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Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

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
Chinese Export Watercolor Exotic Bird Paintings on Paper
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade watercolor paintings of exotic birds on branches are in watercolor and gouache on Chinese paper. One picture depicts a pigeon perched on a tree branch with a landscape background. Chinese calligraphy can be seen in the top right corner. The second picture depicts two courting birds in shades of brown, both perched on a branch, also in a landscape background. Both paintings framed with a green silk mat and contemporary gilt and dark wood frame. Reference: Chinese Export...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Chinese Export Eight Panel Coromandel Screen Horse Riding
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Remarkable Chinese export eight-panel coromandel screen featuring a country landscape with men on horseback. The panels have a faded lacquer patina in a rich oxblood or cordovan tone...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

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 Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

China Trade Watercolors of Flower Baskets with Chinoiserie Frames, A Set of Six
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade Watercolors on Pith Paper of Flower Baskets, Circa 1850. The watercolors on pith paper framed vertically within Chinoiserie black and gold frames depict flowers within h...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Table screen Chinese screen with painting on silk
Located in STRAČOV, CZ
Table screen Chinese screen with painting on silk This beautiful Chinese table screen is a masterpiece of traditional Asian art. The screen consists of four folding panels, on which...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Canvas, Wood

China Trade Painting on Paper depicting Feeding of Silkworms
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade Painting on Paper, Silk Processing-Feeding of Silkworms, Circa 1780-1820 A fine China Trade watercolor and gouache on paper depicting two of the steps in the processing ...
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Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

FiVE CHINESE CH'IEN LUNG PERIOD 1736-1796 WATERCOLOUR BIRD PIANTINGS FRAMED
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of five original Watercolour paintings dating to the Ch'ien Lung Period 1736-1796 publishe...
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1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Early Chinese Export Reverse Glass Painting Depicting Deer, Monkeys & Wildlife
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite early and highly unusual Chinese export reverse glass painting from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) beautifully depic...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass, Giltwood, Paint

Vintage Hand painted & Lacquered Chinese Wall Panels With Pheasants
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Excellent hand painted Chinese lacquer panels of pheasants against a sepia background. Very distinguished and refined scene with stunning overall effect. In good original condition. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Kuancai Ten Panel Coromandel Screen Mythical Landscape
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export Kuancai ten-panel coromandel screen featuring a mythical flora and fauna landscape. Made in the 17th century style that was so loved and collected by Coco Chan...
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20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Eight Panel Coromandel Screen Han Palace
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary Chinese export eight panel coromandel screen featuring the Han Palace courtyard with figures. Each wooden pa...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Six Panel Carved Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive 20th century Chinese export six-panel coromandel screen featuring a carved soapstone flora and fauna treed landscape screen. Each panel is 16 inches wide lacquered, and de...
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20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Verre Eglomise Chinese Export Portrait Painting
Located in Savannah, GA
A verre eglomise Chinese export portrait painting, circa 1900. 15 inches wide by 19 inches tall; 1 ½ inches deep
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

19th Century Asian Hand Carved Screen with Mountains, Trees and Sea Gulls
Located in Lomita, CA
Sea, Sky and Birds populate the hand carving of this screen. The delicate open hand-carving on this screen is distinctive. This is a late 19th, early 20th century Chinese divider screen...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood

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 Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk, Elm

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 Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk, Paint

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 Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paint, Paper

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 Paintings and Screens

Materials

Giltwood, Paint, Paper

Antique Chinese Ancestor Empress Portrait Watercolor Scroll Painting 57"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique watercolor on paper Chinese ancestor portrait, depicting a woman on a throne chair wearing intricate robes with cranes and dragons, and jeweled crown...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paint, Paper

19th Century Chinese Gilt Inkwash Painted Screen
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a singular piece, a framed vintage Chinese gilt and inkwash miniature six-fold paper screen, that was possibly a salesman's sample, and it is beautiful. This is from the la...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Giltwood

Chinese Export Four Panel Carved Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export four panel coromandel screen featuring beauties in a pagoda pavilion landscape. Beautifully crafted from intricately carved soapstone in vivid colors and fasci...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Chinese Export Eight Panel Coromandel Screen Lotus Blossoms
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand Chinese export post republic period eight panel coromandel screen featuring a waterscape decorated with blossoming lotus and birds....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Antique pair of Chinese reverse painted pictures, the Emperor and Empress C 1920
Located in Central England, GB
A very decorative rich and colourful pair of pictures are hand painted in reverse on panes of glass. This is a very difficult and highly skilled process where the finest detailing has to be painted first unlike traditional artwork. Both pictures show very similar images, one of the Emperor and the other of the Empress both wearing fabulous elaborately decorated silk gowns. They are seated on an impressive throne chair with white marble carved elephants on blue stands in the background standing on a detailed tiled floor. These superb paintings are displayed in their original carved hardwood frames with a black lacquered finish. The backs are panelled and held in place with neat rectangular wooden pegs. On the back, there appears to be old chalked detail from an auction or saleroom, Hinkley, lot 37 library. The frames have decorative cast brass hanging plates...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass

19th C. Chinese Hand Painted Silk 6-Panel Wallpaper Floor Screen Mounted As A Pr
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th or possibly late 18th century. An oversized Chinese 6 panel wallpaper screen mounted as a PAIR of 3 panel screens. Each nearly 8 foot tall panel has stunning hand laid...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk, Paint

BATTLE SCENE AND HUNTING SCENE Late 18th Century Chinese
Located in Madrid, ES
BATTLE SCENE AND HUNTING SCENE Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese paintings, from the 18th century, on paper. Framed. Small defects. Dim.: 177 x 162 cm
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Vintage Asian Gouache Painting on Paper - Unsigned - China - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage gouache painting on paper - good quality and composition - mounted with adhesive tape to a two color/double beveled matte board - unsigned - China - late 20th century. Excel...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paint, Paper

Chinese Export Four Panel Carved Soapstone Lacquered Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen featuring carved hardstone and soapstone decoration. The screen depicts a group of beauties in colorful flowing robes. The parcel-gilt landscape is decorated with two large carved stone trees...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Vintage Watercolor Painting on Paper - Signed - Unframed - China - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage watercolor painting on paper - good quality and composition - signed with a multi character stamp in red - mounted with adhesive tape to a two color/double bevel edged matte ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paint, Paper

XIANG TIAN - 'Relaxing' - Vintage Watercolor Painting - Signed - China - 20th C.
Located in Chatham, ON
XIANG TIAN - 'Relaxing' - Vintage watercolor painting on paper - nice quality and composition - signed with a single red chop mark and Chinese characters (upper left) - signed and ti...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paint, Paper

Chinese Export Six Panel Hardstone Lacquer Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic Chinese export intricately carved lacquered screen featuring scholars objects in boldly colored stones. The reverse side has a delicate gilt decoration over a black ground ....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Soapstone

Early Monumental Framed Chinese Ancestral Portraits -Guache on Paper , 76”h - S/
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of early Chinese ancestral portraits, male and female. The medium is guache on paper with soothing neutrals. The frames are taupe with iridescent tones. There is foxing...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Plexiglass, Wood, Paint, Paper

Antique Chinese Export Qing Dynasty Reverse Painting on Glass of Children 1860
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Qing dynasty Chinese export reverse painting on glass, circa 1860. The painting depicts two children from the Imperial court, wearing very finely embroidered robe...
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass

Set of Four 19th Century Chinese Export Harbor / Seascape Paintings
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of Four 19th-Century Chinese Export Harbor and Seascape Paintings  Chinese School, Hand Painted on Silk, Measuring 14.5 inches wide by 11 inches high (sight), Laid on Board Imme...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk, Glass, Giltwood

18th Century Chinese 4 Panel Coromandel Landscape and Figural Screen
Located in Sharon, CT
Offering an early 4 Part carved and lacquered paneled screen, scenes on both sides, each section divided into three parts plus a skirt. Fine ca...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Export Butterfly & Insect Pith Watercolor
Located in Atlanta, GA
Canton China, circa 1830. A great and unusual pith watercolor painting of butterflies and insects around a blossoming tree branch. Unmarked.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk, Giltwood, Paper

19th Century Chinese Reverse Glass Painting
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
19th century unusual Chinese reverse painting on glass, depicting a busy Hong Kong harbour scene with trade boat flying different countries flags, loca...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

A Chinese export reverse-glass painting after an English print in original frame
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Canton, late 18th century In original hardwood frame with ruyi-shaped metal mount for suspension. H. 38.7 x W. 44.3 cm (incl. frame) H. 31.8 x W. 37.5 cm (image) Chinese reverse glass paintings for export are known since mid 18th century. By the 1780's the copying of European, mainly English, engravings came into vogue in Chinese paintings on glass...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

19th Century Chinese Reverse Glass Painting
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A good quality C19th Chinese reverse painting on glass of large size, brightly coloured with depicting dignitaries, ladies and attendants in a courtyar...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass

Rare & Collectable Vintage Chinese Export Hardstone Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely well made and highly collectable Chinese Export circa 1940’s Hardstone room divider folding screen. A truly stunning and exquisit...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Stone

Chinese Suzhou Embroidery Table Screen
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Suzhou Embroidery Table Screen, revolving panel depicting cat and praying mantis scene. Dealer: S138XX
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Thread, Wood, Glass

Chinese Export Lacquered Six Panel Coromandel Landscape Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Beautifully weathered patina Chinese export lacquered coromandel screen with six double sided panels. The screen features a mountain landscape on one si...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Lacquered Four Panel Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Beautifully weathered Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen decorated on both sides. The screen features a pavilion landscape on one side and a floral and fauna landscape on th...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Set of Chinese Figurative Mid Century Watercolor Landscapes
Located in Lomita, CA
These are two paintings depicting figures in a natural landscape setting among trees and other garden settings. The palette is pastel mixed with neutral tones. Based on the hairstyle...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paint

Chinese Export Four Panel Gilt Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen featuring a pagoda pavilion landscape with a dramatic gold leaf background. The black lacquered panels are incised with vibr...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Lovely Pair of Antique Chinese Ancestral Portrait Hand Painted Glass Paintings
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Antique Chinese Ancestral Portraits w...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass

Chinese Export Six Panel Gilt Lacquered Folding Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Chinese export six-panel lacquered folding screen featuring idyllic gilt landscape scenes. Each panel is decorated with a painted scene...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Four Panel Coromandel Dream of the Red Chamber
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Faded Chinese export narrative tale coromandel screen with four lacquered panels. The scene is from the 18th century novel by Cao Xuegin. The screen depicts beauties in the grand vie...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Asian Two Panel Table Screen Flowering Prunus with Songbird
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Colorful Asian two panel byobu screen featuring a blossoming prunus tree with a songbird perched on its branch. Vibrant ink and color pigments applied to a golden silk ground. The pa...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Reverse Glass Painting of Warriors in Landscape, circa 1825
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A fine circa 1825 Chinese Export polychrome reverse glass painting of a warrior group with horse and 'Budai' in a river landscape housed in original 'Chinese Chippendale' parcel-gilt...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Chinese Chinoiserie Black Lacquered and Gold Coromandel 6 Panel Screen
Located in West Hartford, CT
Spectacular Chinese black lacquered 6 panel folding screen incised with gold gilt and white paint featuring Chinese village scenery. Feet...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Export Four Panel Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Celestial Chinese export coromandel four-panel screen depicting figures in colorful robes in a heavenly landscape among the white clouds. Eac...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Hollywood Regency Lacquered Coromandel Screen with Banana Leaves
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Chinese export hollywood regency period four panel coromandel screen featuring a lush green landscape with exotic birds, vines, and banana leaves. Each panel measures 16 inc...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Sublime Pair of Antique Chinese Ancestral Portrait Hand Painted Glass Paintings
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this Sublime pair of Antique Chinese Ancestral Portraits ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass

Chinese Export Reverse Glass Portrait Painting of an Opium Maiden, circa 1880
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A wonderful and extremely rare last quarter 19th century Chinese export for the Anglo-Indian market reverse glass portrait painting of an opium-smoking maiden or young lady painted i...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass, Giltwood, Paint

Chinese Reverse Painting on Glass Empress Dowager Cixi 1st Half of 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A CHINESE REVERSE PAINTING ON GLASS OF Empress Dowager Cixi 1st Half of 20th Century. Fine painting on glass of Empress Cixi seating on a throne in or...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass

Chinese Export Four Panel Coromandel Screen Pearlescent Landscape
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Captivating Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen featuring an idyllic seascape with beauties. The background is comprised of pearlescent crystal sand that shines like glitter ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Silk 1940s Chinese Export Needlepoint with Nightingale on Branch with Blooms
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a silk Asian needlepoint (Gilt Bamboo-style frame) bird on a branch with flow that measures 38 x 25 x 2.5 inches.It is stunning in pastel colo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk, Bamboo

Chinese Export Four Panel Carved Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Chinese export four panel lacquered coromandel screen featuring hand-carved soapstone beauties in a floral landscape with gilt clo...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Chinese Export paintings and screens for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export paintings and screens 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 paintings and screens created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export paintings and screens made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original paintings and screens, popular names associated with this style include and Sunqua. 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 paintings and screens differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $277 and tops out at $55,677 while the average work can sell for $3,975.

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