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.
Rare Antique Chinese Qing Carved Coconut Bowl Tea Cup
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Chinese coconut carved shell pewter tea cup, likely from the Qing Dynasty. These cups were considered rare and valuable, with the Chinese believing tha...
Coconut
Unusual Set of 18th Century Blue and White Plates, Platers and Lidded Plates
Located in Epfach, DE
Decorative Set of Blue and White Porcelain Plates, China, 18th Century This striking and unusual set of 19 blue and white porcelain pieces includes plates, platters, and lidded pla...
Porcelain
Collection of 80 Chinese Silver & Gilt Table Wares, 19th-20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This group of 80 silver and gilt table wares is a delightful selection of Chinese and Japanese export wares, comprised of 56 spoons, 2 sugar tongs, 6 butter spreaders, 7 lemon forks and 9 napkin rings. Nearly every piece is unique, decorated in an array of motifs and metalworking techniques, including repoussé, chasing, mold casting and engraving. Amidst the cutlery are two stand-out spoons: a small spade carved from mother-of-pearl and a petite silver spoon inset with a green jadeite charm...
Gold Plate, Silver Plate, Silver
20th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver Condiment Set, c.1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century Chinese novelty solid silver condiment set, comprising a pepperette, salt and mustard pot, fitted in a traders pushcart. Hallmarked Chinese Export Silver, ...
Silver
Chinese Mandarin Palette tankard / mug in polychrome enamels, c. 1815
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Mandarin Palette mug in polychrome enamels with gilt highlights and twisted strap handle. The exterior is handsomely painted in the famille rose colors of a continuous courtly scene ...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Serving Dish Rose Medallion , Qing
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Experience the elegance of a Chinese Export Porcelain Serving Dish set in the Rose Medallion pattern. This exquisite set of four round-shaped serving dishes is meticulously hand-deco...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Export Silver Christening Mug
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver christening mug; an addition to our silver christening gifts collection. This exceptional antique Chinese export silver mug has a tapering cylindrical form. The surface of this impressive christening mug is embellished with embossed and chased decoration depicting Asian figures in a grass terrain village setting performing chores and meditating in prayer. The scene incorporates a multitude of indigenous plants in addition to a stylized peony tree encasing a shield shaped vacant cartouche. The upper rim and base of the mug are encompassed with applied moulded borders. This Chinese export mug...
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 Silversmith, Two Small Goblets Richly Decorated in Relief, Approx. 1900
Located in København, Copenhagen
Chinese silversmith. Two small goblets, richly decorated in relief with flowers and ornaments. China, approx. 1900. Stamped with Chinese characters. In...
Silver
$2,386 / set
H 7.29 in W 1.38 in D 0.99 in
19th Century French Silver Vermeil Flatware Dessert Set for Six, 18 Pieces
Located in Madrid, ES
This charming 19th century French 18-piece cased dessert silverware / flatware set, with its unique, slightly grotesque satyr mask motif and warm ve...
Vermeil, Silver
$660Sale Price / set|53% Off
H 3.94 in Dm 6.5 in
Set of Six Capodimonte Porcelain Tea /Coffee Cups with Floral Motifs, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This set is made in Capodimonte porcelain and features hand painted floral motifs and golden edges. They are vintage therefore they might show slight traces of ...
Porcelain
$1,214Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.25 in Dm 3.86 in
Set of 4 Antique Chinese Blood & Milk / Tea Bowl Flowers Porcelain Qing Dynasty
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice set of 18th century tea bowls, Qing Period. 4 sets and 1 loose cup. The painting is of very high quality. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Plate Rose Medallion Hand Painted, Qing, circa 1875
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Chinese Export, porcelain, Rose Medallion dish or plate which we date to the 19th century, Qing dynasty, circa 1875. I...
Porcelain
Vintage Cutlery Set, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage cutlery set was realized in the mid-20th century. This silver plate vintage set is made up of 61 cutleries (forks, knifes, spoons) reali...
Silver Plate
$140Sale Price|25% Off
H 5.32 in W 2.37 in D 2.37 in
Vintage Silver Plated Corkscrew, Italy, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Silver Plated Corkscrew realized by italian manufacture in the mid-20th Century. Weight: 0.097 Kg Very good condition.
Silver Plate
$20,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 13 in W 21.26 in D 17.72 in
Silver 800 Cutlery Set for 12 People, Düsseldorf, Germany, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Silver 800 cutlery set for 12 people. Düsseldorf, Germany, late 19th century. Jugendstil period. Complete for 12 people. A total of 164 pieces: 12 ...
Sterling Silver
Chinese Export Qing Qianlong Famille Rose Medallion Porcelain Bowl
Located in Long Island City, NY
This finely decorated Qing-period rose medallion or rose mandarin bowl is beautifully hand-painted with four vignettes depicting courtly scenes.
Porcelain
Hermès Paris Toucan Porcelain Small Cup Bowl & Dish
By Hermès
Located in Forney, TX
Add a touch of whimsical elegance and sophistication at your next dinner party with these charming Hermès Paris table articles! Comprising a scarce diminutive handleless cup / bowl,...
Porcelain
$3,089Sale Price|46% Off
H 0.79 in W 17.72 in D 13 in
19th Century Italian Silver Oval Baroque Tray, Completely Engraved by Hand
Located in VALENZA, IT
Baroque oval silver tray. Made in Milan, Italy in the mid-19th century. Completely hand engraved with scrolls and central flowers. The swirls and flo...
Silver
Chinese Export Famille Rose 'Precious Objects' Porcelain Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Famille Rose 'Precious Objects' Porcelain Dish, Qianlong Period, Circa 1765-1775 This superb oval dish is a quintessential example of Chinese Export porcelain create...
Porcelain
18thC Chinese Export Porcelain Bowl Hand Painted Famille Rose, Qing Ca 1780
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand painted Chinese export bowl from the late 18th century, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1736-1795. We date this piece to...
Porcelain
Chinese porcelain charger, c. 1800's
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese export porcelain charger hand decorated in cobalt underglaze blue centering on the Willow Tea House landscape. The deep standing rim is detailed with a classic Chinese runnin...
Ceramic
Circa 1915 Pair of Chinese Export Butterfly Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1915 pair of Chinese Export butterfly plates. Colorfully painted in overglaze enamels - "thousand butterfly" borders. Brought back from ...
Ceramic
Circa 1915 Pair of Rose Canton Chinese Export Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1915 pair of Rose Canton Chinese export plates. Brightly enamelled butterfly design. Made in China mark. Brought back from China by Dr. Hugh McCormi...
Ceramic
Luen-Wo, Shanghai. Silver cup with handle. Relief dragon motif. 1930s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Luen-Wo, Shanghai. Silver cup with handle. Relief dragon motif. Handle resembling bamboo. Approximately from the 1930s. In excellent condition. Hallmarked. Dimensions: Height 7.5 cm...
Silver
Sold
H 0.5 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in
Three 19th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Cabbage Leaf Butterfly Plate
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set of 3 beautiful Chinese export porcelain green cabbage leaf butterfly plate. Colors or white, blue, yellow and red throughout. Contains gold central medallion and gilt rim. Excell...
Porcelain
George Washington's Dinner Plate
Located in New Orleans, LA
Owned by George and Martha Washington, this important Blue Canton China dinner plate was used by the Presidential couple when entertaining...
Porcelain
Sold
H 11 in W 13.25 in D 11 in
Chinese Canton Porcelain Famille Rose Cabinet Plates Chargers Qianlong Dynasty
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Fine Pair Heavy Gauge Chinese Quing Dynasty Porcelain Famille Rose Mandarin Cabinet Plates or Chargers of outstanding quality and impressive size...
Porcelain
French Oriental Treasure Chest Style Shot Cave
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French oriental treasure chest style shot cave This is a wonderful piece of Craftsmanship it is made in hammered steel, the interior is lined in Vel...
Steel
Pair of Chinese Export Enameled Cache Pots with Iron Bases, circa 1970
Located in Tarzana, CA
A pair of Chinese Export enameled cache pots with iron bases, circa 1970.
Enamel
Sold
H 4 in W 3.25 in L 4 in
Antique Vintage Chinese Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Octagonal Canister Jar Box
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stylish hand painted Chinese or Japanese cloisonné enamel heavy gauge gilt bronze two section table casket or spice container of hexagonal outline and of exceptional quality. These r...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 4.75 in W 5.5 in D 3.75 in
Chinese Canton Porcelain Famille Rose Blue White Tankard Mug Qianlong
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Fine Chinese porcelain Famille rose Mandarin Tankard mug of outstanding quality and impressive size. Hand decorated in brightly colored enamel...
Porcelain
Sold
H 0.79 in W 11.62 in D 9.06 in
20th Century Chinese Silver Serving Tray, Luen Hing, Shanghai, circa 1900
By Luen Hing
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th century Chinese export solid silver tray, of rectangular shape, large size and gauge, the boarder beautifully decorated with embossed dragons chasing the pearl of ...
Silver