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.
19th Century Chinese Export Silver Two-Handle Cup & Cover, Luen Wo, circa 1880
By Luen Wo
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century Chinese export solid silver presentation cup and cover, of traditional urn shape, the body is embossed with beautiful scenes in relief depicting Chinese nobility...
Silver
Chinese Bronze Porcelain Pedestal Bowl Centerpiece
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Bronze Porcelain Pedestal Bowl Centerpiece. It depicts a heavy porcelain bowl cup hand painted cranberry color in the background an...
Bronze
19th Century Oriental Style Centrepiece
Located in Basildon, GB
19th Century Oriental Style Centrepiece, of tri-form aspect, comprising an ovoid porcelain jar and cover with free-standing flowers and three projections each with a recumbent blanc ...
Bronze
Hand Painted and Gilt Chinese Export Porcelain Centerpiece Bowl & Giltwood Stand
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Very large Chinese export porcelain centerpiece bowl (or fishbowl) of the finest quality with giltwood stand. Featuring enameled decorations and cartouches in the shapes of fans, flo...
Porcelain, Wood
Chinese Guangcai Export Porcelain Orange Pattern Scalloped Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Guangcai (Late 19th Century) export porcelain centerpiece bowl decorated with blue and orange patterned panels around a center scene of a woman walking with a large u...
Porcelain
Beautiful Chinese Laquered Stand with Gilt Decoration
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely small laquered Chinese stand with gilded carved decoration. Beautiful on a console or coffee table as special embellishment.
Wood
$1,722Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Chinese Tray in Ceramic Hand Painted
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful vintage Chinese ceramic tray dating from the early 1900s, also useful as a pocket emptier or centerpiece. The vintage Chinese tray is entirely ha...
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Export Silver Vases
Pair of Chinese White and Blue Peaches Decorative Plates
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain decorative plates painted with thin blue double lines surrounding floral garlands along the rims, opening to wider florals and swirling vine ...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese White and Blue Floral Decorative Plates
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain decorative plate painted with thin blue double lines surrounding a floral garland along the rim, opening to a wider floral and swirling vine ...
Porcelain
Chinese Dark Blue and White Peony Flower Design Scalloped Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (13-14th Century) dark blue shallow porcelain centerpiece bowl with scalloped edges and a white floral peony motif in the center.
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese White and Blue Fish Decorative Plates
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain decorative plates painted with thin blue patterned bands along the rims, opening to wider floral motifs on the interiors that surround centra...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Silver Ship Centerpiece
Located in New Orleans, LA
This delightful and exceptionally rare steamboat centerpiece exemplifies the remarkable artistry of Chinese export silver. Chinese silver pieces are renowned for their exceptional qu...
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Repousse Centerpiece
Vase pot pourri porcelain and bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A french vase pot pourri in porcelaine and bronze bear the mark on leg E.S probably Escalier De Cristal, famous maker in the late of 19 century and beginnin...
Bronze
Antique Chinese Porcelain and Eglomise Gold Scenic Lidded and Footed Box
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese (19/20th Century-possibly Satsuma) porcelain oval shaped centerpiece with a footed base and decorated exterior having genre scenes and botanical designs in beige, brown, oran...
Porcelain
18th Century Chinese Export Ormolu Mounted Bowl
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 18th century Chinese export porcelain bowl, having gilded floral decoration, wonderful gilded ormolu handl...
Ormolu
$1,450
H 4.25 in Dm 23.5 in
Large Mahogany Footed Lazy Susan with Carved Decoration Nine Framed Indentations
Located in Great Barrington, MA
An unusually large and beautifully decorated Lazy-Susan will be the perfect focal point on a table. Also wonderful for h'ors d'oeuvres, desserts and condiments at a buffet table, thi...
Wood
Chinese Celadon Footed Centerpiece, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Celadon footed centerpiece, 19th century.
$12,600
H 16.5 in W 18 in D 9 in
French Sèvres Porcelain & Ormolu-Mounted Hand-Painted Oval Centerpiece/Jardenier
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
An unusual antique French iridescent Sèvres Porcelain and ormolu-mounted oval shaped centerpiece, the light jade green iridescent color Sèvres Porcelain painted with a beautiful scen...
Bronze
$3,947
H 6.3 in Dm 12.21 in
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Marble Bowl on Pedestal - Tazza Centerpiece
Located in Firenze, IT
This Italian 19th century neoclassical marble bowl on pedestal, or tazza centerpiece, is finely carved in Cipollino marble, a highly prized stone already appreciated by the Romans an...
Marble
$7,176
H 8.67 in W 6.11 in D 3.35 in
Antique 19thC Chinese Gilt Solid Silver Mounted Nautilus Shell Centrepiece
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 20th Century Chinese gilt solid silver nautilus shell centrepiece, mounted with a boldly modelled dragon in high relief. The natural shell is set horizontally within a shaped...
Silver
$1,450Sale Price|58% Off
H 11 in W 15.5 in D 9.75 in
19th Century Old Paris Porcelain Centerpiece, Hand-Painted Florals
By Old Paris
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning piece of Old Paris porcelain that features two sides of beautiful hand-painted floral panels, hand-cut work and hand-painted trim. Nicely shaped with a long and deep boat ...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Handleless Tea Bowl and Saucer, Chinese Imari Pattern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late eighteenth century Chinese Export Porcelain handleless tea bowl and saucer referred to as "Chinese Imari". Hand decorated in iron red, underg...
Enamel
$358
H 3.15 in W 9.85 in D 7.09 in
Vintage Handmade and Hand Painted Ceramic Bowl or Centerpiece, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Vietri, Italy, 1950s. This ceramic bowl / centerpiece is hand-modeled and hand-painted, with a slight iridescent finish. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show sligh...
Ceramic
Waterford Crystal Master Cutter Scalloped Edge Footed Bowl or Centerpiece
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage cut glass bowl. By Waterford. From the Master Cutter series. With a scalloped-edge and cut decoration throughout. The base b...
Cut Glass
$95,000
H 21.5 in W 94 in D 27 in
Excellent Quality 19th Century Gilt Bronze Surtout De Table on Low Stands
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Excellent Quality Mid 19th Century Gilt Bronze Four Piece Surtout De Table on Low Stands This wonderful plateau cast with a grapevine bronze gallery, cen...
Bronze, Ormolu
$5,895Sale Price|37% Off
H 7.13 in W 19 in D 10.5 in
French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Silvered Centrepiece by Christofle & Cie
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style silvered centrepiece by Christofle & Cie. with an ovoid molded cut-glass centre-dish (later) on a pomegranate branch-form foot, the underside stamped: CHRISTOFLE and 1147156, Paris, circa 1900. Charles Christofle...
Bronze
Beautiful Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Mirror Plateau
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautiful late 19th century gilt bronze and mirror plateau Of oval form, with a vine and grape bronze gallery, centered with a mirror...
Bronze
Very Large Vintage Chinese Bowl Centerpiece
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very large impressive Chinese bowl having beautiful detailed decoration in navy blue, red oxide, soft green and white.
Porcelain
Sold
H 12.5 in W 17 in D 13.25 in
Chinese 19th Century Rose Medallion Center Bowl on Gilt Bronze Base, Greek Key
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese gilt-bronze mounted rose medallion center piece bowl, 19th century. A stunning Centerpiece of Chinese deisgn having a circular tapering form, with pierced Greek key designed ...
Bronze
Chinese Etched Brass Tazza, Lotus Flower, Yin Yang Symbol, Large Scale
Located in Stamford, CT
Large scale Chinese brass tazza, the rimmed tray with with etched decoration of a lotus flower with a Yin Yang symbol in the center surrounded by images of...
Brass
Samson Chinese Export Style Basin Cooler
Located in Essex, MA
Oval with foo dog handles, leaf form vignettes on a blue ground.
Porcelain
Antique 7 Pc Blue Willow Porcelain Cruet Condiment Set & Caddy Tea Coffee
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique blue willow pattern porcelain cruet or condiment set featuring a circular lazy Susan base on a wood dolly, labeled salt and pepper shakers,...
Porcelain, Hardwood
Sold
H 3 in W 15 in D 12 in
Chinese Export Sacred Bird and Butterfly Centerpiece and Covered Vegetable Dish
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressive Chinese export sacred bird and butterfly pattern centerpiece decorated overall in typical orange and brown palette, with gilt-o...
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver Goblet, Leeching C.1870
By Leeching
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Chinese export solid silver wine goblet, impressive and exceptionally fine quality, double walled, fully chased and embossed with a dense bamboo leaves, standing...
Silver
Sold
H 16.54 in Dm 5.91 in L 16.54 in
Chinese Export Silver Filigree Gem Set Cup and Cover, circa 1950
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Stunning mid-20th century rare Chinese solid silver-gilt filigree cup and cover, the cup is richly gilded and applies with jade and amethyst cabochons stones. The cup stands proudly ...
Multi-gemstone, Silver
19th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver Fruit Bowl, Wang Hing, circa 1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late-19th century Chinese export solid silver fruit bowl on stand, of exceptionally fine quality, intricately chased and embossed depicting a compendium of various designs an...
Silver
Sold
H 10.44 in W 10.24 in D 6.3 in
19th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver Trophy Cup, Woshing Shanghai circa 1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late-19th Century Chinese export solid silver trophy cup, impressive and exceptionally fine quality, decorated with repoussé prunus and perched birds against a hand chased matted ground, cup resting on an elegant shaped stem and domed foot, base decorated in similar complimentary design, both sides applied with c-shaped handles imitating branches and terminating with applied flowers. Hallmarked with Chinese export marks, Artisan workshop mark of ZAN 賛, Shanghai and Retailer WS for Woshing (Active c. 1850s - 1925) an important manufacturing and retailing silversmith in Shanghai and Canton. Common mistakes in the transliteration of Chinese silver marks in English caused several names for Woshing, such as Wo Shing, Woo Shing...
Silver
Sold
H 18.12 in W 13.39 in D 7.09 in
19th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver Dragon Epergne, Hung Chong & Co c 1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late-19th century Chinese very unusual solid silver eperne, the central trumpet shaped vase and twin baskets are highly decorated with pierced bamboo leaves, cherry blossom a...
Silver
Sold
H 5.52 in W 10.63 in D 7.09 in
19th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver Dragon Jardinière, Wang Hing circa 1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th century Chinese large solid silver jardinière, of oval form, applied with unusual twin dragon head handles with rings in mouth and standing on four coiled dragon fe...
Silver