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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 Antique Chinese Cloisonne bowl
Located in Pomona, CA
This Unique Chinese Antique Cloisonné Bowl is the perfect decor piece. With beautiful floral and bird design, it is a majestically hand crafted ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Copper

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 White and Blue Character Lidded Ginger Jar Vases
Located in Queens, NY
3 antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) similar ceramic ginger jars with blue floral designs surrounding bold, centered characters and geometric patterned bands leading to brown rustic...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Carved Soapstone Buddha
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a heavy carved light yellow-green soapstone Buddha seated over an oval stone base with bracket feet.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Pair of Chinese Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese (19/20th Cent) green and yellow small porcelain reclining foo dog figures
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Rust Agate Vessel
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rust agate (vessel) urn with a carving in relief and ring sides holding a loop handle with a cover having carved bats. (modern hanging stand 8½"w x 11¾"h)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Chinese White and Navy Egret Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn with a navy egret amid florals and two blue scrolled handles along the neck. Dimpling and crazing."
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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

18th-century Chinese Export Porcelain Pair of Court Maiden Candlesticks
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain pair of maiden candlesticks, circa 1760-1775    A pair of large Chinese Export figures of standing maidens holding ...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Green Patinated Bronze Lidded Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a bronze lidded jar decorated with the highs and lows of its green patina, carved with raised geometric patterns and topped with a domed, fi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Large Chinese Export Punch Bowl in Mandarin Palette & Gilt Accents, ca. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large Chinese Export punch bowl in Mandarin Palette & Gilt Accents, ca. 1780.
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Lacquer

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

Pair of Chinese Gilt Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style gilt carved foo dog figures holding a open design ball
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Giltwood

Chinese Export Buddha's Hand Citron Altar Fruit on Tazza, Blanc de Chine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Buddha's Hand Citron Altar Fruit on Tazza, Blanc de Chine. A rare form, realistically modeled Chinese Buddha's Hand Citron, presented on a scalloped compote. This wo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Five Petite Chinese Cloisonné Process Vases
Located in Chicago, IL
A decorative technique first adopted in China in the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644), cloisonné is achieved by outlining intricate patterns with thin strips of metal, which are then f...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

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

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Paint

Large 19thC Chinese Zinc Lined Brass Trough Planter
Located in Altrincham, GB
Large 19thC Chinese Zinc Lined Brass Trough Planter Jardiniere with relief "Eternal Dragon" decorations - 25"w x 15"d x 11"h
Category

1870s English Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Zinc

Porcelain Bowl, Compagnie des Indes, France (mount) - China, 18th/19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
China 18th Century (bowl) – France 19th Century (mount) Beautiful enameled porcelain bowl in the pink-purple tones characteristic of the “Famille Rose” with polychrome decoration o...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese Porcelain Standing Figures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style blue and white porcelain standing figures (19/20th Cent)
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Chinese Famille Verte Fishbowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fine Chinese Famille Verte fishbowl, with rich plum enameled background, two finely painted court scenes, the interior painted with goldfish and ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Longgui Dragon Turtle Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese carved wooden sculpture of a Longgui or (dragon turtle) holding a coin in its mouth on an ornately carved wooden base.       
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair of Large Antique Chinese Porcelain Roosters
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of 1920’s Chinese Porcelain Roosters. Vibrantly painted and decorated in polychrome application. The roosters are shown in their typical...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

A Shapely 19th Century Chinese Export Black Lacquered Dressing Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
the scalloped top centering an oval medallion radiating coved reserves above a conforming body fitted with brass bale handles;  finely decorated with gilded figures in a garden lands...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair of Vintage Asian Green and Gold Tole Bonsai Palm Tree Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Vintage Asian tole bonsai palm tree sculptures with green and gold painted leaves and trunks, mounted in circular pot bases. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Pair of 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted Chinese Porcelain Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 19th century ormolu-mounted Chinese porcelain vases.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Chinese Cloisonne Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Lofty pair of Chinese birds handcrafted in brass and decorated in cloisonne with floral and symbolic designs on an alluring blue background, featuring brass stylized tail feathers de...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Chinese Famille Rose Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Chinese Famille Rose vases, very similar / near pair, note different foo lion mask handles (one gilt, one orange) and slight height difference, orange, pink, and green color palette ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Red Painted Wooden Flower Vase Base / Stand
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese carved red painted wooden flower pot base / stand with a circular surface to hold a pot or vase, resting on four bowed and carved feet with a circular stretcher.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Chinese Sancai Glazed Ceramic Pho Dogs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Chinese Sancai Glazed Ceramic Pho Dogs, each realistically modeled with raised paw on auspicious symbols, on a rectangular rockwork base. 23.5" H x 10" W x 12" D.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Multicolor Glazed Porcelain Pheasant Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) porcelain sculpture of a pheasant with colorful, gold-outlined plumes perched on a rocky formation of green and brown.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Pale Green and Pink Blossom Lidded Jars
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese pale green lidded jars decorated with lily pads and pink lotus blossoms on one side of their round forms and extending up to the lids,...
Category

20th Century 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 18cm, diameter 25cm Crafted in China...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Chinese Rust Agate Elephant Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rust agate tapered urn with carved elephant handles having rings and scroll & floral carving in relief with a finial top with filigree sides. (modern base 1¬O" high).    
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Stone

Mid 20th Century Chinese Hand Paint Porcelain Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese porcelain vases was hand made and hand paint from famous Chinese Porcelain. It has hand painted Chinese traditional folks arts of "Fu Shou Yan nian, Fu Gui R...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Earthenware Jar with Blue Characters
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) small, earthenware jar with blue characters running down the center framed by thin stripes circling the top and base.      
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Porcelain Traditional Figures
Located in Queens, NY
7 Asian Chinese (20th Cent) porcelain figures in blue and white patterns in traditional dress (PRICED EACH).
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Blue Lily Pad and Floral Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white and blue porcelain urn decorated with a lily pad and floral motif, and accented in two navy scrolled handles along the neck.    
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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

Pair of Chinese White and Pink Cherry Blossom Motif Lidded Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Chinese white porcelain urns decorated with dark pink and green-leafed cherry blossoms growing up the rounded forms, finished with red-finial topped lids and made with holes...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Four Flowers Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round, blue-and-white storage jar is underglazed with lush garden scenery featuring the flowering plants of the four seasons. Tree peo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese White and Blue Squared Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (19th century) white ceramic vase with a squared form wrapped in dark blue geometric patterns, and adorned with blue foo dog door knockers...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Silversmith, Lidded Jar / Box Richly Decorated in Relief, Approx. 1900
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Chinese silversmith. Lidded jar richly decorated in relief with flowers and ornaments. China approx. 1900. Stamped with Chinese characters. In excellent condition with traces of u...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Chinese White and Blue Natural Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn decorated in a blue scene of a bird perched on a flowering branch above water, and accented with two light blue scrolled hand...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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

Pair Antique Cloissone Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique Cloissone vases is an extraordinary example of the breed, displaying its well-preserved, rich coloration and exhibiting a large format d...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Chinese White and Blue Character and Floral Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) ceramic urn with blue floral designs surrounding bold, centered characters on 4 sides.  
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair, Sampson French Porcelain Famille Rose Medallion Pallet Porcelain Urns
Located in Atlanta, GA
Samson & Cie was operated by four generations in Paris and Montreauil-sous-Bois from 1845 to 1979/1980. It was first established by Edme Samson (Paris 1810 – 1891) at 7, Rue Vendôme ...
Category

20th Century French Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

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

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

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese White and Pink, Blue and Yellow Bogu Pattern Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) white porcelain urn painted with pink, light blue, and yellow bogu pattern - a traditional decorative theme that employs items like bronzeware, p...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Cobalt Blue and Incised Motif Meiping Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese cobalt blue vases in Meiping shapes, covered with incised patterns of dragons and curvilinear designs, and bearing small white rectangles featuring blue characters (P...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Large Blue and White Tea Leaf Jar with Mountain Landscape
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an important part of Chinese culture for at least a thousand years. Emulating traditional blue-and-white porcelain, this contempora...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Eight Treasure Gooseneck Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
The eight treasures of a scholar, which celebrate study and success, are hidden among the many symbols on this gooseneck jar, double lozenges for victory, a pearl for granting wishes...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary 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

Pair of Chinese Rose Quartz Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese rose quartz foo dogs with black eyes seated on teak bases (20th Cent)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Chinese White and Blue Nature Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large white, porcelain urn with a scene of blue flora and fauna, and two dark blue scrolled handles along the neck. Light wear with some damage ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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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