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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
Early 20th Century Chinese Hand Painted FooDog Ginger Jar
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Antique Chinese Famille-Rose porcelain Ginger Jar was 100% hand made and hand paint from famous Chinese Famille-Rose Porcelain. It has beautiful hand painted foo dog...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Vintage Chinese Bronze Incense Burner
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Carved Bronze incense burner has very detailed hand craft works around the body, elephants trunk as legs and handle and lotus bud on the lid of incen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Celadon and Blue Dragon Motif Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese celadon porcelain vase painted with a blue dragon amid the clouds and made with a small mouth opening. Some wear to finish."
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Willow Woven Fisherman Basket Asian Storage Container
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Chinese Willow Woven Fish or Grain Basket. Vintage Chinese fisherman basket hand woven from natural willow wood with removable lid. This woven reed fisherman’s basket was use...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Pair of Chinese Imari-Style Monumental Lidded Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese monumental lidded porcelain floor vases celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and decoration, featuring central medallions of birds perched on flowering tre...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Dried Flower Vase, Chinese, Handpainted, Decorative, Chinoiserie, C.1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage dried flower vase. A Chinese, waxed paper over board decorative drum vase, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Striking col...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Paper

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Tripod Censor/Incense Burner
Located in Pomona, CA
Museum Quality Chinese Champleve Cloisonné Incense burner of monumental size standing on a wonderful carved hardwood base. Gilt brass with enamel decoration, reclining elephant with ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Pair of Unusual Chinese Porcelain Vases with Molded One Hundred Boys Decoration
Located in San Francisco, CA
An amusing and charming pair of Chinese porcelain vases with molded One Hundred Boys decoration with original custom hardwood stands. The vases depict 3 young children climbing an a...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Hardwood

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Cloisonne Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonné Vase is the perfect decor piece. With beautiful floral and bird design, it is a majestically hand cr...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Chinese Blue & White Crab Plate, c. 1940s
Located in Chicago, IL
An everyday example of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, this vintage porcelain plate charms with expressive cobalt-blue decoration, loosely brushed against a blue-grey field. The pl...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

1892-1904 Chinese Elder Figure With Staff
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1892-1904 large Chinese mud man figure, an elder with staff in flowing green & yellow robe. Stamped "China". Apparent losses to feet, but possibly from kil...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Splendid Impressively Large Life Size Chinese Guan Yin Marble Figure
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Amazing life size beautiful white marble Guan Yin sculpture having meticulous detail and beautiful peaceful expression. Appropriate for display indoors or in the garden. In Chinese ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Carved Bone Turtle
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical turtle sculpture or object of art crafted in carved bone with an organic palette and amusing stylized form.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bone

Carved Bone Turtle
Carved Bone Turtle
$2,350 / item
Chinese Pink background Cloisonné "Hundred Antiques" Pattern vase & Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
20th century Chinese export Pink background Cloisonné "Hundred Antiques" Pattern vase & carved hardwood Stand Indulge in the allure of Chinese craftsmanship with this exquisite 2...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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

Pair of Antique Chinese Blue/White Temple Jars from Ching Wang Shu XIX Dynasty
Located in Houston, TX
This pair is very old from the Ching Wang Shu XIX Dynasty And the color is exquisite. They are in good condition with only A few flea bite tiny chips on ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porphyry

One of Two Chinese Porcelain Glazed Figural Ginger Jars with Lids, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two Chinese blue and white porcelain glazed decorative figural and floral ginger jars with the original removable lids, 19th century. Measure: Diameter 28 cm. Height 28 cm. Two of t...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Chinese Hand-Painted Wooden Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a traditional style of Chinese painted wooden Box from Shan Xi, China. It has about 100 years history. Normally it was used to store jewelry and valuable accessories as well ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair Mottahedeh Old English Lowestoft Lidded Orange Urns
Located in Norwalk, CT
Elegant, hand painted orange and gilt decoration enhances the classical urn form of this pair. Details include removable lids with foo dog finials. Mottahedeh is the recognized lead...
Category

1990s Portuguese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Figural Asian Vase in Bronze Double Sided Art
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Figural Asian Vase in Bronze Double Sided Art pear shaped 11.5 h x 8.5 w x 4.25 d Preowned original vintage condition Refer to images
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Set of Chinese Jade Carved Horse Drawn Carriage Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This set of Chinese Jade carved horse drawn carriage are hand crafted with exquisite detail. They were carved with a "thallium tool" and jade-resolving sand by skilled craftsmen in t...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Jade

Vintage Decorative Stem Vase, Chinese, Ceramic, Flower Sleeve, Art Deco Revival
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage decorative stem vase. A Chinese, ceramic flower sleeve in Art Deco revival taste, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Presents beautifully with appealing decor and colour Displaying a desirable aged patina and free of marks Classic stem vase form with crisp white ceramic Attractive foliate bouquets to centre with blue and red hues Distinctive banners to neck and base present a variety of scenes and pattern motif This is a distinctive vintage...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Porcelain Light Green and White Cartouche Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) bulbous porcelain urn with a large white cartouche depicting a basket of botanicals on each side against a light green background patterned with...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Brass Vase with Dragon Relief, 20th Century, Signed
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A vintage Chinese vase in brass. The decorations are handmade. Its signed by an unidentified maker to the base. It was made for export purposes d...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Monumental Chinese Calligraphy Vases, A Pair
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Mid-20th century Monumental brown, white and red glazed ceramic hand painted calligraphy floor vase. Interior finished in white. Signed in red by artist on body, no base marks. Pie...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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

Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock circa 1920s
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie Decorated Mantel Clock circa 1920s Black Background with gilt decoration Dome shaped top , with gilt brass columns each side. Cream ena...
Category

1920s British Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Lacquer

Fine Antique Collectable Chinese Table Top Cabinet Jewellery Collectors Storage
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage circa 1920's hand painted and lacquered oriental Chinese table chest or jewellery box. A very good looking and well made pie...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Chinese Export Silver Blossom & Butterfly Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver bowl, ca 1910. Curved and tapering with molded ogee rim; raised and spread foot. Applied blossoming prunus branch as well as magnolias and lilies with butterfly...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Double Happiness Blue & White Ceramic Ginger Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
A blue and white Chinese ceramic ginger jar with lid. Hand-painted with the double happiness symbol framed with a floral motif in bold cobalt blue. Marked underneath “Made in China”.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Monumental Imari-Style Lidded Light Orange Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese monumental, lidded porcelain floor vase celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, featuring natural scenes of birds and flowering trees set against a light-...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Vintage Decorative Vases, Chinese, Ceramic, Dried Flower Urn, Late 20th
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage decorative vases. A Chinese, ceramic tourist ware dried flower urn, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Strong Art Deco revival taste with disti...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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 White and Blue Peacock Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large white, ceramic urn with blue peacocks amid florals and two light blue scrolled handles along the neck. Damage to the glaze near bird."
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Hand Painted Blue And White Porcelain Dragon Vase
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Chinese Export blue and white porcelain dragon vase. Beautiful hand-painted vase with blue dragons on white background and an elong...
Category

20th Century Chinese 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

Pair of Asian Rooster Finial Lidded Red Urns
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Rooster Finial Lidded Red Urns
Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Bronze Buddha Hand Fragment on Walnut Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Buddha Hand Fragment on Walnut Stand from a 19th Century Bronze Buddha Statue
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Blue & White Double Happiness Spice Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
The symbol for double happiness adorns this round tea leaf jar with best wishes for love, companionship and marital bliss. Glazed in the classic blue and white manner, the porcelain jar has a rounded form with a slight taper and is topped by a flat lid, a traditional shape for jars used to hold Chinese...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Handpainted Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Bowl
Located in Brea, CA
an antique handpainted red Chinese porcelain big bowl, there is a pattern in the bottom of the bowl, mark hand painted. , Measures: 10” x 4.5 ''bow...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Carved Wood and Parcel Gilt Swans
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of 19th century Chinese swan garnitures or sculptures hand carved in hardwood with an ebonized and gilt finish.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese White Green and Yellow Vegetal Winter Melon Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) winter melon-form porcelain vase decorated with an incised, white bottom half that grows into verdant abstracted vegetal and peacock shapes on th...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Export Hardstone Horses and Stands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese export hardstone horses and stands, each one finely carved of a standing horse with one leg up, facing left and right. Removable from the associated lacquered stands....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Precious Stone, Lacquer

Asian Hand Carved Wood Sculpture Star of Longevity Shòu Xīng
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Asian Shòu Xīng hand carved wood sculpture star of longevity star of old age. Chinese original carving master deity with crane. Dimensions: 9.75 H x 2.7...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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

Chinese White and Orange Botantical Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with green and blooming orange florals with two birds perched on a nearby branch, and accented with orange dog...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 ea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Horn

Chinese Green and Red Lu Xing Wealth and Prosperity Deific Porcelain Figurine
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) glazed porcelain statue of Lu Xing, one of the deities of the three stars considered essential in Chinese astrology, each...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Carved Hardstone Eagle in Smoky Quartz
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This majestic eagle is hand carved from quality smoky quartz. The eagle is standing on a decorative geometric base that has been custom made for this purpose. With faux glass eyes, t...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Quartz

Chinese Famille Rose Ginger Jar with Ancient Censers, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully commemorated on this oval ginger jar, censers have been used for thousands of years in Chinese culture as a part of funeral rites or prayer offerings. Filled with dried a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Massive 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

Majestic Chinese Ding Vessel Hand Carved Decorative Ritual Tripod
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Ancient Chinese Vessel Hand Carved Decorative Ritual Tripod Style Ding pot decorative vase vessel 11.63 w x 7.75 h x 4.25 d Preowned original vintage unrestored Refer to images listed.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese White and Cherry Blossom Branch Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of similar Chinese white porcelain urns depicting small yellow birds in cherry blossom branches on the fronts, and characters on the rever...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Han Dynasty Style Bronze Ritual Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style verdigis bronze ritual urn with raised archaistic patterns wrapping its form and accented with small rings on two sides beneath the opening. Charact...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Early-20th Century Chinese Hand made Cloisonne Dragon Incense Burner
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent, exquisite and rare large Chinese Cloisonne incense Burner has gold gilt dragon on the top of the lid and three gilt ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Vintage Baluster Vase, Decorative, Oriental, Ceramic, Urn, 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage baluster vase, a highly decorative, oriental ceramic urn dating to the mid 20th century. Of classic form and in good proportion ...
Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Famille Rose Ginger Jar with Ancient Censers, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully commemorated on this oval ginger jar, censers have been used for thousands of years in Chinese culture as a part of funeral rites or prayer offerings. Filled with dried aromatic plants and essential oils, the censer issued fragrant smoke that forged a connection to the spiritual realm. This late Qing-dynasty jar...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Bowl on Stand
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Chinese export silver bowl. Decorated in a bold repoussè dragon motif with two dragons contending for a center flaming pearl of wisdom amongst clouds and chased ground. Marked on the underside KHL. Carved wooden stand...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Chinese Black and White Cherry Blossom Tree Motif Porcelain Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese black porcelain jar with red and white cherry blossom trees growing from a green pastoral scene at the base. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver Cigar Case
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver cigar case; part of our diverse Asian silverware collection This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) ci...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage 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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