Chinese Export Ceramics
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 Glazed Ceramic Chinese Tiles, China, Early 20th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of glazed ceramic Chinese tiles. China, early 20th century.
With pair of marble, wood and gold leaf bases. France, early 20th century.
Dimension...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Marble, Gold Leaf
A Pair of Antique Vibrant Blue Chines Porcelain Jars with Wood Lids
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An antique pair of hand painted Chinese porcelain ginger jars with carved hardwood lids. The vibrant blue background with white cartouches on the back and fronts with hand painted f...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain, Hardwood
Spode “Tabacco Leaf” Punch Bowl after Chinese Export Design, England, ca. 1820
By B. Spode
Located in Atlanta, GA
Spode “Tabacco Leaf” Punch bowl after Chinese Export design, England ca. 1820.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
9 Pc, Chinese Export Porcelain Instant Starter Collection Including Armorial
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, mostly 18th century.
A grouping of 9 Chinese porcelain objects including a blue and white floral bowl, a Famille rose bowl heavily enamel decorated with figural scenes, a "thousand...
A grouping of 9 Chinese porcelain objects including a blue and white floral bowl, a Famille rose bowl heavily enamel decorated with figural scenes, a "thousand...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Pagoda Form Tea Caddies
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of petite Chinese blue and white porcelain canisters or caddies with an elegant pagoda form hand decorated with floral and geometric designs ar...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Peacock and Peonies Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
This square ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to prote...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Zhou Dynasty Funeral Vace
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This Ahou Dynasty Funeral Vase will be a valuable addition to your collection. It features delicately painted animal characters and tiger handles. It h...
Category
16th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Export Blue & White Canton Porcelain Leaf Dish or Vide Poche
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain bowl or vide poche.
In the Canton pattern.
In a leaf-shaped form.
Decorated in underglaze blue with a mountainous Chinese village with hous...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Export Blue & White Canton Porcelain Reticulated Tray or Platter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export reticulated porcelain tray or platter.
In the Canton pattern.
Decorated in underglaze blue with a mountainous Chinese village with houses, mountains, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Red and White Porcelain Lidded Urns or Jars
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of Chinese porcelain lidded urns with classic form hand decorated with flowers and leaves in orange and red.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Antique large circular Chinese Republican period hand painted framed panel
Located in Central England, GB
This superb very large Chinese Republican period porcelain panel depicts a detailed underwater aquatic scene which is illuminated with golden sunlight. It shows numerous shubunkin go...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Enamel
Fine Pair of Chinese Porcelain Bottle Shaped Vases, Daoguang period (1821-1850)
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of Chinese porcelain bottle-shaped vases, painted in the Islamic style, Daoguang period (1821-1850). Each vase finely handpainted in Henn...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Green Glazed Chinese Mingqi Spirit Scholar
Located in Chicago, IL
Molded of earthenware, this petite sculpture is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Such model figures were placed in tombs of individuals with high status to ensure a safe journey to the afterlife. Meant to depict the pleasures of daily life, common burial figures...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Antique 19th Century Chinese Mirror Black Porcelain Jar Lamp
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A stunning antique Chinese porcelain 19th century jar, as a lamp. The porcelain jar is in a Mirror black glaze, which is a very dark The Lamp measures 27 inches to the top of the sha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Mandarin Tea Cup & Saucer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export Rose Mandarin porcelain cup & saucer.
Each with enamel painted decoration on a white porcelain ground.
Both cup & saucer decorated with painted scene...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Canton Porcelain Boxes, 1900 Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of rectangular Canton porcelain boxes. Polychromic and gold enameled decoration in the green and pink shades and composed of flowers and foliages with bouquets and scenes.
The ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Double Happiness Tea Caddies
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Originally a wish for a happy marriage the double happiness symbol is iconic, here we present a pair of lidded tea caddies hand decorated with a floral background.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Nine 19th Century Chinese Export Spinach and Egg Bowls
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine and rare set of five "egg and spinach" Chinese export porcelain bowls. Painted in a Tang Sancai or "Tiger Skin" technique used in the Kangxi perio...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Glass
Large Chinese Export Famille Rose Round Plate
Located in Dallas, TX
Large Chinese export famille rose plate, painted in famille rose enamels. In the center is a chrysanthemum and peony growing from a weathered rock.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Urns
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain urns with a round fluid form and hand decorated with lovely floral designs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Male Mingqi Spirit Attendant
Located in Chicago, IL
Molded of earthenware, this petite sculpture is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Such model figures were placed in tombs of individuals with high status to ensure a safe journey to the afterlife. Meant to depict the pleasures of daily life, common burial figures...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Qing Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain Vase in French Gilt Bronze Mount
Located in Dallas, TX
Qing Dynasty Blue And White Porcelain Vase In French Gilt Bronze Mount, Formerly Drilled as Lamp, Square Shape Square Shape.
20...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
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 Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Export Blue & White Canton Porcelain Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain bowl.
In the Canton pattern.
Decorated in underglaze blue with a mountainous Chinese village with houses, mountains, foliage, and a river an...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Enamelware Teapot with Mythical Qilin, c. 1920s
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and he...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Asian White Ceramic Platter Bowl Scalloped Rim Huge Heavy 24 in. D.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Asian Chinese White Ceramic Platter Scalloped Rim Huge Heavy Dep Bowl 24 in. Diameter.
Very large white Asian Chinese ceramic plate or bowl.
Chinese Qing style white glazed ceramic bowl.
Oversized white ceramic platter bowl, great to use for indoor or outdoor parties for serving salads, seafood, or any catering exotic or classic cuisine and big enough to hold a turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Great to use as an Asian decorative bowl for fruits or just as a large white platter...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
A Chinese Porcelain Temple Jar with Hand Carved Stand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Elegant Chinese porcelain temple jar with jade green glaze in a crackle finish. The hung mu wood hand carved base with five legs with a reticulated stretcher support. A total heigh...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain, Hardwood
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 Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain, Hardwood
A large pair of boldly decorated Chinese cloisonné vases circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
This highly decorative pair of good-quality large-scale Chinese cloisonné enamel vases is most unusual. They have ornate decoration in rich, bright colours on a red background.
They...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Enamel
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 Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Large Chinese Export Satsuma Moriage Geishas Koi Fish Bowl Decorative
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Vintage Chinese Export Satsuma Moriage Geishas Koi Fish Bowl
A very good looking well made and decorat...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
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 Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Dish with Dutch Decoration of a Voc Ship
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Chinese export porcelain dish with Dutch decoration of a VOC ship
Circa 1700-1710, the Dutch decoration circa 1720-1730
Diam. 21.5 cm
?
Originally l...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Tang Dynasty Dignatory
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Highly decorated Tang Dynasty Chinese Magristrate figure. This large 25" H ceramic sculpture is an impressive piece with a serious expression. It is in excellent condition. The me...
Category
1680s Asian Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Porcelain Peach Altar Tribute Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain sculpture of ripe, red peaches - symbolizing immortality - each crafted with great detail, stacked high in a green dish as an abundant tri...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Export Footed Dishes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
No breaks, cracks or fractures. Beautifully detailed.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
18th Century Chinese Export Famille Rose Vases, circa 1750
Located in London, GB
A pair of 18th century famille rose vases painted and applied decoration of squirrels flowers and leaves.
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Two Chinese Kangxi '18th C.' Porcelain Fruit Stands, Buddhas Hand & Pomegranates
Located in New York, NY
Two fantastic and rare Chinese Kangxi Period porcelain fruit stands, Representing Buddhas Hand & Pomegranates. Each of these is beautifully hand-...
Category
1710s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Hand-Painted Chinese Export Flower Vases
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine pair of Chinese blue and white wide mouth hand-painted flower decorated flared top vases.
Dimensions: 10" W x 10" D x 21.5" H.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Antique 18th/19th C. Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy with European Decoration
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain tea caddy.
Made for the European market.
Likely Qianlong period.
With puce painted cartouches d...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export ceramics 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 ceramics 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 ceramics 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 ceramics, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Imari Porcelain, Meissen Porcelain, and Samson & Cie. 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 ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $76,572 while the average work can sell for $1,495.