Skip to main content

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.

to
66
238
4
2
8
38
192
6
39
55
17
2
1
3
1
6
2
1
2
3
6,848
4,647
2,875
885
853
698
628
507
465
449
366
247
195
193
90
83
79
76
87
60
46
45
44
205
29
206
195
189
8
5
Height
to
Width
to
244
244
244
1
1
Style: Chinese Export
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

Pair of Chinese Carved Stone Foo Dogs on Rectangular Plinths, 20th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Chinese hand carved stone Foo dogs resting on rectangular decorative carved plinths. 20th Century
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Stone

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

SEATED BUDDHA KUAN YIN/GUANYIN 19th-century
Located in Madrid, ES
SEATED BUDDHA KUAN YIN/GUANYIN 19th-century Chinese sculpture in polychrome and gilded wood. Rests on a later painted wood base. Signs of wear. Height: (sculpture) 82 cm; (total) 17...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Large Royal Gold Plated Cloisonne Bull Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent antique Chinese Cloisonne bull statue is made from gold plated bronze/copper and shows very detailed hand craft works of Cloisonne art - a lot of Chinese traditional folks art like Buddhas flower...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Copper

9" tall Bronze Foo Dog w/ patina
Located in Pasadena, TX
This Foo Dog casting was made in Asia. Its a bronze depicting a Foo Dog. Has lots of nice patina.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Vintage Chinese Carved Jade Kilim Statues - a Pair of two
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this pair of original hand carved Jade Kilim statue. They bring Happiness and Wealthiness to you in Chinese cultural. As you can see in the pictures, They are in very good co...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Jade

Pair of Chinese Lidded Porcelain Elephant Figurines
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese olive green elephant figurines, decorated with carved detailing and pierced sides, and fitted with lids (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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

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 Metal Gilt Filigree and Enamel Cranes Figures on Wooden Stand
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Chinese Gilt Metal Filigree and Enamel Cranes Figures on Wooden Stand. Mid 20th century circa 1950s Asian fine jeweled sculptures. Two Orient...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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

Antique Chinese Emperor and Empress Wooden Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of Antique Chinese Emperor and Empress Statues are 100% hand made and hand carved with paint and gilt on them. Some of the paint and gilt has been worn off but overall they are in good condition. Look at the pictures, you can see that they are in many years history with some age wear. Now you can have them on your collection shelf. Size: 6in H x 2 3/4in W x 2in D each Origin: China Circa: Late Qing era Material: Wood Condition: Hand made, hand painted, normal age wear. Disclaimer: Due to differences in monitor/screen settings, product colors may differ slightly between product photos...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Chinese Multicolor Glazed Porcelain Pheasant Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) porcelain sculpture of a pheasant with colorful, gold-outlined plumes perched on a rocky formation of green and brown.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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

Heavy Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Wisdom Figure in Tang Dynasty Style
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous SanCai glazed terra-cotta wisdom figurine, Crafted in the Tang Dynasty Style. The clay is coated or made into clay sheets, then placed inside the model, and pressed into for...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

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

Two Brass Chinese Figures (Ox & Elephant) - W4000 NUST SELL
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
Two Brass Chinese Figures (Ox & Elephant) - W4000 MUST SELL This is a pair of heavy Chinese brass figurines of an ox and an elephant. They are in very good condition with some resid...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Vintage Chinese Porcelain Group figurines of Journey to the West
Located in Pomona, CA
This ceramic figurine group depicts the main characters from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. The figures are typically identified as the Tang Dynasty monk Tang Sanzang...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Pair of Chinese Guardian Lions in Red and Gold Lacquer
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this stunning pair of statues representing Chinese guardian lions, also known as lions of Fo, made in red and gold lacquer and painted wood. Their origins date ba...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Bronze Sculpture Of A Lady
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Bronze Sculpture of a Chinese Lady. It depicts a semi nude Chinese lady standing up and wrapped with a robe around one of her shoulders, the back, below the hip and one of ...
Category

20th Century East Asian Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Chinese Hand Carved Bamboo Fish Man Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this beautiful vintage Chinese hand carved bamboo fish man. It is 100 percent hand made from bamboo shoot. You can see the pictures ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bamboo

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

Mid 20th Century Chinese Wood Carved Kwan Yin Statuary
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent vintage Chinese Wood Carved Kwan Yin Statuary has intricate carving works. It is all hand made and hand carved Kwan Yin sitting under the tree and holding a flower i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Boxwood

Wood Sculpture from Old Water Mill Gear, China 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
This wood accent piece originally served as a section of gear work from a water mill in China. Note the carved upper section that created the "gearworks." The deep worn patina of the...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Chinese Rose Quartz Rooster
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rose quartz small carved figure of a rooster (as is-repair to base) (20th Cent)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Rose Quartz

San Pacific 17" 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

San Pacific 17" Bronze Crane
San Pacific 17" Bronze Crane
$640 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese He He Er Xian Blue and White Porcelain Twins
Located in Sarasota, FL
This striking porcelain figure depicts a pair of twin boys rendered in classic blue-and-white, a motif deeply rooted in Chinese decorative tradition. Seated side by side, one child h...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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
Pair of Antique 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 Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Enamel

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 Terra Cotta Woman and Kneeling Camel Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a woman in a gray dress sitting on a kneeling Bactrian camel with its head tilted back and mout...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

20th Century Chinese Antique Cloisonne Longevity Star Statuary
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonne Longevity Star Statuary was hand made from gold copper cloisonne. This stand Longevity Star has ve...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Vintage Asian Chinese Brass Prosperity Dragon Wall Hanging
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Asian Chinese Brass Prosperity Dragon Wall Hanging. As the embodiment of the masculine gender, the dragon has long been an auspicious symbol of power in Chinese culture. Dragons chasing a ball is the auspicious scene of good luck, prosperity and wealth. According to Chinese Feng Shui...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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

20th Century Chinese Wooden Carved Tieguai Li
Located in Pomona, CA
Up for sale is a magnificent vintage Chinese Wood Carved Tieguai Li Statuary. It is all hand made and hand carved from boxwood. According to legend, after Tieguai Li becoming an immo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Boxwood

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 Polychrome Harmony Fish, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this large koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. Much of t...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Pine

Pair of Chinese Bamboo Root Carved Peacock Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of similar Chinese peacock sculptures carved from the roots of bamboo, utilizing the main section of the root for the bodies, and the "root hair" ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

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

Chinese Chicken Blood Stone Carving of Bodhidharma on Wood Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small chicken blood stone carving from China circa early 20th century, possibly early (late Qing to early Republic period). It depicts an aged Bo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Stone

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

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Clay

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Man and Horse Terra Cotta Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a man dressed in dark gray robes, with one fist raised in the air, sitting atop a red saddle, on a horse that is painted...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

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

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

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

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

Sculpture Indian Goddess in Patinated Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture Indian Goddess in patinated bronze, beautiful chiselling, early 20th century. Measures: H 23 cm, W 18 cm, D 12 cm.  
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Great Dragon Temples Chinese Minguo Period
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of great dragon temples. Chinese Minguo period (1912-1949), in carved bone plates. With detailed dragon carvings. Sitting on a wooden base. faults ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Bone

Fantastic 19th Century Chinese Blanc De Chine Model of a Water Buffalo or Ox
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic 19th Century Chinese Blanc De Chine Model of a Water Buffalo. Beautifully hand-carved and enameled with a bright white body and black enamel eyes. This piece is really superb and in fabulous condition for its age. In Chinese culture, the water buffalo symbolizes the coming of spring. Throughout China the spring season began with a ceremonial plowing by the imperial capital through the use of a water buffalo, symbolizing its importance to the imperial heritage. Water buffalo were created in China for centuries, with terracotta pieces found in Han dynasty tombs...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

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

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

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

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

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.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed