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Chinese Export 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
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 Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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 Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta, Lucite

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 Sculptures

Materials

Softwood

Small Carved Lavender Opaline Jade Guan Yin Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small carved lavender “opaline” jade Guan Yin sculpture. The sculpture has some russet jade spots in the upper back. The back of her head is...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Jade

Pair of Chinese Porcelain Standing Figures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style blue and white porcelain standing figures (19/20th Cent)
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Chinese Hardstone Guardian Lions
Located in Norwood, NJ
Pair of hand carved Chinese Jade hardstone Foo Lions or Fu Dogs. This pair of Chinese spinach jade appears to be a nephrite, covered vases having a figural foo lion design with raise...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Jade

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 Sculptures

Materials

Horn

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 Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

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 Sculptures

Materials

Quartz

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 Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Tibetan Bronze Standing Gilt Bronze Buddha Offering Protection
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Tibetan bronze standing gilt bronze buddha offering protection China, 20th century A fine example, the Buddha standing on lotus base with the "no fear" abhaya mudra, the figure is ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Porcelain Qing Emperor Decorative Figure
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your collection with this exquisite Chinese porcelain figurine inspired by the illustrious Qing dynasty. Crafted in a stunning wucai style, the figurine depicts a distinguish...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

20th Century Wooden Carved Eight Immortals Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
The Eight Immortals are the eight immortals in Taoism, representing eight different groups of people, men, women, old and young, poor, lowly, rich and noble. Since the Eight Immortals are mortals who have attained Taoism, their personalities are closer to those of the common people. Recently, they have become very important representatives of the immortals in Taoism. The Eight Immortals are Tieguai Li, Zhong Liquan, Lan Caihe, Zhang Guolao, He Xiangu, Lu Dongbin, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu. They are well known in Chinese folks. Size: 11in H x 4in W x 3.5in D each Origin: China Circa: 1950's Material: Boxwood Condition: Original condition, hand made and hand carved, normal age wear. Disclaimer: Due to differences in monitor/screen settings, product colors may differ slightly between product photos...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Boxwood

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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 Sculptures

Materials

Wicker

Chinese Taoist Han Elder Man Longevity God Porcelain Figurine
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain figurine with a long beard and raised forehead, clad in yellow and blue robes and holding a staff that symbolizes health ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bone

Carved Vintage Tibetan or Thailand Polychromed and Giltwood Mandalay Statue
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood. Carved gold painted. Polychrome. Figural. 55 1/2" h x 23" w x 9" d. Condition Paint loss. Splits in wood. Some jewels missing. Surface scratches.
Category

1940s Asian Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Mid-20th Century Chinese Carved Landscape Sculpture, Scholar art
Located in Pomona, CA
This sculpture has exquisite carved landscaping and buildings, etc. Detailed hand carving works on a piece of Boxwood. It was used as paper weigh - a scholar arts on the desk. Look a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Boxwood

Chinese Porcelain Traditional Figures
Located in Queens, NY
7 Asian Chinese (20th Cent) porcelain figures in blue and white patterns in traditional dress (PRICED EACH).
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Carved Stone Buddha Head Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Carved Stone Buddha Head. It was dated back to 1920s and shows very detailed hand carving works on it. You can see from the pictures that It ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Chinese Green and Orange Lu Xing Wealth and Prosperity Deific Porcelain Figurine
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) glazed porcelain statue of Lu Xing, one of the deities of the three stars considered essential in Chinese astrology, each...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Buddha's Hand Citron Altar Fruit on Tazza, Blanc de Chine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Buddha's Hand Citron Altar Fruit on Tazza, Blanc de Chine. A rare form, realistically modeled Chinese Buddha's Hand Citron, presented on a scalloped compote. This wo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Gilt Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style gilt carved foo dog figures holding a open design ball
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Giltwood

Chinese Rose Quartz Sculpture of a Chinese Man Holding a Ruyi Scepter
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a rose quartz heavy sculpture of a Chinese man holding a ruyi scepter. The sculpture is standing over an asymmetrical oval base adorned with some ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Rose Quartz

Pair of Chinese Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese (19/20th Cent) green and yellow small porcelain reclining foo dog figures
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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 Sculptures

Materials

Wicker

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 Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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 Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

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 Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

Vintage Chinese Tang Tri-Colored Glazed Tomb Ceramic Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Vintage Chinese Tang tri color glazed ceramic beautify figure was hand made with famous tri-colored glaze on the ceramic. It has beautiful color and detailed carving...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Vintage Asian Green Tole Bonsai Palm Tree Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Vintage Asian tole bonsai palm tree sculptures with green and gold painted leaves and trunks, mounted on oval bases. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Silver Figures of Eight Immortals Yangqinghe Jiuji Marks, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in New York, NY
Important and rare silver figures of eight immortals Yangqinghe Jiuji marks, Late Qing dynasty. Each hollow figure portraying one of the immortals in an animated pose, with highly detailed facial features, four pierced with apertures for the insertion of facial hair, clad in finely chased robes, all but two with their characteristic attributes, their bases bearing either two seal marks reading Yangqinghe Jiuji gongyibu and Zhe'ning Hu Qiusheng zao, or three marks in regular script reading Yangqinghe Jiuji gongyibu, Shang and Sheng zuo, original hand-carved wood stands. Measures: 11 1/4in (28.5cm) high (tallest one). The earliest records of the silver atelier known as Yangqinghe date to 1775 in Shanghai...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Silver

Carved Soapstone Buddha
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a heavy carved light yellow-green soapstone Buddha seated over an oval stone base with bracket feet.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

Carved Soapstone Buddha
Carved Soapstone Buddha
$220 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Camels with Musicians Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of two camels carrying a band of five musicians - four seated with instruments, and one central figure standing to sing. Th...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Larger Than Life Terracotta Buddha Bust of Guanyin, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
Monumental Terracotta Bust of Guanyin — China, Early 20th Century A striking, larger-than-life terracotta bust of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, originating from China and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

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 Sculptures

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Carved Stone Sculpture, Divinity, Khmer Art, 11th / 12th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Carved stone sculpture, Divinity, Khmer Art, 11th / 12th century. Sculpture of the head of a male deity in grey sandstone. Khmer art, Angkorian period. 11th or 12th century. Apprais...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Asian Gilt Guan Yin Buddha
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese Asian style gilt carved figure of seated Guan Yin Buddha on a lotus base (20th Cent)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Giltwood

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Camel Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a Bactrian camel, the main form of transport over the Silk Road, with its head tilted back and mouth open to the sky, we...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Vintage Asian Green and Gold Tole Bonsai Palm Tree Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Vintage Asian tole bonsai palm tree sculptures with green and gold painted leaves and trunks, mounted in circular pot bases. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Chinese Rose Quartz Reclining Lady
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rose quartz carved reclining lady on an oval wood base (20th Cent)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Woman Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta figure of a woman wearing robes bearing the Tang Dynasty's traditional tri-color glaze, or Sancai, utilizing brown, green and off-white...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bone

Carved Bone Turtle
Carved Bone Turtle
$2,350 / item
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 Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Set of Chinese Jade Carved Horse Drawn Carriage Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This set of Chinese Jade carved horse drawn carriage are hand crafted with exquisite detail. They were carved with a "thallium tool" and jade-resolving sand by skilled craftsmen in t...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Jade

Pair Of Metal Asian Men Busts
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Pair of Patinated Metal Asian Men Busts. It depicts two large busts of an Asian men with long mustache and beards. Both of them are wearing what appears to be like a crown ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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 Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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 Sculptures

Materials

Jade

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 Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

set of 3 Chinese Porcelain Qing Emperor Decorative Figurines
Located in Den Haag, NL
Elevate your collection with this exquisite Chinese porcelain figurines inspired by the illustrious Qing dynasty. Crafted in a stunning wucai style, the figurine depicts a distingui...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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 Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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 Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Pair Chinese Export Famille Rose Figures of Immortals, 18th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A near pair of Chinese export porcelain figures of the Taoist immortal Li Tieguai, Qing Dynasty, late 18th century, China. The Daoist Immortal Li Tieguai, on of the Eight Immortals...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
This square 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 prote...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Cylindrical Picture Jasper Tower on Wood Stand More Views Vintage Cyli
Located in Pomona, CA
As a nurturing and protective stone, the picture jasper meaning helps to bring you comfort, alleviating any fear, stress or anxiety you may be feeling. It’stimulates the root chakr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Vintage Gilt Famille Verte Chinese Porcelain Seated Buddha/Luohan Ex-Lorin Marsh
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Chinese porcelain statue. In the form of a Luohan or Arhat with a famille verte robe and gilt body. The reverse ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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 Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export 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 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 sculptures made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $195 and tops out at $98,000 while the average work can sell for $1,895.

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