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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
Blue and White Double Happiness Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
The symbol for double happiness adorns this slender ginger jar with best wishes for love, companionship and marital bliss. Glazed in the classic blue and white manner, the porcelain ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vase chinois en émail cloisonné sur cuivre décor floral 1950/60
Located in AIX-LES-BAINS, FR
Grand vase des années 1950/60 provenant de Chine, en émaux cloisonnés sur cuivre avec un beau décor de fleurs. Le cerclage au col est en laiton doré , permet un beau contraste avec l...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Other, Brass

Huge Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Painted Rose Medallion Floor Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Rose Medallion Tall floor vases also know as "Export Porcelain" vase was hand made and hand painted in about 1950 - 1960s with gilt foo dog handles and dragons to neck and shoulder. The vase body is decorated with hand painted courtly figures, floral. This Huge floor vase...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Blue and White Peony Brush Pot
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Blue and White Double Happiness Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
The symbol for double happiness adorns this slender ginger jar with best wishes for love, companionship and marital bliss. Glazed in the classic blue and white manner, the porcelain ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Blue and White Brush Pot with Birds and Peonies
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Blue and White Double Happiness Ginger Jars
Located in Chicago, IL
The symbol for double happiness adorns this pair of ginger jars with best wishes for love, companionship and marital bliss. Glazed in the classic blue and white manner, each porcelai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Asian Carved Composite Stone Buddha Head
Located in New York, NY
Asian Carved Composite Stone Buddha Head, Buddha with closed eyes, mounted on wood base. Sculpture: 12.75" H x .75" W x 8.5" D; with base: 3" H x 8.25" W x 6" D.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Vintage Chinese Brass Accented Wood Jewelry Box Chest
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage George Zee Chinese jewelry storage box. This beautifully crafted chest is constructed of wood and adorned with brass accents including a Chinese 'blessing'' character on to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Late 20th Century Traditional Blue and White Ceramic Chinese Ginger Jar
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A blue and white ceramic ginger jar hand-crafted and painted in China in the second part of 20th century, it's in original condition with normal signs of age. Blue and white ceramics...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Collectible Gilt Metal Tibetan Box with Turquoise 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Collectible Chinese Tibetan Gilt Brass Metal Filigree with Turquoise and Coral beads round Box Handcrafted round Tibetan, Nepalese decorative brass trinket wish box with pull-off lid...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nepalese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Brass

Hammered Brass Singing Bowl with Dragons Nepal 1940s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hammered Brass Singing Bowl with Dragons Nepal 1950s. Asian Chinese Bronze Vessel Dragon Bowl. Featuring magnificent pictorials of 2 dragons in raised low relief around the vessel. A...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nepalese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

A 1970s Traditional Blue and White Ceramic Chinese Vase
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A blue and white ceramic vase hand-crafted and painted in China in the second part of 20th century, it's in original condition with normal signs of age. Blue and white ceramics have ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Porcelain Qing Emperor Decorative Figure
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your collection with this exquisite Chinese porcelain figurine inspired by the illustrious Qing dynasty. Crafted in a stunning wucai style, the figurine depicts a distinguish...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Chinese Porcelain Qing Emperor Decorative Figure
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your collection with this exquisite Chinese porcelain figurine inspired by the illustrious Qing dynasty. Crafted in a stunning wucai style, the figurine depicts a distinguish...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Early 20th Century Antique Tibetan Silver Turquoise Ghau Prayer Box
Located in Pomona, CA
Ghau is a small prayer box worn as pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines which can be pray by prayer during their travel. This Ghau prayer box (travel Buddha shrine) made from Tib...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Chinese Porcelain Qing Emperor Decorative Figure
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your collection with this exquisite Chinese porcelain figurine inspired by the illustrious Qing dynasty. Crafted in a stunning wucai style, the figurine depicts a distinguish...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

A Pair of Vintage Chinese Buffalo Horn Carved Eagle Sculptures
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of vintage Chinese Buffalo horn carved eagle sculptures are 100 percent hand made and hand carved from Buffalo horn. In ancient China, The eagle represent bravery and Wisdo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Horn

Antique Chinese Official Wooden Rice Grain Bucket
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this primitive Antique Chinese Official Wooden Rice Measurement Bucket "Dou". It is 100 percent hand made and has about 140 years history. You can see that all the joints are...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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

Vintage Chinese Cloisonné - Vase, Beaker and Owl Ornament - Blue Toned
Located in Glasgow, GB
This vintage Chinese cloisonné collection features a trio of miniature blue ornaments, with each exuding its own unique charm and delicate design....
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Chinese Antique De Hua Porcelain Kwan Yin Statuary
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a Chinese hand carved De Huang Porcelain Kwan Yin Bodhisattva statuary in off-white ivory color. It is all hand made and hand carved Kwan Yin seating on the lotus Seat with t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage leather clad hand painted Chinese dresser box.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage hand painted leather clad dresser box. This dresser box was handmade in Canton China. This box has two small drawers at the front and a lid that opens up and presen...
Category

1990s Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather

Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Pine

Vintage solid brass and enamel Chinese export trinket box.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage Chinese export solid brass and enamel trinket box. This solid brass box has four medallions on the top and medallions on each side of the box. The top of the box fe...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Blue and White Lidded Jar Porcelain Hand Painted, Qing 18th C
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a heavy Chinese Export porcelain jar complete with lid, hand painted with a blue and white lakeside scene and dating to the late 18th century, Qing dynasty. This is a well p...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

1960s Chinese Cloisonné Vase Turquoise Enamel Inlay Chrysanthemum & Butterflies
Located in Andernach, DE
Expressive and intricately detailed Cloisonné bowl of medium size in turquoise, lapis blue, yellow & green. The metal filigree in brass beautifully detailed with butterflies, chrysan...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Copper

Antique Tibetan Painted Leather And Iron Chest or Trunk
Located in Bradenton, FL
AntiqueTibetan chest, beautifully aged painted leather with original iron hardware. Chest has a spacious wooden interior, offering a large amount of storage. Outside features polychrome painted dragons and Asian...
Category

18th Century Tibetan Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Large Antique Etched Brass Bowl
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Large Antique Etched Brass Bowl with dragon Detail. China, circa early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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

Pair of Chinese hand painted blue and white vases, Circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
Pair of Chinese Hand Painted Blue and White Vases, Circa 1930 An impressive and unusual pair of Chinese porcelain vases made to a traditional shape with a raised foot and bulbous shaped body narrowing to a flared neck. The vases have four panels of different decoration separated by three pairs of circular raised mouldings which run around their circumference. The blue and white hand painted decoration has been very well done. Around the neck there is a continuous painted leaf boarder, below the two central panels have a trailing leaf and flower design and around the lower section there is a water and...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Qianlong Mark Dragon Motif Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Dragon Motif Blue and White Porcelain Floor Vase, blue underglaze Qianlong mark to underside. 24.5" H x 1.5" Diameter.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porphyry

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Green Sancai Glazed Parrots
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Green Sancai Glazed Parrots China, Early 20th Century A Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Green Sancai Glazed Parrots, originating from China in the...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Box or Desk Accessory
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely made and hand enameled box with its cover, possibly for a desk or dresser top. Divided on the inside and in very good shape. Lovely cartouches of classic Chinese scenes and ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Antique Large Chinese Woven Wicker Wedding Basket
Located in West Hartford, CT
Three tiered Asian Chinese wedding basket was certainly make a statement! Woven reeds split bamboo throughout. Dragon head metal brass handles...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Pine

Chinese Sang de Boeuf Porcelain Vases, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese Sang de Boeuf Glazed Porcelain Baluster Form Vases. 22" H x 12" Diameter.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Export Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Pine

2 Vintage Mottahedeh Lowestoft Reproduction Cachepot Vase Planters 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid to late 20th century pair of Lowestoft reproduction planters / cachepots, produced by Mottahedeh. Features orange and gold scalloped rim, dou...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Large Scale Carved Stone Chinese Foo Dogs / Temple Lions
Located in Dallas, TX
a pair of large scale, well carved stone Chinese Foo Dogs / Temple Lions, these are carved out of stone and are traditional Chinese architectural ornaments, China, circa 1920
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Chinese Blue & White Dragon Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This large porcelain jar is beautifully glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner, with hand-painted cobalt-blue decoration against a crisp whit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Pine

Mid-20th Century, Chinese Large Wooden Carved Elaborate Imperial Dragon Ship
Located in Pomona, CA
This large model of imperial dragon ship was intricately and elaborately carved with brilliant lattice work and details on the display stand. It actual a royal palace built on the sh...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick 'Candlestick'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick (Candlestick) China, circa 1850 A stunning 19th-century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick, also known as a ...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue & White Dragon Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This large porcelain jar is beautifully glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner, with hand-painted cobalt-blue decoration against a crisp whit...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Cloisonné Charger or Large Plate fine detail, Mid-19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good Chinese Cloisonné Charger or Large Plate / Dish that we date to the mid-19th century of the Qing dynasty, Circa 1970. The Charger is circular on a low foot. The decoration shows a large central 12-lobed flower head with further flowers and leaves off it, leading to a three section pattern with three mythical phoenix, all in many different coloured enamels against a deep red ground. The outer rim has a detailed plantain leaf border decoration. The reverse has an unmarked green base with three roundel designs on the rim, all against a blue ground. Overall a very decorative 19th C Qing period Chinese Plate.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Monumental Antique Chinese Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Palace Urns Vases 53"
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare pair of two monumental antique Chinese Qing Dynasty palace urns or temple vases, circa 1900s. Made of porcelain featuring chinoiserie Canton Famille Rose and medallion design w...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Tulipiere Towers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Enchanting pair of Chinese blue and white crafted in four pieces each with sixteen openings and hand decorated with floral and landscape designs.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Perpetual Harmony Baluster Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This contemporary lidded baluster jar continues the centuries-old tradition of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain ware. Painted with cobalt pigments for a brilliant blue finish, the ja...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Carved Jade Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent vintage Chinese Jade sculpture is all hand made and hand carved with corn and bitter melon. The corn has beautiful meanings such as a house full of gold and jade, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Jade

Chinese Export Nanking Porcelain Sauceboat And Undertray, 19th Century
Located in Free Union, VA
An unusual serving piece: an early 19th century Nanking sauceboat with associated leaf form undertray. This pattern is a close cousin to blue and white Canton porcelain...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Cloisonne Hawk or Falcon
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout near life size Chinese cloisonne or enamel on copper bird of prey ambitiously decorated in a feather motif and presented on a wood base.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Chinese Export Porcelain Figures of Attendants, Set of Five
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Figures of Attendants, Set of Five, Circa 1780 The set of five Chinese Export porcelain figures are painted in famille rose enamels with a purple robe and s...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Brass & Turquoise Glass Beads Cloisonné Style Rhinoceros -S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of two brass rhinos with a cloisonné style glass bead bodies. They are purported to be Tibetan. The horns are wood. The set has some lite age wear.
Category

Mid-20th Century Tibetan Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

20th Century Chinese Gilt carved Wooden Tang Horse Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
Chinese Gilt Polychrome Wooden Carved Tang Dynasty Style Horse Sculpture. Featured nicely hand carved and hand painted with gilt highlighted on...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Chinese Silver Filagree Gold Washed & Enamel Bird Motif & Coral Pagoda Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Silver Filagree Gold Washed and Enamel Bird Motif and Coral Pagoda Box China, circa 1900s, stamped 'Silver' An exquisite Chinese Silver Filigree Gold Washed and Enamel Bird ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver

Antique 19thC Chinese Solid Silver Picture Frame, Qingxiang, Tianjin c.1875
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Chinese export solid silver picture frame, of rectangular form, with chased decoration and pierced in high relief, depi...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

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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