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.
$4,800
Two Polychrome Roosters
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of Chinese export glazed ceramic roosters with polychrome plumage in pinks, greens and orange with and striking red crowns and wattles, perched on weathered green striated tre...
Ceramic
Turkish Ottoman Scene Polychrome Hand Painted Ceramic Vase Kutahya
By Iznik Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A small Kütahya style polychrome hand painted and handcrafted glazed ceramic decorative vase with an Ottoman scene. This is an intricately, hand painted vase that was made in Marmara, Turkey: Kütahya is famous for its kiln products, such as tiles and pottery, which are glazed and multicolored. It has a beautifully hand painted scene with Ottomans princes enjoying the outdoors, surrounded by flowers in burgundy, turquoise, light and dark blue and green foliage. An Islamic ceramic...
Ceramic
Mata Ortiz Polychrome Pottery Vessel by Pilo Mora, 1990
By Pilo Mora
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mata Ortiz polychrome pottery vessel Pilo Mora, Master Potter (1961 - ) 1990 Hand coiled low fire clay Pueblo Quezada, Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico Measures: 7 inches Height. x...
Clay
Mata Ortiz Polychrome Effigy Pot by Mauro Quezada, 1989
By Mauro Quezada
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Polychrome effigy pot Mauro Quezada Hand coiled low fired clay 1989 Pueblo Quezada, Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico Measures: 4.75 inches height x 5.5 inches...
Clay, Paint
Hungarian Red Ware Folk Art Rooster - Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs
Located in Morristown, NJ
A Hungarian Folk Art Red Ware Rooster Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs. A black/brown based rooster decorated with white dots and green, yellow and red painted elements. The spout is...
Pottery
Polychrome Hand Painted Ceramic Decorative Plate with Islamic Calligraphy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Polychrome hand painted and handcrafted ceramic wall decorative plate with polychrome Ottoman floral design and Islamic calligraphy writing in the ce...
Ceramic
Vintage Turkish Iznik Style Polychrome Floral Ceramic Wall Plate, 1950s
By Iznik Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A vibrant vintage Turkish hand-painted ceramic wall plate featuring an elaborate Ottoman-inspired floral composition in the Iznik tradition, handcrafted in Turkey circa 1950s. The p...
Ceramic
Mata Ortiz Polychrome Pot with Marbleized Slip by Ramiro Veloz Sr., 1990
By Ramiro Veloz Sr
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mata Ortiz polychrome pottery vessel Ramiro Veloz Sr., Master Potter 1990 Hand-Coiled low fire clay Pueblo Quezada, Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico An extraordinary ultra thin walled ...
Clay
$1,500
H 13.75 in W 11.5 in D 6.5 in
Vintage Talavera Hand Painted Ceramic Rooster - Unsigned - Mexico - C. 1980's
Located in Chatham, ON
Large vintage Talavera hand painted studio ceramic Rooster - featuring a typical brightly colored multi pattern design - unsigned - Mexico - circa 1980's. Excellent/mint vintage con...
Terracotta
Painted Terra Cotta Rooster
Located in Washington, DC
A painted terra cotta rooster.
Terracotta
$1,498 / set
H 14 in Dm 10 in
Leo Maes-Vereenooghe Flemish Double Handled Polychrome Pottery Vase Signed
Located in Atlanta, GA
Double Handled Polychrome Glazed Pottery Motto Vase by: Artist Leo Maes-Vereenooghe (Flemish, active 1891-1909), early 20th century A "motto vase" refers t...
Pottery, Paint
Mata Ortiz Polychrome Pottery Vessel by Rito Talvera Quezada, 1989
By Rito Talvera Quezada
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mata Ortiz polychrome pottery vessel Rito Talvera Quezada 1989 Hand-coiled low fire clay Pueblo Quezada, Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Clay
$1,298 / set
H 13 in W 9 in D 2.3 in
Vintage Fred Roberts Ceramic Spice Rack with Rooster Motif, Japan
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Charming vintage ceramic spice rack by the Fred Roberts Company of San Francisco, manufactured in Japan circa 1950. The complete set comprises nine rectangular glazed ceramic spice c...
Ceramic
Petite Neolithic Chinese Terracotta Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic jar is believed to be a later example of Neolithic Chinese redware pottery of the Yangshao culture. Although its exact age is unkn...
Terracotta