Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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.
Style: Chinese Export
Color: Gold
Large Asian Bronze Foo Dogs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Large Asian Bronze Foo Dogs or Kylin Dragon, probably Chinese, circa 1950s or earlier. They retain their warm original patina. These were purch...
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Chinese Foo Dogs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Asian Bronze and Inlaid Glass Foo Dogs or Kylin Dragon, probably Chinese, circa 1950s or earlier. They retain their warm original patina. These were purchased from the Manhattan estate of a Japanese American that traveled extensively through Asia in the 1940s-1960s purchasing antiques in China...
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Pair 19th Century Bronze Fu Dogs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
These guardian statues were traditionally found standing sentry in front of palaces, temples, and homes of the elite across many parts of Asia. These ...
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Tibetan Bronze Standing Gilt Bronze Buddha Offering Protection
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tibetan bronze standing gilt bronze buddha offering protection
China, 20th century
A fine example, the Buddha standing on lotus base with the "no fear" abhaya mudra, the figure is ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Chinese Bronze Deity Figures, 20th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of Chinese bronze figures of deities standing on dragons. The two sculptures were made in the 20th century. They represent the Tao gods Lu Xing and Fu Xin...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture, Late 19th Century, Asia
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze sculpture, late 19th century, Asia
Measures: H 19cm, W 15cm, W 8cm.
Category
1880s Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture Japanese Scholar Scroll Fukurokuju Inlay
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Well done, very sharp detailed cast bronze figure with inlay of silver metal on scroll, 1920s- 1930s. Beautiful golden patina on head and bottom from years of handling. 8.3 lbs.
Category
1920s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Large Bronze Statue of Bodhisattva on Double Lotus Throne
Located in Atlanta, GA
The most beloved subject in the Mahayana Buddhism, Bodhisattva, the one whom driven by great compassion, delayed his/her own Buddhahood to help the others to attain enlightenment.
...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold, Bronze
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Larger Than Life Terracotta Buddha Bust of Guanyin, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
A massive larger than life terracotta buddha bust of Guan Yin,
China, early 20th century.
Broken and restored with wear and tear from enduring exposure to the elements.
Size: 75 cm high.
Weight: 40 kg.
Guanyin, Kwanyin, Guanshiyin or Guanyin Pusa is the Chinese interpretation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (the goddess of comfort and mercy). In addition, she is seen in Taoism as an immortal. The scripture dedicated to her is Dabeizhou. Guanyin is the goddess of compassion and the sea. She is one of the three saints of the western paradise, along with Mahasthamaprapta and Amitabha Buddha; they are worshiped to save departed loved ones from hell and grant them entrance to the western paradise.
Guanyin
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 觀音
Simplified Chinese 观音
Transcriptions
Full Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 觀世音
Simplified Chinese 观世音
Literal meaning "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World"
Transcriptions
Second alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 觀自在
Simplified Chinese 观自在
Literal meaning "Lord who Gazes down on the World"
Transcriptions
Burmese name
Burmese ကွမ်ယင်
IPA [kwàɴ jɪ̀ɴ]
Tibetan name
Tibetan སྤྱན་རས་གཟིགས
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabet Quan Âm (Quán Âm)
Quán Thế Âm (Quan Thế Âm)
Quán Tự Tại
Chữ Hán 觀音
觀世音
觀自在
Thai name
Thai กวนอิม, พระอวโลกิเตศวรโพธิสัตว์
RTGS Kuan Im, Phra Avalokitesuan
Korean name
Hangul 관음, 관세음, 관자재
Hanja 觀音, 觀世音, 觀自在
Transcriptions
Mongolian name
Mongolian script ᠨᠢᠳᠦ ᠪᠡᠷ
ᠦᠵᠡᠭᠴᠢ
Japanese name
Kanji 観音, 観世音, 観自在
Hiragana かんのん, かんぜおん, かんじざい
Transcriptions
Indonesian name
Indonesian Kwan Im, Kwan She Im, Awalokiteswara
Filipino name
Tagalog Guanyin (ᜄᜓᜀᜈᜌᜒᜈ)
Sanskrit name
Sanskrit अवलोकितेश्वर (Avalokiteśvara)
Khmer name
Khmer អវលោកិតេស្វរៈ (Avalokitesvarak), អវលោកេស្វរៈ (Avalokesvarak), លោកេស្វរៈ (Lokesvarak)
Hmong name
Hmong Kabyeeb, Niam-Txiv Kabyeeb, Dabpog, Niam-Txiv Dabpog
Guanyin (traditional Chinese: 觀音; simplified Chinese: 观音; pinyin: Guānyīn) is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर) and has been adopted by other Eastern religions, including Chinese folk religion.[note 1] She was first given the appellation "Goddess of Mercy" or "Mercy Goddess" by Jesuit missionaries in China.[1] Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World."[2] On the 19th day of the sixth lunar month, Guanyin's attainment of Buddhahood is celebrated.[3]
Some Buddhists believe that when one of their adherents departs from this world, they are placed by Guanyin in the heart of a lotus, and then sent to the western pure land of Sukhāvatī.[4] Guanyin is often referred to as the "most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity"[5] with miraculous powers to assist all those who pray to her, as is mentioned in the Pumen chapter of Lotus Sutra and Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra.
Several large temples in East Asia are dedicated to Guanyin, including Shaolin Monastery, Longxing Temple, Puning Temple, Nanhai Guanyin Temple, Dharma Drum Mountain, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Shitennō-ji, Sensō-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjūsangen-dō, and many others. Guanyin's abode and bodhimaṇḍa in India is recorded as being on Mount Potalaka. With the localization of the belief in Guanyin, each area adopted their own Potalaka. In Chinese Buddhism, Mount Putuo is considered the bodhimaṇḍa of Guanyin. Naksansa is considered to be the Potalaka of Guanyin in Korea. Japan's Potalaka is located at Fudarakusan-ji. Tibet's Potalaka is the Potala Palace. Vietnam's Potalaka is the Hương Temple.
There are several pilgrimage centers for Guanyin in East Asia. Putuoshan is the main pilgrimage site in China. There is a 33 temple Guanyin pilgrimage in Korea which includes Naksansa. In Japan, there are several pilgrimages associated with Guanyin. The oldest one of them is the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a pilgrimage through 33 temples with Guanyin shrines. Guanyin is beloved by most Buddhist traditions in a nondenominational way and found in most Tibetan temples under the name Chenrézik (Wylie: Spyan ras gzigs). Guanyin is also beloved and worshipped in the temples in Nepal. The Hiranya Varna Mahavihar located in Patan is one example. Guanyin is also found in some influential Theravada temples such as Gangaramaya Temple, Kelaniya and Natha Devale nearby Temple of the Tooth...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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Located in Somis, CA
A finely made gilt bronze reclining Buddha. Lying on his right side with flexed feet on double lotus throne, Buddha has Tang style broad face, very sere...
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Thai Ayutthaya Bronze Buddha Head, U-Thong C Style, 18th/19th Century, Thailand
Located in Austin, TX
A sublime Ayutthaya Thai cast bronze head of the Buddha, U-Thong C style, 18th/19th century or earlier, Thailand.
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Early 19th Century Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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H 12.75 in W 5 in D 5 in
Pair of Patinated Bronze Chinese Foo Dogs
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of patinated bronze Chinese foo dogs, circa 1950s. The pair are in good vintage condition with amazing detail and a gorgeous patina. Each dog measures 4"W x 3"D x 3.5"H #3295
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Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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20th Century Chinese Polished Carved Stone Sex Toys
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair of 20th century Chinese polished carved stone sex toys.
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20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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Previously Available Items
Early 20th Century Chinese Hand Made Cloisonne Foo Dog Statuary - Pair
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of magnificent Chinese Cloisonné Foo Dog are the perfect decor pieces. With beautiful floral design, it is a majestically hand crafted work of art that is sure to capture e...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Antique Japanese Carved Bone Lady Gentleman Figural Group Meiji Period 19thCt
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Superb Example of a Japanese Carved and Stained Bone Standing Gentleman carrying a child, last quarter of the Nineteenth Century, possibly Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Realistically...
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Early 20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass, Bronze
H 8 in W 2.5 in D 2 in
Powerful Chinese Feng Shui Dragon with Ball Bronze Sculpture Ornate Relief
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Chinese Dragon sculpture
Powerful Chinese Feng shui Dragon with Ball Bronze Sculpture Ornate Relief
Made in cast bronze sculpture of a Chinese Drag...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
H 11.25 in W 3.13 in D 15 in
Chinese Style Bronzed Metal Standing Buddha with Verdigris Patina
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional Chinese style cast bronzed metal Buddha featuring a beautifully aged patina finish with verdigris. The Buddha is depicted perched on a lotus blossom over ocean waves with...
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Late 20th Century Thai Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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Zinc, Bronze
Chinese Bronze Frog
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese bronze frog, nicely cast, circa 1950, unmarked.
FREE SHIPPING -Standard to Continental US
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Two Large Khmer style Foo Dogs Bronze Cast Masks Mounted and Framed
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Two large Khmer style foo dogs dragon masks mounted and framed.
Featuring a pair of highly detailed stylized metal bronze lions mask sculptures, one male and one female which were th...
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Golden Bronze Buddhist Divinity, Tibet, Middle of the 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Golden bronze Buddhist divinity, Tibet, middle of the 20th century, Mandole Ajourée
Measures: H 43cm, L 19cm, P 10cm.
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Pair of Bronze Sculptures, Japan, Late 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of bronze sculptures, Japan, late 19th century representing a heron on a turtle.
Large: H 23cm, W 18cm, W 10cm
Small: H 18cm, W 12cm, ...
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Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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Bronze
Hands Right and Left Buddha Bronze, Thailand, Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Hands right and left Buddha in bronze, Thailand, early 20th century.
Measures: H 35cm, W 8.5cm, W 15cm
H 30cm, W 8.5cm, W 15cm.
Category
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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Bronze
Buddha's Right Hand in Bronze, Thailand, Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Buddha's right hand in bronze, Thailand, early 20th century.
Measures: H 30 cm, P 8.5, W 15 cm.
Category
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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Bronze
Left Hand of Bronze Buddha, Thailand, Early 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Left hand of bronze Buddha, Thailand, early 20th century.
Measures: H 35 cm, W 15 cm, W 8.5 cm.
Category
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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Bronze
Chinese Bronze Sculpture Deity Figure of Lu
Located in New York, NY
A Chinese cast bronze sculpture depicting the deity figure of Lu, god of wealth, holding up a small child and standing next to a foo dog. The piece is in good vintage condition.
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20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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Chinese Export sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export sculptures and carvings 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 sculptures and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 sculptures and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $38,000 while the average work can sell for $1,500.
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