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
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
Pair Chinese Blue Ink & Wash Peonies & Pomegranates Paintings, Lingnan School
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair Chinese Blue Ink & Wash Peonies & Pomegranates Paintings, Lingnan School, Aged Handmade Paper, Presented in Western Blue Polychromed & Gilt O...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Wood, Paper
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
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
Sublime Pair of Antique Chinese Ancestral Portrait Hand Painted Glass Paintings
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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
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
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
Lovely Pair of Antique Chinese Ancestral Portrait Hand Painted Glass Paintings
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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
Rare & Collectable Vintage Chinese Export Hardstone Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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
$18,881 Sale Price
25% Off
Asian Chinese Horse Print
By Rajhastani
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Asian Chinese horse print in a red wood frame.
Chinese lithograph print study of a horse.
Well framed, no glass.
Size: 21" x 15".
From an esta...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Paper
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
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
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
$4,716 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Signed Antique Chinese Watercolour Silk Paintings of Geisha Girl Flowers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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
Chinese Wooden Screen with Reverse Glass Painted Panels
Located in London, GB
This exquisite Chinese folding screen has been crafted from wood, and fitted with Fine reverse glass paintings. The screen is composed of six wooden panels. These panels are subdivid...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Wood, Glass
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
$3,040 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Four Antique 19th Century circa 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girls
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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 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
$8,506 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
$1,920 Sale Price / set
20% Off
FiVE CHINESE CH'IEN LUNG PERIOD 1736-1796 WATERCOLOUR BIRD PIANTINGS FRAMED
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Paper
Chinese Export Hand-Painted Oil on Canvas Painting of Interior Scene w/ Emperor
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export Exceptionally Hand-Painted Oil on Canvas Painting Depicting Musicians Playing Music for the Emperor while Seated on his Royal Throne. Beautifully executed with great d...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Canvas
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
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
19th Century Antique Tibetan Hand Painted Buddhist Thangka
Located in Pomona, CA
Very beautiful and colorful Antique Tibetan Buddhist Thangka. It is all hand painted with Tibetan natural mineral painting material which can last for...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Fabric
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
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
A Late C19th Chinese Gouache Painting On Pith Paper
Located in London, GB
A Charming Late C19th to Early C20th Chinese Gouache Painting on Pith Paper. Featuring an array of colourful Koi Carp swimming amongst reeds. Nicely executed with wonderful strong co...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Paint, Paper
Early Communist Era Signed Chinese Plaque With Jade Carvings & Rosewood Frame
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Rare Chinese Maoist Communist Era Large Plaque with intricate jade carvings of young recruits fencing and watching while in the presence of a commandeering teacher. Fabulous display ...
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Jade
Fine Chinese Export Reverse Painting on Glass
Located in San Francisco, CA
A well-executed Chinese export reverse painting on glass depicting an elaborate interior scene with many figures engaged in various domestic activities. This is a finely drawn compos...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Glass, Paint
Large Chinese Hand-Painted Silk Scroll of Two Blue Cranes, Mid Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese Hand-Painted Silk Scroll of Two Blue Cranes, Mid-20th Century
Dimensions:
Framed: 48" H × 37" W × 1.5" D
Sight: 44" H × 32" W
A striking hand-painted Chinese silk scroll...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Silk, Wood
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
$1,279 Sale Price
20% Off
18th C.China Trade Painting on Mirror Portrait of Catharina van Braam Houckgeest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
China Trade Painting on Mirror Portrait of Catharina van Braam Houckgeest
This late 18th-century China Trade reverse glass painting on mirror depicts Catharina van Braam Houckgeest,...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Enamel
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
Large and Impressive Chinese Export Reverse Painting of Women in Exotic Setting
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and impressive Chinese reverse painting on glass depicting a group of traditionally garbed women in an exotic setting with mountains and foliage in the background. The subjec...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Glass, Paint
3 Carved Wooden Panels, Floral and Animal Decorations, Indochina / Vietnam, 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
3 Carved Wooden Panels, Floral and Animal Decorations, Indochina / Vietnam, Early 20th Century
We are pleased to present an exceptional set of three hand-carved wooden panels from I...
Category
Early 20th Century Vietnamese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Wood
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
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
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
A Chinese Framed Scroll Of An Elder Man
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique framed Chinese scroll of an elder Chinese man. Scroll features a bearded Chinese man wearing traditional colorful and ornate clothing. Vibrant colors of teal, red, gold and b...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Paper
Chinese Watercolors of Exotic Fruit on Pith Paper- A Set of Eight
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Chine trade watercolors are of fine quality and depict various exotic fruits including pineapples, lychees, finger citrus and orange amongst others. Now framed with a thin gilt f...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Paper
FINE PAIR OF EXTRA LARGE BOISTEROUS EXPLOITS OF THE DRUNKEN IMMORTALS PAINTINGs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Vintage Chinese paintings depicting the Boisterous Exploits of the Drunken immortals
...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Materials
Pine
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
$559 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
$1,280 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$756 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
$2,850 / set
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
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
$4,100 / set
Framed Pink and Green Painted Panel Depicting a Chinese Landscape
Located in Queens, 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
Acrylic, Wood
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
$3,360 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Pair Antique 19th Century 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girl & Lord
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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
VINTAGE CHINESE OIL PAiNTING OF A BEAUTIFUL VASE & GHASIA GIRL STATUE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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
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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