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.
to
221
1,083
37
5
48
315
720
42
206
167
48
11
3
17
6
9
10
3
9
5
2
26,245
14,194
9,029
5,651
3,925
3,077
2,330
1,719
1,353
1,304
1,142
1,096
1,000
938
928
676
653
586
701
563
273
137
72
877
198
1,022
983
964
30
18
Height
to
Width
to
1,125
1,125
1,125
4
3
3
2
2
Style: Chinese Export
Chinese Ormolu Mounted Porcelain Vase & Bowl
Located in Astoria, NY
Set of two Chinese porcelain centerpieces comprising (1) one red and beige vase with French Louis XVI style ormolu mounts and (1) one red and beige bowl with French Louis XV style or...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$550 Sale Price / set
57% Off
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
$1,462 Sale Price
25% Off
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases - Made by Wang Hing circa 1900, Dragons
Located in London, London
Made circa 1900 by Wang Hing, this handsome pair of Antique Chinese Export silver vases, are of traditional form, decorated with a dragon motif. Each vase measures 7.25"(18.5cm) tall...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Puppies
Located in Essex, MA
Well modeled "lion dogs'" modeled after a Pekingese the companion pet of Chinese royalty. Cream colored ground with brown accents.
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$5,800 / set
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Bone
$35,752 / set
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
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
Vintage Papier Mâché Parcel-Gilt Buddha
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large, decorative and unusual papier mâché gilded Buddha.
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Paper
Pair of 1930s Vintage Bronze Jug Vase Urns with Little Cherub Angles Nice Find
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original pair of 1930s bronze jug vases with cherubs
A good looking and well made pair, the Cherubs have t...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
$1,301 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Early 19th Century Export Chinoiserie Lacquer Box on Carved Feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exquisite early 19th-century chinoiserie box, adorned with lacquered surfaces and ornate gold-toned detailing, showcases the superb craftsmanship of English artisans influenced ...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Lacquer
Pair of Kerosene Lamps with Birds in Chinese Style
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of French antique kerosene lamps. The bronze paunch is decorated with birds on branches and flowers in Chinese style. What makes these lamps stun...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
EARLY 20TH CENTURY HAND CARVED SOAP STONE VASE WiTH FLORAL SCENE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for auction this lovely early 20th-century Chinese hand-carved soapstone vase.
This is a unique item of a Chinese hand carved vase...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Crackleware Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and decorative 19th Century Chinese Famille Rose crackelware vase / lamp. Having classical motif bronzed decoration, leaf and berry handles. Hand painted scenes dep...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Monumental Cracked Chinese Oil Jar with Repairs
Located in Dallas, TX
The Brendan Bass Estate Collection is an homage to the beauty of vintage and antique
pieces, each artfully concealing endless stories collected through the generations in which they...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Monumental Cracked Chinese Oil Jar with Repairs
Located in Dallas, TX
The Brendan Bass Estate Collection is an homage to the beauty of vintage and antique
pieces, each artfully concealing endless stories collected through the generations in which they...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
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, Enamel, Ormolu
Vintage Chinese Hardstone Sea Buckthorn Bushes, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Vintage Chinese hardstone Sea Buckthorn (Shaji, or Hippophae rhamnoides) plant sculptures, each with nephrite leaves wired to a trunk sprouting Cinnamon Jade berries in agate pots, t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Multi-gemstone
Very Good Quality Large Chinese Lidded Jars / PAIR
Located in Dallas, TX
a large pair of Chinese vases, very good quality, each with female figures as finials, seated next to garden seats, and foo lion mask hand...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$34,000 / set
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
Pair of Chinese 19th Century Crackel Ware Vases / lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A stylish pair of Chinese 19th century crackle ware vases / lamps, each with fretted handles and gilded ormolu bases and rims.
We can convert to lamps if required.
G7560/15 CEKZ
Category
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 13cm, diameter 13cm
This beautiful bowl...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
A very large antique 19th century rose medallion bowl
Located in London, GB
A very large antique 19th century rose medallion Canton bowl, dating from the early nineteenth century decorated with vibrant enamelled colours and in its very fine ormolu gilt moun...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
20th Century Chinese Papier-Mâché Bowl
Located in London, GB
20th Century Chinese Papier-mâché Bowl
Papier-mâché. Chinese bowl made from papier-mâché. 20th Century
Dimension: H 25 x D 28 cm.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Paper
Set of Chinese Red & Black Boxes, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Set of Chinese red & black boxes, 20th century.
Set of three Chinese red and black boxes, decorated with scenes of figures amongst landscapes with temples and pavilions.
Wood,...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$2,272 / set
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Crackelware Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of late 19th century Chinese crackleware vases / lamps. Each with oriental style ormolu mounts to the top and bottom. Cla...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
STUNNING CHINESE EXPORT HAND CARVED WOOD DRAGON MANTLE CLOCK & CANDLESTiCKS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning circa 1880-1920 Chinese Export hand carved dragon mantle clock with matching candlesticks
A good looking and expertly carved suite...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Glazed Earthenware Bowl, Song Dynasty, China
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Song dynasty period earthenware glazed bowl
Gorgeous patina and wear. Overall excellent condition.
Height: 2.7"
Diameter: 6.5"
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
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, Enamel, Ormolu
Chinese Brown and Pink Rope Design Trim Handled Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese handled vase with a pale pink base and a burnished tan body showing highs and lows in the finish, wrapped in two ribboned r...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Style Silver Heron and Turtle Candelabras
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) silver 2 arm candelabra of heron standing on turtle with turquoise and rust enamel inlay. (PRICED AS PAIR)...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Pair of Quing Dynasty Silver Chinese Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Quing dynasty silver Chinese vases, 1800s.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
$3,600 / set
19th Century Bronze-Mounted Rose Medallion Center Piece
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dore bronze mounts. Nicely cast. Bowl has no breaks, cracks or damages.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Chinese Marble Lions from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Chinese Marble Lions from the XIX century
Elegant lions of the Quing Dynasty carved in white marble with chisel. They are in good conditio...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Pair of 19th Century Famille Rose Beaker Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large pair of beautifully hand-enameled. No cracks, breaks or repairs.
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
$5,950 / set
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
$2,450 / set
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
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
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
Pr Faux Swedish Porphyry Ceramic Covered Vases w/ Sea Creatures Design in Relief
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large and extremely decorative Chinese export faux Swedish Porphyry ceramic covered vases with various sea creature designs in high relief. These are truly a gorgeous pair ...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century Famille Rose Beaker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very finely detailed large Chinese beaker with flower and bird motif. No cracks, breaks or repairs.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
19th Century Pair of Chinese Hardwood Buffalo & Boys with Bone Flutes
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century pair of dark hardwood water buffalo with inset glass eyes. These finely carved and highly detailed figures have carved boy figures sitting on their backs holding bone flutes...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Chinese Blanc de Chene Lidded Vase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A beautiful early 19th century Chinese Blan de Chene lidded vase with mythical dragons in re-leaf. Having wonderful Rococo influenced gilded ormolu mounts.
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
Antique pair of Homunculus Sculptures
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Unique and charming set of homunculus type figures on wooden base. Unknown origin and date but probably early 20th century. See pics
Category
20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$156 Sale Price / set
20% Off
"Massage" Large White Porcelain Vase by Luce Raggi, Italy / China Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Luce Raggi, Massage (food porn), 2017 glazed porcelain 65 x 25 cm
Hand-painted vase representing police men, seductive women and amused saints, all dedicated to
their passion fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese 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, Enamel, Ormolu
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Marble Carrara Clock
Meissen Hand Painted Porcelain Vase
Goat Feet
Islamic Engraved Brass
Japanese Chawan
Italian Brass Planter
Horn Of Plenty
Italian Stone Fruit
Limoges Mounted
Gold Gilt Altar
Mcm Decorative Art
Ming Dynasty 18th Century
Hon Furniture
Le Roy Paris
Mantle Urns
Millefiori Antique
Italian Bronze Clock
Majolica Rooster