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 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
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 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 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
$180 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
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
Early 20th Century Chinese Famille Verte Fish Bowl
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality early 20th century Chinese Famille verte Fish bowl, having yellow ground fan shaped panels with classical Chinese warriors in battle, boarders with geometric motifs to...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Garniture
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Five Piece Famille Rose Porcelain Garniture,
circa 1730-1750
The garniture of five Chinese Export porcelain vases consists of three covered baluster vases and two ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$12,400 / set
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 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
$15,000 / set
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
$3,850 Sale Price / set
30% Off
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
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
Meissen Chinese Butterfly Large Soup Tureen in the Schmetterling Pattern
Located in Boston, MA
I am proud to offer you this rare Meissen Chinese butterfly soup tureen. The tureen is painted in the Kakiemon style with a central Chinese butterfly on ...
Category
1950s German Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
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
Pair of Chinese Thousand Flowers Porcelain Figural Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Thousand Flowers Porcelain Figural Vases
Late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
A stunning pair of Chinese Thousand Flowers Porcelain Figural Vases from the Late Qing Dynast...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain, Hardwood
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
$2,786 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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 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
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
1920s Chinese Export Silver Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver box; an addition to our collection of boxes and cases.
This exceptional an...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
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
Two Chinese Gilt Bronze Mounted Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
These cloisonné enamel vases are wonderful pieces of Chinese decorative art. They were crafted in the last decade of the Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911.
The vases a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Vintage Chinese Realgar Peking Glass Baluster Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese Peking glass vase.
Crafted to imitate realgar (雄黃), a mineral widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
With a polished p...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
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
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
$315 Sale Price
30% Off
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
Vintage Chinese Glass Perfume Bottle Inside Painting
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Chinese handpainted from inside blown glass perfume bottle.
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
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
$520 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
$2,250 Sale Price
25% Off
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
$1,480 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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 Iron and Gilt Buddha Bust
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style gilt and polychromed cast iron bust of Buddha.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
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
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
$940 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$680 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th-C. Asian Bronze Food Dogs or Lions Figurines, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are a pair of early 20th century Chinese bronze foo dogs. They are a heavy casting and in very good condition.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
$395 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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
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 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
$878 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Pair Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair antique Chinese hand-painted vases will make a colorful addition to your decor. Using several shades of green combined with blue and a brick red, a scene of entertaining at the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$1,480 / set
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
$525 Sale Price
30% Off
Pair of Chinese Pink and White Porcelain Double Gourd Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese (late 19th Century) white porcelain vases with pink pastoral scenes sweeping around the double gourd forms, and red and gold patterned bands at the bottoms, centers a...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Asian Cast Brass Footed Vessel with Animals Designs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large cast brass Asian footed bowl with two handles.
Could be used as a jardinière for an orchid composition.
Engraved brass with animals designs on brass vessel.
Great heavy brass Chinese art...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Pair 19th Century Hand-Painted Chinese Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Hand-Painted Chinese Vases are stunning works of art, rendered on fine Kaolin clay and illustrative of the mastery of the art attained by master artisans with hundr...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$2,480 / set
Small Antique Calligrapher's Quill Pot, Chinese, Soapstone, Carved, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique calligrapher's quill pot. A Chinese, rouge soapstone carved pen holder, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.
Intricate pierced detail accentuates...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
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
$2,780 / set
Pair of Chinese Teal Nine-Peach Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese (Mid-20th Century) teal porcelain vases depicting a playful figurative scene of children at play in and around a peach tree and nine ripe peaches in total, symbolizin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$12,500 / set
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.