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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
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Rose Urn & Garden Motif Plates
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Rose Urn & Garden Motif Plates, Each plate profusely decorated with two urns amongst a garden with scholars objects.        
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Sancai Glazed Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Horse Tomb Figure
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta figure of a horse commonly used as a tomb figure for wealthy burials in the 7-8th centuries, crafted with traditional tri-color glaze, ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Black and Green Leaf Glazed Porcelain Pear Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (17th Century-style) black glazed ceramic pear-shaped vase decorated with a green leaf on the front and back.    
Category

17th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Brass Vase with Dragon Relief, 20th Century, Signed
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A vintage Chinese vase in brass. The decorations are handmade. Its signed by an unidentified maker to the base. It was made for export purposes d...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Floral Islamic Style Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Vase
Located in London, GB
Chinese Floral Islamic style Cloisonné enamel and Ormolu vase Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 14cm, diameter 14cm This beautiful bowl is a superb example of Chine...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Large Chinese Famille Verte Headrest with Courtyard Scenes
Located in Chicago, IL
This large porcelain block is an oversized version of the headrests once used by well-to-do women to keep their elaborate hairstyles intact while sleeping. Its exaggerated scale and ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Modern Chinese Cloisonné Vase, White Background and Butterflies
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern Chinese cloisonné vase, white background and butterflies, enameled with numerous butterflies and floral reserves, standing 12.5" high x 6" diameter x 4" base and 3" opening.  
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Green Painted Faux Bamboo and Gold Design Fireplace Screen
Located in New York, NY
Chinese green painted fireplace screen with a faux bamboo frame, accented in gold botanical and foliate designs centered on each side of the p...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Pink Floral and Crane Design Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Chinese pink porcelain table lamp made from a baluster-shaped vase decorated with cranes and sparrows in natural surroundings emphasized with li...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Chinese Export Finely Carved Soapstone Scholars/ Tea Pot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export finely carved soapstone scholars/ tea pot With deeply carved floral and vine relief, unmarked With hardwood stand.  
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Chinese Guangzhou Dog Hunt Scene Conjoined Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) Guangzhou painted export porcelain vase with a conjoined form depicting a richly colored dog hunt scene between gold-patterned bands.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Lapis Lazuli Carved Group of Figures Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a large heavy Chinese lapis lazuli well carved in details group of figures sculpture.`It depicts two young ladies very well dressed in southern and northern dynasty clothes with traditional Chinese hair...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Chinese Black Painted Faux Bamboo and Gold Florals Fireplace Screen
Located in New York, NY
Chinese painted black fireplace screen with a faux bamboo frame, accented in gold botanical designs centered on each side of the panel.    
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Paper and Silk King and Queen Portrait Hanging Scroll
Located in New York, NY
Set of 3 Ming King and Queen scroll wall hangings, shown seated with a paneled wall behind them and a brown rug with dragons underneath against a pale gold silk shantung background w...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Silk, Paper

Continental Porcelain Soup Tureen
Located in New York, NY
Continental (19th Century) (Chinese Export) soup tureen with cover on an associated oval tray, both decorated with birds and a 3-masted ship.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver Tray, circa 1890
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver pen tray; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antiq...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Lacquer Consoles
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an unusual pair of Late Ching Chinese cinnabar-toned coromandel lacquer small altar or side tables. The tops of the tables feature complementary incised and painted scenes from Chinese every day life. Both tables are in very good condition considering their 100+ years of use. It is unusual to find a pair of coromandel incised lacquer...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Small Carved Lavender Opaline Jade Guan Yin Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small carved lavender “opaline” jade Guan Yin sculpture. The sculpture has some russet jade spots in the upper back. The back of her head is...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Chinese Green Floral Scrolling Design Ginger Jar Vases
Located in New York, NY
3 antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) similar green ginger jars with floral scrolling designs surrounding circular, yellow, centered emblems, unglazed openings, and a hole in the ba...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Wooden Bar Cabinet with Shou Carvings
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese hardwood bar cabinet with a paneled exterior and brass-hinged top and doors that open to reveal ample storage for glassware, slide-out bottle trays, two drawers and S...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Carved Wood and Gilt Finished Chinese Foo Dog Figurines or Sculptures
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of intricately hand carved and hand painted Foo dogs are believed to have made in the mid-20th century in the Imperial style. The dogs are composed of a softwood which have...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Chinese Squared Famille Rose Ginger Jar with Ritual Vessels, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully commemorated on this squared ginger jar, tripod censers and bronze ritual vessels have been used for thousands of years in Chinese cultur...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Carved Wood and Red Accented Bogu Etagere Shelf
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Bogu wooden etagere featuring open display shelving connecting ornately carved, red framed doors, two red drawers with golden foliage ornamentat...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Lamps in Canton Porcelain and Gilt Bronze, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of baluster shape lamps in Canton porcelain and gilt bronze. Decor of pattern flowers surrounding a medallion which represents a genre scene. Chiseled and gilt bronze mount. Ape...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large One-of-a-Kind Chinese Rosewood Table Mirror with Foo Dogs & Lattice Work
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible large one-of-a-kind Chinese rosewood table mirror with foo dogs & lattice work, circa 1920s. This mirror is gorgeous! It is in very good vintage condition and measures 31....
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Rosewood

Pair Early 20th Century Chinese Sancai Terra Cotta Pedestals or Stands
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an outstanding near pair of Chinese Sancai terra cotta pedestals or stands. This pair dates to the early 20th c. and has acquired a rich ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Large Matching Pair of Chinese Bronze Cloisonné Enameled Vases
Located in Norton, MA
Quality work, large & heavy matching pair of chinese bronze cloisonné enameled vases. Of squared four-panel form, each panel with raised scenes of birds and florals on a blue ground ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Export Rose Medallion Canton Porcelain Punch Bowl w/ Multiple Cartooges
Located in New York, NY
A Chinese Export Rose Medallion Famille Rose canton porcelain punch bowl with multiple cartooge panels. The exterior of this gorgeous bowl ...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Camel Tomb Figure
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a Bactrian camel, the main form of transport over the Silk Road, with its head tilted back and mouth open to the sky, we...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Chinese Hand Carved Wood Decorative Stand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautifully carved rectangular stand, Chinese 19th century circa 1880. The smooth top with hand carved apron and legs, the top is 6 inches by 3.5 inc...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Carved Chinese Inkstone with Longevity Symbols and Marks
Located in Atlanta, GA
A black carved Chinese inkstone with an conforming oval cover circa early 20th century (late Qing to Republic period). The inkstone appears to be slate stone and was likely a She type (SheYan), one of the four famous inkstones in China that comes from She County (Anhui Province) and Wuyuan County (Jiangxi Province). It features a slight scalloping edge with elaborate surface carving that depicts the Sanxings (three beloved gods): Fu, God of Fortune (top right), Lu, God of Prosperity (top center holding a Ruyi staff) and Shou, God of Longevity (center on the lid who is holding a magical peach and a staff with a gourd with a deer at the back) . A towering evergreen pine was placed on the left with scrolling clouds and bats (the sound of bat in Chinese is Fu, the fortune). A famous Chinese couplet...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Pair 19th Century Chinese Hand Painted Scrolls of Processions
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful quality hand painted pair of Gouache and gilt paper scrolls. Each depicting processions of courtiers in carriages, walking, in boats and pagoda buildings. Mounted in ebon...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint

Chinese Yuan Style White and Blue Dragon Motif Porcelain Pot
Located in New York, NY
Chinese bulbous, white porcelain pot crafted in the Yuan Dynasty style, wrapped in a large scaled blue dragon on the body and decorative symbols ar...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Shiwan Guangdong Red Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese red porcelain foo dogs with spirited expressions, detailing, and shiwan town in guangdong forms- home to one of the most famous folk kilns during the ming and qing dy...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver and Cherry Wood Vases
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Chinese export silver and cherry wood based vases; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection These impressive antique Chinese export silver vases have a tapering cylindrical rounded form with a waisted neck. The surface of each vase is embellished with fine and impressive applied bamboo stalk ornamentation, all on a matte background. The plain waisted upper portion of each vase is fitted with a pair of tiered fingerpieces. Each Chinese silver vase is fitted to the original cherry wood base; the vases are fitted with an internal silver dowel pin which provides a concealed attachment to the plinth, securing to the underside with a screw fitment. The hallmarks struck to the underside of these impressive antique vases include: Maker's mark: GW (Gem Wo) Character mark: Untraced These exceptional vases have been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as sterling silver (925, 925/1000). Condition: These antique Chinese vases are an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The applied decoration is all very sharp. The Chinese hallmarks struck to the underside of each base are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these fine examples of antique Chinese silverware...
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Bronze Dragons Candlesticks Imperial Style
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Very decorative Chinese contemporary large bronze "Dragons" candlesticks; with relief design of dragons chasing pearls. With a straight foot supporting a bell-shaped base surmounted...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Export Blue and White Leaf Shaped Dish, Qianlong, Mid 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and unusual Chinese Export blue and white decorated porcelain leaf-shaped dish or charger, Qianlong Period, mid 18th century, circa 1760, China. The dish or charger of intriguing leaf-shaped form, with serated edges, and set upon a short foot. The shape seemingly based on a Meissen design. The porcelain decorated with a courting scene of a couple in a garden setting. They are surrounded by flowering bushes and trees. Butterflies draw nectar from the flowers, while dragonflies flit above. In the foreground are a pair of very plump quail. Decorated in underglaze blue enamel on a white ground, the blue and white decoration actually is based an Kakiemon pattern of the same period. So in short, we have a Chinese porcelain piece based on a German Meissen form...
Category

1760s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Carved Wooden Wall Plaque Depicting Riders on Horseback
Located in New York, NY
Chinese carved wooden wall panel depicting two riders on horseback attempting to capture a wild horse from its herd in a rectangular wooden frame.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Carved Stone Dog Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese-style (19/20th Century) carved brown stone bookends depicting a group of dogs over a lightly engraved base. (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Chinese Export Twelve Panel Coromandel Screen Spring in Han Palace
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental Chinese export twelve-panel lacquered coromandel screen depicting the 17th century ming dynasty motif "Spring Morning in the Han Palace". The panels are intricately incise...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Blue and White Porcelain Pots with Pagodas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain lidded pots with cat handles, hand decorated all around with pagoda motifs on the front and back.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Framed Antique Embroidery Chinese Textile Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A piece wonderful antique textile fragment from China, circa 19th century Qing dynasty, artistically displayed in a giltwood frame with white ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Chinese White Figurative Scene Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a white porcelain urn painted with a scene of children playing in orange, pink, and red, mounted on a brown wooden base and ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair Chinese Celadon Porcelain Vases / Lamps, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very decorative pair of late 19th century Chinese Celadon porcelain two handled vases, each with embossed classical motif decoration. Mounted on faux Sienna marble plinths and wire...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

"TaoBao" Large White Porcelain Vase by Luce Raggi Italy / China Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Luce Raggi, TaoBao (online shopping), 2017 glazed porcelain 55 x 35 cm Hand painted vase depicting packages and prices related to online shopping on Taobao, the Chinese Amazon. On ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Canton Blue and White Plate, circa 1820
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese export canton blue and white plate circa 1820 Typically painted with a riverscape showing arched bridge, willows and pagodas... ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Iron and Gilt Buddha Bust
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese style gilt and polychromed cast iron bust of Buddha.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Large Vintage Red and White Porcelain Bowl, Catchall Encased in Pewter
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large vintage red and white porcelain bowl catchall encased in pewter. Floral design with gold accents hand painted in Hong Kong on a white po...
Category

Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Small Handcarved Chinese Chest
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A hand carved Chinese large table box with hinged lid. Intricately carved all-over with Asian carvings resting of four paw feet. Bronze lock plate on front.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

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 Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Multicolor Glazed Porcelain Pheasant Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) porcelain sculpture of a pheasant with colorful, gold-outlined plumes perched on a rocky formation of green and brown.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Six Chinese Sanding Varnish Hand-Painted Chairs
Located in Berlin, BE
Set of six Chinese sanding varnish hand-painted Chairs 2 Arm and 4 side chairs. All with different designs. silk fabric. One of the chairs had a crack that was restored and is very s...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood

20C Chinese Soapstone Polished Ring Dish
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely 20C Chinese soapstone polished ring dish. Made in China in the early 20th century circa 1930. This is a polished mottled gray soa...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

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 Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese White and Blue Floral Decorative Plates
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain decorative plate painted with thin blue double lines surrounding a floral garland along the rim, opening to a wider floral and swirling vine ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Famille Rose Ginger Jar with Ancient Censers, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully commemorated on this oval ginger jar, censers have been used for thousands of years in Chinese culture as a part of funeral rites or prayer offerings. Filled with dried aromatic plants and essential oils, the censer issued fragrant smoke that forged a connection to the spiritual realm. This late Qing-dynasty jar...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Off-White Cherry Blossom Tree and Bird Motif Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese off-white urn-shaped porcelain vases depicting groups of birds perched on flowering branches of cherry blossom trees and one bird flying above, positioned between two...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Wang Hing & Co., Luen Wo, and Hung Chong & Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $40 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,998.

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