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.
Mid-Century Carved Jade Grape Cluster
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming mid-century Chinese Export carved cluster of jade grapes. The jade is of excellent quality and color and the cluster is in excellent overall condition. The cluster...
Jade
Pair of Sing Fat Chinese Export Silver Dragon Placecard or Business Card Holders
By Sing Fat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique silver figural card holders. By Sing Fat, a highly regarded Chinese silversmith active in both Shanghai & Canton ca. 1880 - 1940. Each holder in the form of ...
Silver
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Large Chinese Export Carved Soapstone Foo Dog Scholars Seal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese export carved soapstone foo dog scholars seal, nicely carved, in two color soapstone, with large seal at base. The inscription reads: ...
Soapstone
Chinese Gilt Brass Cloisonné “Scroll and Floral” Nine‑Piece Desk Set, 20th C
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Gilt Brass Cloisonné “Scroll and Floral” Nine‑Piece Desk Set, 20th Century, Unmarked A rare and complete nine‑piece Chinese gilt brass cloisonné desk set...
Brass
Amber 3.5" Buddha Figurine
Located in Pasadena, TX
This Buddha is made of Amber resin. Amber resin possibly from Baltic area.
Resin
Small Antique Calligrapher's Quill Pot, Chinese, Soapstone, Carved, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique calligrapher's quill pot. A Chinese, rouge soapstone carved pen holder, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Intricate pierced detail accentuates...
Soapstone
Large Vintage Red and White Porcelain Bowl, Catchall Encased in Pewter
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large vintage red and white porcelain bowl catchall encased in pewter. Floral design with gold accents hand painted in Hong Kong on a white po...
Ceramic
Chinese Antique Textiles and Embroidery Edition in Chinese
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Chinese antique textiles and embroidery. Chinese language, Great textile art table book. Distributed by Eliane j Giraud Dupont Editeur, Paris....
Paper
Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
This small ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to protect their elaborate hairstyles by elevating the head during slumber. This example dates to the late 20th century and is glazed in the blue-and-white style with a stencil-transfer design. Each side of the headrest has a quadrilobe cartouche framing two mythical fu lions playing with a brocade ball, a motif that evokes the idiom "may you and your descendant achieve high rank." A powerful and benevolent guardian, the fu lion (shizi) is the perfect force to protect against nightmares and bad energy. The playful scene is surrounded by a cracked ice pattern dotted with plum blossoms, symbols of winter and longevity. A geometric meander trims the corners and small bats frame coin...
Porcelain
Chinese Bloodstone Carved Seal
Located in Norwood, NJ
Nicely carved red/orange Chinese hardstone seal. Bloodstone or "chicken blood" soapstone hand carved village scene with figures and trees. Signed.
Soapstone
19th Century Chinese Silver and Jade Magnifying Glass, circa 1880
Located in Central England, GB
A Rare 19th century chinese silver and jade magnifying glass. This finely worked and intricately designed hand magnifying glass dates to circa...
Silver
$841Sale Price|20% Off
China Mid-18th Century Wood Hand-Carved Architectural Sculpture
Located in Brescia, IT
This charming Mid-19th Century fragment of wood, is a detail of an hand-carved wood column and it has its country of origin in the Oriental part of Indo-China. This is an elegant object that can be used as a paperweight or it can be a decorative object simply, to appreciate for its charming shape and for the beauty of the detailed engraving in the wood. It is only a little piece, but trought it, is possible to understand the beauty and quality of design of the building from which it is coming out. This beautiful piece can be useful as bookend also. The photos shown this antique wood fragment...
Wood
Desk Card Holder, France, 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Desk card holder, France, 1940s Golden Spelter, one of the small studs on the front is missing. Lacks in the gilding, as evidenced by the descriptive photographs.
Spelter
Vintage 3.5" Cut Crystal Ball Suncatcher Prism
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The original 1970s cut crystal ball suncatcher paperweight exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. With its mesmerizing facets and sparkling clarity, it adds a touch of charm an...
Crystal
$895
H 3.75 in W 3 in D 0.25 in
Aesthetic Movement Sterling Silver Calling/Business Card Case by George Unite
By George Unite
Located in New York, NY
Aesthetic Movement, sterling silver calling card/business card case in original, velvet lined leather box, London, year-hallmarked for 1860, George ...
Sterling Silver
Mid-Century Coffee Grinder, 1950’s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Germany Made of Wood, Metal,Steel The worm is no longer active Original condition.
Metal, Steel
$392Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 0.79 in W 13.39 in D 18.9 in
Vintage Leather Desk Complete Set, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Leather desk complete set is an original set of decorative set of objects realized in the mid-20th century. Mixed media: Leather, paper, plexiglass, brass and tissue. Made in ...
Leather, Glass, Plexiglass
Chinese Burled Brush Pot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Carefully carved from a cypress tree burl, this late 19th-century burlwood vessel is known as a brush pot, a container traditionally used to hold select calligraphy brushes in a scho...
Burl
$395
H 9 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in
Royal Doulton "the Carpet Seller" Moroccan Decorative Porcelain Figurine
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Royal Doulton "the carpet seller," Moroccan figurine of a carpet seller. Made in England, by Royal Doulton England, the "Carpet Seller," Royal Doulto...
Porcelain
Lladró Rhinoceros Beetle Figurine, Matte White
By Lladro
Located in New York City, NY
Rhinoceros beetle in white porcelain, from the awesome insect collection. The insects that made a successful debut decorated in intense colors are no...
Porcelain
$776 / item
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 9.06 in
20th Century Bronze / Brass Industrial Flame Proof Ceiling Light / Desk Lamp
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Solid bronze desk lamp with braided cable and dimmer switch. Comes with vintage Edison filament lamp E27. Made in the 1980s by Kokosha - Osaka, Japan. ...
Brass, Bronze
Chinese Scholar Rock Chrysanthemum Stone
Located in Atlanta, GA
An extraordinary specimen created by nature millions of years ago, this large and stunning Chinese black chrysanthemum stone features white crystalline mineral (calcite and chalcedon...
Stone
Chinese Carved Lapis Lazuli Scholar Stone
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese scholar rock carved from a natural lapis stone and displayed on a brocade wrapped stand circa late 19th century Qing Dynasty. The brightly blue lapis was considered as am exotic gemstone in China and mostly imported from Persia through the silk road. While not a conventional rock types of materials for scholar stones, it is occasionally carved and polished into smaller Gongshi to be displayed and meditated upon in the scholar's study. Similar approaches were also done with jade, malachite and turquoise, even petrified wood, Chenxiang Agarwood, roots in spirited form, porcelain and even bronze in rock forms. The lapis was carved into a mountain form with stacked rocks...
Stone
Monterrey Black Marble Carved Small Bowl
Located in Mexico City, MX
Small bowl in carved Monterrey black marble. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +1...
Marble
Mid-Century Carved Amethyst Grape Cluster
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming example of a mid-century carved semi-precious grape cluster. The cluster is in overall very good condition. The cluster would make an outstanding paperweight or ce...
Amethyst
c. 1860 Chinese Lacquer on Wood Writing Slope
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 Chinese lacquer on wood writing slope. Made for the English market. Fold over writing surface. Secret drawers. Losses & rubbing commensurate with age, use & delicacy of ma...
Lacquer
1970's Yin Yang Scorpio Lucite Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
1970's lucite encased scorpio with Yin Yang , nice condition very rare and unique item.
Lucite
Late 19th Century Oriental Style Paper Tray with Lid
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Late 19th century paper tray with lid in the oriental style. The box is made from a light wood which has been hand-painted. It has a bright green backgro...
Softwood
Sold
H 3.5 in W 4 in D 2.75 in
Antique Chinese Qing Enamel Mille Fleur Cloisonné Desk Writing Set Inkwell, 1900
Located in Portland, OR
A good quality antique six piece Chinese cloisonne desk set, circa 1900. The desk set made of cloisonne (enamel on copper) and having a Miller Fleur (Thousand Flowers) design, the set comprises a hinged lidded flared inkwell, a rocking blotter...
Copper, Enamel
Chinese Blue and White Lion & Peony Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
This small ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to protec...
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
This small ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to protec...
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Seal
Located in Chicago, IL
This small porcelain column recreates the personalized seals used to sign important documents throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Also known as a chop, such stamps were widely us...
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Seal
Located in Chicago, IL
This small porcelain block recreates the personalized seals used to sign important documents throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Also known as a chop, such stamps were widely use...
Porcelain
Chinese Abacus by Lotus Flower
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Chinese abacus dating from 1912 to 1949. A black lacquered frame secured with brass corners houses 13 bamboo rods, each with five and two red wooden b...
Wood
Sold
H 4.5 in W 3 in D 0.5 in
Chinese Qing Period Gold Plated Bronze Cloisonné Dragon & Phoenix Paperweight
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Qing Period gold plated bronze Cloisonné dragon & phoenix paperweight Qing Period, 19th century or older Exceptional cloisonné work depicting the dragon and phoenix, repre...
Bronze
Napoleon III Chinese Lacquer Box and Tray Writing Kit, Circa 1870
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Nice Napoleon III period desk set, consisting of a mailbox, a box for pens and pencils and a matchbox, all on a tray. The set is decorated in Chinese lacquer, on the mailbox is repre...
Lacquer