Skip to main content

Chinese Export Mounted Objects

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.

to
1
4
1
3
3
495
266
131
56
44
42
40
35
25
22
17
13
8
8
6
5
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
4
4
Height
to
Width
to
4
4
4
Style: Chinese Export
Early 20th-C. Chinese Warrior Terracotta Roof Tile Mounted On Lucite
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an antique Chinese warrior roof tile that has been mounted on lucite. The composition appears to be glazed terracotta. The piece coul...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Terracotta, Lucite

Chinese Carved Soapstone Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A carved soapstone lamp base, unusual because of the color of the stone; reddish, brown and black. The carving is in the shape of a vase which i...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Sandstone

Large Fantastic Wood 'Scholars Rock'
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A large fantastic wood 'scholar's rock' The formation of natural knots, gnarled and twisted projections Of the variety greyish brown-toned wood, imitating a vertical scholar’s rock. Much appreciated by Chinese scholars for contemplation, artistic and poetic inspiration. Also in the west these fantastic wood formations resembling organic microcosm habitat Never stopped to inspire some surrealist artists like Max Ernst or Frantisek Muzika. Measures: 27¾" in. (70.5cm.) high. Approx. 10" in. (25.5 cm.) wide, 7" in. (17.5 cm.) deep. On soft wood stand. For comparison see Christie’s sale NY, 19 Sep 2002, lot 104 “Fine Chinese Archaic bronzes...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Other

Early 20 Century Chinese Rosewood Panels, Wall Hanging with Jade Inlay Picture
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of 3 panels Chinese antique Rosewood with Jade inlay Panels. They were hand made and hand painted. It features beautiful detailed carved painting and jade inlay of Chinese traditional design - 8 immortals...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Related Items
Antique Carved Wooden Black Forest Standing Bear Sculpture Table / Desk Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and perfect condition bear desk lamp. If you are a collector of rare, very good quality and highly decorative Black Forest bear sculptures then this fine specimen...
Category

Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Glass, Hide, Wood, Paint

Life Size Leopard Mount Italian Terracotta Mid 20th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Life size leopard wall mount. Hand painted terracotta. Italian. Mid 20th century. # modern Hollywood regency animal cat
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty-Style Equestrian Roof Tile, 18th C.
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 18th century Chinese Ming dynasty-style equestrian form glazed pottery roof tile. Classic figural depiction of a proud celestial warrior on horseback, hand-crafted of eart...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Earthenware, Terracotta, Pottery

Malachite Rock on Display Stand Chinese Scholar Stone
Located in Atlanta, GA
A malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand and displayed as a Chinese scholar stone. The gemstone in t...
Category

20th Century American Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Stone

19th C Ebonised Carved Winged Serpent Gargoyle Table Lamps
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890. 19th c large ebonised carved winged serpent gargoyle table lamps Originally hand carved winged serpent gargoyle wall brackets. Wired...
Category

1890s Central Asian Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Early 20th Century Continental Carousel Galloping Horse Mounted on Metal Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exquisite continental foal baby horse from the early 20th century mounted on iron base. This joyful foal is caught in mid leap as it’s possibly just lear...
Category

Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Metal

Vintage Figure Set of Miniature Terracotta Chinese Xian Warriors
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful set of Terracotta sculptures representing Xian Warriors. This set of figures is incredibly detailed and presents 4 warriors and a horse. Intrica...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Clay

Late 19th/Early 20th Century Carved Jade Mythical Bird Carving
Located in Hudson, NY
This nicely carved bird figure is done in an 18th-century style but is from the very late 19th century to early republic period. The stone is a soft mellow celadon green with dark br...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Jade

Italian Two Children Hand Carved Alabaster Table Lamp/Sculpture, 1920's
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1169 Italian hand carved alabaster sculptural lamp of two children Existing wiring in working condition Measures: Height 17" to top of sock...
Category

1920s Vintage Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Alabaster

Extraordinary Chinese Scholar Rock Ying Stone on Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
The Chinese scholar rock on offer here is a wonderful example of Ying (also known as Yingde stone), a less common type than Lingbi or Taihu. Gray in color, it has an extraordinary up...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Stone

Guanyin in Carved Wood and Polichrome, China, Early 20th Century, Asian Art
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guanyin in carved wood and polichrome, China, early 20th century, Asian art Measures: H 56cm, W 16cm, W 15cm.
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Wood

Larger Than Life Terracotta Buddha Bust of Guanyin, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
A massive larger than life terracotta buddha bust of Guan Yin, China, early 20th century. Broken and restored with wear and tear from enduring exposure to the elements. Size: 75 cm high. Weight: 40 kg. Guanyin, Kwanyin, Guanshiyin or Guanyin Pusa is the Chinese interpretation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (the goddess of comfort and mercy). In addition, she is seen in Taoism as an immortal. The scripture dedicated to her is Dabeizhou. Guanyin is the goddess of compassion and the sea. She is one of the three saints of the western paradise, along with Mahasthamaprapta and Amitabha Buddha; they are worshiped to save departed loved ones from hell and grant them entrance to the western paradise. Guanyin Chinese name Traditional Chinese 觀音 Simplified Chinese 观音 Transcriptions Full Chinese name Traditional Chinese 觀世音 Simplified Chinese 观世音 Literal meaning "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World" Transcriptions Second alternative Chinese name Traditional Chinese 觀自在 Simplified Chinese 观自在 Literal meaning "Lord who Gazes down on the World" Transcriptions Burmese name Burmese ကွမ်ယင် IPA [kwàɴ jɪ̀ɴ] Tibetan name Tibetan སྤྱན་རས་གཟིགས Vietnamese name Vietnamese alphabet Quan Âm (Quán Âm) Quán Thế Âm (Quan Thế Âm) Quán Tự Tại Chữ Hán 觀音 觀世音 觀自在 Thai name Thai กวนอิม, พระอวโลกิเตศวรโพธิสัตว์ RTGS Kuan Im, Phra Avalokitesuan Korean name Hangul 관음, 관세음, 관자재 Hanja 觀音, 觀世音, 觀自在 Transcriptions Mongolian name Mongolian script ᠨᠢᠳᠦ ᠪᠡᠷ ᠦᠵᠡᠭᠴᠢ Japanese name Kanji 観音, 観世音, 観自在 Hiragana かんのん, かんぜおん, かんじざい Transcriptions Indonesian name Indonesian Kwan Im, Kwan She Im, Awalokiteswara Filipino name Tagalog Guanyin (ᜄᜓᜀᜈᜌᜒᜈ) Sanskrit name Sanskrit अवलोकितेश्वर (Avalokiteśvara) Khmer name Khmer អវលោកិតេស្វរៈ (Avalokitesvarak), អវលោកេស្វរៈ (Avalokesvarak), លោកេស្វរៈ (Lokesvarak) Hmong name Hmong Kabyeeb, Niam-Txiv Kabyeeb, Dabpog, Niam-Txiv Dabpog Guanyin (traditional Chinese: 觀音; simplified Chinese: 观音; pinyin: Guānyīn) is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर) and has been adopted by other Eastern religions, including Chinese folk religion.[note 1] She was first given the appellation "Goddess of Mercy" or "Mercy Goddess" by Jesuit missionaries in China.[1] Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World."[2] On the 19th day of the sixth lunar month, Guanyin's attainment of Buddhahood is celebrated.[3] Some Buddhists believe that when one of their adherents departs from this world, they are placed by Guanyin in the heart of a lotus, and then sent to the western pure land of Sukhāvatī.[4] Guanyin is often referred to as the "most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity"[5] with miraculous powers to assist all those who pray to her, as is mentioned in the Pumen chapter of Lotus Sutra and Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra. Several large temples in East Asia are dedicated to Guanyin, including Shaolin Monastery, Longxing Temple, Puning Temple, Nanhai Guanyin Temple, Dharma Drum Mountain, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Shitennō-ji, Sensō-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjūsangen-dō, and many others. Guanyin's abode and bodhimaṇḍa in India is recorded as being on Mount Potalaka. With the localization of the belief in Guanyin, each area adopted their own Potalaka. In Chinese Buddhism, Mount Putuo is considered the bodhimaṇḍa of Guanyin. Naksansa is considered to be the Potalaka of Guanyin in Korea. Japan's Potalaka is located at Fudarakusan-ji. Tibet's Potalaka is the Potala Palace. Vietnam's Potalaka is the Hương Temple. There are several pilgrimage centers for Guanyin in East Asia. Putuoshan is the main pilgrimage site in China. There is a 33 temple Guanyin pilgrimage in Korea which includes Naksansa. In Japan, there are several pilgrimages associated with Guanyin. The oldest one of them is the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a pilgrimage through 33 temples with Guanyin shrines. Guanyin is beloved by most Buddhist traditions in a nondenominational way and found in most Tibetan temples under the name Chenrézik (Wylie: Spyan ras gzigs). Guanyin is also beloved and worshipped in the temples in Nepal. The Hiranya Varna Mahavihar located in Patan is one example. Guanyin is also found in some influential Theravada temples such as Gangaramaya Temple, Kelaniya and Natha Devale nearby Temple of the Tooth...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Previously Available Items
Chinese Honan Jade Censer
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a special honan jade temple carving censer with a small Buddha figure visible from inside the carving in white. The color is cool with hints of whi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Jade

Chinese Honan Jade Censer
Chinese Honan Jade Censer
H 13 in W 9 in D 9 in
19th Century Hand Carved Polychromed Chinese Temple Fragment
Located in Lomita, CA
A Chinese carved softwood architectural fragment from the late 19th century. is profusely carved with figures that include horses, birds and a pagoda that overlooks the events portr...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Teak

Pair of Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Cloisonné Enamel Stages
Located in London, GB
A pair of finely modelled mid-20th century cloisonné stags, having gilt metal antlers, the bodies with intricate enamel inlay, both set upon shaped ebonised wooden plinths.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Scholar Rock in Metal Form on Display Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is a Chinese scholar stone (Gongshi or Spirited stone) made of a metal alloy (likely a white bronze with copper, tin and zinc), circa Qing Dynasty. The small but condensed f...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Metal

20th Century Chinese Profusely Hand-Carved Faux Elephant Tusks, a Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
Before we start, you can relax, these are not real elephant tusks and are most definitely not made of ivory !!! These are 100% legal These are 'f...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Bone, Hardwood, Ebony, Paint

Magical Bronze Hand Fragment Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A lovely elegant bronze hand, a found remnant from an Asian antiquity, mounted on a custom base.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Chen Leung Rosewood Plant Pot Jardiniere Stand Signed Fret Tiles
By Chen Leung
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Nice pair of solid Rosewood Chinese Chen Leung Jardiniere plant pot stands with hand signed fret work tiles Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, for an accurate quot...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Large Chinese Republic Period Hardstone Jade Mounted Reversible Screens
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of large Chinese Republic period hardstone jade mounted screans. Late Qing to Republic period 20th century heavy lacquered panels with carved ornate scrolling. Panels have intri...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Stone

Chinese Export mounted objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export mounted objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mounted objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export mounted objects 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 mounted objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $596 and tops out at $6,800 while the average work can sell for $1,795.

Recently Viewed

View All