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Chinese Export Antiquities

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 Blue and White Underwater Motif Porcelain Pots
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese porcelain pots in dark navy hues decorated with white underwater motifs capturing the silhouettes of fish and vegetation (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Porcelain

SMALL ANTIQUE ORIENTAL COPPER & BRONZE REPOUSSE JEWELLERY BOX DEPICTING CHICKENs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely small antique circa 1900-1920 bronzed and copper Oriental Jewelry trinket box with Repoussé top ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Distinctive Chinese Decorative Wall Plate
Located in Milano, IT
Round plate made of bronze and cloisonné enamel designed in China in the 20th century. This plate is made of bronze and cloisonné enamel, a goldsmith technique originally applied to...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Porcelain Red and Blue Lobed Pot
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style (modern) porcelain oval scalloped shaped jardiniere with red, blue decoration.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Carved Whitewashed Wooden Dog Statues
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese carved wooden reclining dogs painted with whitewash finishes (PRICED AS PAIR)(Similar statues: NWL2458, NWL2459)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Chinese Carved Whitewashed Wooden Ram Statue
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese carved wooden ram lying down and painted with a whitewash finish.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Chinese Porcelain Vase of Ladies in the Garden
Located in Milano, IT
Antique Chinese porcelain vase from the period of the rose family. On the surface there is a scene of everyday life with four elegant women as protagonists who spend their time in th...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Porcelain

A Rare Yue Celadon-Glazed Figural Vessel, Western Jin dynasty (265-420)
Located in seoul, KR
This vessel is well-modeled as a recumbent winged lion with detailed decorative elements. It features a grimacing face with large protruberant eyes under heavy brows and a gaping mouth, which forms a large aperture. The piece has a tail that arches to form a loop handle, and the wings are incised on the sides. The whole piece is finished with a thin olive-green glaze. This kind of figural vessel dates back to at least the Western Han dynasty, with the design fully developed in the Yue kilns of Zhejiang province during the 3rd and 4th centuries. Such zoomorphic forms became popular among the literati and were transformed into various functional objects like wine ewers and water pots. There is a pair, and you can check it in the uploaded list. If you would like to purchase two in pairs, please leave a message. Period : Western Jin Dynasty (266 - 316 AD) Type : Figural vessel Medium : Yue celadon(Stoneware) Provenance : The piece was acquired in Hong Kong in late 1990s. Reference : 1) Sotheby's New York 17 March 2015 - Chinese Art Through The Eye Of Sakamoto Gorō – Ceramics Lot 33 (Price Range : 15,000 USD-20,000 USD / Type : Highly related) 2) Sotheby's London 17 May 2023 - A Journey Through China's History. The Dr Wou Kiuan Collection Online. Part I - Lot 30 (Price realised : 13,970 GBP / Type : Closely related) 3) Ethnological Museum, Berlin, Germany - Pouring vessel in animal shape, China, Yue kilns, Zhejiang province, late Western or early Eastern Jin dynasty, 4th century 4) Sotheby's London 16 May 2018 - Important Chinese Art Lot 68 (Price realised : 50,000 GBP / Type : Closely related) 5) The MET - Accession Number: 1985.207 - Vessel in the Shape of a Tiger (Huzi) (Type : Closely related) * Yue Celadon Yue celadon, also known as Yue ware, is a type of Chinese pottery with a celadon glaze, originating from the eastern Han dynasty in the Zhejiang province. The name 'Yue' comes from the Yue kilns which were among the earliest to develop the celadon technique. Yue ware is known for its jade-like glaze, which can range in color from bluish-green to olive green. Yue celadon was highly regarded during its time and was the first Chinese ware...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Celadon

Antique Chinese Decorative Wall Plate
Located in Milano, IT
Round plate made of bronze and cloisonné enamel designed in China in the 20th century. This plate is made of bronze and cloisonné enamel, a goldsmith technique originally applied to jewellery design. The polychrome decorations depict a white rooster...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Bronze

LOVELY 20TH CENTURY HAND CARVED SOAPSTONE Figure
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Chinese hand carved soapstone figure with a singular holder. This is a great example of a Chine...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Soapstone

19th Century Unique Chinese Carved Hardwood Flower Tall Stands
Located in Brea, CA
A 19th century antique Chinese heavily carved hardwood flowers tall stands with carved tops, pedestal and tripod base, maybe Zitan wood. Measures: Height 6...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Hardwood

A Cizhou Yuhuchunping, Yuan Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
This piece has a flared neck and a globular body, typical of the forms seen in Cizhou ware. The body is decorated with freely drawn floral motifs and abstract patterns, which may inc...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Stoneware

A Cizhou Yuhuchunping, Yuan Dynasty
A Cizhou Yuhuchunping, Yuan Dynasty
$7,960 Sale Price
60% Off
Antique Chinese Export Silver Bottle Coaster Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver bottle coaster, an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) bottle coaster has a cylindrical form to a plain spreading base. The body of this Chinese silver coaster is embellished with fine and impressive embossed and pierced decoration depicting two iconic oriental dragons amidst clouds. The decoration to the body incorporates a sun motif to either side, each accented with a central cartouche, one remains vacant and the other bears the contemporary engraved monogram initials 'CHD.' The upper and lower rims of this coaster are encompassed with plain applied moulded borders accented with bands of tooled decoration. This exceptional coaster has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as sterling silver (925, 925/1000). Condition This antique Chinese silver coaster is a very good gauge of silver, excellent quality and in exceptional presentation condition. The Chinese hallmarks struck to the underside of this coaster are all very clear. Dimensions Diameter of rim 7.9cm/3.1". Diameter of base 8.4cm/3.3". Height 6.5cm/2.6". Weight 5.1 troy ounces/160g. Maker: Luen Wo. Date: circa 1900. Origin: Shanghai, China. Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this piece of antique Chinese silverware.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver Wine Goblet By Tuck Chang & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver wine goblet; an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection. This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) goblet has a circular bell shaped form, to a shaped stem and plain circular stepped foot. The drinking vessel of this antique silver goblet is embellished with chased iconic Chinese dragon designs accented with stylised flame and cloud decoration, all on a matte background. The decoration to the body incorporates a vacant flame shaped cartouche. The upper rim of this 19th century Chinese silver wine goblet is encompassed with an applied moulded border. The impressive embossed shaped pedestal is realistically modelled in the form of three rooted and intertwined bamboo stalks. The impressive domed circular foot is embellished with further chased decoration replicating the details of the bamboo's terrain and environment. This impressive Chinese silver goblet...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Silver

Chinese Ware Sheep Head Cup
By Yang Qing He
Located in Brea, CA
A Chinese ware sheep head cup.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Iron

Antique Chinese Red Glazed Porcelain Vase with Porcelain Stand
Located in Brea, CA
Qing dynasty an antique important Chinese red glazed porcelain vase with porcelain stand, GuangXu Mark and of the period. Measures: 6.5” height 2.15 '' di...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver Christening Mug
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver christening mug; an addition to our silver christening gifts collection. This exceptional antique Chinese export silver mug has a tapering cylindrical form. The surface of this impressive christening mug is embellished with embossed and chased decoration depicting Asian figures in a grass terrain village setting performing chores and meditating in prayer. The scene incorporates a multitude of indigenous plants in addition to a stylized peony tree encasing a shield shaped vacant cartouche. The upper rim and base of the mug are encompassed with applied moulded borders. This Chinese export mug...
Category

Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver goblet; an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection. This exceptional antique Chinese Export silver (CES) goblet has a circular bell shaped form a shaped stem and plain circular stepped foot. The drinking vessel of this silver wine goblet is embellished with impressive engraved bamboo stems emanating from the lower portion. The embossed stem of this impressive solid silver goblet...
Category

Early 1900s Hong Kong Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Silver

20th Century Chinese Export Silver Salver by Wing Fat
By Wing Fat
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This impressive antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) salver has a circular shaped form. The centre of the salver is embellished with an engraved chrysanthemum floral design. The rai...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Silver

Set of 4 Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A Set of 4 Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks with Glasgow import marks for the firm of George Edward & Sons, 1899. The Scottish firm was one of the few UK companies that stocked Chi...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Silver

LOVELY EARLY 20TH CENTURY HANDCARVED SOAPSTONE FIGURE WiTH TWO POTS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely early 20th-century Chinese hand carved soapstone figure brush holder. This is a good example of a Chinese hand carved, two small bowls...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Soapstone

Chinese Export Silver Cup
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Cup with dragon handles, and with birds and bamboo chased and embossed around the body. The cup is supported by a furth...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl circa 1890, with later blue glass liner. The bowl is pierced and has wonderfully detailed chrysanthemum decorat...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Silver

ANTIiQUE DECORATIVE HAND HAMMERED CHINESE RICE MEASURE MASKET GREAT FRUIT BOWL!
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Chinese rice bowl measure which can be used as ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Iron

Chinese Export antiquities for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export antiquities for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage antiquities 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 metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export antiquities 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 antiquities, popular names associated with this style include Wang Hing & Co., Europa Antiques, Luen Wo, and Wing Fat. 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 antiquities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $292 and tops out at $24,500 while the average work can sell for $1,790.

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