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Chinese Export Decorative Objects

CHINESE EXPORT STYLE

Expanded trade between Europe and East Asia, starting in the 16th century, led to a booming market for exported goods, particularly furniture. This was bolstered by the establishment of the Dutch and English East India Companies at the beginning of the 17th century. From folding screens and chairs to lacquer tables and silver, Chinese Export furniture was in demand and regularly copied and imitated, leading to styles like chinoiserie and Chinese Chippendale.

The expansion of exporting that had strengthened the arts during the Ming dynasty continued into the Qing dynasty era — Chinese designers made many furniture pieces specifically for export, resulting in distinctive designs that mixed traditional techniques with forms appealing to foreign buyers. For instance, cabinetmakers in Canton (modern-day Guangzhou) were prolific in crafting hardwood furniture for export in European styles that involved the expert joinery techniques of Chinese furniture. Designs for Chinese Export porcelain, cabinets, decorative objects and other furniture were often more ornately adorned than they would be for a local audience, such as with mother-of-pearl overlays or surfaces featuring lavish pictorial scenes or gold on black motifs. Some were even commissioned by wealthy European families to be adorned with their coat of arms.

Because lacquer furniture was especially prized, and the resin used to create it was difficult to import as it would harden during the long voyage, artisans in China and Japan exported numerous lacquer pieces. Long before lacquer made its way to Japan, the Chinese treated the material differently. They used it to create smooth, glossy surfaces, but also for carving, an art that began in the 12th century and is exclusively Chinese. These pieces are called cinnabar lacquer after the powdered mercury sulfide (cinnabar) employed to produce their characteristic red hue. A popular form for export was a compact cabinet with drawers, usually displayed on a small table. Undecorated furniture built in Europe was also shipped to China to be lacquered. The international exchange of design would influence furniture into the 19th century and later, informing styles such as Art Deco and Art Nouveau.

Find a collection of antique Chinese Export tables, beds, cupboards, table lamps and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Chinese Export
Large Oval Jewelry Box, Color with with Internal Compartments France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an Ovale large box. It has been decorated with a sivered color metal plate and lid. It has been made in France, during the 19th Century. In brown color. It is a jelwery box.
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Pair of Chinese Off-White Cherry Blossom Tree and Bird Motif Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese off-white urn-shaped porcelain vases depicting groups of birds perched on flowering branches of cherry blossom trees and one bird flying above, positioned between two...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Multicolor Floral and Vine Motif Meiping Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese white porcelain vase with a Meiping form decorated in swirling green vines interspersed with colorful florals. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Large Chinese Green Glazed Terra Cotta Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout large Chinese bowl handcrafted in terracotta in classic form and decorated in an alluring variegated jade green glaze.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Lotus Form Ceramic Bowl, Blue Flambe Glaze, China, Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage lotus form ceramic bowl - blue flambe glaze - non glazed foot rim - unsigned - China - late 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - no chi...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Chinese Celadon Blue And White Vase
Located in Norwood, NJ
A large antique 19th century Chinese floor vase having a celadon ground and blue and white underglaze decoration to the body. The underglaze decoration is of foliage, stems with ber...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Three Mid-20th Century Stone's Patinated Wood Statues of Chinese Figures
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Three hand-carved wood chinese figures with a patina that makes them look like stone in good conditions with just signs of age. The finish ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Unusual Chinese Longshan Black Pottery Vase
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Unusual Chinese Longshan Black pottery vase Late 20th century. Finely handcrafted in relief in archaic style with figures and inscriptions...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Boxwood

19th Chinese Carved Hardwood Figure of an Immortal Holding a Bat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite late 19th-century Chinese carved hardwood figure depicts an immortal holding a bat, symbolizing happiness and good fortune in Chinese culture. The workmanship is exemp...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bone, Hardwood

Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese hexagonal cast brass tea caddy, early 20th century. Each rectangular side with a shou symbol surrounded by five stylized bats on blue enamel ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Vintage solid brass and jade Chinese export trinket box
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a solid brass ornately decorated Chinese made trinket box. This trinket box has four medallions on each corner of the top with a center medallion that has a carved jade inset...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Vases will make a colorful addition to your decor. Using several shades of green combined with blue and a brick red, a scene of entertaining at the ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Large 20th Century Famille Verte Porcelain Decorative Piece
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of traditional Chinese artistry to your space with this large 20th Century Famille Verte Porcelain Decorative Piece. This striking piece features a classic bottle shape a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of mid 20th century Chinese cloisonné over ceramic vases. This fun and whimsical pair depicts carp fish in a water scene with possible lotus leaf or lily pad and other water cre...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases
Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases
$4,080 Sale Price / set
36% Off
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Horse and Rider Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a rider wearing robes sitting on a horse with a bowed head, on a square base.       
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Porcelain Pomegranate Red Glazed Meiping Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain Meiping vase with a robust pomegranate red glaze.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Oriental Flower Vase, Decorative, Ceramic, Butterflies, 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an oriental flower vase, a decorative ceramic piece featuring butterflies dating to the 20th century. Of Classic form with broad shoulder In good condition throughout, fr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Old Bronze Vessel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Unearth a piece of history with this captivating old bronze vessel, a treasure that speaks volumes of its rich past. Discovered and now presented for your consideration, this artifac...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Carved Wood, Trees and Birds Decor, China
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
It is a carved wooden box, brown and black. One part is hand carved, the other Painted lacquered. It was made in China during the 1930s and 1940s, so it is from the Republic period.
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Patinated Bronze Tapered Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a bronze tapered urn with a green and black patina, decorated with raised geometric patterns and linear, carved pieces extending outward fro...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Petite Famille Verte Canton Vase, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the 1920s during China's Republic Period, this petite vase is decorated in a style known as Canton enamel, so named for the long-standing industry of export enamels based in...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Blue Multi-Pattern Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese white porcelain urn painted with a variety of blue, decorative patterns, including feathers and bold vertical markings, that are proportionally balanced to create a harmonio...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Samson Porcelain Chinese Export Style Bottle Vases
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Chinese export style bottle vases. By the Samson et Cie Porcelain Manufactory. With chinoiserie decorated cartouches to all sides, a light brown (almost cafe au...
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Multi-Color Pattern Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese vases decorated with all-over swirling floral motifs intercepted by yellow patterned bands at the bottom and top of the base and striking blue designs wrapping concav...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Bronze Fluted Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a patinaed bronze urn with ram head ornamentation below the fluted mouth, raised geometric patterns wrapping the body and a tapered circular...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Double Gourd Vases
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain vases having a double gourd form, hand decorated with pagoda landscapes.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Rider and Horse Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a girl in a red garment holding an object riding a dark brown horse, standing on a textured base.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

1950s Pair Of Chinese Hand Made Cloisonné Enamel Vases On Carved Hardwood Stands
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1950s Pair Of Hand Made Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Vases On Hardwood Stands in mint condition. Come with original box. No imperfections whatsoever. Measure 5" in diameter and stand 1...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

Green Glazed Shiwan Pottery Teapots Qing Dynasty, 'Pair'
Located in Dallas, TX
A near pair of 19th century Sancai green glazed pottery teapots. Both with yoked handles, spouts and lids. Both also have the Republic era official government wax red seal signifying...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Jade

Large 19th Century Cantonese / Rose Medallion Vase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive fine quality 19th century Chinese Canton / rose medallion vase, having the classical white and green foliate ground, gilded dog of faux handles to either side with ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Plique-a-jour Archaic Style Bowl
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small Chinese cloisonné enamel bowl made with the technique of Plique-a-jour (means "letting in daylight" in French), a challenging method similar to small scale stained windows or...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Mid 20th Century Edme Samson French Porcelain Armorial Scalloped Shell Dish 7"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th century (circa 1941-1957) hand painted Chinese Export style scallop shell porcelain dish, featuring gilded edges, a wreath of roses and an armorial central coat of arms / sh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Carved Cinnabar & Enamelled Box with Imperial Dragon Top
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique decorative box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Petite Famille Rose Canton Vase, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the 1920s during China's Republic Period, this petite vase is decorated in a style known as Canton enamel, so named for the long-standing industry of export enamels based in...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Chinese Export Porcelain Large Comport Sang-de-boeuf mottled red , Ca 1940
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Chinese Export Comport on a footed base, with a monochrome ox blood red "Sang-de-boeuf" glaze, with a beautiful mottled glaze, which we date to the mid 20th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Terracotta Urns / Vessels
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of urn shapped terracotta pots or vessels wiht glazed decorations, China, 1930s. Provincial rustic handmade terracotta wine jars or preserving pots. The taller one is covered by...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Earthenware, Terracotta

Pair of Sing Fat Chinese Export Silver Dragon Placecard or Business Card Holders
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique silver figural card holders. By Sing Fat, a highly regarded Chinese silversmith active in both Shanghai & Canton ca. 1880 - 1940. Each holder in the form of ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Covered Jars with Floral Decoration & Calligraphy
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese blue & white porcelain ovoid jar with calligraphic characters on the lid plus a double border, the body painted with a keyfret border surrounding the mouth, a foliate pattern...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Paint

Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Flowering Branch Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) famille rose similar porcelain white urns depicting fowl nestled amid an abundance of flowering branches, accented with foo dog scrolled h...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Elmwood Basket Rice Measure
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large antique Chinese 19th century Elmwood rice measure with iron decoration and handles. A rustic antique handcrafted Chinese rice measure storage basket...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Elm

Early 20th Century Chinese Dark Brown Glaze Pottery Urn/Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
Our wonderful collection of handmade old vintage Chinese hand made glazed pottery vase will make great accent pieces for any room of your house. It has some imperfection signs of age...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Antique 1900s Chinese Silver Vinaigrette
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese silver vinaigrette in the form of a purse; an addition to our silver boxes collection This excep...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Large Chinese Export Red Lacquer Character Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese Export red lacquer character box, sculptural, well executed Chinese two part lacquer table box. Decorated with vines, symbols and bats. Unmarked.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Lacquer

Large Fantastic Wood 'Scholars Rock'
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A large fantastic wood 'scholar's rock' The formation of natural knots, gnarled and twisted projections Of the variety greyish brown-toned wood, imitating a vertical scholar’s rock. Much appreciated by Chinese scholars for contemplation, artistic and poetic inspiration. Also in the west these fantastic wood formations resembling organic microcosm habitat Never stopped to inspire some surrealist artists like Max Ernst or Frantisek Muzika. Measures: 27¾" in. (70.5cm.) high. Approx. 10" in. (25.5 cm.) wide, 7" in. (17.5 cm.) deep. On soft wood stand. For comparison see Christie’s sale NY, 19 Sep 2002, lot 104 “Fine Chinese Archaic bronzes...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair 19th Century Hand-Painted Chinese Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Hand-Painted Chinese Vases are stunning works of art, rendered on fine Kaolin clay and illustrative of the mastery of the art attained by master artisans with hundr...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Speckled Maroon Glazed Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese porcelain vase with a fluted opening and a speckled maroon finish that adds dimension to its rounded base, sitting atop an earthtone glazed foot. Glaze chip at center."
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Chinese Bodiless Lacquer Bowl with Marks
Located in Pomona, CA
Chinese Fuzhou bodiless lacquerware is a product of the combination of bodiless craftsmanship and lacquering art. The production of Fuzhou bodiless lacquerware is quite difficult, an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Celadon Glazed Porcelain Pot
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (19th Century) glazed porcelain pot in a celadon color with a rounded form (date mark on bottom, see photos).
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Rose Wood, Brass Koi Lock Box
Located in New York, NY
Exotic Rose Wood keepsake, document box with a heay brass koi lock with red tasseled key. Box lined in paper with chinese characters.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Jade, Metal

Chinese White Globular Kylin Motif Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese (late 19th Century) white, globular porcelain vase with colorful kylin beasts, symbolizing good luck, amid geometric and floral designs. Condition: Good; Wear consistent wit...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Polished Brass Asian Candlesticks
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of polished cast gold brass candlesticks. Mid-Century Modern vintage Chinese export candle holders. Dimensions: 4.75 in. D x 18 in. Height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Hung Chong & Co., Mottahedeh, and Samson & Cie. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $68 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,500.

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