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
Hand Carved Soap Stone Chinese Buddha Sculpture
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional vintage hand carved stone chinese Buddha.
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Stone
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
Early 20 Century Antique Carved Bronze 3 Generations of Buddha Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
Three generations of Buddha represents Past, Present and Future three generations of Buddha. They are Dipamkara Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Buddha. They wer hand made from ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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
Patinated Wooden Sculpture, Representing Buddha, Early 20th Century, Gilt Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Sculpture in patinated wood, representing Buddha, made in China at the beginning of the 20th century. Buddha is depicted with his arms raised. The gold leaf with which it is covered,...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$799 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Massive Chinese Guanyin Statue in Jade-Like Green Hardstone
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Massive 37 1/2"- inch high Chinese Guanyin statue in Green Jade-like hardstone
Late 20th century,
The reclining deity adorned with a crown emulating ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Other
San Pacific Bronze Crane
Located in Pasadena, TX
This beautiful crane is made by San Pacific International. It's cast in bronze and has a beautiful verdigris patina. It balances on a round base and stands 17" tall.
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Bronze Incense Vessel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully chased 19th century bronze. In three parts. Great as just a table sculpture.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Asian Hunting Scene in Gilt Bronze 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Asian hunting scene
In gold bronze
Chinese warrior bear hunting
19th century
Measures: 20 x 18 x 9 cm.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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 Soapstone Buddha Carving on Stand
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Soapstone Buddha Carving on Stand, smiling Buddha with three children holding objects including the peaches of immortality, on a fitted pierced black stand. 5.25" H x 5" W x ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
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
Silvered Metal Manjushri, Sino, Tibetan Buddhist Deity
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A silvered figure of Manjusri seated in dhyanasana on a Pala style Indian base, wearing an ornate crown and wearing body jewelry,
Manjushri holds the sword of wisdom in his right hand and above his left shoulder is a lotus flower upon which rests a volume of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras.
Manjushri - Tibetan Buddhist Deity...
Category
Mid-20th Century Tibetan Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Metal
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 Tang Dynasty-Style Terracotta Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a man with his fists raised, wearing a hat or a head wrap and boots, and standing on a faceted...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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
$276 Sale Price
30% Off
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
$799 Sale Price
20% Off
Small Vintage Carved Oriental Figure, Chinese, Hand Carved, Black Onyx, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small vintage carved Oriental figure. A Chinese, hand-carved black onyx traditional travelling man statue, dating to the late Art Deco period, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Onyx
Two Ming Style Chinese Pottery Dignitaries
Located in Bradenton, FL
Two Chinese Ming style sancai polychrome glaze terracotta pottery figures of Chinese dignitaries in glazed green and ocher terracotta on hexagonal bases and removable heads. The man ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Chinese Export Porcelain Large Figures of Mythical Characters
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain large mythical figures,
Probably of Shouxing, God of Longevity
Circa 1775
The two Chinese Export figures stand on green shaped bases and although they a...
Category
1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
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
Patinated Wooden Sculpture, Representing Buddha, China Early 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We have a very nice wooden Buddha sculpture. It dates from the early 20th century, and you can see the aging in its beautiful patina. The work ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
$611 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Lingzhi Fungus Table Screen Qing Dynasty '1644-1912'
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A lingzhi fungus table screen
Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)
The unusual Chinese scholar’s object,
mounted natural dried and preserved lingzhi fungus.
Lobed asymmetrical outline with dee...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Other
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
$712 Sale Price
25% Off
Chinese Porcelain Figure of Woman Standing on Clouds
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style white porcelain standing figure of woman standing on clouds, possibly and alter figure.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Wicker Elephant Box from the Shanghai Collection
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Chinese elephant sculpture ambitiously hand crafted in woven wicker with rattan and wood highlights, having a removable head as a lid. From the famed Shanghai collection.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wicker
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Chinese White Small Cabbage Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Chinese White Jade Small Cabbage Sculpture . It depicts a very well hand carved delicate white cabbage sculpture. It stands over an elongated wood base. In Chinese culture,...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade
Two Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain HeHe Groups Kangxi Period
Located in Dallas, TX
A Pair of Chinese famille verte laughing twins 'HeHe Erxian' biscuit group, Kangxi (1662-1722), the two boys with jovial expressions and seated upon an openwork rock-base studded wit...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$4,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Bronze Buddha Head on Stand
Located in New York, NY
Unique bronze Buddha head on walnut stand.
Category
17th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$29,000
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Tomb Guardian
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb guardian figure seen in its typical stance of one foot higher than the other as it rests on an anima...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese Export Famille Rose Pheasant With Ormolu Mounts, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A gorgeous Chinese export famille rose enameled porcelain model of a pheasant mounted on an ormolu stand.
The elegant bird is portrayed perched on a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Ormolu
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
Mid-20th Century, Chinese Large Wooden Carved Elaborate Imperial Dragon Ship
Located in Pomona, CA
This large model of imperial dragon ship was intricately and elaborately carved with brilliant lattice work and details on the display stand. It actual a royal palace built on the sh...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$4,165 Sale Price
30% Off
Massive Solid Alabaster Antique Hand Carved Asian Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful solid alabaster antique Asian large sculpture hand carved, circa 1950s, great condition no chips or cracks or chips came out of a state i...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
$1,800 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Heavy Pair Of Vintage Horse Figures, Oriental Stone, Fireside Ornament, Bookends
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a heavy pair of vintage horse and groom figures. An Oriental, stone fireside ornament or bookends, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980.
Charming figures of substanti...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Stone
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
$1,400
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
$2,662 Sale Price / set
25% Off
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
Brass Buddha with child Incense 1940s China
Located in Den Haag, NL
Chinese Buddha with child . The child is a insert ,can be removed .
The holes are for incense ,i think . strange combination .Do you
now more than me . Solid Brass .
Category
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Chinese Green and Red 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
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 Terra Cotta Horse with Rider Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a girl wearing a red hat riding a brown horse, standing on a textured base.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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 Jade Old Man with Child Figurine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small jade Asian old man with a child figure. It depicts a carved orange jade old man holding a child. The small sculpture is standing over a gilt ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade, Metal
$1,400 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$2,350 / item
Tang Dynasty Pottery Camel
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese (Tang Dynasty) unglazed pottery camel with an open mouth and head turned with a double hump back.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$49,000
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
$2,850
1950s Fine Antique Chinese White Jade Fish Sculpture Figurine
Located in Chula Vista, CA
an antique decorative fish sculpture
made in white stone jade.
unmarked
Preowned Very good vintage condition unrestored.
Refer to images.
5.13 D x 1 W x 2 H
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade
Chinese Multicolor Porcelain Pheasant Statue
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) glazed porcelain statue of a pheasant with colorful, gold-outlined plumes perched on a rocky formation of green and brown. (Smaller version availab...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
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 Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
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
$1,365 Sale Price
30% Off
Pair of Chinese Bronze Deity Figures, 20th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of Chinese bronze figures of deities standing on dragons. The two sculptures were made in the 20th century. They represent the Tao gods Lu Xing and Fu Xin...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$1,000 Sale Price / set
47% Off
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 Sculptures
Materials
Rosewood
$3,220 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Small Carved Jade East Asian Woman’s Figurine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small jade East Asian woman’s figurine. It depicts a carved jade woman’s figure that appears to be dancing or stretching herself. She is wearing a...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade
$300 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Huren Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a Huren (northern tribesmen) man dressed in red robes and a prominent hat, with one fist raised in the air.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of Chinese Export Turquoise Glazed Hawks, Late 19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful pair of Chinese export turquoise glazed porcelain models of hawks, Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, China.
The fierce birds of prey are well modeled and portrayed perch...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
1892-1904 Chinese Elder Figure With Staff
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1892-1904 large Chinese mud man figure, an elder with staff in flowing green & yellow robe. Stamped "China". Apparent losses to feet, but possibly from kil...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
$195 Sale Price
33% Off
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.