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Chinese Export Sterling Silver

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
Pair of Antique Chinese Export Silver Hot & Spicy Dragon Mustard Pots
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese export silver mustard pots, ca 1890. Each: Cylindrical with fixed and entwined ratan-style handle; cover chained with inset and engraved diaper top. Applied wraparoun...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Box
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Box, c1890. Two dragon on the hinged lid. Embossed and chased with fish and crustaceans. Marked with LH, for 'Luen Hing' ’联兴‘, a retailer based in Shanghai, b...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Fruit Dish
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver fruit dish of shaped oval form. The dish has applied chrysanthemum on engraved basket weave piercing, and the base is a skirt of pierced chrysanthemum. Made b...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique 19th Century Chinese Silver Cherry Blossom Box, Wang Hing 1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Chinese export solid silver box, of elongated rectangular form, decorated with stunning repousse decoration cherry blossom pattern. Hallmarked Chinese Export sil...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Tray
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tray engraved with prunus on a matte background, with applied chrysanthemum decoration to the border, and with two b...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Card Case
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Silver Card Case embossed and chased with figural scenes of Chinese scholars among bamboo and pine trees on a matte background.The card case...
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1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Pair of Chinese Export Silver Bowls
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Bowls on original wood stands, circa 1880. Both bowls composed of six lotus-shaped panels, sit on a stand with openwork cloud carving...
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1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Tea Cup and Saucer
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tea Cup and Saucer embossed and chased with bamboo against a matte background. The cup has a bamboo-form handle and sits on a pl...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Tea Cup and Saucer
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tea Cup and Saucer made in Hong Kong around 1900. The cup embossed and chased with birds and bamboo against a matte background, ...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl circa 1890, with later blue glass liner. The bowl is pierced with wonderfully detailed chrysanthemum decoration, has a vacant round cartouche, and sits o...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Teaset
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver 3-piece Teaset, circa 1920, of pumpkin form, decorated with pumpkin vine and leaves on each piece, and a large impressive cicada on the teapot. The finial on th...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Salver
Located in London, GB
An exquisite Chinese Export Silver Salver embossed and chased with a captivating scene of graceful egrets wading in the pond, accompanied by the elegant ...
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1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl, circa 1890, round and sitting on a plain collet foot. The bowl is applied with bamboo and prunus emerging from rocks, and also two birds in flight. The bo...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

19th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver Goblet, Cumshing, c.1850
By Cumshing
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique mid 19th Century Chinese export solid silver wine goblet, impressive and exceptionally fine quality, double walled, applied with prunus flowers and exotic birds perching on b...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl, of round form with applied prunus around two-thirds of the bowl leaving the remainder plain, in keeping with Chinese tradition seen on paintings where bla...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Pair Of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of Chinese export silver candlesticks each depicting crane on a tortoise. Crane and tortoise are the symbol of immortality, happiness and longevity in Chinese mythology. The c...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
A rare Chinese Export Silver Goblet depicting the story of the Three Kingdoms. The goblet embossed and chased with characters from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, including Zhuge ...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

STUNNING ANTIQUE CIRA 1900 STERLING SILVER CHiNESE EXPORT DRAGON COCKTAIL SHAKER
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, circa 1900 Chinese Export Dragon cocktail shaker A good...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Wang Hing Large Chinese Silver Dragon Mug
Located in New York, NY
Chinese silver mug, ca 1910. Straight and upward tapering sides and c-scroll handle. A spare form enlivened with applied wraparound dragon chasing its tail. Marks include stamp for W...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Goblet of rare and unusual form. The bowl has four panels, two decorated with figural scenes; a third with mythical beasts; and the fourth, which also has a v...
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1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Pair of Chinese Silver Prunus Blossom Vases, Maker Wang Hing & Co, circa 1890
Located in London, GB
Pair Of Chinese Silver Prunus Blossom Bud Vases, Maker Wang Hing, circa 1890 Lovely quality embossing by the renowned prolific chinese silversmiths, Wang Hing & Co of Hong Kong.
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese, Export Silver Set of Three Soy / Salt Cellars, Marked Zhen Hua on Side
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 3 silver soy , salt cellar, spices with a divider and marking that reads Hua. All pieces engraved with birds and flowers .
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Mug
By Yatshing
Located in London, GB
An interesting and delightful Chinese export silver mug, of double-skin construction and decorated with bamboo leaves against a matte backgro...
Category

1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique early 20th Chinese Exceptional Solid Silver Teapot, Wu Hua物華, Tianjin
Located in Tel Aviv - Jaffa, IL
Antique early 20th Century exceptionally rare Chinese solid silver teapot, of traditional round form, the body finely engraved in traditional Chinese style, suggesting this teapot was made for the Chinese market. The body engraved with bamboo and butterflies , the unusual handle imitating bamboo, the removable lid set with a peach finial (Peaches are the symbol of longevity). According to Daoist lore, the peaches of immortality grew in the garden of the Queen Mother of the West - Xi Wangmu. the spout with a hedged cover in the shape of a lingzhi mushroom and a FU symbol of good furtune. the top frieze is decorated with 8 Chinese symbols: a scroll, a Ruyi scepter, a qin, The Endless Knot, a pendant, an old book, a wrist rest, and two overlapping squares. The teapot is very unusual, fine and exceptionally crisp. it is made of heavy Gauge silver and the attention to detail and design is simply outstanding. "WU HUA...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Silver Trinket Box with Chinese Scene, Late 19th-Early 20th Century
Located in St. Catharines, ON
A heavy silver box with canted corners, the hinged cover in the style of an ancient traditional woodcut featuring a Chinese traveling figure or salesman w...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Sterling Silver Creamer and Sugar by Cutshing
Located in Atlanta, GA
A two-piece set sterling silver creamer and sugar signed "CUT" and "TienXing" in Chinese, circa second half of 19th century. Cutshing was a Chinese silversmith located at 8 New China...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Chinese Silver Battle Mug with Dramatic Dragon Handle
Located in New York, NY
Chinese silver mug, ca 1865. Straight and upward tapering sides with dense low-relief frieze: Spearmen and swordsmen on foot and horse thrust and lu...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver Mug with Dragon Handle
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver mug, ca 1860. Straight and upward tapering sides with applied pictorial frieze on engraved and stippled ground: Scenes of social life with contemplative sages and chaste maidens amongst palm trees and pagodas. Pastoral exoticism enlivened with scaly, slithering dragon handle...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Turn-of-the-century Chinese export silver picture frame. Oval window in shaped surround with scrolls and flower heads at top, and leaves, stars, flowers, and heart cartouche vacant o...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Tea or Coffee Service by ZeeSung
Located in Atlanta, GA
A three-piece set of Chinese export sterling silver tea or coffee service circa early 20th century. The service consists of a lidded tea or coffee pot, a creamer and a sugar bowl. Th...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver Bamboo Mug
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver mug, ca 1850. Straight and upward tapering sides applied with leafing bamboo on stippled ground. Branch-form handle and rims. Applied rondel engraved with single-letter monogram in buckled belt. On underside is engraved “H. J. T. / 1855”. Interior gilt washed. Chinese mark...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Early Chinese Export Silver Tea Service by Cutshing
By Cutshing
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early set of Chinese export sterling silver tea service circa 1840-70s. The service consists of a lidded tea pot, a creamer and a sugar bowl. The surface was beautifully decorated with chased high-relief dragons with tightly chased scales, slithering with open claws...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Export Silver Mug with Dragon Handle
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export silver mug with dragon handle, decorated with five birds among bamboo against a matte background. There is a round vacant cartouche to t...
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1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Powder/Talc Shaker
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export, sterling silver powder/talc holder/shaker, China, Ca. 1900. Decorated with an etched, full dragon that wraps itself around the holder/shaker. Holder is also lightly h...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Export Silver Mug with Bamboo Decoration
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export silver mug with a bamboo handle, and decorated with a bird and moth amongst profuse bamboo decoration on a matte background. T...
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1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver Tray, circa 1890
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver pen tray; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antiq...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Sterling Silver Aladdin's Lamp, Form Table Lighter
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export sterling silver Aladdin's lamp - form table lighter on tall pedestal base, China, Ca. 1900. Graceful design. Measures 5 1/4 inches high x 3 1/2 inches wide from outer ...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Repousse Tanakard
Located in Gainesville, FL
Chinese Export silver tankard with detailed repousse dragons and dragon handle. The tankard is 5 3/4" tall, 3 1/4' in diameter, 4 1/8" at the handle....
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19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Goblet, with prunus decoration. The goblet weighs 258g and dates from around 1885. Marked WH for Wang Hing '宏兴‘ whi...
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1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Goblet With Dragon Stem
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Goblet with dragon stem, engraved foliage to the bowl, and a gilded interior. The maker is FengzhaoJi (冯朝记), and it was retailed by the firm of Leeching, circ...
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1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Motif Knife or Letter Opener
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese Export silver dinner knife. Overall motif on the handle of dragons with clouds. Single knife could also be used as a letter opener. Stamped markings on the blade.
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1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere with Dragons and Figures
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere circa 1890, of rectangular form and variously pierced to all four sides. The side with the vacant cartouche has two opposing dragons separated by a...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver & Enamel Bowl
Located in London, GB
A rare and exquisite Chinese Export silver & enamel bowl, made in Shanghai around 1895 by Huang Qui Ji, and retailed by the firm of Woshing. The bowl feat...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases - Made by Wang Hing circa 1900, Dragons
Located in London, London
Made circa 1900 by Wang Hing, this handsome pair of Antique Chinese Export silver vases, are of traditional form, decorated with a dragon motif. Each vase measures 7.25"(18.5cm) tall...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver Tea Set with Dragon & Bamboo Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique handcrafted sterling silver tea set was made in China in circa 1880 in the period Chinese export style. The set is composed of a teapot, creamer and lidded sugar bowl an...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Spoon by Wang Hing & Co., Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine and charming Chinese export silver spoon in the form of a dragon, by Wang Hing & Co., Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, China. ...
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1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Silver Bowl With Two Double Dragon Handles, Kwan Wo, Circa 1900
Located in London, GB
Antique Chinese silver bowl with two double dragon handles circa 1900 Made by Kwan Wo of Canton and Hong Kong with dragon engraved on one ...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

3 Piece Antique Chinese Silver Tea Set
Located in London, GB
Classic Chinese export silver tea set comprising teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl made in the Liang Sheng ?? workshop. For thousands of ye...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver and Cherry Wood Vases
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Chinese export silver and cherry wood based vases; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection These impressive antique Chinese export silver vases have a tapering cylindrical rounded form with a waisted neck. The surface of each vase is embellished with fine and impressive applied bamboo stalk ornamentation, all on a matte background. The plain waisted upper portion of each vase is fitted with a pair of tiered fingerpieces. Each Chinese silver vase is fitted to the original cherry wood base; the vases are fitted with an internal silver dowel pin which provides a concealed attachment to the plinth, securing to the underside with a screw fitment. The hallmarks struck to the underside of these impressive antique vases include: Maker's mark: GW (Gem Wo) Character mark: Untraced These exceptional vases have been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as sterling silver (925, 925/1000). Condition: These antique Chinese vases are an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The applied decoration is all very sharp. The Chinese hallmarks struck to the underside of each base are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these fine examples of antique Chinese silverware...
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1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver Three Piece Tea Service
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Chinese Export Silver Three Piece Tea Service - Antique Circa 1920 An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver three piece tea service; an addition to our diverse silver teaware collection This exceptional antique Chinese silver tea set...
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1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Two Chinese Export Silver Place Card Holders by Wang Hing, Early 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
Two delightful Chinese export silver place card holders in the form of fans, by Wang Hing & Co., early 20th century, Canton, China. The place card holders crafted of silver in the...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Serving Tray
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elaborately decorated silver serving dish or butler's tray, likely dated to the turn of the 20th century, made in China for the export market. The round tray has a solid center in...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Tea Strainer with Bone Handle
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Chinese export silver tea strainer for the Southeast Asian market, featuring a bone handle, late 19th century, China. The tea strainer crafted of repoussé silver with a des...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Set of Chinese Export Silver Overlay Bottle with Five Cordials Tianjin Wuhua
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of Chinese Export silver drinking set consists of a pinch bottle and five cordials circa 1910s-1920s. Featuring matching elaborate chased relief dra...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Luen Wo Signed Antique Ladies Sterling Silver Chinese Export Belt
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique sterling silver ladies belt was made by Luen Wo of Shanghai China in circa 1900 in the period Chinese Export style. The belt is done with indi...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Export Silver Mug
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver mug with flowers and foliage engraved within decorative panels; and a dragon handle. Marked with LC, for Leeching, 利升 (...
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1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Sugar Tongs by Luen Wo, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful pair of Chinese export silver small sugar tongs in a bamboo pattern by Luen Wo, late 19th or early 20th century, Shanghai, China. The small silver tongs wonderfully cr...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl, profusely decorated with dragons among clouds on a matte background. The bowl has a vacant cartouche, and is fro...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sterling silver created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export sterling silver 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 sterling silver, popular names associated with this style include Wang Hing & Co., Luen Wo, Hung Chong & Co., and Leeching. 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 sterling silver differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $145 and tops out at $34,500 while the average work can sell for $4,142.

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