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.
6
to
1
6
6
6
6
10
9
3
1
1
1
2
32
134
51
33
6
2
1
3
3
1
2
3
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
5
5
5
Style: Chinese Export
Period: Late 20th Century
Chinese Export Turquoise Glazed Ducks, Flock of 8, 1970's, China and Hong Kong
Located in Austin, TX
An absolutely delightful flock of eight vintage Chinese export turquoise glazed porcelain ducks, circa 1970's, China and Hong Kong.
The flock consists of eight ducks of various size...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage handsome hand carved male Figure with black pedestal.
By Alba China
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome handcrafted male figure standing on a black pedestal. This hand carved figure is uniquely carved into a ball. The sculpture is a man ...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
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
Two Chinese Wood Lion Foo Dogs Incense Holder
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Two Chinese wood Foo Dogs Incense holder burners.
Featuring a pair of highly detailed lion foo dogs, one male and one female which were thought to protect the home from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat.
The Foo Dogs...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Tigers
Located in Houston, TX
A stunning pair of late 20th century life-size Chinese cloisonné tigers from the Baron Estate.
In Chinese symbolism, these tigers represents the ma...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass
Chinese Concrete Male Foo Dog Guardian Lion Statue Sculpture Fu Feng Shui
Located in Dayton, OH
32" Chinese concrete male foo dog Guardian lion statue sculpture Fu Feng Shui
The perfect compliment to any doorway or garden setting. This ma...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Concrete
Related Items
Chinese Jade Foo Dogs, Set of Two
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Chinese Jade Foo Dogs. The jade, or stone resembling its pale green hue, beutifully exhibits shades that span from milky white to pale jade green.
The Foo Dogs possess a playful, li...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Jade
Pair of Chinese Black Marble Contemporary Facing Foo Dogs Guardian Lions
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of contemporary Chinese black marble left and right facing foo dogs guardian lions on rectangular bases. Created in China during the 21st century, this pair of black marble gu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Marble
18th Century Hand-Carved Jichi Wood Guanyin Figure
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful sculpture realized in China in the 18th century depicts Guanyin, a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. The female form holds a pot in her hands. She appears draped...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Reclining Fu Dog Guardian Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from a single block of limestone, this stone sculpture depicts a reclining mythical fu dog lion. Also known as shizi, fu lions such as this were traditionally placed besi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Limestone
Antique Victorian Religious Chinese Export Ivory Bone Carved Pagoda Sculpture
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A Very Fine Quality Chinese Export Hand Carved Religous Pagoda of traditional architectural form and generous proportions, late Nineteenth Century.
The overall structure beautifull...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bone
H 11 in W 4 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Chinese Mythical Guardian Charms
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from solid limestone, these mythical figures are qilin, hybrid creatures from Chinese mythology thought to bring luck and happiness. Crouching upon lotus plinths, these q...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Limestone
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Terracotta
H 30.71 in W 22.84 in D 14.57 in
Chinese Green Glazed Foo Lions, Near Pair, Late 19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming near pair of Chinese green glazed foo lion joss stick holders, late 19th century, China.
The delightful foo lions, also referred to as foo dogs, crafted as joss (incens...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stoneware
Chinese Export Porcelain Miniature Elephant Figurine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese Export porcelain figurine.
In the form of a recumbent elephant resting atop an oval shaped plinth with a flower design on...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White Jade Open Late Qing Dynasty Plaque
By Alba China
Located in Gainesville, FL
Chinese white jade openwork plaque late Qing Dynasty depicting birds and flowers. Very fine and detailed work. Small loss on the back side of the pl...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Jade
Vintage Figure Set of Miniature Terracotta Chinese Xian Warriors
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful set of Terracotta sculptures representing Xian Warriors. This set of figures is incredibly detailed and presents 4 warriors and a horse. Intrica...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Clay
Thai Siam Khmer Bronze Gilt Singha Imperial Lion Foo Dog Temple Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful Thai or Khmer bronze verdigris and golden parcel-gilt Imperial guardian temple Singha lion/dragon/foo dog. This piece has a wonderful patina and heft to it.
Likely mi...
Category
20th Century Thai Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Previously Available Items
Wang Jida "Three Women" Bronze Sculpture, 1986
Located in New York, NY
Wang Jida (Chinese, b. 1935), "Three Women", Bronze Sculpture, 1986, signed and marked "Wang Jida / RFA 1986 / 50/300" to base. Provenance: From the collection of the publisher.
Da...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Terracotta Horse Sculpture
Located in High Point, NC
A concrete horse sculpture from China, produced circa 1980. Standing on three legs on a triangular base, this blue-bodied, polka-dotted face pony is see...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Terracotta
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...
Category
Late 20th Century Thai Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Zinc, Bronze
Unique Piece of Natural Hand Carved Bamboo Wine Holder / Stand, China
Located in Sofia, BG
Unique one piece natural hand carved bamboo wine holder / stand, China.
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bamboo
Oriental Green Soapstone Foo Dog
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Oriental green jade color cast soapstone foo dog.
Nice decorative object fu dog sculpture cast soapstone.
Soapstone Jade color temple guardian Asia...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Soapstone
Pair of Chinese Standing Foo Dogs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of 1970s Foo dogs are made out of brass and feature the original patina intricate details on the body and head which have fierce expressions. They're also known as temple d...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass
Intricately Carved Bone Pair of Chinese Ancestral Figures
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Meticulously carved pair of ancestral Chinese figures, a man and a woman, with stamp on bottom.
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bone
Massive Chinese Rose-Quartz Sculpture with Gilt-Bronze Mounts
Located in Dallas, TX
A Massive Antique Chinese rose-quartz sculpture with gilt bronze mounts designed by Charles Paxton Gremillion.
Impassioned by archeological discoveries, Chinese Artisans of the later 19th century paid tribute to these marvelous ancient bronze artifacts in virtually every medium. Clearly indicating that Lapidaries masterfully skilled in the carving of precious minerals were no exception, this amazing Sculpture stylistically emulates a "fung lei" vessel created during the Early Western Zhou Dynasty (1111-770 B.C.). Limited by the constraints of size imposed upon such naturally occurring gemstones, it is extraordinarily rare to encounter massive Artworks...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Tassellated Bone Horse
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large Vintage Chinese hand carved, tassellated ox bone horse sculpture made of segments of bone shaped to fit like a mosaic. Lots of intricate carved fretwo...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bone
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Metal Box Japan
Japanese Buddhist Carving
Japanese Metal Box
Asia Hat
Buddhist Bronze
Temple Shrine
Japanese Hand Warmer
Asian Deity
Shipping Container Art
Antique Japanese Stone Garden Lantern
Retro Chinese Lanterns
Retro Chinese Lantern
Chinese Stone Basin
Chinese Carving Figure
Chinese Water Color
Buddhist Lanterns
Chi Vintage
Stone Carving Head