Skip to main content

Chinese Export Antiquities

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.

2
to
2
2
2
2
2
380
73
35
25
20
13
10
10
8
8
7
6
5
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
Style: Chinese Export
Vintage Chinese 6 pieces Wooden Buddhist Offering Set
Located in Pomona, CA
There wooden offerings set are in rituals such as worshiping the altar, practicing alchemy, and giving food. The method is to offer of sacrifices, namely incense, flowers, lamps, wat...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Finely Carved Old Chinese Bamboo Censer with Lid
Located in Pomona, CA
Up for sell is a magnificent Chinese Carved Bamboo incense burner. It has very detailed hand carved Chinese traditional folks art of clouds and dragons on the censer. It was made f...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Bamboo

Related Items
Handheld Chinese Mooncake Mold with Lotus Pods, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th century hand-held wood press is carved with a large mold used for shaping festive mooncakes. Packed with lotus root, red bean, or other regional fillings, mooncakes ar...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Circa 1930's Bamboo Walking Stick
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1930's bamboo walking stick from Germany. There are two badges on it, one from Krippen and one from Pfaffenstein. These are badges hikers would earn when walking across the c...
Category

1930s German Vintage Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Bamboo

Circa 1930's Bamboo Walking Stick
Circa 1930's Bamboo Walking Stick
H 35.88 in W 6.25 in D 1.25 in
Japanese Antique Wooden Object
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
An old tool for making textiles in Japan. It's a very rare object. The light and shadow that pass through the even holes are very beautiful. A nice art ob...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Oak

Japanese Antique Wooden Object
Japanese Antique Wooden Object
H 38.98 in W 2.37 in D 7.09 in
Circa 1920 English Bamboo Walking Stick
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1920's English walking stick made from bamboo. These look wonderful in a hall stand or for actual use if needed!
Category

1920s English Vintage Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Bamboo

Circa 1920 English Bamboo Walking Stick
Circa 1920 English Bamboo Walking Stick
H 35.63 in W 5 in D 0.88 in
Scandinavian Folk Art Wooden Lidded Tankard, 19th Century
Located in Bochum, NRW
19th century Norwegian wood tankard painted with initials and dated 1865. Wooden Lidded Tankard, made of staves that are held together with split-branch ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Wood

19th C Tin Wrapped Wooden Spice Containers, 10 Pieces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Tin Wrapped Wooden Spice Containers. Stamped: PATENT PACKAGE CO. NEWARK, NEW JERSEY. PAT'D AUG. 31, 1858. Lightweight hardwood construction. Ra...
Category

19th Century American Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Wood, Bentwood

Antique Wooden Wheelchair
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1900. We offer this rare Wooden Wheelchair. Crafted in wood and Iron, the wheelchair showcases impeccable workmanship that speaks to the heart ...
Category

1890s American Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Iron

Antique Wooden Wheelchair
Antique Wooden Wheelchair
H 50.79 in W 25.99 in D 46.07 in
Decorative Wood Carved Tramp Art Keepsake Box or Sailors Valentine with Heart
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A superb Folk Art sailors valentine Tramp Art keepsake box. Wide in form, this beautiful Primitive wood carved box features the letters S and M with a heart between on both sides. Tw...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Metal

Handheld Chinese Mooncake Mold with Lotus Pods, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th century hand-held wood press is carved with a large mold used for shaping festive mooncakes. Packed with lotus root, red bean, or other regional fillings, mooncakes ar...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Vintage Pair of "Vrai Sabot Breton" Wooden Clogs with Anatomical Sole - 2Y247
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This vintage pair of "Vrai Sabot Breton" clogs, featuring an anatomical sole and genuine leather upper, represents classic Breton craftsmanship. These traditional wooden clogs are de...
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Hand-Carved Wooden Elephant Figurine – Rustic Artisan Craft - 2Y178
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Add a touch of rustic charm to your home decor with this petite hand-carved wooden elephant figurine. Perfect for collectors or as a thoughtful gift, this piece showcases the beauty ...
Category

20th Century French Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Wood

Chinese Painted Bamboo Walking Stick, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century walking stick from northern China is comprised of a length of thin bamboo that has been steamed and bent into a hook shape. The bamboo segments are painted in alter...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Antiquities

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Export antiquities for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export antiquities for sale on 1stDibs. 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.

Recently Viewed

View All