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.
$188Sale Price|35% Off
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...
Brass
Cranes as Candlestick Prickets
Located in New York, NY
Pair Chinese Cloisonne Cranes as Candlestick Prickets This darling pair of cloisonné crane pricket candlesticks would be the perfect addition ...
Enamel
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Export Famille Verte & Blanc de Chine Elephant Joss Stick
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Famille Verte & Blanc de Chine Elephant Joss Stick, of typical form, good size, nicely decorated. Unmarked.
Porcelain
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...
Paint
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Pottery
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...
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
Pair of 24 Inches Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Candlesticks
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare pair of antique Chinese porcelain candlesticks, featuring a combination of famille verte and famille rose hand-painted floral motifs. The design, referred to as Chinoiserie, ...
Porcelain, Paint
Petite Vintage Chinese Persimmon Glazed Censer
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to hold burning incense, censer bowls have been used throughout China for thousands of years. Incense made from dried aromatic plants and essential oils would be burned with...
Stoneware
Petite Vintage Chinese Green Glazed Censer
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to hold burning incense, censer bowls have been used throughout China for thousands of years. Incense made from dried aromatic plants and essential oils would be burned with...
Stoneware
Petite Vintage Chinese Persimmon Glazed Censer
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to hold burning incense, censer bowls have been used throughout China for thousands of years. Incense made from dried aromatic plants and essential oils would be burned with...
Stoneware
Vintage Chinese Persimmon Glazed Censer
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to hold burning incense, censer bowls have been used throughout China for thousands of years. Incense made from dried aromatic plants and essential oils would be burned with...
Stoneware
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...
Ormolu
Petite Vintage Chinese Persimmon Glazed Censer
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to hold burning incense, censer bowls have been used throughout China for thousands of years. Incense made from dried aromatic plants and essential oils would be burned with...
Stoneware
Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Elephant Modeled as a Candlestick
Located in Downingtown, PA
Exotic Radiance: A 19th-Century Chinese Export Elephant Candlestick This striking Chinese Export porcelain elephant is modeled as a figural candlestick, a form highly popular for We...
Porcelain
Pair of Petite Chinese Stone Table Lanterns
Located in Chicago, IL
In the spirit of the traditional Chinese garden design, these miniature stacking lanterns bring the permanence of stone to a garden or patio space. The small lanterns assemble from f...
Limestone
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)
Enamel
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)
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)
Pair of Vintage Chinese Style Blue and White Monkey Candlestick Holder
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Vintage Chinese style blue and white monkey with two candlestick holders (PRICED AS PAIR)
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)...
Silver, Enamel
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,...
Brass
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...
Porcelain
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.
Brass
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...
Bronze
$565Sale Price / set|67% Off
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...
Enamel
$201Sale Price|35% Off
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...
Bronze
$2,449Sale Price / set|25% Off
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...
Bronze
$3,200 / set
H 8.75 in W 7 in D 5 in
Pair Chinese Cloisonne Tapir Candlesticks, Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful pair of Chinese cloisonne candlesticks in the form of tapirs, Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The charming pair of candlesticks each crafted as a tapir seated upo...
Copper, Enamel
Pair of Large Canton Style Famille Rose Chinese Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of large Canton style famille rose Chinese porcelain vases. Qing Dynasty, late 19th century Measures: height 65cm, diameter 25cm Crafted from porcelain and executed in the so called 'famille rose' style, these large Canton vases...
Porcelain
$1,300 / set
H 14.25 in W 6 in D 6 in
Mid-Century Chinese Export Porcelain Parrot Candlesticks on Gilt Bronze Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
This whimsical pair of mid-century candlesticks was crafted circa 1950, likely for the Chinese export market, and features vividly painted porcelain parrots perched atop floral-cover...
Bronze
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...
Brass
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in Essex, MA
Each seated on pedestals one stepping on a ball the other clutching a reptilian creature. Painted in the spinach and egg color.
Other
$12,600
H 6.5 in Dm 16 in
Chinese Export Rose Medallion Canton Porcelain Punch Bowl w/ Multiple Cartooges
Located in New York, NY
A Chinese Export Rose Medallion Famille Rose canton porcelain punch bowl with multiple cartooge panels. The exterior of this gorgeous bowl ...
Porcelain
$7,999 / set
H 24 in Dm 8 in
Pair 19th C. Large Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Medallion "Famille Rose" Vases
Located in Solebury, PA
A pair of large Chinese export porcelain rose medallion, or famille rose, vases are notable for their impressive scale and finely detailed decoration. Famille rose, specifically the ...
Porcelain
$6,338Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 15 in W 7.75 in D 7.75 in
Pair Louis XVI Style Chinese-Export Ormolu Mounted Famille Rose Porcelain Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of Louis XVI style chinoiserie gilt-bronze mounted Chinese export famille rose porcelain vases. The ovoid hand painted porcelain body with dual scenes of a sword presenta...
Ormolu
Antique Neo-Gothic Gilt Bronze Pricket Candlestick
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning Late Victorian Neo-Gothic gilt bronze altar stick pricket candlestick. Late 19th to early 20th century, the Continental European antique features an exceptionally executed...
Bronze, Ormolu
$5,600 / set
H 5.25 in W 6.75 in D 4.25 in
Pair Chinese Export Famille Verte Porcelain Quail Boxes, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite pair of Chinese Export famille verte biscuit porcelain "Nesting Quail" boxes with fitted hardwood stands, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The delightful pair of b...
Porcelain, Hardwood
$1,399
H 20.08 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Porcelain Blanc de Chine Guanyin statue, China circa 1900 - 51cm
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A porcelain Blanc de Chine Guanyin statue standing on a fine lotus flowers and leaves decoration ; China circa 1900. This is a tall piece to place on a large mantel or a commode, the...
Porcelain
$3,500 / set
H 13 in W 3.75 in D 3.5 in
Vintage Pair of 'Blanc De Chine' Porcelain Guanyin Statues, China, circa 1950
Located in Chatham, ON
Fine vintage pair of 'Blanc de Chine' porcelain Guanyin statues - each figure holding an applied flower and standing on a lotus leaf and decorative stan...
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
Sold
H 4.5 in W 7.5 in D 3.5 in
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 ...
Porcelain
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...
Giltwood
Sold
H 9.5 in W 8 in D 6.5 in
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...
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
Sold
H 7.5 in W 6.5 in D 5.25 in
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...
Porcelain
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...
Iron
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...
Bronze
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...
Bronze
Sold
H 14 in W 10 in D 4.5 in
Rare Pair of 18th Century-19th Century Chinese Porcelain Parrots Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare pair of 18th century-19th century Chinese porcelain parrots candelabra resting gilt bronze Louis XVI style bases.
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Foo Dog Candlesticks
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain foo dog candlesticks Circa 1860 The Chinese Export porcelain foo dog candlesticks or joss sticks are modeled with the ...
Porcelain