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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 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

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

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

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

Pair of Mid-20th Century Chinese Blue and White Dragon Porcelain Vases with Lid
Located in Pomona, CA
An exquisite pair of Chinese porcelain lidded vases, in baluster form and beautifully hand-painted with a traditional decoration of Foo Dog and flower on the lid and Dragon, Flora...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Chinese 19th cent Turquoise Enameled Ceramic pot holder
Located in Miami, FL
A turquoise glazed pair of jardiniere with incised five clawed dragons design, China 19th century. Small chips to the mouth rim.
Category

Mid-19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Famille Rose Sweetmeat Dishes set with Wooden
Located in Pomona, CA
A set of antique Chinese famille rose porcelain nine-piece combined square dishes for sweetmeats or nuts, each dish decorated with floral patterns, smooth glazed bases, late Qing Dyn...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Tall Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Pagoda
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this pair of tall Blue and White porcelain pagoda towers each crafted with six hand decorated separate pieces. These are in separated pieces to facilitated shipping. Very g...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

20th century Chinese Export Porcelain Garden Seat
Located in Savannah, GA
Hexagonal shaped Chinese Nanking Style Export blue and white glazed porcelain garden seat. Features include a pierced top and sides, molded relief dots...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ceramic Vase with Blue China Decorations from the 1950s
Located in Milano, MI
Chinese ceramic vase with China blue decorations, made in the 1950s Ø 18 cm h 18 cm Chinese ceramics are some of the most renowned and admired works of art in the world, with a his...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Gianni Versace Silk Rug: Mandarin's Garden Collection by Atelier Versace
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This vintage Gianni Versace collection rug, titled "Mandarin's Garden Silk", was designed and manufactured by Atelier Versace circa 1980. Measuring 200 x 200, this luxurious silk rug is in good original condition, with minor wear that is consistent with its age and use. This rug was manufactured in China, and combines the quality of ancient Chinese tradition with the creativity and love for Gianni Versace's Classic style. It is part of a collection of hand-knotted rugs made from the finest silks by master craftsmen whose artistry has been handed down through the generations. As an extremely high-quality product, this rug is perfect for art lovers and collectors alike. Add a touch of luxury and elegance to any room with this stunning vintage rug from the iconic Italian fashion house. ______ Rug designed and manufactured by Atelier Versace Mandarin's garden silk 200 x 200 In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use A vintage Gianni Versace Home...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

18th Century Large Delft Garden Urn
Located in Maidstone, GB
18th Century Large Delft Garden Urn, of octagonal form with mask handles painted in blue with river landscapes within foliate and leaf borders. A good e...
Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Guangxu Chinese black gold Jewelry Box, yellow silk
Located in Valladolid, ES
Exquisite Chinese Jewelry Box, made for export, France. With a stamp inside of Joan of Arc, Domremy. End S XIX-PP S XX Silk lined interior. Polylobed profile, the entire body covere...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

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

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

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

Antique Apple Green Chinese Crackle Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique Apple Green Chinese Crackle Vase.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Early 20thc Antique Bone Carved Elephant Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, CA
Pair of Early 20thc Oriental Antique Bone Carved Elephant sculpture.47w x 16w x 30h
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bone

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

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

A Pair of Red Lacquered Chinese Style Square Low Sofa Tables
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Pair of Red Lacquered Chinese Style Square Low Sofa Tables Simple clean lines, and elegance. Was auctioned at Christies 2542 3rd April 2012 (USA). Swing tag to the leg.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Antique Chinese Chinoiserie 4 Panel Carved Elm Room Divider Privacy Screen
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese Chinoiserie four panel room divider or dressing screen. Made of Elm featuring inset silk screen, reticulated floral design, and four carved high relief panels - one ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Elm

2 Chinese Won Tai Mandarin & Wife Ancestor Portrait Paintings 44"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese chinoiserie ancestral portraits by artist Won Tai of Peking, China. Shows a pair of male and female figures seated on throne chairs draped in turquoise silks, dressed...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint, Paper

Antique Chinese Silver Hand Mirror Decorated with Dragons, circa 1920
Located in London, GB
Antique Chinese Silver Hand Mirror Decorated with Dragons among clouds, circa 1920 This beautiful mirror is made in a very heavy gauge of silver. The quality of the engraving and fin...
Category

1920s Hong Kong Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

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

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Elephant Candlestick 1860
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique Chinese Qing dynasty famille rose porcelain candleholder, circa 1860. This very attractive antique Chinese porcelain elephant is hand-painted in the Canton famille ro...
Category

1860s Chinese 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

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

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 Red Lacquered Wood Joint Stool
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Red lacquered square top stool on four legs joined by double box stretchers. China, 19th century.  
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

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

Antique French Faience Chinoiserie Decorated Pierced Platters C.1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, circa 1880. Delve into the elegance of the late 19th century with these stunning antique French faience Chinoiserie decorated pierced platters, crafted circa 1880. Each plat...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 4, 19th Century Chinese Export Ornithological Pith Paintings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese export, circa 1850. Experience the delicate beauty of 19th-century Chinese artistry with this exquisite set of four Chinese Export ornithological pith paintings. Each paint...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Paper

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

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

Large Antique Blue & White Canton Pattern Chinese Export Porcelain Serving Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain serving tray. In the Canton pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue depicting a mountainous Chinese village. The background has houses, a moun...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rose medallion bowl, 19th Century, 15" diameter
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century Chinese Canton / Rose Medallion porcelain bowl, having the classical green ground, gilded decoration to the floral boarders with hand painted scenes ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Samson Chinese Export Style Porcelain Bianco Sopra Bianco Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique French porcelain plate. Attributed to Samson. In the Chinese Export porcelain style. With a painted floral motif to the center and both the center and the rim of t...
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Chinese Export Black Leather Box On Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular box with brass tacks and hinged lid set in a brass base.
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Old Round Blue & White Canton Chinese Export Porcelain Covered Tureen/Vegetable
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain covered tureen or vegetable dish. In the Canton pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue. Depicting a mountainous Chinese village to the top o...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese "Seikai Karakusa" Handmade 40cm plate
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. The kiln name Jingdezhen refers to the top ceramic producing city in northeast Jiangxi Province, China. The Seikai karausa (Qinghai tangcao), a motif featuring a creepin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

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

Vintage Chinese Sino Floral All Over Persian Medallion Area Rug Carpet 5' x 8'
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese Sino area rug or carpet. Made of 100% wool featuring a field of red with central medallion surrounded by flowers. Reds, beige, white, cream, tan, blues, pinks, gree...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 19th Century Chinese Celadon vase/lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality early 19th Century Chinese Celedon porcelain vase / lamp. Having a wonderful bellied form with classical embossed motif decoration around, shell like handles to e...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Three Framed Chinese Export Watercolors
Located in Essex, MA
Nicely framed with water gilt and lacquer. Scenes depicting Chinese domestic life.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper, Paint, Giltwood

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

Blue and White Chinese Export Large Charger, Late Kangxi Period, circa 1700
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An exquisite Chinese late Kangxi period (1661 - 1722) blue and white porcelain charger of large size made for export to Europe, of circular form with raised convex central roundel pa...
Category

1690s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century, Blanc de gene figure of Guanyin / lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A Classical Chinese Blanc de gene porcelain figure of Guanyin, in the 17th century style. Mounted on a carved hardwood stand and gilded ormolu base. Also included this classical pago...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Export Blue and White Porcelain Cachepots
Located in New York, NY
Each of hexagonal form; decorated with blue borders and roundels.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Jin Zhai Mountain River Landscape Silk Watercolor Painting 60"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese watercolor painting on silk showing a sweeping mountain landscape with cottages along a river. Wood frame with beveled grooved detail; off white mat. 1 煙雲出沒有無間 misty...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Paint

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 Painting on Scroll Paper, China 19th Century, Birds and Nature Decor
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Chinese painting on paper, which is unrolled once hung on the wall. It is a painting that depicts birds in nature, in the style of the 18th c...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Round Mahogany Pedestal Table, 20th C
Located in New York, NY
Round Mahogany Pedestal Table, 20th century, with geometric motif on frieze over four spider legs.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Blue and White Jar with Birds and Flowers
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round blue-and-white storage jar is adorned with a ribbon-tailed bird perched on a cluster of rocks, a symbol for a long and happy lif...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese 汪永嘉 Misty Mountain Landscape Watercolor Painting 42"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese landscape watercolor painting on paper showing a lone figure walking among the trees towards a small cottage on the misty mountains at dusk. Beveled giltwood frame; l...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint, Paper

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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