Chinese Export Tankard Mug
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tableware
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Porcelain
Recent Sales
Antique 1780s Chinese Chinese Export Barware
Porcelain
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Barware
Porcelain
Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Georgian Vases
Ceramic, Porcelain
Antique 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Porcelain
Antique 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Porcelain
Antique 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Porcelain
Antique 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Porcelain
People Also Browsed
Late 19th Century Symbolist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Scottish Art Nouveau Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Silver
Antique 19th Century English George III Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Revival Decorative Boxes
Other, Iron
Mid-20th Century Chinese Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Wood
Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Lacquer
Wood, Softwood, Lacquer
Antique 1820s English Regency Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Giltwood
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Floor Lamps
Metal, Aluminum
Antique 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Copper, Gold
1880s Portrait Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Bowls
Porcelain
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Chinese Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs
Wool
Late 19th Century Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Wood, Oil
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Bowls
Porcelain
A Close Look at Chinese-export Furniture
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.