in London, GB
A Chinese bronze vase featured applied decoration of four dragons chasing the flaming pearl. Now mounted as a lamp.
Height of vase: 16½ in (42 cm) including base, excluding electr...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Lamp Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Chinese Export porcelain lamp bases mounted in French Louis XVI style bronze dore.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Large 19th Century Rose Medallion Vase or Lamp, Ormolu Mounted
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century Chinese rose medallion / canton vase / lamp, having wonderful gilded ormolu scrolling foliate Rococo style mounts with putti seated on either side. The...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Lovely Decorative Chinese Vase Converted into a Table Lamp Decorative Piece
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Chinese vase converted into a lamp
A very good looking and well-made lamp, exceptionally decorative and I think the only one...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Late 19th Century Chinese Crackle-Ware Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A pair of late 19th century Chinese crackle-ware vases/lamps. Each with various battle scenes with warriors on horseback, mounted with wonderful gilded ormolu lids and bases.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Turquoise Ceramic Vase as Lamp
Located in New York, NY
With craquelure finish, exaggerated long neck and silvered wood base. Height to top of vase is 24".
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Brass Asian Style Table Lamp with Birds, Dragons and Bamboo Detail
Located in Toledo, OH
A beautiful brass table lamp. This lovely Asian inspired lamp features birds, bamboo and floral detail with dragon form handles. The shade is not included. The dimensions are 32.5" H...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Rose Medallion Ormolu Mounted Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of Chinese Cantonese / rose medallion bellied vases / lamps. Each with wonderful gilded ormolu scrolling foliate mounts top and bottom. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Early 19th Century Chinese Export Rose Mandarin Porcelain Jars as Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Chinese Export Rose Mandarin porcelain jars with lids as lamps. All four side have painted panels with people in landscapes on orange and gilt patterned background. A pair of gold lizards at the neck. Jars have been set on rectangular wooden bases, early 19th century, China
With custom pleated and trimmed shades
Measures: Base is 8.5" L x 7" W
Chinese lidded jars...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Style Filigree Gilt Wood Dragon Floor Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) carved and filigree gilt wood 6 sided dragon base floor lamps with round brass filigree shade (PRICED AS Pai...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Crackelware Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of late 19th century Chinese crackleware vases / lamps. Each with oriental style ormolu mounts to the top and bottom. Cla...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Gilt Bronze Mounted Chinese Canton Famille Rose Porcelain Lamps
Located in London, GB
These elegant lamps are crafted from Chinese Canton famille rose porcelain and mounted with French gilt bronze (ormolu). The lamps featur...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Chinese Celadon Porcelain Table Lamp on a Teak Base
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Century) celadon porcelain lamp with blue figural scene and mounted on a round teak base and filigree cover.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Teak
19th Century Pair of Imari Porcelaine Lamp Mounted Gilt Bronze
Located in Marseille, FR
19th century pair of porcelain lamp from Imari. Frame gilt bronze decorations of metal polychrome flowers.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Lamp
Located in Stockton, NJ
A blue and white motif Chinese export vase, now as lamp. Interesting raised dragon detail. Distress painted base. Two sockets. Shade for display purposes only. Vase measures 19"H.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese 19th Century Sang Du Bouf Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century Chinese Sang du Bouf porcelain vase / lamp. Having gilded ormolu mounts.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Blue Ground Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An unusual 19th century Chinese blue ground porcelain vase or lamp. Having wonderful mythical dragons amongst flowers and classical motifs.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Lamp Base
Located in Dallas, TX
A Chinese export porcelain lamp base with French, Louis XVI style bronze doré mountings.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Chinese Export Barley Twist Lacquer Decorated Floor Lamp
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A made for the English market, Chinese export carved to a barley twist floor lamp, once probably a torchiere. Lacquered in black and burnished with gold Asian motifs. Classic, chic a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Paint
Pair of Antique Chinese Export Rose Mandarin Vases Now Custom Mounted as Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique Chinese Export Rose Mandarin Vases now mounted as lamps on custom gilt wood bases and with custom hand smocked cream colored silk shades trimmed in pink ribbon and antiq...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Silk, Porcelain, Wood
Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Bronze Vase 19th Century Mounted as a Table Lamp
Located in Miami, FL
The cloisonné enamel bronze vase is mounted in table lamp.
The quality of the piece is very interesting as an object by itself.
The shape is unu...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large 19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Chinese Famille rose vase or lamp. Having beautifully painted panels depicting mortals in a temple and gardens, set in a floral surrounds and having gilded...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Chinese Pink & Blue 'Famille Rose' Lamps with Birds and Flowers
Located in London, GB
Pair of baluster form lamps in the floral Famille Rose palette, hand decorated in polychromes with foliates and birds.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Asian Pictorial Blue and White, With 8 Figures, Table Lamp
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An Asian pictorial blue and white table lamp, the lamp is done in a typical blue on white background, there are eight different figures around the baluster shaped base, there are bat...
Category
Early 20th Century Central Asian Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Large Pair of Canton / Rose Medalion Chinese Vases / Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of large 19th century Chinese Canton vases / lamps. Each with a green ground with flowers, foliage, butterflies and birds surr...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century Rose Medallion, Canton Vases or Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive pair of 19th Century Chinese cantonese, rose medallion vases or lamps. Having panels of classical oriental scenes, also flowers, birds and butterflies amongst a green b...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Sang De Boeuf Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very decorative 19th century Chinese sang de boeuf baluster vase, converted to a lamp. Mounted on a carved hardwood stand.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Adjustable Height Floor Lamp
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Chinese export floor lamp with adjustable height. The height can be adjusted up to 76".
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Mahogany
19th C Chinese Glazed Ceramic Lamp
Located in Charleston, SC
This earth-toned ceramic lamp features a porcelain Chinese dragon flying through clouds. Additionally, it features a lace cuff surrounding the neck with dogwoods. The base is brass w...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Blue & Orange Colour Chinese Lamps Hand Decorated with Court Scenes
Located in London, GB
Pair of baluster form lamps, hand decorated with court scenes in polychrome on wood bases.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Fine Pair of Chinese Baluster Form Lamps
Located in London, GB
Fine pair of baluster form lamps hand decorated in polychromes with court scenes, fitted with Rococo gilt bronze bases.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair 19th Century Chinese Famille Rose vases / lamps.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Pair of 19th Century Chinese export Famille Rose Ginger jar lamps, each with wonderful bold coloured exotic birds and flowers, turned gilt wood stands and lids.
Batch 76 G9740/22 TNYZ
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export lighting 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 lighting, popular names associated with this style include The Marbro Lamp Company, CANTON FAMILLE ROSE, Capodimonte, and Chapman Manufacturing Company. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $24,680 while the average work can sell for $2,406.
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