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.
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
19th Century Oriental Style Centrepiece with 'Blanc de Chine' Lions
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
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
Antique Chinese Guangcai Centerpiece Bowl, Porcelain, Circa 1850
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
Antique Chinese Export Silver Vases by Heng Li, Floral Design, 1920
$1,646Sale 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
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Repousse Centerpiece
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
Antique Sterling Silver Epergne / Centrepiece / Vase 1911
Located in London, GB
An Antique solid Silver Epergne Centrepiece with a large oval central basket supporting a tall trumpet shaped vase on top of an impressive concave shaped stand. The central stand has...
Sterling Silver
$1,017
H 4.73 in W 11.03 in D 7.88 in
20th Century, French, Hand Painted Floral Decorated Serving Bowl by Limoge
Located in Sofia, BG
Great French hand painted with lovely floral decoration in blue and green surrounded with gold finish serving bowl or centre piece by Limoge. France.
Ceramic
$4,900
H 14.5 in Dm 15.75 in
Antique French Rococo Shell Design Porcelain Centerpiece, Circa 1865-1875.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Rococo Shell Design Porcelain Centerpiece, Circa 1865-1875. This is a charming centerpiece, with three cherubs supporting the shell and the...
Porcelain
$7,018
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
Saint Jacques Hand-Painted Ceramic Tray Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Enhance your summer entertaining with the elegant Ceramic Saint Jacques Platter. Expertly handcrafted and beautifully hand-painted in Italy, this platter feature distinctive scalloped-edge detailing inspired by the iconic Saint Jacques seashell. The charming design and artisanal craftsmanship make them a perfect choice for stylish outdoor dining or festive indoor gatherings. Ideal for serving fresh seafood, appetizers, or delightful desserts, these plates add a touch of Mediterranean flair and sophistication to your table...
Ceramic
Radicchio Hand-Painted Ceramic Serving Tray, Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Bring the beauty of the garden to your home with our hand-painted radicchio-style plate in a pink hue. Perfect for tableware, this serving tray/platter adds a touch of natural elegan...
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Export Large Solid Silver Bowl, Cum Wo, c.1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late-19th century Chinese export solid silver very large bowl, of exceptionally fine quality and impressive size, intricately chased and embossed depicting a compendium of va...
Silver
$12,000Sale Price|57% Off
H 16 in Dm 11.5 in
19th C Sheffield Silver over Copper & Original Crystal Epergne with Lions Heads
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Spectacular 19th century English silver plated epergne with figural lion's head feet and chased silver arms and base. The handblown crystal center bowl is petal cut and frosted with ...
Silver Plate
$1,189Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.23 in Dm 11.82 in
Antique English Silver Plate Epergne, Hand-Crafted, 1920
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Antique English silver plate épergne with side candy holders for sweets, to complete the central tray. There are many stamps, including an elephant (that I don't know). It 's perfect...
Silver Plate
Saint Jacques Hand-Painted Ceramic Tray Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Enhance your summer entertaining with the elegant Ceramic Saint Jacques Platter. Expertly handcrafted and beautifully hand-painted in Italy, this platter feature distinctive scallope...
Ceramic
French Majolica Fruit Bowl Arrangement Table Centerpiece, circa 1950
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely vintage French barbotine majolica bowl of fruit and vibrant green leaves in a blue and white bowl, circa 1950. This fine arrangement is hand crafted and hand painted, well m...
Ceramic, Majolica
Sold
H 10 in Dm 17 in
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
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
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
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
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
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
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