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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
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

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

20th Sculpture of an Asiatic Man with Birds and Harlequin Motifs, Spain
Located in Miami, FL
This alluring statue will elevate any interior decor. Nimble and flexible yet astute and clever, this statue is here portrayed in the midst of a traditional dance. The masterful de...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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

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

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 Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Sculpture of a Buddhist Monk, 21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
Sculpture of a Buddhist monk made of natural stone, masterfully hand-carved. The calm posture, finely folded robes, and engraved dedication give the figure a distinctive spiritual an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Stone

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Enamel

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

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

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 Chinese Carved Jade Pig Statue, Zodiac Sign
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a original hand carved Jade pig statue. the Twelfth Sign of the Chinese Zodiac. Pig symbolizes wealth, lucky and good fortune and prosperity. As you ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Jade

Chinese Rose Quartz Toad
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rose quartz figure of a toad standing on a teak base (20th Cent)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Teak

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

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

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

Splendid Impressively Large Life Size Chinese Guan Yin Marble Figure
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Amazing life size beautiful white marble Guan Yin sculpture having meticulous detail and beautiful peaceful expression. Appropriate for display indoors or in the garden. In Chinese ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Chinese papier-mâché golden sphere
Located in LA CELLERA DE TER, ES
Exclusively handcrafted piece. This sphere is created using the ancient Chinese papier-mâché technique – a millennia-old craft that eventually spread worldwide. Traditionally employe...
Category

2010s Spanish Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

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

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Camel with Rider Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a bearded rider dressed in a gray coat and brown boots riding a yellow Bactrian camel standin...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Chinese Painted Clay Buddha Statue with Red Robes
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (early 20th Century, Republic of China) clay Buddha sculpture with painted details and red and green robes. (Similar sculptures: NWL2498, ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Clay

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

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

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

Vintage Goat Figurine in Jade Stone - The Devils Pet
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small hand-carved/tooled figurine or paperweight of a goat. The devils Pet executed in pale light green jade gemstone. Made in Asia during the 1970s or earlier. Measurements: 6.5...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Jade

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

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 Sculptures

Materials

Sterling Silver, 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 Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

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

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

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Bactrian Camel Terra Cotta 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

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

Wooden Samourai Sculpture, Early 20th Century, Gold Color, China
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We have a very nice wooden Samourai sculpture, With It's arms up. It dates from the early 20th century, and you can see the aging in its beautiful patina. . The work of sculpture is ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Quartz Rock Crystal of a Chinese Goddess
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very rare Carving of a Goddess seated inside of a large Quartz Rock Crystal . Hard to see any details in the photos . No signature found . The stone is appox 9" across an...
Category

Late 19th Century Central Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Quartz

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 Mid-Century White Porcelain Chickens
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) white porcelain chickens, detailed with tonal feathers and red features and sculpted perched on rocks (P...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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

Old Japanese Kutani Hotei Colorful Laughing Buddha Porcelain
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an old Japanese Kutani Moriage hotei porcelain statue Charming and colorful laughing buddha figurine. Hand embellished. Stamped Japan. Dimensions: 5.25" W x...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Puppies
Located in Essex, MA
Well modeled "lion dogs'" modeled after a Pekingese the companion pet of Chinese royalty. Cream colored ground with brown accents.
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Chinese Carved Wood Statue of a Fisherman, , circa 1900, Republic period
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We have a Chinese wooden sculpture. A fisherman who is carrying a fish. The teeth and the eyes are made of glass and, for the eyes, they are p...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

Early 20th-Century Antique Chinese Erotic Porcelain Figurine
Located in Pomona, CA
These "spring palace paintings" (春宫畫), Chinese erotic porcelain figurine were historically given to brides and young couples, sometimes as a form of "sex education" in a culture wher...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Chinese Antique Cloisonne Figurine with Musical Instrument
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonne Beauty Figurine. It was hand made from gold copper cloisonne. This stand Beauty has very d...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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

Antique Chinese Painted Clay Buddha Statue
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (early 20th Century, Republic of China) clay Buddha sculpture with painted details in red, green, and blue. (Similar sculptures: NWL2497, ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Clay

Chinese Gilt Bronze Buddha Figure
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Gilt Bronze Buddha Figure 7 7/8 H X 3 3/8 D
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese Marble Lions from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Chinese Marble Lions from the XIX century Elegant lions of the Quing Dynasty carved in white marble with chisel. They are in good conditio...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Marble

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

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 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

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 Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel

A pair of French hand painted cast iron foo dogs in a Chinese style, circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
We have for sale this fantastic pair of tactile and decorative hand-painted French Foo Dogs, designed in the Chinese decorative style. They are solidly cast with great detail and have a rich hand-painted finish that represents red lacquer. Their teeth and eyes have been highlighted in white. The foo dogs are very well modelled, showing good movement and stance and a fierce expression. These heavy pair of tactile cast iron foo dogs...
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Iron

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19thC Chinese Root Wood Carving
Located in Altrincham, GB
19thC Chinese Root Wood Carving of a sacred water buffalo with children climbing on it's back - 23"w x 11"d x 10"h
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bog Wood

Chinese Hand-Cut Tessellated Bone Veneered Geese, A Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Pair of Chinese Tessellated Bone Veneered Geese Sculptures with hand-cut bone veneer arranged in overlapping feather-like scales. Each goose features a gracefully elongated neck an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bone

14.5" Jade 2 piece Sculpture of Grapes and Birds
Located in Pasadena, TX
This sculpture is carved from Jade. The carving is depicting a pair of birds, perching on a grapevine, perhaps eating fruit or singing and getting some much needed rest. The sculptur...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Jade

8" Soapstone Foo Dog Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, TX
This sculpture is carved from soapstone. It depicts a Foo Dog mounted on a soapstone base.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

12" Vintage Soapstone Sculpture of a Woman
Located in Pasadena, TX
This sculpture is made of a jade color soapstone. It depicts a Guan Yin woman figure standing on a stone base. The woman is adorned and draped in a beautiful kimono.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

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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