Chinese Export Boxes
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
Round Chinese Box in Carved Red Lacquer Blue Enamel Interior
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
1960's Chinese Box in Carved Red Lacquer, Bronze Hardware and Blue Enamel Interior.
Marked with Chinese export sticker
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Chinese Wooden Small Rectangular Chest with Hand Painted Exotic Birds
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Mid-Century small rectangular hinged chest with metal latch and two side ring handles, hand painted featuring two exotic birds (depicted on the top and front), pine, berries,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Rare Chinese Tonkin Ware Shakudo Sawasa Erotic Tobacco Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A ruyi-shaped Shakudo-style erotic tobacco or snuff box, relief-decorated with silvered applied figures
Possibly Jakarta (Batavia), first half 18th century
Measures: H. 2.2 x L. 12.1 x W. 8 cm
This box is very much in the Dutch taste, for the illustration is after a print with a legend reading “L’oiseau sans cage. Prenez, belle, mon oiseau. C’est le plus doux présent que je puisse vous faire. Pour les autres oiseaux, la cage d’ordinaire est une espèce de tombeau. Mais le mien semble prendre une nouvelle vie, Lorsqu’il sera dans la cage de mon aimable Silvie.” The erotic message is as clear as can be.
In Dutch culture the verb ‘vogelen’ (catching a bird) is another word for having sex and a bird escaping from his cage indicates loss of chastity. The lady with the bare breasts, while making the sign of sealed lips to the lady behind her, who is pointing towards heaven, seems to be caressing the bird held in the sleeping man’s groin. 17th century Dutch pictures...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Gold, Silver, Bronze
Large Jewelry or Decorative Box Brown Red colors Color Japan 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Jewelry or Decorative Box Brown Red colors Color Japan 19th
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
$333 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century Cinnabar Chinese Covered Jar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved. Early 1900s. Enameled.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné Lapis Blue Round Lidded Box or Bowl
Located in Doylestown, PA
A striking Chinese lapis blue cloisonné round lidded box or bowl, early 1980s. Vibrantly decorated with a green border, ombre cherry blossoms, a single butterfly, gilded accents and ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Chinese Red Lacquered Box With Brass Mounts, Mid 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese red and black lacquered box with fine brass mounts in the Chinese Export style. Lovely color. A refined and classic decorative box, beautiful craftsmanship.
16 inches wide, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Vintage Jewellery Box, Oriental, Dressing Table Keepsake Case, Circa 1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage jewellery box. An Oriental, mahogany and brass keepsake case, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. A finely presented sto...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Export Rose Wood, Brass Koi Lock Box
Located in New York, NY
Exotic Rose Wood keepsake, document box with a heay brass koi lock with red tasseled key. Box lined in paper with chinese characters.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Chinese Wooden Scenic Design Carved Hinge Top Box
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century Chinese carved wooden box featuring an elaborate scenic design with a hinged top and brass closure hardware. (Stamped HUNG HOP CHEST CO. HONG...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique Chinese Export Silver Cigar Case
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver cigar case; part of our diverse Asian silverware collection
This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) ci...
Category
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Hand-Painted Wooden Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a traditional style of Chinese painted wooden Box from Shan Xi, China. It has about 100 years history. Normally it was used to store jewelry and valuable accessories as well ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Cleric's Swing Out Case, Chinese, Travelling Box, Qing, Victorian, 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cleric's swing-out case. A Chinese, hardwood travelling box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890.
Charmingly provincial box, presented in original tim...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage solid brass and jade Chinese export trinket box
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a solid brass ornately decorated Chinese made trinket box. This trinket box has four medallions on each corner of the top with a center medallion that has a carved jade inset...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Large Rond Jewelry Box, Color with with Internal Compartments, Japan 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an rond large box. It has been decorated with gilted drawing. It has been made in Japan, during the 19th Century. In red and gold color.
It is a jelwery box.
Category
19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
$810 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th-Century Chinese Hand Painted Wooden Jewelry/Fruit Box
Located in Pomona, CA
Antique Chinese decorated Jewelry/fruit box. Beautiful decorated Chinoiserie box used to serve fruits and special treats or store Jewelry and valuable things. Hand painting over red ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique Chinese Cloisonné Box with wood lined interior. The box rests on round brass ball feet. The interior appears to have had dividers...
Category
1920s Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal
Vintage solid brass and enamel Chinese export trinket box.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage Chinese export solid brass and enamel trinket box. This solid brass box has four medallions on the top and medallions on each side of the box. The top of the box fe...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Early 20th-Century Chinese Hand Painted Wooden Jewelry/Fruit Box
Located in Pomona, CA
Antique Chinese decorated Jewelry/fruit box. Beautiful decorated Chinoiserie box used to serve fruits and special treats or store Jewelry and valuable things. Hand painting over red ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Carved Wood, Trees and Birds Decor, China
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
It is a carved wooden box, brown and black. One part is hand carved, the other Painted lacquered. It was made in China during the 1930s and 1940s, so it is from the Republic period.
Category
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
$238 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Chinese Wooden Scenic Design Carved Hinge Top Box
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century Chinese carved wooden box featuring an elaborate scenic design with a hinged top and brass closure hardware. (Stamped HUNG HOP CHEST CO. HONG...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese Handpainted Enamel Snuff Bottle with Qianlong Mark Famille Rose Yellow
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite Chinese enamel snuff bottle from the 20th century features a beautiful hand-painted design in the famille rose style, showcasing vibrant peonies and traditional motifs...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Large Oval Jewelry Box, Color with with Internal Compartments France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an Ovale large box. It has been decorated with a sivered color metal plate and lid. It has been made in France, during the 19th Century. In brown color.
It is a jelwery box.
Category
19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal
$429 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Red Lacquered Box With Brass Mounts, Mid 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese red and black lacquered box with fine brass mounts in the Chinese Export style. Lovely color. A refined and classic decorative box, beautiful craftsmanship.
20 wide 14 deep ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Etched Brass Box with Carved Jade Inset Top, Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Sweet little Chinese export brass box with beautiful floral etched designs, looks like peonies to me. With a lovely white jade top carved in fretwork with a vase framed by the flower...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Jade, Brass
Large Jewellery Box, with a Mirror Inside, Vietnam from the End of 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Large box from Vietnam. Manufactured at the end of the 19th century. Red in color slightly pinkish, with magnificent fish decorations in white and yellow colors. This box locks, the ...
Category
Late 19th Century Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Mirror, Wood
$429 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Vintage Chinese Wicker Foo Dogs From the Shanghai Collection
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Ultimate pair of mid century Chinese foo dogs with removable heads, ambitiously hand crafted in wicker, reed and rattan with carved wood and paint decorated highlights, set on wicker...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Reed
Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese hexagonal cast brass tea caddy, early 20th century. Each rectangular side with a shou symbol surrounded by five stylized bats on blue enamel ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Oriental Chinese Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Oriental Chinese Export Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s.
Large Asian Chinese black lacquered tea box with nume...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Giltwood, Lacquer
Mid 19th century Chinese export hand painted tea caddy
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 19th century handpainted Chinese export tea caddy. This tea Caddy stands on four hand carved miniature foo dog sculpted feet. This tea caddy has its original pewter lin...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Small Handcarved Chinese Chest
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A hand carved Chinese large table box with hinged lid. Intricately carved all-over with Asian carvings resting of four paw feet. Bronze lock plate on front.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Large Antique Tibetan Ghau Prayer Box With Three Buddha
Located in Pomona, CA
Ghau is a prayer box worn as pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines which can be pray by prayer during their travel. This large Ghau prayer box (travel Buddha...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver, Bronze
19th C. Chinese Paper Machiere Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century lidded box made from paper-machiere.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Paper
$480 Sale Price
60% Off
Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Export hand-painted porcelain tea caddy jar. Pictures of a boy and his dog adorn both sides of jar in rich colors of dark blue, gold, red and turquoise. Greek key border fram...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Two Famille Rose Cosmetic Boxes, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period
Located in seoul, KR
Circular form with flattened doomed covers, the covers with a medallion of flower with full bloom, the bowls with two round borders.
Period : Qing Dynasty, Kangxi-Yongzheng Period
P...
Category
17th Century Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
$968 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Chinese Export Pigskin Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Chinese export pigskin box now on custom made stand as a side table. Early 20th century. Foo dogs, birds, flower & auspicious symbols. 15 1/2" w., 9 1/2" d...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Animal Skin
$515 Sale Price
42% Off
Antique Early Chinese Republic Era Stacking Lacquered Box Set with Dragon Motif
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique lacquered stacking box set is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China during the Early Republic period of approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese Ex...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Softwood
Chinese Foliage Painted & Brass Mounted Tacked Chest on Stand with Key, C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
Chinese foliage painted and brass mounted tacked hinged chest on stand with flanking side handles and interior lock with key, Late 19th Century
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique, Chinese Hand Painted Meal Delivery and Lunch Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique lacquered painted lunch box from China has about 100 years history and still maintained very good condition. There are some traditiona...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Magical Old Chinese Box in Faded Cinnabar
Located in Hopewell, NJ
If objects could talk, this box would have some interesting stories for all its wonderful aged patina, cracks and character. A faded cinnabar, the entire surface is meticulously hand...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
$550 Sale Price
42% Off
Large Antique Chinese Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Oriental Chinese Export Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s.
Large Asian Chinese black lacquered tea box with nume...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Giltwood, Lacquer
Rare 19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Boxes, Monogrammed 'DF', c. 1800
Located in Richmond, London
Chinese-export monogrammed lacquerware is extremely rare and particularly sought after. The exquisite decoration of these lacquer boxes is simply superb, which makes them a true col...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
C. 1860 Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Medallion Desk Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Medallion Desk Box. A rarely found form. Divided interior. Lid with traditional juxtaposition of figural & floral reserves. The whole with ex...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Export Silver Bridge & Pavilion Card Case
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver card case, ca 1910. Rectangular with hinged push-button cover. Chased ornament on stippled ground. On recto, a blossoming prunus branch and birds with armorial ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Antique 1900s Chinese Silver Vinaigrette
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese silver vinaigrette in the form of a purse; an addition to our silver boxes collection
This excep...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Chinese Pig Head Shaped Porcelain Tureen
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) export porcelain tureen in the form of an orange and pink pig head divided into lid and base at the mouth, and decorated...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Gold and Red Decorative Box
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese circular wooden box with carved top character design and carved geometric foot, painted in gold and red with a fitted lid and fine black painted border pattern.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Mahogany and Tin Hinged Painted Figural Tea Bins, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Chinese mahogany and tin hinged painted tea bins with gilt figural stenciling and decorative landscape scenes with bird motif, Mid-19th century.
Category
1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal
Chinese Burgundy and Gold Vine Design Painted Decorative Box
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese wrapped decorative box with a burgundy base with muted metallic gold gourd and leaf pattern on vines with a large central character, bronze handles and latch, and an interior...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Silver Bamboo Tea Caddy by Hung Chong
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver tea caddy, circa 1900. Baluster with drum-form neck and cover. Chased and repousse bamboo and blossoming prunus branches on stippled ground. Plain band at shoulder. Also plain are foot rim, neck, and cover sides. Cover top has circular frame (vacant). Fully marked with Chinese characters and letters HC for Hung Chong...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Early 19th Century Export Chinoiserie Lacquer Box on Carved Feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite early 19th-century chinoiserie box, adorned with lacquered surfaces and ornate gold-toned detailing, showcases the superb craftsmanship of English artisans influenced ...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Set of Chinese Red & Black Boxes, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Set of Chinese red & black boxes, 20th century.
Set of three Chinese red and black boxes, decorated with scenes of figures amongst landscapes with temples and pavilions.
Wood,...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
$2,271 / set
Early 20th Century Chinese Red Lacquer Decorated Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century Chinese Red Lacquer decorated box. Relief carved top panel of an attendant and scholar. Fine finger joints on the box and lid. Inside top of the lid having Chinese...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Export boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with enamel, lacquer and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $500 and tops out at $840 while the average work can sell for $750.
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