Chinese Export Tea Sets
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
Imari Pavilion Pattern Blue and White Tea Set c 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Re
Located in seoul, KR
The "Imari Pavilion pattern" refers to a decoration pattern found on porcelains made during this period, influenced by Japanese Imari ware. Imari porcelain, produced in the Arita reg...
Category
1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Blue and White Tea Set c 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Reign
Located in seoul, KR
The saucer set depicts botanical garden, motifs rich in symbolism within east asian culture. Each teabowl depicts scenes, characters and situations are richly depicted inside the sma...
Category
1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Solid Silver Cherry Blossom Tea Set, Wang Hing c.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th Century Chinese export solid silver exquisite three piece tea set, comprising of a teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug, each spherical body applied with blooming cherry...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Tea Set, Rockefeller Pattern
Located in Dallas, TX
Chinese expChinese export tea set, Rockefeller pattern, covered tea pot, lidded creamer and lidded sugar urn, purchased at Sotherby's auction by previous owner. China. 18th Century....
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Monumental Nephrite Jade Teapot
Located in New York, NY
Monumental Chinese Nephrite Teapot, carved from hardstone in the Zhoupan Hu or compass form.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Stone
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Tea Bowl & Saucer with Initials MJ
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Tea Bowl & Saucer
Initials MJ,
American Market,
Circa 1785
The Chinese Export porcelain large tea bowl and saucer are pa...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique 20thC Chinese Solid Silver 3 Piece Tea Set On Tray c.1910
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-20th Century rare Chinese solid silver impressive tea service on tray, comprising of a teapot, covered sugar bowl, milk jug and tray, each body is hand engraved with ex...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export En Grisaille Teapoy with European Figures
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export En Grisaille Teapoy with European Figures,
Mandolin Players and Lady with Dog,
Circa 1735
The charming Chinese Export porcelain teapoy and cover is painted to each side en grisaille with iron-red details.
To one side is an image of a a young man playing the mandolin serenading a young lady who is reaching down to play with a dog. This image is very interesting because of the details visible in the scene. On the table behind her are two porcelain tea bowls and, by the side of the table, a Chinese porcelain covered urn. On the wall behind is a wall-mounted candleholder which may also be porcelain.
The reverse side is painted with a townscape of a European town...
Category
1730s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Group of Three Chinese Yixing & Marble Teapots China, 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A group of three Chinese
Yixing and marble teapots
China, 20th century
The group comprises from left:
A globular double-walled teapot, moulded, pierced and carved with fine detail
with a continuous frieze of dragon, amongst waves.
Pierced lid with knob finial and flowering lotus.
Impressed artists seal mark to the base.
Tiny chip to the spout.
Measures: 3 3/4" in.(9.5 cm.) high, 4" in.(10 cm.) diameter.
A small globular red zisha clay teapot...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Clay
Antique Blue and White Chinese Teapot
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique fine bone porcelain blue and white Chinese teapot has a long spout with hand painted scenic design. Enjoy a cup of tea served in this an...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Collection of Three Chinese Porcelain Blue & White Tea Pots
Located in Sheffield, MA
Collection of 3 Chinese Export Porcelain blue & white tea pots. Treat yourself to a cup of tea or serve a guest with individual teapot or use them as dec...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Yixing Zisha Teapot, Bamboo Handle & Flower Finial, Signed, China, 20th C
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Yixing Zisha teapot - featuring a bamboo form handle and spout with a chrysanthemum flower finial to the lid - impressed seal marks to the base an...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic
Silver Chinese Export Tea and Coffee Service, by Tuck Chang & Co., Shanghai
Located in London, GB
Silver Chinese Export tea and coffee service, by Tuck Chang & Co., Shanghai
Chinese, Late 19th century
Measures: Milk jug: height 8cm, width 14cm, depth 10cm
Coffee pot: height 25...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Set of Six Small Antique Traditional Chinese Teacups
Located in Sheffield, MA
Drink tea in the traditional Chinese custom or add to your blue and white collection. This set of 6 blue and white cups are made of fine Chinese po...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Six Cantonese Blue & White Teacups with Saucers 19thC Early 20thC
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous blue & white Cantonese teacups with Saucers. Late 19thC to early 20thC is the time period. In excellent antique condition with minimal wear. No cracks or chips. Priced and s...
Category
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique 18th Century Chinese Export Qianlong Porcelain Chocolate Tea Pot
Located in Dayton, OH
"Antique late 18th to early 19th century Chinese Export (Qianlong Period, circa 1780) floral famille rose Armorial porcelain hot chocolate pot or...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Blue and White Pitcher
Located in Sheffield, MA
Chinese export blue and white porcelain milk pitcher.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Covered Teacups, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
Treat yourself and your guests to a cup of tea in the the traditional Chinese way, a teacup with a lid so your tea will not get cold. The 4 antique Chiense-export blue and white porcelain tea cups...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Asian Tea Set with Hand Woven Wicker Carrying Warmer Basket, Teapot and Mugs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Asian tea set with carrying basket. 1 porcelain teapot, 2 porcelain tea mugs and a wicker carrying basket. Perfect for a trip to the garden for tea time or pi...
Category
20th Century Asian Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain, Wicker
Chinese Export Silver Three Piece Tea Service, circa 1900
By Luen Wo
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
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 service...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Antique 1800s Chinese Export Silver Three Piece Tea Service
By Kwan Wo
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver three piece tea service; an addition to our diverse silver teaware collection
This exceptional antique tea set/service, in Chinese Export Silver consists of a teapot, cream jug and covered sugar bowl.
Each piece of this tea service has a circular compressed rounded form.
The surface of each piece is embellished with fine and impressive applied bamboo stalk, chrysanthemum and iris designs.
The upper collet style rim of each piece is plain and unembellished.
The teapot and sugar bowl are fitted with the original covers surmounted with cast silver finials modelled in the form of a bamboo stalk; the cover to the teapot is hinged.
Each cover is embellished with an applied splay of bamboo leaves.
This Chinese silver teapot...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Famille Verte Porcelain Cabbage Leaf & Butterfly Coffee or Tea Cup and Saucer
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and rare porcelain Famille Verte cabbage leaf and butterfly pattern coffee or tea cup and saucer set, circa e...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver Tea Set with Dragon & Bamboo Decoration
By Luen Hing
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling 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 Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Chinese Gilt Green Glazed Teapot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and he...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
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...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Tea Set with Original Box Zee Wo
By Zee Wo
Located in Atlanta, GA
A four piece Chinese export silver tea service set consists of a lidded teapot, a creamer with lid, an open sugar and a tongs. The se...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
1900s Chinese Export Silver Three-Piece Tea Service
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
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...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Chinese Cadogan 'Foo Dog' Teapot, Guangxu Tea / Coffee
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Chinese turquoise and Aubergine glazed Cadogan wine or tea pot
A finely molded and glazed "Cadogan" wine or tea pot. The body is glazed in a rich turquoise color. China, Guangxu per...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Export Silver Tea and Coffee Service
By Yu Chang
Located in New Orleans, LA
This stunning and complete seven-piece Chinese export silver tea and coffee service was crafted by Yu Chang of Shanghai and Hong Kong, a firm re...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver
Rare Chinese Tonkin Ware Cup-and-Saucer, Early 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Chinese made tonkin ware gilt- and lacquer cup and saucer
China or Japan, Chinese artisans, early 18th century
The black-lacquered cup with gilt handles in the shape of sculptured chrysanthemums and a lobbed edge decorated with gilt engraved border, with a gilt foot-ring that fits into the saucer ring, with two cartouches showing partly undercut gilt relief trees and birds on a gilt granulated background, black lacquered bracket-lobed edge, depicting gilt engraved peony scrolls and three cartouches decorated with high relief gilt trees and birds on a gilt granulated background, the centre with engraved chrysanthemum, enclosed by a raised ring upon which the cup fits, around which a circular panel decorated with high gilt relief trees, flowers, birds and a butterfly on a gilt granulated background.
Measures: Cup: H. 5.7 x W. 8.5 cm
Saucer: Diameter 13 cm
Provenance:
Collection Felix Schäfer
Note:
The decoration of the cup and saucer is identical to the slightly smaller cup and saucer...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Other
18th Century, Chinese Export Coral and Puce Porcelain Tea Service
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain service spectacularly decorated with a smart coral scale ground with panels of puce flowers.
The service com...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Red on White Chinese Teacup
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions both practical and decorative. This fine ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Teapot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine old or antique Chinese export porcelain teapot.
Decorated throughout with faded gilding and raised figural floral devices
...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Silver Teaset
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Teaset, of round form, with dragon handles and finials, and bamboo feet. This delightful three piece teaset is beautifully ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Antique Tea Set by Tu Mao Xing
By Tu Mao Xing
Located in London, GB
Comprising a tea pot, sugar bowl and milk jug, each of globular fluted form with dragon handles, the bodies embossed with sprays of bamboo and figures on horseback, with character ma...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Tea Sets
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export tea sets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export tea sets 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 tea sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export tea sets made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tea sets, popular names associated with this style include Kwan Wo, Luen Wo, Tu Mao Xing, and Tuck Chang & Co.. 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 tea sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,200 and tops out at $40,772 while the average work can sell for $6,229.
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