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Chinese Export Candle Holders

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
A 20th Century Chinese Porcelain Table Lantern (SINGLE ITEM)
A 20th Century Chinese Porcelain Table Lantern (SINGLE ITEM)

A 20th Century Chinese Porcelain Table Lantern (SINGLE ITEM)

Located in San Francisco, CA

THIS IS FOR ONE LANTERN ONLY<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< In the tradition of marriage lanterns. Composed of four parts each. Finely enameled decorated borders with butterflies on a pr...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Enamel

Pair Chinese Sang Du Boeuf vases / candelabra, circa 1880
Pair Chinese Sang Du Boeuf vases / candelabra, circa 1880

Pair Chinese Sang Du Boeuf vases / candelabra, circa 1880

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very impressive and decorative pair of 19th century Chinese Sang Du Bouf lidded vases each with wonderful gilded ormolu Rococo style scrolling foliate candelabra mounts. Batch 83...

Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Chinese Style Silver Heron and Turtle Candelabras
Pair of Chinese Style Silver Heron and Turtle Candelabras

Pair of Chinese Style Silver Heron and Turtle Candelabras

Located in Queens, NY

PAIR of Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) silver 2 arm candelabra of heron standing on turtle with turquoise and rust enamel inlay. (PRICED AS PAIR)

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Enamel

Early 20th Century Chinese Brass Oil Lamp/Candle holder
Early 20th Century Chinese Brass Oil Lamp/Candle holder

Early 20th Century Chinese Brass Oil Lamp/Candle holder

Located in Pomona, CA

Look at this Vintage Chinese Brass Candle-holder. It is all hand made and hand carved brass bird shaped candle-holder which originally used as oil lamp at temple. The condition is ve...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain and French Bronze Candelabra
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain and French Bronze Candelabra

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain and French Bronze Candelabra

Located in Dallas, TX

A pair of candelabra consisting of a pair of 18th century Chinese export vases mounted in 19th century French bronze in the Louis XVI style. The porcelains are very decorative and do...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Kerosene Lamps with Birds in Chinese Style
Pair of Kerosene Lamps with Birds in Chinese Style

Pair of Kerosene Lamps with Birds in Chinese Style

Located in Paris, FR

Pair of French antique kerosene lamps. The bronze paunch is decorated with birds on branches and flowers in Chinese style. What makes these lamps stun...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Large Chinese Han Dynasty Style Pottery Stylized Foo Dog Joss/ Candlestick
Large Chinese Han Dynasty Style Pottery Stylized Foo Dog Joss/ Candlestick

Large Chinese Han Dynasty Style Pottery Stylized Foo Dog Joss/ Candlestick

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Large Chinese Han Dynasty Style Pottery Stylized Foo Dog Joss/ Candlestick China, 20th Century An impressive piece of Chinese artistry—a large, 20th-century copy of the Han Dynast...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Figural Candlesticks
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Figural Candlesticks

Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Figural Candlesticks

Located in Queens, NY

PAIR of Asian Chinese-style (19/20th Century) blue and white porcelain reclining figures holding candlesticks (PRICED AS PAIR)

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Elephant Modeled as a Candlestick
Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Elephant Modeled as a Candlestick

Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Elephant Modeled as a Candlestick

Located in Downingtown, PA

Chinese Export porcelain canton famille rose elephant modeled as a candlestick, Circa 1860 The standing Chinese Export porcelain elephant with its trunk up is painted in an iron-red with gilt decoration and caparisoned. On its back is a gu-form vase candle holder rising from the raised saddle. Below the urn is a long saddle cloth hanging down painted with famille rose birds...

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Small Canton Famille Rose Elephant Candlestick
Chinese Export Porcelain Small Canton Famille Rose Elephant Candlestick

Chinese Export Porcelain Small Canton Famille Rose Elephant Candlestick

Located in Downingtown, PA

Chinese Export Porcelain small canton famille rose elephant modeled as a candlestick, circa 1860 The standing Chinese Export porcelain elephant with its trunk up is painted in an iron-red with gilt decoration. On its back is a vase-shaped candle holder rising from the raised saddle painted with a band of green leaves. Below the urn is a long saddle cloth hanging...

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Mid-Century Chinoiserie Brass Candlesticks with Fu Dogs, 1950
Vintage Mid-Century Chinoiserie Brass Candlesticks with Fu Dogs, 1950

Vintage Mid-Century Chinoiserie Brass Candlesticks with Fu Dogs, 1950

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Pair of Monumental Mid-Century Chinese Export Chinoiserie Brass Candlesticks with Fu Dog Guardians An impressive and sculptural pair of vintage mid-century Chinoiserie candlesticks,...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th C Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Footed Incense Burner
Antique 19th C Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Footed Incense Burner

Antique 19th C Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Footed Incense Burner

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique 19th C Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Footed Incense Burner. Item features blue and white scenes with birds and trees, scrolling handles, footed tripod base, pierced lid, v...

Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Style Imari Porcelain Candlesticks
Pair of Chinese Style Imari Porcelain Candlesticks

Pair of Chinese Style Imari Porcelain Candlesticks

Located in Queens, NY

PAIR of Asian Chinese-style (19/20th Century) blue and orange Imari porcelain candlesticks (PRICED AS PAIR)

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Pair of Chinese Style Decorative Porcelain Foo Dog Candlesticks
Pair of Chinese Style Decorative Porcelain Foo Dog Candlesticks

Pair of Chinese Style Decorative Porcelain Foo Dog Candlesticks

Located in Queens, NY

PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19/20th Century) decorative blue-painted porcelain Foo Dog figures with brown floral decoration having silver candlesticks over their heads and seated on...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Paint

Pair of Chinese Style Silver Heron and Turtle Candelabras
Pair of Chinese Style Silver Heron and Turtle Candelabras

Pair of Chinese Style Silver Heron and Turtle Candelabras

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) silver 2 arm candelabra of heron standing on turtle with turquoise and rust enamel inlay. (PRICED AS PAIR)...

Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Mid-Century Modern Chinese Export Brass Candlesticks, 1950
Mid-Century Modern Chinese Export Brass Candlesticks, 1950

Mid-Century Modern Chinese Export Brass Candlesticks, 1950

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Pair of polished cast gold brass candlesticks. Mid-Century Modern vintage Chinese export candle holders. Dimensions: 4.75 in. D x 18 in. Height.

Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chinese Rose Medallion and Genre Scene Candle Holders
Pair of Chinese Rose Medallion and Genre Scene Candle Holders

Pair of Chinese Rose Medallion and Genre Scene Candle Holders

Located in Queens, NY

Pair of Chinese (20th century) porcelain candlesticks featuring an upper design of flowers, butterflies, and leaves, and a bottom design of rose medallions and a genre scene of peopl...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Chinese Pair of Bronze Happy Buddha Candle Holders
Early 20th Century Chinese Pair of Bronze Happy Buddha Candle Holders

Early 20th Century Chinese Pair of Bronze Happy Buddha Candle Holders

Located in Pomona, CA

These early 20th century candlesticks are cast of bronze in the form of two Happy Buddhas standing on rectangle pedestal bases. Each Buddha holds a dish for taper candles overhead w...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Related Items
Chinese Export 20th Century Blue and White Porcelain Vase with Dragon Motifs
Chinese Export 20th Century Blue and White Porcelain Vase with Dragon Motifs

Chinese Export 20th Century Blue and White Porcelain Vase with Dragon Motifs

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Chinese Export blue and white porcelain vase from the 20th century, with dragon motifs. Created in China during the 20th century, this blue and white porcelain vase features a nice...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Large Antique Chinese Sang-de-Boeuf LangYao Red Vase
Large Antique Chinese Sang-de-Boeuf LangYao Red Vase

Large Antique Chinese Sang-de-Boeuf LangYao Red Vase

Located in Atlanta, GA

A large Chinese vase with Sang-de-Boeuf (oxblood) glaze in a classic baluster form with a tall narrow neck and horizontal bands around the shoulder. The oxblood glaze is known as Lan...

Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Bronze Dore and Porcelain Candelabras
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Bronze Dore and Porcelain Candelabras

Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Bronze Dore and Porcelain Candelabras

Located in Dallas, TX

Decorate a dining room table or a mantel with this elegant pair of antique bronze candleholders. Crafted in France circa 1870, each candelabra stands on a tripod base with curved fee...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century Moroccan Brass Hanukkah Lamp Menorah
Early 20th Century Moroccan Brass Hanukkah Lamp Menorah

Early 20th Century Moroccan Brass Hanukkah Lamp Menorah

Located in New York, NY

Hanging brass Hanukkah Lamp Menorah, Morocco, circa 1900. Decorated with openwork, engravings, and with figures of birds on both sides. Made of heavy cast brass, the backplate is pi...

Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

Pair of Iron Candelabras with Phoenix Decor, France, circa 1880s
Pair of Iron Candelabras with Phoenix Decor, France, circa 1880s

Pair of Iron Candelabras with Phoenix Decor, France, circa 1880s

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Pair of solid, wrought iron candleholders, with three arms each, decorated with scrolling acanthus leaves, raised on a twisted iron stem. The three-sided bases rest on claw feet and ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair Of Louis XVI Style Candelabra
Pair Of Louis XVI Style Candelabra

Pair Of Louis XVI Style Candelabra

$6,750 / set

H 31.5 in W 13.5 in D 12 in

Pair Of Louis XVI Style Candelabra

Located in Stamford, CT

Magnificent pair of French 19th Century Louis XVI style six light candelabra in urn form. Having the highest quality dore bronze and marble.

Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Six VOC Chinese Export Style Blue and White Porcelain Chargers, 20th Century
Six VOC Chinese Export Style Blue and White Porcelain Chargers, 20th Century

Six VOC Chinese Export Style Blue and White Porcelain Chargers, 20th Century

Located in Austin, TX

Six Japanese export style blue and white porcelain chargers, 20th century, China or Japan. The blue and white porcelain chargers decorated in the kraak style, and emblazoned with the VOC logo for the Dutch East India Trade Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie). The brilliant blue and white porcelain painted with a traditional pattern of long tailed birds and flowers, with the addition of a pair of pomegranates. The backs undecorated. Based on the original Japanese Arita ware...

Category

20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Pair 20th Century Chinese Export Famille Verte Porcelain Parrots, Kangxi Style
Pair 20th Century Chinese Export Famille Verte Porcelain Parrots, Kangxi Style

Pair 20th Century Chinese Export Famille Verte Porcelain Parrots, Kangxi Style

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Porcelain Parrots, Kangxi Style, Mid-20th Century A striking pair of Chinese export porcelain parrots, modeled in the Kangxi famille verte tradi...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ceramic Green Glaze 'Shiwan' Oil Lamp Set, Early 20th Century
Chinese Ceramic Green Glaze 'Shiwan' Oil Lamp Set, Early 20th Century

Chinese Ceramic Green Glaze 'Shiwan' Oil Lamp Set, Early 20th Century

Located in Jimbaran, Bali

This set of Shiwan ware oil lamps from the early 20th century features the distinctive green glaze. Shiwan ware is a style of Chinese pottery from the Shiw...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Previously Available Items
Chinese Export Porcelain Rococo Underglaze Blue and White Tall Candlestick
Chinese Export Porcelain Rococo Underglaze Blue and White Tall Candlestick

Chinese Export Porcelain Rococo Underglaze Blue and White Tall Candlestick

Located in Downingtown, PA

Chinese Porcelain Underglaze Blue Rococo Candlestick, Circa 1750 The underglaze blue candlestick has a square shaped domed base with canted corners and a recessed bowl at the base o...

Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Maiden Lotus Candlesticks, A Pair
Chinese Export Porcelain Maiden Lotus Candlesticks, A Pair

Chinese Export Porcelain Maiden Lotus Candlesticks, A Pair

Located in Downingtown, PA

Chinese Export Porcelain Maiden Lotus Candlesticks, A Pair, Circa 1765 The pair of Chinese maiden candlesticks are each in the form of a Chinese m...

Category

1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick 'Candlestick'
19th Century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick 'Candlestick'

19th Century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick 'Candlestick'

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

19th century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick (Candlestick) China, circa 1850 A stunning 19th-century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick, also known as a ...

Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Pair of Brass Asian Modern Candlesticks 1960s
Vintage Pair of Brass Asian Modern Candlesticks 1960s

Vintage Pair of Brass Asian Modern Candlesticks 1960s

Located in Miami, FL

Probably from the 1960s, Brass Candle Prickets inspired by the altar candleholders used on shrines throughout Asia. Workmanship is very good in the manufacturing of the items, thus p...

Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

Chinese Carved Lacquered Wood Candle Stands, Pair
Chinese Carved Lacquered Wood Candle Stands, Pair

Chinese Carved Lacquered Wood Candle Stands, Pair

Located in Astoria, NY

Pair of Chinese hand-carved wood candle stands, one in the form of a qilin and one a foo lion, both atop hexagonal ebonized pedestals and balancing tripod censers atop their backs, w...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Giltwood

Pair Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Porcelain Figural Elephant Candle Stands
Pair Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Porcelain Figural Elephant Candle Stands

Pair Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Porcelain Figural Elephant Candle Stands

Located in Bradenton, FL

Pair Chinese Qing dynasty famille rose porcelain figural elephant candle stands. The joss sticks are in the form of caparisoned elephants. They are fin...

Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Incense Holder in Form of a Mythical Male Figure
Antique Chinese Export Incense Holder in Form of a Mythical Male Figure

Antique Chinese Export Incense Holder in Form of a Mythical Male Figure

Located in Downingtown, PA

Chinese Export Incense Holder in form of a Mythical Male Figure, Circa 1810-35. The Chinese Export famille rose porcelain incense-holder is in the form of a male figure depicting a Northern male standing on a rectangular base. He wears ornate clothes with the clasp of his belt in the form of a mythological beast. The figure holds above his head the incense holder which is a flat base with a ridged holder for the incense stick...

Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Chinese Export Famille Rose Enameled Elephant Candle Holders, Early 20th C
Pair Chinese Export Famille Rose Enameled Elephant Candle Holders, Early 20th C

Pair Chinese Export Famille Rose Enameled Elephant Candle Holders, Early 20th C

Located in Austin, TX

A delightful pair of Chinese export famille rose enameled porcelain candle holders, late Qing Dynasty or early Republic Period, early 20th century, China. The whimsical pair of ca...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Cast Iron Pagoda Censer or Paperweight
Cast Iron Pagoda Censer or Paperweight

Cast Iron Pagoda Censer or Paperweight

Sold

H 9 in W 2.75 in D 2.75 in

Cast Iron Pagoda Censer or Paperweight

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A wonderful and heavy cast iron Pagoda censer. lovely for burning incense, a small, yet quiet statement piece - A compliment to any shelf or console a...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Iron

Chinese Bronze Dragons Candlesticks Imperial Style
Chinese Bronze Dragons Candlesticks Imperial Style

Chinese Bronze Dragons Candlesticks Imperial Style

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Very decorative Chinese contemporary large bronze "Dragons" candlesticks; with relief design of dragons chasing pearls. With a straight foot supporting a bell-shaped base surmounted...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Pair of Bronze Candlesticks in Chinese Taste
19th Century Pair of Bronze Candlesticks in Chinese Taste

19th Century Pair of Bronze Candlesticks in Chinese Taste

Located in Paris, FR

Late 19th century candlesticks crafted of patinated bronze, the stem decorated with Chinese. The man and the woman, elegantly dressed, rest on a tripod base. The base and the nozzle are ornamented with intricately detailed scrolls and foliage. Circa :1880 Dim: W: 4,3 in - D: 4,3in - H: 10,8in. Dim: L:11cm, P:11cm, H:27,5cm. Literature From the late16th century until the 18th century, Europe multiplied its trade with the Far East, importing tea, spices and porcelain, upon which the fortune of China and the various European East India Companies was built. The 1878 Paris World's Fair was the first time China officially participated at the Expositions universelles. Chinese architecture and interiors were presented, as well as the best of the nation's output in all artistic fields, including ceramics with crackle glazes, cornets vases...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Export candle holders for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export candle holders for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage candle holders created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export candle holders 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 candle holders differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $180 and tops out at $9,000 while the average work can sell for $3,008.