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Chinese Export Clocks

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
Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock circa 1920s
By Maple & Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock circa 1920s Black Background with gilt decoration Dome shaped top , with gilt brass columns each side. Cream ena...
Category

1920s British Vintage Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Lacquer

Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock circa 1920s
Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock circa 1920s

Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock circa 1920s

Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain clock set, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very dramatic and decorative 19th Century Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain clock set. having wonderful gilded ormolu mounts, with my...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain clock set, 19th Century
Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain clock set, 19th Century

Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain clock set, 19th Century

STUNNING CHINESE EXPORT HAND CARVED WOOD DRAGON MANTLE CLOCK & CANDLESTiCKS
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning circa 1880-1920 Chinese Export hand carved dragon mantle clock with matching candlesticks A good looking and expertly carved suite...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Wood

STUNNING CHINESE EXPORT HAND CARVED WOOD DRAGON MANTLE CLOCK & CANDLESTiCKS
STUNNING CHINESE EXPORT HAND CARVED WOOD DRAGON MANTLE CLOCK & CANDLESTiCKS

STUNNING CHINESE EXPORT HAND CARVED WOOD DRAGON MANTLE CLOCK & CANDLESTiCKS

Antique French Porcelain, Gilt and Silvered Brass Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful clock set, which is comprised of a mantel clock and pair of flanking vases, is designed in a fanciful French ‘Oriental’ style. The set is crafted from brass which has been silvered, parcel gilt and painted. The clock is also mounted with porcelain plaques which are beautifully painted with colourful depictions of birds and flowers. The mantel clock is composed of a tall rectangular body with a break arch top which is crowned by a covered twin-handled urn. The urn features a parcel gilt pointed finial on its cover and a silvered body painted with pink cherry blossoms. The urn stands on the arched top of the clock, which is decorated with a sculptural gilt scrollwork band and a gilt foliate border. The arch contains a circular porcelain dial which features a central painting of a pair of birds, encircled by black Roman Numerals within white cartouches. This dial is framed by a gilt beaded bezel. The shoulders of the clock body are mounted with parcel gilt and silvered elephant heads holding ring handles. Porcelain panels decorate the front and sides of the silvered clock body. These panels are beautifully decorated with paintings of colourful birds, butterflies and cherry blossom trees, set within gilt stiff-leaf frames. The clock body is set on a silvered rectangular base which is edged with a parcel gilt foliate band. The front of the base is mounted with a silvered and parcel gilt lion's head mask and flanking painted porcelain plaques. The clock stands on four parcel gilt silvered feet, which are geometric and scrolled in form. The pair of silvered vases...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Brass

Antique French Porcelain, Gilt and Silvered Brass Clock Set
Antique French Porcelain, Gilt and Silvered Brass Clock Set

Antique French Porcelain, Gilt and Silvered Brass Clock Set

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19th Century French Provincial Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
A fine quality three-piece French gilt red marble and bronze clock set comprising two three branch candelabra and a mantel clock. The clock has a whi...
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19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Provincial Three-Piece Clock Set
19th Century French Provincial Three-Piece Clock Set

19th Century French Provincial Three-Piece Clock Set

H 17 in W 12 in D 5 in
Late 19th Century Elmwood Console China Export
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant elmwood console is handcrafted and so the beautiful details under the top and to the corners, both the sides. This is a piece of glamorous timeless The top is in solid...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Elm

Late 19th Century Elmwood Console China Export
Late 19th Century Elmwood Console China Export

Late 19th Century Elmwood Console China Export

H 33.47 in W 70.48 in D 14.18 in
Jules Vieillard Chinoiserie Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
French (Mid-19th Century) Chinoiserie design faience 6-sided mantel clock with foo dog top and elephant heads on sides. (by JULES VIEILLARD, Bordeau France) (Not working)
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Metal

Jules Vieillard Chinoiserie Mantel Clock
Jules Vieillard Chinoiserie Mantel Clock

Jules Vieillard Chinoiserie Mantel Clock

H 16.5 in W 11 in D 3.5 in
19th Century Turquoise Sèvres Style Jeweled Porcelain and Ormolu Clock Set
Located in New York, NY
A high quality gilt bronze and Turquoise Sèvres style jeweled Porcelain clock set. The clock surmounted by a covered urn and flanked by lion masks on each side, en suite with a pair of painted turquoise porcelain vases...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

19th Century Turquoise Sèvres Style Jeweled Porcelain and Ormolu Clock Set
19th Century Turquoise Sèvres Style Jeweled Porcelain and Ormolu Clock Set

19th Century Turquoise Sèvres Style Jeweled Porcelain and Ormolu Clock Set

H 17 in W 20.5 in D 10 in
Gilt Bronze and Marble Garniture, Clock Signed Raingo Fres, France, 19th Century
By Raingo Frères
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze and marble three piece clock garniture. Clock signed Raingo Fres. France, 19th century. Clock works. Clock dimensions: 71 cm height, 46 cm ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Gilt Bronze and Marble Garniture, Clock Signed Raingo Fres, France, 19th Century
Gilt Bronze and Marble Garniture, Clock Signed Raingo Fres, France, 19th Century

Gilt Bronze and Marble Garniture, Clock Signed Raingo Fres, France, 19th Century

H 27.96 in W 18.12 in D 8.67 in
Original circa 1920's Asprey London Chinoiserie Mantle Clock Lovely Decoration
By Asprey & Garrard Limited
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this lovely original circa 1920’s Asprey London Chinoiserie mantle clock A very decorative and well made piece, r...
Category

1920s English Vintage Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Wood

Original circa 1920's Asprey London Chinoiserie Mantle Clock Lovely Decoration
Original circa 1920's Asprey London Chinoiserie Mantle Clock Lovely Decoration

Original circa 1920's Asprey London Chinoiserie Mantle Clock Lovely Decoration

H 6.7 in W 11.82 in D 3.55 in
Edwardian Pagoda Top Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Edwardian Pagoda Top Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock Edwardian mantel clock housed in a pagoda top case with raised chinoiserie scenes on a black ground, coloured decorated band ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Fruitwood

Edwardian Pagoda Top Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock
Edwardian Pagoda Top Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock

Edwardian Pagoda Top Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock

H 10 in W 6.5 in D 3.75 in
Large Antique French Rococo Gilt Bronze Candelabra Clock Set
By Samuel Marti
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A stunning and large original antique French gilded bronze clock set. It is of the most beautiful Rococo style, waisted case decorated with ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Large Antique French Rococo Gilt Bronze Candelabra Clock Set
Large Antique French Rococo Gilt Bronze Candelabra Clock Set

Large Antique French Rococo Gilt Bronze Candelabra Clock Set

H 19.75 in W 11.75 in D 8 in
19th Century Chinoiserie Mantel Clock
Located in Charlottesville, VA
This is a unique clock. We love the red chinoiserie decoration.
Category

19th Century British Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Metal

19th Century Chinoiserie Mantel Clock
19th Century Chinoiserie Mantel Clock

19th Century Chinoiserie Mantel Clock

H 28 in W 16 in D 8 in
Antique Chinese Export Silver Tray, circa 1890
By Wang Hing & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver pen tray; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antiq...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver Tray, circa 1890
Antique Chinese Export Silver Tray, circa 1890

Antique Chinese Export Silver Tray, circa 1890

H 0.6 in W 3.7 in D 8.2 in
19th Century Station Clock
By TJ Upjohn
Located in Ongar, GB
A lovely 19th century station clock by J Upjohn who was part of the famous clock making Upjohn family. The case is made from iron and wood with a painted...
Category

19th Century European Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Metal

19th Century Station Clock
19th Century Station Clock

19th Century Station Clock

H 29.14 in W 29.14 in D 2.37 in
Black Chinoiserie Georgian Style Chiming English Mantel Clock, circa 1900
By Japy Frères
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fine English black chinoiserie Georgian style break arch mantel clock with profusely decorated case with scenes of pagodas, garden scenes and a rare front panel of four ladies sat around a table playing a game - possibly mahjong whilst others watch. Front pillasters with Chinese calligraphy. The two train French...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Chinese Export Clocks

Materials

Wood

Black Chinoiserie Georgian Style Chiming English Mantel Clock, circa 1900
Black Chinoiserie Georgian Style Chiming English Mantel Clock, circa 1900

Black Chinoiserie Georgian Style Chiming English Mantel Clock, circa 1900

H 11 in W 8 in D 4.5 in
Previously Available Items
English Red Japanned Act of Parliament Clock
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pretty red japanned Act of Parliament 8 day movement wall clock, the 20" diameter round dial with gilt hands and black Roman numerals, the door dec...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Clocks

English Red Japanned Act of Parliament Clock
English Red Japanned Act of Parliament Clock

English Red Japanned Act of Parliament Clock

H 48 in W 20.5 in D 8 in

Chinese Export clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export clocks 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 clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export clocks 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 clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $902 and tops out at $9,490 while the average work can sell for $4,251.

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