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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
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Qilin Vases, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A parade of Qilin, Chinese mythical creatures symbolizing magnificence, joy, and benevolence, march around these hand-painted contemporary porcelain fantail vases. These particular f...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Tall Polychrome Ceramic Glazed Immortal Lu Figure
Located in New York, NY
Chinese polychrome glazed ceramic figural sculpture of the immortal Lu, god of wealth, his robe elaborately decorated, stamped to underside. Measures: 22...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese ormolu and cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic market Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 14cm, diameter 15cm Crafted in China...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel

Antique Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Antique Chinese ormolu and cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 10cm...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel

Pair of Chinese Canton / Rose Medallion Vases / Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of 19th century Chinese rose medallion vases, each with wonderful bold pinks, blues and green coloring, exotic bird handles on either side, lizards circling ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 19cm, diameter 23cm Crafted in China...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Chinese Export Porcelain Foo Dog Candlesticks
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain foo dog candlesticks Circa 1860 The Chinese Export porcelain foo dog candlesticks or joss sticks are modeled with the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Ormolu Bowl Produced for Export to Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Antique Chinese ormolu bowl produced for export to Islamic Market Chinese, early 20th century Measures: Height 13cm, width 31cm, depth 22cm This ch...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Ormolu and cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 18cm, diameter 25cm Crafted in China...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Chinese Tall Polychrome Glazed Ceramic Immortal Fu Figure
Located in New York, NY
Chinese polychrome glazed ceramic figural sculpture of the immortal Fu, god of happiness, depicted holding a child, his robe elaborately decorated. Me...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver Bowl, Wing Cheong, Hong Kong c.1890
By Wing Cheong
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th century Chinese solid silver decorative fruit bowl, of traditional round form, applied with a shaped arched and pierced rim w...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Rare Chinese Tonkin Ware Shakudo Sawasa Erotic Tobacco Box
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A ruyi-shaped Shakudo-style erotic tobacco or snuff box, relief-decorated with silvered applied figures Possibly Jakarta (Batavia), first half 18th century Measures: H. 2.2 x L. 12.1 x W. 8 cm This box is very much in the Dutch taste, for the illustration is after a print with a legend reading “L’oiseau sans cage. Prenez, belle, mon oiseau. C’est le plus doux présent que je puisse vous faire. Pour les autres oiseaux, la cage d’ordinaire est une espèce de tombeau. Mais le mien semble prendre une nouvelle vie, Lorsqu’il sera dans la cage de mon aimable Silvie.” The erotic message is as clear as can be. In Dutch culture the verb ‘vogelen’ (catching a bird) is another word for having sex and a bird escaping from his cage indicates loss of chastity. The lady with the bare breasts, while making the sign of sealed lips to the lady behind her, who is pointing towards heaven, seems to be caressing the bird held in the sleeping man’s groin. 17th century Dutch pictures...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Silver, Bronze

Chinese Floral Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Vase for Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese floral Cloisonné enamel and ormolu vase for Islamic Market. Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 20cm, diameter 23cm This beaut...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Export Petite Bowls
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand painted, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Floral Islamic Style Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Vase
Located in London, GB
Chinese Floral Islamic style cloisonné enamel and ormolu vase Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 18cm, diameter 21cm This beautiful bowl...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel

Large Rose Canton Porcelain Punch Bowl, Edmé Samson et Cie, Paris
Located in Downingtown, PA
Massive Rose Canton Porcelain Punch bowl, Edme Samson et Cie, Paris, circa 1880 The massive beautiful bowl with unusual steep sides is...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Beautiful Earthy Chinese Woven Rattan Market Basket
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful Chinese woven rattan market basket having decorative writing on the wooden handle and a great reddish patina.
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Rattan

Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market. Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 18cm, diameter 26cm Crafted in Chin...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel

Bronze Chinese Dragon Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderfully detailed bronze Chinese dragon vase, circa mid-20th century.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Famille Rose Vases with Gilt Handles 19th Century Figurative Scenes
Located in DE
This beautiful famille rose vase with gilt handles and golden elements within the intricately painted vase is full of figurative as well as floral motifs. The vase shows court scene...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese ormolu and cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 20cm, diameter 23cm Crafted in China...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel

Rare Large Chinese Export circa 1900 Shoushan Stone Sculpture Pandas Crane Birds
Located in GB
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Pair of Chinese Porcelain Glazed Figural Ginger Jars with Lids, 20th Century
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain glazed decorative figural and floral ginger jars with the original removable lids, 20th century.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

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 Export Dragon Motif Silver Picture Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese export dragon motif silver plate picture frame. Newly replaced. New low glare clear glass. Original burgundy leather easel back. Opening ...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Unusual Pair of Large Chinese Export Canton Famille Rose 1000 Butterfly Vases
Located in New York, NY
An unusual pair of large Chinese export canton famille rose thousand butterfly porcelain vases. The vase has a very unusual shape and was most pro...
Category

1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Antique 19th Century Japanese Porcelain Multicolored Lacquered Vases
Located in New York, NY
A monumental and unusual pair of antique 19th century Japanese porcelain poly-chrome lacquered vases. Each is beautifully designed with...
Category

1870s Japanese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Plique-à-Jour Enamel Double Gourd Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Chinese Plique-à-Jour enamel (translucent enamel) double gourd vases, each one with removable lid, exquisite all-over enamel decoration, each one signed with lotus flower.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Large Pair of Canton / Rose Medallion Vases or Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive pair of 19th century Chinese Cantonese or rose medallion vases or lamps. Each with wonderful bold colors, with classical oriental scenes of courtiers walking around...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Rare Chinese Export Solid Silver & Enamel Bowl, Wo Kwong circa 1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th century extremely rare Chinese export solid silver and enamel bowl, the sides are applied with shaded enamels, depicting bloomin...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Mid-20th Century, Hexagonal, Baluster Vase, Chinese Ceramic Urn
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a midcentury hexagonal baluster vase, a 20th century, Chinese ceramic urn. Attractive Chinese baluster vase Profusely decorated from neck to base Free from any damage o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Unglazed Antique Chinese Vessel
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique Chinese clay vessel is handcrafted from clay and fired. Shallow enrelief bands encircle the upper part of the vessel.    
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay

Chinese Jewelry Box with Drawers with Hand Carved Bird and Dragon Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, colorful and highly decorative Chinese box. If you like the look and feel of Chinese antiques and ancient Asian symbolism then this handcrafted and hand carved box from the turn of the century could be perfect for you. Its unusual size (smaller than a cabinet, but larger than your average antique box) may have something to do with the content we purchased it with. In a number of the small compartments we found Chinese porcelain tea cups...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Chinese Antique Textiles and Embroidery Edition in Chinese
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Chinese antique textiles and embroidery. Chinese language, Great textile art table book. Distributed by Eliane j Giraud Dupont Editeur, Paris....
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Paper

Tang Style Sancai-Glazed Figure of a Court Lady
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Tang style Sancai-glazed Figure of a Court Lady, 20th century. Standing figure with the long amber and green-glazed robe and green-glazed shoes, the delicate features ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Hand Painted Porcelain Tea Caddies with Floral and Bamboo Motifs
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of antique Chinese hexagonal form hand painted Porcelain tea caddies with floral and bamboo motifs. Each is beautifully hand painted on porcelain with a rich brown ground and golden tan flowers. They are of hexagonal form with beautifully hand painted peonies...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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

Chinese Export Lac Burgaute Inlaid Silver, Gold & Abalone Frame with Carved Jade
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export lac burgaute picture frame inlaid with silver and 24-karat gold elements as well as abalone and an antique white jade stone as crowning cen...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Jade, Gold, Silver

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Early 19th Century Export Chinoiserie Lacquer Box on Carved Feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1820s lacquered chinoiserie box on elegant carved feet. Produced at the height of England's craze for Chinese lacquerware, this item features an ex...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Lacquer

Magical Old Chinese Box in Faded Cinnabar
Located in Hopewell, NJ
If objects could talk, this box would have some interesting stories for all its wonderful aged patina, cracks and character. A faded cinnabar, the entire surface is meticulously hand...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Blue and White Scholar's Joy Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary ginger jar continues the tradition of Chinese blue-and-white ceramics with classic curves and auspicious, hand-painted decorations. Symbols that would surely give a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Asian Cast Brass Footed Vessel with Animals Designs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large cast brass Asian footed bowl with two handles. Could be used as a jardinière for an orchid composition. Engraved brass with animals designs on brass vessel. Great heavy brass Chinese art...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Chinese Famille Verte Fish Bowl
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality early 20th century Chinese Famille verte Fish bowl, having yellow ground fan shaped panels with classical Chinese warriors in battle, boarders with geometric motifs to...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Late Qing Dynasty Large Baluster Famille Rose "Hundred Antiques" Jar
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A late Qing Dynasty Chinese large Baluster Famille Rose "Hundred Antiques" Jar, A multitude of decorative objects and flowers in polychrome enamels and ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

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

Pair of Signed Large Early 19th Century Chinese Vases Ornate Designs
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this decorative pair of early 19th century Chinese vases each signed to the base A very nice pa...
Category

1830s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Antique Hand Painted Chinese Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of antique hand painted Chinese vases exhibit beautiful artistic scenes with exotic birds, flowers and a forest sunset enhanced by the ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Nine 19th Century Chinese Export Spinach and Egg Bowls
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine and rare set of five "egg and spinach" Chinese export porcelain bowls. Painted in a Tang Sancai or "Tiger Skin" technique used in the Kangxi perio...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Chinese Export Silver Cigar Box by Hung Chong & Co.
Located in Savannah, GA
Sterling silver cigar box marked Hung Chong (or Cheong) & Co., silversmiths & retailers, Canton, China, circa 1860-1930. Classic intertwined ...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Pair of 19th Chinese Yellow and Green Ground Vases/ lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large, good quality pair of 19th century Chinese green and yellow ground vases, each with classical motif decoration, scrolling flowers, leaves an...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Canton / Rose Medallion Garden Seat
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th Century Chinese Canton / Rose medallion hexagonal porcelain garden seat. The top and sides having pierced decoration to the centres, two rows gilded buttons aroun...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Two Chinese Gilt Bronze Mounted Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
These cloisonné enamel vases are wonderful pieces of Chinese decorative art. They were crafted in the last decade of the Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911. The vases a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Large Blue and White Celestial Ball Vase with Fu Dogs
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully rendered with expressive brushwork, the painted decoration on this monumental globular jar demonstrates the exceptional artistry of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain. Guar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Baluster Jar with Fish and Flora
Located in Chicago, IL
This blue-and-white covered jar is hand-painted with flora and fauna of the sea, offering blessings of wealth, abundance, and the contented harmony of a fish in water. Chinese blue-a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

Bronze Sculpture Japanese Scholar Scroll Fukurokuju Inlay
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Well done, very sharp detailed cast bronze figure with inlay of silver metal on scroll, 1920s- 1930s. Beautiful golden patina on head and bottom from years of handling. 8.3 lbs.   
Category

1920s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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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