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Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

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 Ceramic Pottery Hand Painted Turquoise Ducks - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Chinese Export ceramic pottery ducks. They are hand painted and unmarked.. They most likely date to the 60s. They are in very good condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export Style Rust Fishnet Porcelain Herend Foo Dogs -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely set of Chinese Export style Herend rust fishnet foo dogs with 24K gold accents. They are marked and in very good condition. They date to t...
Category

Early 2000s Hungarian Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold

Antique Chinese Silver Gilt and Enamel Peacock
Located in Riverdale, NY
Antique Chinese Silver Gilt and Enamel Peacock from the 1940's on hand carved wood stand. Delicately constructed of vermeil sterling with colorf...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Tang Horse Sculpture by Austin Studios
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is an Austin Studios Production sculpture. It depicts a Tang period horse. It's cast in durastone.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Vintage Chinese Bronze Horse Stepping on Flying Swallow Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Horse stepping on swallow was made from Bronze with hand crafted accent Chinese pattern. Very unique and beautiful. It originally from eastern Han dynasty an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Sancai Glazed Tang Dynasty-Style Horse Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta figure of a horse commonly used as a tomb figure for wealthy burials in the 7-8th centuries, and crafted with its traditional tri-color...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Large Asian Bronze Foo Dogs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Large Asian Bronze Foo Dogs or Kylin Dragon, probably Chinese, circa 1950s or earlier. They retain their warm original patina. These were purch...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Heavy Hand Carved Rose Quartz Large Owl Sculpture/Figurine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a very detailed hand carved rose quartz heavy owl sculpture/figurine. It depicts different shades of pink. It is standing over what appears to be a branch of Cercis tree surr...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Rose Quartz

Pair of Rose Quartz Chinese Guardian Foo Dogs, Fu Lions
Located in Lomita, CA
These noble beasts are often placed near the entrance of a home for fierce protection. The pair of hand-carved rose quartz foo dogs (also known as guardian lions) exudes protective s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Quartz

1940s Chinese Pair Foo Dog Glazed Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Pair of Antique Chinese Figurines Foo Dog Sculpture Green Glaze Ceramic 8 tall x 3.75 w x 6.5 d Preowned original vintage condition. Refer to...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Tigers
Located in Houston, TX
A stunning pair of late 20th century life-size Chinese cloisonné tigers from the Baron Estate. In Chinese symbolism, these tigers represents the ma...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Large Scale Chinese Export Style Hand Painted Ceramic Ducks, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of large scale Chinese Export ducks in very good condition. They have vivid colors!
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Chinese Export Porcelain Celadon Glazed Ducks, Set of 3, 1970's, China
Located in Austin, TX
An absolutely delightful vintage set of three Chinese export porcelain celadon glazed models of ducks, circa 1970's, China. The three ducks all portrayed in a similar fashion, stan...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Incredible Pair of Solid Brass Reclining Stags with Impressive Antlers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An impressive pair of vintage solid brass opposing reclining stags having beautiful detailed casting and fabulous large antlers.
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Vintage Chinese Porcelain Turquoise Foo Dog Figurines - a Pair
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent pair of Chinese Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Lion Statuary are hand made and hand carved in Museum quality. According to historical books, lions were introduced into Mai...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Cloisonné War Horse Sculptures on Mahogany Base - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné War Horse Sculptures on Mahogany Base - Pair Exquisite Set of 2 vintage Chinese Cloisonne' war horse sculptures on maho...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Pair of Large Antique Chinese Porcelain Roosters
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of 1920’s Chinese Porcelain Roosters. Vibrantly painted and decorated in polychrome application. The roosters are shown in their typical...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Vintage Chinese Hand Crafted Stone Frog
Located in Pomona, CA
This vintage Chinese stone frog sculpture is hand Craft with exquisite detail which was very common in stone sculptures. This sculpture is handcrafted from Mid-20th century using so...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Pair of Cloisonné Tang Style Horses
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of Chinese cloisonné horses with a Tang dynasty form decorated with colorful symbolic references on an alluring blue back...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Vintage Mirrored Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Rooster Sculptures
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice vintage mirrored pair of Chinese cloisonné rooster sculptures, circa early 20th century. The sculptures are in very good condition with no d...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Pair of Chinese Bamboo Root Carved Peacock Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of similar Chinese peacock sculptures carved from the roots of bamboo, utilizing the main section of the root for the bodies, and the "root hair" ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Early 20th-C. Asian Bronze Food Dogs or Lions Figurines, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are a pair of early 20th century Chinese bronze foo dogs. They are a heavy casting and in very good condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Polychrome Harmony Fish, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this large koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. Much of t...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Pine

Pair of Chinese Famille Verte Foo Dogs on Stands
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fierce pair of ceramic Chinese Foo dogs on stands depicted sitting. Made in a beautiful famille verte green with bright yellow accents. Large ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Large Scale Carved Stone Chinese Foo Dogs / Temple Lions
Located in Dallas, TX
a pair of large scale, well carved stone Chinese Foo Dogs / Temple Lions, these are carved out of stone and are traditional Chinese architectural ornaments, China, circa 1920
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Vintage Bronze Asian Horse Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Elevate your home decoration with this this Stunning of vintage Dynasty style horse. Standing as a testament to intricate craftsmanship, A superb piece of folk art, featuring elegant...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid-20th Century Vintage Chinese Handcrafted Stone Frog
Located in Pomona, CA
This vintage Chinese stone frog sculpture is hand Craft with exquisite detail which was very common in stone sculptures. This sculpture is handcrafted from Mid-20th century using sol...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Pair Antique Gold Bastet Goddess of Women Cat Figurines Porcelain Sculptures
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Impressive antique Asian pair of sphinx Bastet goddess of women sculptures. Cat like figurines with gold bodies, black enamel heads with turquoise enamel eyes. Porcelain made bear ...
Category

Early 1900s Macanese Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Chinese Gilt carved Wooden Tang Horse Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
Chinese Gilt Polychrome Wooden Carved Tang Dynasty Style Horse Sculpture. Featured nicely hand carved and hand painted with gilt highlighted on...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Export Hardstone Horses and Stands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese export hardstone horses and stands, each one finely carved of a standing horse with one leg up, facing left and right. Removable from the associated lacquered stands....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Precious Stone, Lacquer

20th Century Chinese Ceramic Tang San Cai (Tri Color)Horse
Located in Pomona, CA
A large vintage Tang style Sancai glazed terracotta horse. This exquisite piece features a striking green and brown color glazed finish, infusing it with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-19th Century Carved and Painted Wooden Tang Dynasty Horse
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Mid-19th century carved and painted wooden Tang dynasty horse This is a superb piece of Chinese Folk Art, superbly carved in wood, in the classic statue...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Pair, Ming Dynasty Gilt Bronze Diminutive Chinese Foo Dogs / Guardian Lions
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, Ming Dynasty. Pair, Ming Dynasty Gilt Bronze Diminutive Chinese Foo Dogs or Guardian Lions of extraordinary quality and casting. Procured from an important New York Collect...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Turtle Tortoise Figurine 1970s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage 20th Century Blue & White Chinese Porcelain Turtle, Tortoise Figurine. Vintage Blue and White Ceramic Turtle, Tortoise figurine. Circa: 1970s...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

A Pair of Vintage Chinese Buffalo Horn Carved Eagle Sculptures
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of vintage Chinese Buffalo horn carved eagle sculptures are 100 percent hand made and hand carved from Buffalo horn. In ancient China, The ea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Horn

Carved Bone Lobster
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lobster sculpture or object of art crafted in carved bone with hinged antennae and flexible tail. Our other listings contain. a larger lobster, crabs and t...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bone

Carved Bone Lobster
Carved Bone Lobster
$1,995 / item
Pair of Mid-Century Chinese Tessellated Bone Horses
Located in Palm Beach, FL
With a reference to the Tang Dynasty an impressive pair of Chinese horses, hand crafted in a tessellated technique with carved bone as a symbol ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bone

Carved Hardstone Eagle in Smoky Quartz
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This majestic eagle is hand carved from quality smoky quartz. The eagle is standing on a decorative geometric base that has been custom made for this purpose. With faux glass eyes, t...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Quartz

Chinese Wicker Rooster
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chinese rooster expertly crafted with an ambitious weaving technique using bamboo and bamboo wicker with carved wood highlights, from the noted Shanghai ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wicker

Antique Asian Bronze Elephant Sculpture Statue 19th c.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Asian Bronze Elephant Sculpture Statue late 19th c. Asian Chinese antique cast bronze elephant sculpture. Ceremonial cast metal elephant with beautiful detailed carving on hi...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Carved Wood and Gilt Finished Chinese Foo Dog Figurines or Sculptures
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of intricately hand carved and hand painted Foo dogs are believed to have made in the mid-20th century in the Imperial style. The dogs are composed of a softwood which have...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Softwood

Vintage Shanghai Wicker Dog Basket or Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming mid century lidded dog box ambitiously handcrafted in wicker and wood with an uncanny essence of dog. From the famed Shanghai Collection.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wicker

Pair of Polychrome Khmer Guardian Lions, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Grand and imposing, these monumental lion sculptures offer protection to all those who stand before them. Dated to the mid-19th century, the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Southeast Asian Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Soapstone Buddhist Lions
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A pair of soapstone Buddhist lions Each finely carved seated on its haunches with a fierce expression, modelled in mirror image seated on a rectangu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

Carved Bone Turtle
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical turtle sculpture or object of art crafted in carved bone with an organic palette and amusing stylized form.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bone

Carved Bone Turtle
Carved Bone Turtle
$2,350 / item
Antique Chinese Carved Wood and Parcel Gilt Swans
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of 19th century Chinese swan garnitures or sculptures hand carved in hardwood with an ebonized and gilt finish.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Longgui Dragon Turtle Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese carved wooden sculpture of a Longgui or (dragon turtle) holding a coin in its mouth on an ornately carved wooden base.       
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Chinese Sancai Glazed Ceramic Pho Dogs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Chinese Sancai Glazed Ceramic Pho Dogs, each realistically modeled with raised paw on auspicious symbols, on a rectangular rockwork base. 23.5" H x 10" W x 12" D.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Petite Chinese Fu Dog Guardian
Located in Chicago, IL
With a curly mane and a lively expression, this petite stone fu dog is an adorable companion and a benevolent guardian of the home. Known as shizi, the mythical dog is thought to off...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Art Deco Spinach-Green Jade Horse, Ca. 1920
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Art Deco Spinach-Green Jade Horse, Ca. 1920 DIMENSIONS: Height: 13.5 inches Length: 11.5 inches Depth: 4.5 inches
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Jade

Pair of Antique Chinese Cloisonne Roosters
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Stand out pair of antique Chinese roosters handcrafted in enamel on copper or cloisonne in the traditional technique with bold colors of fauna and flora ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Multi-Colored Cloisonne Rooster Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of early 20th century Chinese cloisonne rooster sculptures with red, white, blue, green, and yellow enamels standing on circular cloisonne bases...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Vintage Asian Glazed Ceramic Foo Dogs - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Stunning pair of glazed ceramic foo dogs. A chic deep green color with flashes of deep blue. Lots of intricate detail on the face and body. Areas of wear from age add to the effect. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Bronze Sculpture, Late 19th Century, Asia
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze sculpture, late 19th century, Asia Measures: H 19cm, W 15cm, W 8cm.
Category

1880s Asian Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

A Pair of Blanc de Chine Ceramic Foo Dogs, Ca. 1840
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Blanc de Chine (Chinese White Glazed) Ceramic Foo Dogs, Ca. 1840 DIMENSIONS Width: 5 inches Height: 11 inches Depth: 6.5 inches ABOUT SCULPTURES There is a small baby lio...
Category

1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Chinese Bronze Chimera Guardian Figure
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century, or possibly earlier, seated bronze chimera, cast as a ferocious scaled beast seated in a defensive crouch with its head facing forward as ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Rare Large Chinese Export circa 1900 Shoushan Stone Sculpture Pandas Crane Birds
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare original Chinese Export circa 1900 Shoushan stone carving of mountain lions on rocks I h...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Hand-Carved Chinese Rose Quartz Ox on Custom Hardwood Stand
Located in Lomita, CA
Hand-Carved Chinese Rose Quartz Ox on Custom Hardwood Stand Description: This finely carved rose quartz ox is a striking example of Chinese stone artistry, believed to date from the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Quartz

1900s Chinese Cloisonne Leopards
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 19th Century to 1900s Chinese cloisonne leopards. Finely detailed. Cast in bronze and brass with enamel. Supposedly owned by the Gucci family in Ne...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel

Pair of Antique Chinese Cloisonne Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty pair of Chinese birds handcrafted in brass and decorated in cloisonne with floral and symbolic designs on an alluring blue background, featuring brass stylized tail feathers de...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Chinese Export animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage animal sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export animal sculptures made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original animal sculptures, popular names associated with this style include and Europa Antiques. 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 animal sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $248 and tops out at $38,000 while the average work can sell for $2,098.

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