19th Century Asian Wooden Decorative Storage Box
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 19th Century Asian Wooden decorative storage box with lid. Measures 13.5"W x 11"D x 11.5"H.
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal
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
Chinese Export Porcelain oval Lidded Box Hand Painted, circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese Export porcelain Lidded Box, hand painted with a figural decoration, made in China, circa 1920 The box is well potted in an oval shape, the lid having a domed top...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Red Asian Cinnabar Boxes with Lid and Blue Lacquer Interior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of lovely Boxes in the style of Cinnabar. Intricately Carved small boxes with a removable lid, revealing a blue lacquer inside. Perfectly suited for decorative purposes or ...
Category
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
Early 20th Century antique Chinese Pumpkin Shaped lacquer box
Located in Pomona, CA
This item is an antique Chinese lacquer trinket box in a pumpkin shape. It mad of carved wood coated in multiple layers of red and black lacquer. It has hand painted with Chinese tra...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
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
Asian Brass Mounted Rosewood and Felt Lined Jewelry Box
Located in Germantown, MD
This is a Chinese jewelry box that is made out of rosewood with beautiful Chinoiserie brass trim. It is a nice heavy box that measures 12”W x 8”L x 6”H. The top layer inside holds 5 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Hand Painted Lacquer Camphor Wood Box with Wrestler Figures and Dovetail Joints
$504Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Painted Lacquer Camphor Wood Box with Wrestler Figures and Dovetail Joints
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a beautiful hand-crafted antique Chinese lacquer box, crafted from camphor wood, a material often used in traditional Chinese furni...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
19th Century Squared Spinach Jade Snuff Bottle with Unique Design
$1,163Sale Price|34% Off
19th Century Squared Spinach Jade Snuff Bottle with Unique Design
Located in Lomita, CA
This spinach jade snuff bottle has a geometric appearance with its squared silhouette and ledge that is ergonomically designed to accommodate a finger or a thumb while using the bott...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Jade
Cylindrical Box, Brown Lacquer Paint with Flower Decoration, Japan, Early 20th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a very beautiful Japanese box dating from the beginning of the 20th century. It is lacquered in brown color, with flower patterns. It was made in Japan.
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Chinese Hand Carved Meal Delivery and Lunch Box
$221Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Chinese Hand Carved Meal Delivery and Lunch Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique lacquered lunch box from Shan Xi, China has over 140 years history and still maintained very good condition. There are some traditional carving works on the two sides ha...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Wooden Lacquered Rectangular Chest with Hand Painted Figural Scenes
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Mid-Century rectangular hinged chest with black metal latch and two side ring handles, lacquered and hand painted featuring three women and one girl in two outdoor courtyard ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Hand-Carved Mahogany Chinese Export Humidor
$1,499Sale Price|25% Off
19th Century Hand-Carved Mahogany Chinese Export Humidor
Located in Lomita, CA
A "remarkable" hand carved mahogany humidor box according to the appraiser has detailed carving of junk boats and temples, and recalls Victoria Harbor ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Mahogany
Magical Old Chinese Box in Faded Cinnabar
$550Sale Price|42% Off
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
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 Export Pigskin Box
$412Sale Price|54% 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
Rectangular Brass and Bronze Wood Jewelry Box, 1950's
$196Sale Price|20% Off
Rectangular Brass and Bronze Wood Jewelry Box, 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. Wonderful piece to add to existing collection. Marked on the bottom, China
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Chinese Export Silver Cigar Box by Hung Chong & Co.
$1,356Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Export Silver Cigar Box by Hung Chong & Co.
Located in Savannah, GA
Sterling silver cigar box marked Hung Chong (or Cheong) & Co., silversmiths & retailers, Canton, China, circa 1860-1930. Classic intertwined ...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
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 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
Chinese Black Lacquered Box With Flowers
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style rectangular black lacquered wood box, with raised lacquered red flowers
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Black Lacquered Box
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style (20th Century) rectangular black lacquered wood box with gold circles and Chinese writing
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Gold
Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest, Jewellery Casket
$500Sale Price|20% Off
Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest, Jewellery Casket
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental carved camphor wood chest, jewellery casket. This beautiful carved chest is made from camphor wood, for those of you who...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Vietnamese Silver Treasure Box with Guardian Dragons
Located in New York, NY
Vietnamese silver box, late 19th century. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Box sides have embossed blossoming branches, bamboo...
Category
Late 19th Century Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Large Chinese Export Red Lacquer Character Box
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Large Chinese Export Red Lacquer Character Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese Export red lacquer character box, sculptural, well executed Chinese two part lacquer table box. Decorated with vines, symbols and bats. Unmarked.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
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
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
Antique Chinese Brass Box with Jade Medallion
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Chinese brass decorative box with Jade Medallion. This stunning Chinese export brass box features a beautiful etched bat design with a central c...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Jade, Brass
Vintage Chinese Political or Commemorative Ink Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This item is a vintage Chinese political or commemorative ink box from the Republic of China (ROC) era, dating to the early 20th century. It features the portrait of Sun Yat-sen and ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Copper
Chinese Silversmith, Lidded Jar / Box Richly Decorated in Relief, Approx. 1900
Located in København, Copenhagen
Chinese silversmith. Lidded jar richly decorated in relief with flowers and ornaments. China approx. 1900. Stamped with Chinese characters. In excellent condition with traces of u...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Antique, Chinese Hand Painted Meal Delivery and Lunch Box
$219Sale Price|40% Off
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
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
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
Large Chinese Tea Box Black Lacquered Gilt Hand Painted Octagonal Box 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Chinese Export Tea Box Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s. Antique Chinoiserie black lacquer box with numerous figures and gilt detail. Asian Chinese blac...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Giltwood, Lacquer
Oriental Chinese Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, 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
Chinese Export Silver Vinaigrette by Canton Retailer Cutshing
By Cutshing
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver vinaigrette. Rectangular with hinged cover. Scenes of indigenous life in low relief. Interior gilt with hinged grill; engraved presentation on cover: “E. E. W. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Large Antique Chinese Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, 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
Antique Chinese Export Silver Dragon Card Case
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver card case, ca 1910. Rectangular. Chased ornament on stippled ground. On recto, a blossoming prunus branch with armorial cartouche (vacant). On verso, a fanged a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Antique Chinese Hand Painted Jewelry Box, Red Lacquer, Circa 1900-1940
$247Sale Price|45% Off
Antique Chinese Hand Painted Jewelry Box, Red Lacquer, Circa 1900-1940
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 Export Silver Bridge & Pavilion Card Case
By Wing Nam & Co
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
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
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
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
Chinese Lacquer Box
$160Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Lacquer Box
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A metal framed box with all-over lacquer decoration featuring multi-coloured flowers, leaves, ribbons. The inside of the box is veneered in a light wood. It is stamped China on the u...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Qing Dynasty - 13 Antique Chinese Porcelain Enameled Salt Boxes
$1,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
Qing Dynasty - 13 Antique Chinese Porcelain Enameled Salt Boxes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. A grouping or instant collection of antique porcelain enameled salt boxes. Each box is decorated with immortal being riding the fabl...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Chinese Table Top Vanity Jewellery Box Cabinets Folding Mirrors
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of antique Chinese Export table top vanity mirror cabinets circa 1900 A good looking and well made pairing, most likely used ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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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