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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.

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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

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

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

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

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Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern, Germany
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Italian Two Children Hand Carved Alabaster Table Lamp/Sculpture, 1920's
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19th Century Pair Anglo-Indian Rosewood Elephants with Bone Inlay
Located in Dublin 8, IE
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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...
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Vintage Figure Set of Miniature Terracotta Chinese Xian Warriors
Located in San Diego, CA
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Vintage Figure Set of Miniature Terracotta Chinese Xian Warriors
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H 4.75 in W 1.5 in D 1.5 in
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Carved Stone Buddha Head Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
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Chinese Carved Jade Figural Sculpture of Laughing Buddha, Budai, 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
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20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

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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...
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Early 20th Century European Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Metal

Vintage Chinese Serpentine Sculpture, China, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Chinese serpentine sculpture is a traditional decorative object realized in china in the early 20th century. Serpentine m...
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Early 20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

Materials

Marble, Serpentine

Vintage Chinese Serpentine Sculpture, China, Early 20th Century
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Chinese Honan Jade Censer
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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...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

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Teak

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...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

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Metal

20th Century Chinese Profusely Hand-Carved Faux Elephant Tusks, a Pair
Located in Dallas, TX
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Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

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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.
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19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Mounted Objects

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Chinese Chen Leung Rosewood Plant Pot Jardiniere Stand Signed Fret Tiles
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Mounted Objects

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Pair of Large Chinese Republic Period Hardstone Jade Mounted Reversible Screens
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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.

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