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
Chinese Blue and White Shizi Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Images of shizi, a lion-dog symbol of power and strength of character, cavort among the stylized clouds of heaven on this hand-painted covered jar. Original...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Vietnamese Silver Treasure Box with Guardian Dragons
Located in New York, NY
Vietnamese silver box, late 19th century. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Box sides have embossed blossoming branches, bamboo...
Category
Late 19th Century Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Petite Chinese Fu Dog Guardian
Located in Chicago, IL
With a curly mane and a lively expression, this petite stone fu dog is an adorable companion and a benevolent guardian of the home. Known as shizi, the mythical dog is thought to off...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Pair of Large Chinese Polished Brass Candlesticks
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of large vintage Mid-Century Chinoiserie polished gold brass candlesticks with removable Chinese fu dogs on top.
Cast brass candle holders.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Chinese White and Blue Garden and Bird Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white and blue porcelain urn decorated with a bird amid a flowering garden, and accented in two navy scrolled handles along the neck.
Light wear...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Off-White and Navy Vine Motif Porcelain Urn Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) off-white porcelain vase with an urn form decorated in a navy blue vine and floral motifs and bold characters on 4 sides.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Enameled Ginger Jar with Children at Play, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Contrasted by a crisp white field, this oval jar is decorated in the famille rose style with a lively scene of young children playing in a courtyard garden. Under an overarching bamb...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Dark Brown 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
Vintage Chinese Black Glaze Pottery Urn
Located in Pomona, CA
Our wonderful collection of handmade old vintage Chinese hand carved glazed pottery pots will make great accent pieces for any room of your house. It is in good condition with signs ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Foo Dog Plaster Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice vintage plaster foo dog sculpture in faux bronze finish, circa 1970s.
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Baluster Jars with Ancient Censers, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully commemorated on this pair of baluster jars, censers have been used for thousands of years as a part of funeral rites or prayer offerings. Filled with dried aromatic plant...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White, Green, and Pink Floral and Rooster Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) white porcelain urn incised and painted with decorations of roosters amid blooming floral branches mixed with geometric patterned bands at the bo...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Tin Tea leaf Cans/Holders Set
Located in Pomona, CA
Tin Tea cans from Late Qing dynasty or early Republic era of China, tea fragrance blends with time!
🌸 A set of exquisite tin tea cans from late Qing dynasty to the Republic era of C...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Tin
Large Chinese Blue and White Baluster Jar with Shizi
Located in Chicago, IL
Images of shizi, a lion-dog symbol of power and strength of character, cavort among the stylized clouds of heaven on this hand-painted covered jar. Original...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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 Cloisonné Porcelain Enamel Figural Crane and Deer Vase - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné Porcelain Enamel Figural Crane and Deer Vase - a Pair. Item features a removable carved wooden base, crane birds, deer, and flowers throughout, large impres...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Chinese Export Black Leather Box On Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular box with brass tacks and hinged lid set in a brass base.
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
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
Pair Antique Gold Bastet Goddess of Women Cat Figurines Porcelain Sculptures
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Impressive antique Asian pair of sphinx Bastet goddess of women sculptures. Cat like figurines with gold bodies, black enamel heads with turquoise enamel eyes. Porcelain made bear ...
Category
Early 1900s Macanese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Pair of 19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Vases
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A rare and fine quality large pair of 19th Century Chinese Famille Rose vases, each with wonderful pink petal decoration to the tops, exotic floral decoration to the necks with flowe...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Unusual Pair of Large Chinese Export Canton Famille Rose 1000 Butterfly Vases
Located in New York, NY
An unusual pair of large Chinese export canton famille rose thousand butterfly porcelain vases. The vase has a very unusual shape and was most pro...
Category
1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Enamel
Pair of Antique Chinese Cloisonne Dragon Vases
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent pair of Chinese Antique Cloisonné Vases is the perfect decor pieces. With beautiful two dragons playing design, it is a majest...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Copper
Pair of Antique Chinese Café Au Lait Porcelain and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique Chinese café au leit porcelain and ormolu vases
Porcelain: Chinese, 18th Century
Ormolu: French, Late 19th Century
Height 33cm, width 23cm, depth 18cm
The porcela...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu
Heavy Hand Carved Rose Quartz Large Owl Sculpture/Figurine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a very detailed hand carved rose quartz heavy owl sculpture/figurine. It depicts different shades of pink. It is standing over what appears to be a branch of Cercis tree surr...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Rose Quartz
Antique Chinese Emperor and Empress Wooden Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of Antique Chinese Emperor and Empress Statues are 100% hand made and hand carved with paint and gilt on them. Some of the paint and gilt has been worn off but overall they are in good condition. Look at the pictures, you can see that they are in many years history with some age wear. Now you can have them on your collection shelf.
Size: 6in H x 2 3/4in W x 2in D each
Origin: China
Circa: Late Qing era
Material: Wood
Condition: Hand made, hand painted, normal age wear.
Disclaimer: Due to differences in monitor/screen settings, product colors may differ slightly between product photos...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
20th Century Chinese Hand-Woven Bamboo Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This rare and magnificent Vintage Chinese bamboo vase was 100% hand woven with bamboo strips. It has very exquisite bamboo weave honesty with detailed dragon carving on the side ears. It is truly an antique and collectible...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo
Chinese Green and Botanical Hand-Made Tole Lidded Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese hand-made, light green tole urn painted with branches, fruit, and a dark green band at the base and finished with a finial atop its lid.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Chinese Off-White and Blue Vine Lidded Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) lidded porcelain ginger jar with a dark blue vine and floral motif against a white ground, and bold blue characters on 4 sides.
Wear throughout...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Celadon Revolving Pattern Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese celadon porcelain urns with continuous raised swirling motifs flowing up the slender, fluted necks. (PRICED AS PAIR).
Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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 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
Carved Vintage Tibetan or Thailand Polychromed and Giltwood Mandalay Statue
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood. Carved gold painted. Polychrome. Figural. 55 1/2" h x 23" w x 9" d.
Condition
Paint loss. Splits in wood. Some jewels missing. Surface scratches.
Category
1940s Asian Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Chinese Famille Vert Blue-Ground Planter with Multiple Landscape Cartooges
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and quite large 19th century famille vert blue-ground planter with gorgeous landscape cartooges and floral scenes. This planter is exquisitely hand painted with elaborate...
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Bronze Chinese Dragon Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderfully detailed bronze Chinese dragon vase, circa mid-20th century.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Chinese Blue & White Good Fortune Jars
Located in Chicago, IL
These round, porcelain storage jars are brightly glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner with a striking, high-contrast design. Emphasizing the graphic aesthetic qualities of Chi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of White and Blue Pattern Lidded Porcelain Ginger Jars
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese white and blue porcelain lidded ginger jars painted with floral and vine motifs, Greek key patterned bands at the openin...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Qing Dynasty - 13 Antique Chinese Porcelain Enameled Salt Boxes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century.
A grouping or instant collection of antique porcelain enameled salt boxes. Each box is decorated with immortal being riding the fabl...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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
Chinese Porcelain Vase of Ladies in the Garden
Located in Milano, IT
Antique Chinese porcelain vase from the period of the rose family. On the surface there is a scene of everyday life with four elegant women as protagonists who spend their time in th...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Peacock Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large off-white, porcelain urn with a blue peacock amid florals and two blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Light wear."
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Black and Red Lacquer Floral Painted Lidded Wooden Basket Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Black and Red Lacquer Floral Painted Lidded Wooden Basket Box. Circa Early to Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 11" H x 12" W x 12" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Olive-Colored Porcelain Meiping Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of similar antique Chinese (early 19th Century) Meiping form porcelain vases in a deep olive green teadust glaze (mark on bottom, see photos) (PRICED AS PAIR).
Condition: Good;...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Mauve Glazed Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese tall glazed porcelain vase in an elegant mauve shade (date mark on bottom, see photos).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Large Antique Chinese Cloisonnae Imperial Dragon Decorated Bowl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and very well executed cloisonnae bowl is signed by and unknown artist and originates from China in approximately 1900 in the period Chinese Export style. The bowl is done with black as the predominant color and decorated with Imperial Dragons...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Chinese Bronze Sculpture Of A Lady
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Bronze Sculpture of a Chinese Lady. It depicts a semi nude Chinese lady standing up and wrapped with a robe around one of her shoulders, the back, below the hip and one of ...
Category
20th Century East Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture Japanese Scholar Scroll Fukurokuju Inlay
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Well done, very sharp detailed cast bronze figure with inlay of silver metal on scroll, 1920s- 1930s. Beautiful golden patina on head and bottom from years of handling. 8.3 lbs.
Category
1920s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Glazed Figural Ginger Jars with Lids, 20th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain glazed decorative figural and floral ginger jars with the original removable lids, 20th century.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Chinese Blue and White Koi Bottleneck Vase
Located in Chicago, IL
Revered for centuries for its elegant designs and rich cobalt blue and pure white colors, traditional Chinese blue-and-white porcelain lives on in this hand-painted bottleneck vase. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Han Amber Glazed Porcelain Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese (Han Dynasty 206BC-220AD) amber glazed pottery vase (jar) with a band of animals in relief raised on a modern 2¬O" high base.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Camels with Musicians Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of two camels carrying a band of five musicians - four seated with instruments, and one central figure standing to sing. Th...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of Chinese Squared Fantail Vases with Egrets Beneath Lotus
Located in Chicago, IL
Defined by angular shoulders and a flared lip, this pair of tall porcelain vases offer a charming variation of the classic Chinese phoenix-tail vase form. Each vase is patterned with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Woven Willow Basket with Handle Large
Located in West Palm Beach, US
**Title:** Large 20th Century Chinese Woven Willow Basket
**Description:** This large Chinese woven basket, crafted from willow, features a sturdy handle and is in great condition. ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Willow
Antique Cleric's Swing Out Case, Chinese, Travelling Box, Qing, Victorian, 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cleric's swing-out case. A Chinese, hardwood travelling box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890.
Charmingly provincial box, presented in original tim...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Famille Rose Hand Painted Porcelain Vase
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in China circa 1920, the tall vase is round in shaped with an elegant long neck. The colorful antique urn is decorated with hand painted figural motifs including a mother playing with children. The large Famille Rose...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Blue Glazed Tripod Censer
Located in Chicago, IL
Censers have been used for thousands of years in Chinese culture as an element of prayer, ritual, and funerary rites. Placed within a shrine and filled with burning incense, the censer issues fragrant smoke that the duration of the ritual and acts as an offering to one's ancestors or religious deities. This round ceramic incense burner...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Aubergine and Blue Changing Glaze Bulbous Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese bulbous vase made with a glaze that transforms after being fired in the kiln, resulting in traces of blue showing through the main aubergine/purple color.
Condition: Good; W...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Large Vintage Decorative Chinese Cloissone Vase with Imperial Dragon Handles
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large vintage cloissone vase is signed by an unknown maker, and originated from China dating to approximately 1980 and done in a Chinese Export st...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Pair of Signed Large Early 19th Century Chinese Vases Ornate Designs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this decorative pair of early 19th century Chinese vases each signed to the base
A very nice pa...
Category
1830s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
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.