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
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Peranakan Chinese Export Silver Tankard with Dragon Handle, 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A heavy and well cast Chinese export silver tankard with a dragon handle, made of the Southeast Asian market, mid-late 19th century, China.
The double walled mug or tankard featur...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Goblet embossed and chased with a single dragon around the bowl and with an applied shield-shaped cartouche. The goblet dates from around 1900, was made by Bao ...
Category
Early 1900s 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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl, profusely decorated with chrysanthemum, prunus, iris, and bamboo, and with a vacant circular cartouche. The bowl d...
Category
Late 19th Century 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 r...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
Large Chinese Export Silver Goblet engraved with bamboo and three cicadas and standing on three entwined shoots of bamboo. The goblet was retailed by Wang Hing circa 1895, and the ma...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Antique Chinese Silver Bamboo Tea Caddy by Hung Chong
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver tea caddy, circa 1900. Baluster with drum-form neck and cover. Chased and repousse bamboo and blossoming prunus branches on stippled ground. Plain band at shoulder. Also plain are foot rim, neck, and cover sides. Cover top has circular frame (vacant). Fully marked with Chinese characters and letters HC for Hung Chong...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Table Box circa 1890 of long rectangular form, embossed and chased with prunus branches and blossom against a matte background.
The box is marked with WH, for ...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese Export silver candlesticks with the character for "Luck" on one and "Longevity" on the other. They are attached to round wood stands.
Marked with SW, for Shing Wo, “...
Category
1890s 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 Bamboo Mug
By Khe Cheong
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box, circa 1895, with British import marks for Glasgow 1902, and a later blue-glass liner.
The box is pierced with two pairs of opposing dragons, and th...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique 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...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Mug
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Mug, circa 1840, of double-skin construction and decorated with grape and vine against a matte background, a small oval cartouche, and grape branch handle. The ...
Category
1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl circa 1890, pierced with wonderfully detailed Two Dragons Playing with Pearl decoration and on a plain collet foo...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Antique Chinese Export Silver Tray
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...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Mug
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Mug, circa 1875, with dragon handle and decorated with battle scenes. Marked with LC, for Leeching, a silver retailer working fro...
Category
1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Wo
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...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique 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...
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling 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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Goblet With Dragon Stem
By Leeching
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...
Category
1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Mug
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Mug circa 1850, of double-skin construction and decorated with bamboo leaves and two crickets against a matte background, a simulat...
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Beaker
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Beaker, circa 1900, embossed and chased with prunus flower against a matte background, with a single round vacant cartouche. The barrel-shaped beaker marked wit...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box circa 1890, of quatrefoil form. The front and back panels are embossed and chased with court and battle scenes, and the two side panels with bamboo....
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Hing
Located in London, GB
A lovely Chinese silver bowl, embossed and chased with three birds and chrysanthemum against a textured matte background. Made by the firm of Shao Ji'绍记’, and retailed by Luen Hing '...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export silver bowl decorated with chrysanthemum against a matte background.
Made by the firm of Lian xiang sheng of Shanghai and Ca...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Card Case
By Luen Wo
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...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl with blue glass liner.
The bowl is pierced and has wonderfully detailed chrysanthemum decoration.
The bowl has ...
Category
1890s 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, ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique 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
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...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Dragon Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Dragon Candelabra, circa 1890. Each finely detailed dragon is coiled on an original wood stand, carved with cloud pat...
Category
1890s 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...
Category
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...
Category
1890s 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...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
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...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy of shaped oval form, with applied prunus and chrysanthemum decoration and a plain, pull-off lid. The retailer is sho...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Fruit Dish
By Luen Wo
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...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
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...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Tankards
Located in London, GB
A rare pair of Chinese export silver mugs/tankards, each with figural Court scenes, bamboo, and dragon handles. They have the mark for Hoaching of Canton, circa 1860, and the Chinese...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Flower Vases of trumpet form, each with circular base and rising to a flared, shaped top. The vases, which are decorated with applied prunus, were ret...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese silver vases with all-over bamboo decoration and each with a wavy-edge flared rim. They were made by 涂茂兴, TuMaoXing, a retailer in JiuJiang (九江), next to the Yangtze ...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Two Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
Two Chinese silver vases of cornucopia form, both decorated with applied bamboo and chrysanthemum and on a circular base. The vases are similar yet were made by different silversmith...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese silver bowl of lobed round form with applied decoration depicting various flowers and birds. It has the mark of TS for the shop of Tien Shing or T...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Repousse Tanakard
Located in Sarasota, 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....
Category
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.