Skip to main content

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.

3
125
1
to
12
91
27
126
126
126
76
36
27
11
8
8
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
8
39
78
1
20
12
4
4
3
1
71
38
34
28
21
121
119
119
1
1
1
1
Style: Chinese Export
Verre Eglomise Chinese Export Reverse Glass Painting
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique Verre Eglomise Chinese Export reverse glass painting. Beautiful Chinese reverse glass painting of two women in a Chinese garden with a scroll. This painting is particularly vibrant and exquisite in color and detail. The wood frame painting...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pair of Vintage Asian 3 Panel Screens with Intricate Hand Painted Detail
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Super Chic pair of vintage Asian 3 Panel black lacquered screens with beautiful carved intricate detail and hand painted. Each side is displayin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood

Chinese Decorative Wall Plate of Spring
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 Paintings and Screens

Materials

Bronze

Set of Twelve Chinese Gouache Paintings in Bamboo Frames
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set of twelve early 20th century Chinese Gouache paintings depicting everyday life of various craftsmen. Examples are a barber, food vendors, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paint

19th Century Painting of Men in Armory in Gilt Burl Frame, from Laos or Thailand
Located in Lomita, CA
The setting, the detail, and the sense of conflict and mystery make this painting compelling. There is a contrast throughout the painting of softness and a hard edge. The trees and t...
Category

Late 19th Century Southeast Asian Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Burl

20th Century Chinese Coromandel Black Gilt Eight-Panel Screen Immortals Sky Gods
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a monumental 8ft, eight panel room divider, circa the 20th century. This beautiful double-sided hardwood screen showcases a rich, black lacquer finish an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer

Set of Four Framed Chinese Silk Flower and Bird Paintings
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Chinese silk paintings, beautifully presented in matching gilt and burl wood frames with brocade borders. The subject of this lovely ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk, Wood

Pair of Chinese Hand Carved Jade and Wood Table Screens
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a 19th century pair of Chinese hand carved oval jade and hard stone table screens with wood stands. They depict a semitransparent large egg sh...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Jade

19th Century Chinese Red Lacquer Screen, 6 Panel Set
Located in Madrid, ES
Exceptionally decorative set of six 18th century Qing Dynasty Chinese red and gold lacquer panels, originally from a twelve panel screen. Fortunate...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Export Eight-Panel Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand painted and decorated grand scale Chinese export Eight-panel Coromandel screen featuring different hand painted Chinese scene on each side. One side depicting an hand painted and parcel gilded court scenes. The reverse features a Chinese landscape scene. The screen measures 96 inches...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Chinese Export Four Panel Gilt Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Heavenly Mid-Century Modern period Chinese export lacquered coromandel screen featuring four panels depicting celestial beauties in the sky with decorative ruyi clouds and moon. Soli...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Early 20th C Chinese Linhai Painted Panel in Green Tones
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1900 Linhai wood panel with hand painted scene in green and fuchsia tones of a flowering tree with a bird. Painted black scrolled border and red edge. Decorative brass hanger at the top. Panel measures 38.5” high without brass hanging hardware.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Six-Panel Silver Leaf Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Chinese export six-panel folding coromandel screen depicting flora and fauna. Constructed from lacquered wooden panels hand carved and painted. Features a rare silver leaf...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass, Silver Leaf

Set of Five Antique Chinese Watercolors on Silk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing set of five Chinese watercolor paintings on silk depicting men occupied in their trades, executed in a soft delicate technique and presented under glass in four wood frame...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silver Leaf

Chinese Soapstone, Semiprecious Hardstone and Lacquer Folding Screen
Located in Miami, FL
This stunning Chinese screen is an exceptionally well-crafted piece, beautifully decorated with intricate semiprecious hardstone carvings. Measuring ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood, Precious Stone

Pair Antique 19th Century 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girl & Lord
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of antique circa 1880’s Chinese hand painted Gouache paintings depicting a Geisha girl and Lord A very good looking and beautifully painted pairing, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Pair of Antique Asian Mother of Pearl Inlaid Hardwood Panels
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Antique Asian Mother of Pearl Inlaid Hardwood Panels. A pair or Vietnamese works Each one standing over 6-Feet tall, Intricately inlaid with numerous characters and threads, ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood

Chinese Export Trade Painting Depicting ‘the Tea Shop', Chinoiserie Chique
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A refined Chinese export painting depicting ‘The Tea shop’ Canton, early 19th century Ink and watercolour on silk, H. 63.5 x W. 52.3 cm Framed in giltwood frame. ?The paintin...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk

Four Antique 19th Century circa 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girls
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four antique circa 1880’s Chinese hand painted Gouache paintings depicting Geisha girls in traditional settings. A very good looking and beautifully painted suite, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Pair of Signed Antique Chinese Watercolour Silk Paintings of Geisha Girl Flowers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of antique circa 1920’s Chinese Export hand painted on silk paintings depicting a Geisha girl and a floral scene with butterfly. A very good looking and beautifully painted pair, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk

Mid Century Chinese Silk Paintings of Birds by Signed Artists in Gilt Frames
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Elegant Chinese Export signed Silk paintings from the mid-century era. Excellent condition in gilt frames. Identical birds in differing hue and signature likely painted by different ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk

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

VINTAGE CHINESE OIL PAiNTING OF A BEAUTIFUL VASE & GHASIA GIRL STATUE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely decorative vintage Chinese oil panting of a Geisha girl statue standi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Canvas

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Giltwood

Set of Six Chinese Canton Watercolors on Pith Paper Depicting Royals
Located in Bradenton, FL
A charming and rare set of six Chinese gouaches of male and female nobility in various costumes, with attendants, painted on pith paper. Beautifully framed and matted. During the 18...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

20th Century Chinese Gilt Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen Immortals Sky Gods
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export eight-panel lacquered coromandel screen depicting a heavenly scene of immortals and sky gods floating in ruyi clouds. The fascin...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Chinese Export Eight Panel Coromandel Screen Six Beauties
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare and unusual Chinese export eight panel lacquered coromandel screen depicting six beauties. The scene is bordered by a walled pavilion with pagodas and trees. The women appear to...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Set of Six 19th Century Chinese Export Gouache Paintings on Pith Paper
Located in Stamford, CT
A very unusual and intriguing rare set of six 19th century Chinese gouaches depicting scenes of corporal punishment, and in one, execution. Painted...
Category

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

Materials

Paper

Four Chinese Hardwood and Mother of Pearl Inlaid Panels
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A set of four antique Chinese decorative panes with mother of pear inlay. The panels with floral and branch with various birds hand inlaid into a hardwood panel. The four panels may ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood

Antique Framed Silk Panel, Oriental, Embroidered, Decorative, 100 Children, 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique framed silk panel. An Oriental, embroidered decorative scene known as the 'Hundred Children' dating to the early 20th century, circa 1900. Fascinating Oriental antique craftsmanship Displays a desirable aged patina Superb, hand embroidered silk panel with pastel palette Presented within a golden frame and navy blue border behind glass plate Famous, Oriental '100 Children' scene depicts children at play against a cream ground Outer green border with foliate pattern complements the discrete inner margin Replete with hanging loop for wall mounting This antique silk panel...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk

Set of Eight Chinese Watercolors of Working Women
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare antique set of eight Chinese watercolors depicting women in various occupations executed in a traditional delicate style on pith. Presented in a gilt carved wood Asian style fra...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paint

Chinese Qing Four Panel Carved Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Chinese late Qing dynasty four panel folding coromandel screen featuring carved soapstone. The lacquered panels are decorated with idyllic scenes of beauties in a pagoda p...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

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

Chinese Qing Four Panel Carved Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Chinese export late Qing dynasty four-panel folding Coromandel screen featuring carved soapstone. The ebony lacquered panels are decorated with colorful carved scholars ob...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Chinese Export Six Panel Cloisonné Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming Chinese export six-panel lacquer coromandel screen featuring a blue and white cloisonné style border decorated with scholars objects,...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Chinese Screen in Hard Stones, Early 1900s, China
Located in Pambio Noranco, CH
Chinese screen in hard stones, early 1900s, China Consisting of 4 facades, it presents hard stone figures on the front and on the back d...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood

China Trade Watercolor Pictures of Junks & Sampans, Set of Five
Located in Downingtown, PA
China trade watercolor pictures of junks & sampans, Set of Five, Circa 1850 The Chinese watercolor paintings on pith paper each depict a diffe...
Category

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

Materials

Paper

Large Chinese Heavily Carved Wood Relief Plaque Wall Mounted Sculpture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning vintage heavily carved relief, ready to hang. Now, more than ever, home is where the heart is.
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood

Chinese Coromandel Red Lacquer 12-Panel Figural and Landscape Screen. Circa 1840
Located in Hollywood, SC
Chinese Coromandel figural red lacquer 12-panel screen depicting pagoda and landscape scenes, decorative gilt floral border panels, gilt carved lower panels, and reverse side depicti...
Category

1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint

Five Extremely Rare Chinese Drawings of Foreigners, 18th Century, Colonial
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Five Chinese paintings of western people by an unknown artist China, circa 1760, captions later All in giltwood frames. “A woman with Portuguese hairdo, with gold, silver and gemstone necklace, a skirt under a vest, a koi on her back, called a cloak, a woman customarily inherited the family business, the male humble, to the threshold (Qianlong year, circa 1735).” Gouache on silk, measures: 32 x 25.4 cm “He is a Westerner who had a white skin. He does not have a heavy beard but plaits his hair. He wears a triangular black hat, short jacket, leather shoes and long stockings...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

18th Century Five-Panel Chinese Coromandel Screel
Located in CABA, AR
Transport yourself back to the opulent splendor of the 18th century with this magnificent Chinese five-panel black Coromandel screen, a true m...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Gold Leaf

Tibetan Thangka Depicting the Bhavacakra, Early 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Tibetan Thangka Depicting The Bhavacakra Early 20th century, Color on cloth. A thangka showing the bhavacakra with the ancient five cyclic realms of samsara in Buddhi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Linen

Set of Six Chinese Watercolours on Pith Paper Depicting Artisans Canton, 1835
Located in Uckfield, Sussex
Many export paintings were known for their skillful treatment of subject and brilliancy of color; these paintings are no exception. These types of export paintings were highly regarded Chinese mementos of life in Canton during the 19th century and were created to capture of the atmosphere of that particular region. The subjects varied from colorfully costumed women...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

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 Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Coromandel Lacquer and Gilt Six Fold Screen
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Chinese Export Coromandel lacquer and gilt six fold screen. Exceptional and rare six panel intaglio lacquer carving from the mid-20th century. It depi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Twelve-Panel Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand scale Chinese export twelve-panel Coromandel screen featuring a pagoda garden pavilion with figures engaged in leisurely activities. The panels are intricately carved with thic...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Framed Pink and Green Painted Panel Depicting a Chinese Landscape
Located in New York, NY
Chinese partially distressed painted panel in green and pink against a crackle beige background depicting a landscape wtih trees ad architecture inside a floral border.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood, Acrylic

Set of Six Chinese Canton Watercolours on Pith Paper Depicting Interior Scenes
Located in Uckfield, Sussex
Many export paintings were known for their skillful treatment of subject and brilliancy of color; These paintings are no exception. These types of export paintings were highly regarded Chinese mementos of life in Canton during the 19th century and were created to capture of the atmosphere of that particular region. The subjects varied from colorfully costumed women...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Paper

Chinese Export Eight Panel Screen
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely Chinese export hand painted screen, with an unusual sienna back ground, carved and painted overall with figures and animals.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood

Chinese Twelve-Panel Red Lacquer Coromandel Screen of Xiwangmu
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental Chinese export twelve-panel red lacquered Coromandel screen of Chinese mythological Daoist character Xiwangmu (Queen mother of the West). Remarkable large scale screen full of vibrant color on incised lacquer...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Large Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wallpaper Section in Carved Hardwood Frame
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderfully charming large and colorful Chinese hand painted wallpaper section in a carved and shaped hardwood frame. The wallpaper dates to the first half of the 20th century or e...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Hardwood, Paper

Monumental Chinese Export Twelve-Panel Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Very impressive monumental Chinese export twelve-panel Coromandel screen depicting a lush courtyard with figures involved in leisurely activities. The panels are incised and lacquered with vibrant colors and gilt over a dramatic dark red background. Each panel has a decorative fan...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Reverse-Painted Mirror Pictures
Located in Rome, IT
A pair of Chinese reverse glass painting representing women and a child in a garden pavillion. Original "Chinese Chippendale" framing. China for expo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Art Glass

Chinese Export Twelve Panel Coromandel Style Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental Chinese export coromandel style lacquered screen featuring twelve panels with incised relief scenes of ladies in a courtyard among pavilions....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Brass

Chinese Ancestor Portrait
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Chinese 'Ancestor Portrait' oil on canvas laid down on board, depicting a seated dignitary. The Chinese characters identify the artist at Giuseppe Castiglione...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Canvas

China Trade Watercolor & Gouache Set of Twelve Paintings of Fruit & Flowers
Located in Downingtown, PA
Superb quality painting! China Trade Watercolor & Gouache on pith paper, Set of twelve paintings of fruit and flowers, Circa 1850-1860 ...
Category

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

Materials

Paper

China Trade Set of Six Sunqua Still Life of Fruit & Flowers Paintings
By Sunqua
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade set of six Gouache Still Life Paintings of Fruit & Flowers on Pith Paper, Each Signed Sunqua, mid-19th century The fine China Trade pith paper painting...
Category

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

Materials

Paper

Young Elegant Asian Woman Oil on Canvas, circa 1940s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Young elegant Asian woman oil on canvas, circa 1940s This is one of our favorite paintings. A young Asian woman out on a warm afternoon. The quality of this painting cannot be ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Canvas

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.

Recently Viewed

View All