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.
Pair of Yellow Ground Chinese Famille Rose Planters with Ch. Characters
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous, large, and decorative pair of imperial yellow ground Famille rose Chinese Export PolyChrome planters/vases. Each is beautifully painted in Imperial yellow ground enamels ...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks on original wood stands, Shanghai circa 1885. The candlesticks are applied with heavily detailed chrysanthemum decoration around the body ...
Silver
$2,838Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-20th Century Chinese Cold-Painted Export Porcelain Garniture Set
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Beautiful complete garniture set for your dining-room: pair of lidded vases, jar, dish. Suitable on a cup-board. Sizes: vases height 31 cm x diameter 11 cm. - jar height 13 x diamete...
Porcelain
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...
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 ...
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Wo
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...
Silver
Large Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A large Chinese Export Silver Bowl with chrysanthemum decoration on a matte background. It was retailed by HC, for Hung Chong "鸿昌", whose shop was in Shanghai between around 1870-194...
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
A Chinese silver goblet profusely decorated with chased, richly defined chrysanthemum against a matte background and is supported by two intertwi...
Silver
$4,840Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Silver
20th Century Chinese Solid Silver Hip Flask, Canton, c.1920
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A stunning early 20th Century Chinese Export solid silver hip flask with silver hinged top and removable cup. This flask has an outer design featuring a Chinese dragon. Dragons in Ch...
Silver
Large Chinese Vase 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Large Chinese vase. In porcelain from the first half of the 20th century. Good condition . Measures: 65 cm high. Very good condition.
Porcelain
Pair 19th c. Chinese Export Porcelain Water Buffalo or Oxen in Coral Red Glaze
Located in Litchfield, CT
Pair antique 19th century Chinese export porcelain water buffalo in coral red glaze. A true pair with left and right gaze. The horns and hooves picked out in brown. Each ox measures ...
Porcelain
18th-Century Tureen with Coat of Arms Presentation Dish
Located in Madrid, ES
18th-Century Tureen with Coat of Arms Presentation Dish Made of Chinese porcelain, East India Company, Qianlong reign (1736-1795). Polychrome and gilded decoration with rose family ...
Porcelain
Bayeux Porcelain Pair of Lamps, Canton Style, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Bayeux porcelain lamps on a white background with a polychromatic decoration in the Chinese Canton style porcelain. On one side, a scene with Chinese dignitaries on a cartouc...
Bronze
$2,752 / set
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 ...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Silver
19th Century Pair of Chinese Porcelain Fruit Dishes
Located in Brea, CA
19th century a pair of large Chinese porcelain fruit dishes with beautiful hand painted. Measures: 8.5 x 6.25 x 2 inch.
Porcelain
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...
Silver
$3,441 / set
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...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Chinese Platter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very large. Very detailed. Very colorful with birds and butterflies. Possibly late 19th Century to 1900s. Excellent condition for its age.
Porcelain, Paint
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...
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...
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, ...
Silver
$11,011 / set
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...
Silver
$3,441 / set
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...
Silver
$10,323
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...
Silver
Canton Porcelain Plate and Gilt Bronze Mount, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Canton porcelain plate mounted in chiseled and gilt bronze. Central decor of an Asian scene representing two men and a woman around a table and...
Bronze
$3,164 / set
Chinese Large Ceramic Vases 1980´s
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Chinese Ceramic vases Beautiful pieces for decor of living room or main reception area. Beautiful Coral and green design and flowers and fishes . Sizes 40x36 cm / 15.74 x 14.17 inc...
Ceramic
Painted Ceramic Plate Surreal Style by Toledian Artis Pablo Sanguino 1985
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Ceramic plate with painting of a mans face in surreal mediterranean style by Toledian artis Pablo Sanguino Pablo Sanguino, born in 1949 in Puente del Arzobispo, belongs to a tradit...
Ceramic
$6,194 / set
Pair of Ormolu Mounted Chinese Porcelain Tazze
Located in London, GB
Pair of ormolu mounted Chinese porcelain tazze Chinese & French, Late 19th Century Height 18cm, width 31cm, depth 21cm These very fine decorative pieces are a pair of tazze (from the Italian tazza...
Ormolu
Chinese Export Silver Mug
By Leeching
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 (...
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 ...
Silver
Two Chinese Lidded Bowls of Silver, China, Early 1900s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Two Chinese lidded bowls of silver. Stamped, China, early 1900s. Measure: Height 6 cm, diameter 11 cm.
Silver
Chinese Porcelain Covered Dish in an Unusual Pistachio Green Glaze, circa 1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chinese porcelain covered dish in an unusual pistachio green glaze. Circa 1920 Footed with swept up sides and shaped corners. A good mounded to...
Porcelain
ANTIQUE SHENG YUAN SIGNED STERLING SILVER HAND HAMMERED CHiNESE COCKTAIL SHAKER
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, circa 1930 Chinese Sterling Silver Cocktail shaker made in Shanghai by He Ji and retailed thr...
Sterling Silver
20th Century Chinese Hand-Carved Rust Agate Bowl with Crabs
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rust agate bowl with 2 carved crabs and a scalloped top edge.
Marble
Antique Chinese Porcelain Pitcher with Orange and Gold Botanicals
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese small orange porcelain pitcher decorated with gold botanicals and characters with a white interior. Several small chips, wear to finish.
Porcelain
Mason’s Ironstone Chinese Ceramic Vase with Top and Flower Print
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Mason’s Ironstone Chinese Ceramic Vase with Top and Flower Measures 25cm x20cm / 9,83 x 7,87 inches. PRADERA is a second generation of a family run bus...
Ceramic
Large 18th Century Chinese Export Armorial Charger
Located in Dallas, TX
An impressive 18th century Chinese export armorial charger. Crest in center of plate with floral sprays around the border. Decorative bands around of plate and the rim. White backgro...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Repousse Centerpiece
PAIR OF GEESE On Chinese Ceramics, end 19th Century/beginning 20th
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF GEESE On Chinese Ceramics, end 19th Century/beginning 20th in shades of blue and white. Dim.: (largest height) 48 cm. good conditions
Ceramic
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
19th Century Chinese Export Platter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century... possibly 18th Century Chinese Export hand-painted serving platter. Great for display. No cracks. Excellent condition.
Porcelain, Paint
19th Century Chinese Export Platter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th Century. possibly 18th Century Chinese Export platter. Hand painted. Excellent condition for its age.
Porcelain, Paint
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Mug
Located in London, by appointment only
A Chinese export famille rose tankard having a straw weave replacement handle and decorated with rocks and flowers of bold design. China, circa 1750. Measures: Height 8 in (20 cms).
Porcelain
$2,400 / set
Three 18th Century Chinese Export Plates
Located in Buchanan, MI
Set of three Chinese export plates with floral decoration. Three 18th century Chinese export plates. Lovely Color And Patina. Provenance Potter ...
Porcelain
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...
Silver
19th Century Chinese Export Platter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century... possibly 18th Century. Excellent condition for its age and size. Great for display.
Porcelain, Paint