Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
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.
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Jade
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Sandstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Boxwood
20th Century East Asian Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Boxwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Wood
1940s Asian Vintage Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Walnut
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Pottery
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Stone
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Fabric, Plaster, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Jade
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Plaster
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Jade, Metal
19th Century Irish Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Pottery
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Lapis Lazuli
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Rose Quartz
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Clay
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Onyx
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Boxwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Metal
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Glass, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Metal
Early 1900s Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Jade
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Soapstone
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Figurative Sculptures
Enamel