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Chinese Export Lighting

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
Early 20th Century Blue & White Ginger Jar Converted to Lamp
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 20th Century blue and white ginger jar converted to lamp in the style of the Chinese period of the 18th Century. Ornamented with a floral landscape of leaves, and geometric mot...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Style Jar / Vase Form Crackle Glaze Table Lamps W/ Fruit - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely pair of large scale Chinese export style jar form table lamps. They are ceramic with a bright marigold cradle finish. The pair are in working order.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Pottery, Wood

Chinese style Bronze Table Lamp
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Hutton-Clarke Antiques is delighted to present an elegant antique Chinese-style bronze table lamp, skillfully converted to electricity for modern convenience. This well-proportioned ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Hand Painted Blue & White Chinese Porcelain Vase Lamp
Located in North Salem, NY
Lovely antique blue & white Chinese porcelain vase lamp with turned wood base.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

A 19 Century Nanking Porcelain Vase on an Ormolu base turned into a Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A large late 19 Century Qing Era Chinese Nanking Porcelain Vase in famille verte crackle glaze decorated with intricate warrior and landscape scenes The vase would have been exported to France from Nanking China...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Oriental Style Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
An absolutely gorgeous antique oriental style ceramic table lamp. This was likely made in England, it dates from around the 1950-60’s. The quality is outstanding, this has incredibl...
Category

1950s British Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Antique English Red Tole and Gilt Tea Canister Lamps on Lucite Bases
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A pair of large oval English tole tea canisters with hand painted and stenciled decoration on a red ground with gilt reserve, the center panel having a Chinese figure on a gilt ground with Chinese calligraphy in black ink now mounted as lamps on thick lucite bases, giving them an updated look. The reverse of one of the canisters bears the emblem of the importer “ Bartlett and Son, Bristol” Lamps...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Gold Leaf, Metal

English Black and Gilt-Decorated Tôle Tea Canister Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Of cylindrical form; decorated with a large gilt and red letter "A" and gilt fretwork banding, on a black ground. Later mounted as a lamp with brass double bulb sockets and adjustabl...
Category

20th Century English Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Asian Style Celadon Table Lamps
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of Late 20th century Asian style Celadon table lamps in very good condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Table Lamp, 19th Century with Brass Mount, 19th Century Famille Rose
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table lamp is a 19th century Famille rose vase lamp, it has been made in china circa 1880. The mount is in brass, and the porcelain in hand painted. US PLUG ADAPTATOR WILL BE F...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Chinese Export Oxblood Red Porcelain Vase Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Chinese Export phoenix tail form oxblood red porcelain table lamps in very good condition. The wiring is vintage but in wor...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Pair of Antique Chinese Celadon Lamps
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A fine pair of antique Chinese celadon lamps with raised foliate design and large applied rings. Lamps are mounted with Chinese bronze fit...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Chinese 19th Century Celadon porcelain vase / lamp.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive early 19th Century, Chinese Celadon porcelain vase/lamp. Having wonderful scrolling embossed decoration to the whole and classical handles to either side. We can ha...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Chinese Porcelain Lamps
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of Chinese porcelain vases mounted as lamps. Square tapering vases with alternating panels with floral decorations on a white background. Mounted on mahogany colored bases. Wire...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Brass

Chinese Blue and White 19th Century Vase / lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A decorative late 19th Century Chinese export blue and white vase / lamp. Having wonderful flower and leaf decoration and mythical ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Hand Painted Porcelain Vase Lamp
Located in North Salem, NY
Very attractive one of a kind 19th century hand-painted Chinese porcelain vase lamp with double hung socket on turned shaped wood base. Ci...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage 1960s Chinese Ginger Jar Lamp
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Stunning Chinese Hollywood regency ginger jar lamp. Detailed, intricate vase includes irises and cherry blossoms. Carved wood stand....
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Chinese Export Mandarin Warrior Famille Rose Vase, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Mandarin Warrior Famille Rose Vase, Now as a Lamp The porcelain vase, China circa 1860 The gilt mountings and lamping USA, Circa 1925 A magnificent Chinese Export Man...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Converted Chinese Ginger Jar Lamp
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Beautiful and colorful vintage Chinese ginger jar that has been converted into a lap. The ginger jar is two pieces; vase and lid. Sits upon a dark wooded base. Ginger jar is masterfu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Chinese Cloisonné vase/ lamp, circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century Chinese Cloisonné vase / lamp. Having wonderful bold colour classical motif and floral decoratio...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Enamel

Marbro Asian Style Hand Painted Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Fulton, CA
Hand painted porcelain table lamp by The Marbro Lamp Company, circa. 1950's. Asian style ginger jar design with floral motif. Double pull-chain light sockets. Retaining Marbro labels...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Prunus blossom vase/lamp, circa 1890.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive late 19th Century Chinese Blue and White Prunus blossom vase/lamp, circa 1890 Batch 74 N/H
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Chinese 18th Century style Cinnabar lacquer vases / lamps.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very decorative and good quality pair of 18th Century style Chinese Cinnabar lacquer vases / lamps. Each with scrolling foliate and cla...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of porcelain lamps ormolu bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of very beautiful powder blue porcelain lamps ,the gourd-shaped are very rare ,the bronze are finely executed,high -end decoration they are in their original condition
Category

1890s French Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Chinese White & Blue Porcelain Ginger Vase Lamp, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Chinese pair of white and blue porcelain ginger vases with lid now mounted as table lamps with court scene, raised on wooden base. Dimensions: 13" H x 9" Diameter. Dealer: S138XX
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Metal

Chinese Soapstone Carved Vase as Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
ain intricately carved Chinese soapstone vase as custom table lamp with six (6) foo dogs chasing a ball, brownish-tan coloring, on a darker carv...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Soapstone

19th Century Famille Verte Vase Lamp Conversion on White Ground Large, Unusual
Located in Lomita, CA
The color palette, the size and the fine artwork on the surface of this late 19th century lamp make it stunning. This lamp has everything. Of circular section and baluster form with ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain, Hardwood

19th Century Chinese Blue and White crackle ware vase / lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A Chinese 19th Century Blue and White crackleware vase / lamp. Having a classical scene of a mother and child speaking to a traveller, a pair of ring drop bronzed handles in the mout...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Japanese Pagoda Form Porcelain Lamps
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A Rare Pair of Japanese Pagoda Form Porcelain Lamps. Beautifully glazed in very vibrant colors with gilt accents. Lamps are mounted on square carved ha...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Enamel

Pair of 18/19th Century Chinese Powder Blue Lamps
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
This pair of 18th/19th Century Chinese Blue lamps is a beautiful and elegant example of Chinese porcelain craftsmanship. Powder blue became popular on porcelains in the Kangxi reign....
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese carved root wood figural lamp bases
Located in Altrincham, GB
Pair of Chinese carved root wood figural lamp bases, worked as fishermen and converted to electric lamps - The lampshade(s) are newly handmade silks by the same maker as provides th...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Silk, Wood

Pair Chinese Porcelain Ginger Jar Lamps with Iron Red Decoration
Located in San Francisco, CA
each hand painted ginger jar with domed lid above a bulbous tapering body raised on a stained wooden base; painted with various figures in a landscape setting divided by cloud scroll...
Category

Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair 19th Century Rose Medallion porcelain vases / lamps.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An unusual and rare pair of 19th Century Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain vases / lamps. Each with wonderful raised decoration, depicting exotic flowers, fruit, butterflies and class...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ceramic Vases Mounted as Lamps, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Chinese ceramic vases mounted as lamps, 2, the vases of square baluster form with lion's masque-cast mounts, rims with losses, each decorated with peonies and calligraphic panels, on...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Table Lamp Japanese Porcelaine Hand Painted, in a Vase Shape circa 1910
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vase, table lamp, in porcelain. It has been made in Japan, circa 1910. The decorative pattern are flowers and Birds.The period is caracteristic by the detailed drawing, and the soft ...
Category

1910s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Red Lantern Floor Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Red Lantern Floor Lamp This limited edition Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Red Lantern Floor Lamp is crafted from antique elm tha...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Fabric, Elm

Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Cream Lantern Floor Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Cream Lantern Floor Lamp This limited edition Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Cream Lantern Floor Lamp is crafted from antique elm that is over a 100 years o...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Elm, Fabric, Wood

Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Brown Lantern Floor Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Brown Lantern Floor Lamp This limited edition Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Brown Lantern Floor Lamp is crafted from antique elm that is over a 100 years o...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Fabric, Elm

Pair Chinese Export Turquoise/ White Famille-Verte Floral Vases Now as Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair Chinese Export Turquoise/ White Famille-Verte Floral Vases now as Lamps Each one of square form, finely decorated with intricate turquoise enameled necks, the sides hand pai...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Wood, Porcelain

19th Century Exceptional Sang de Boeuf Ox Blood Table Lamp, Decorative Handles
Located in Lomita, CA
The intricately carved handles, or ears of this oxblood lamp cause it to stand out from the field of other lamps of this type. This piece is a 19th century sang de boeuf "Oxblood", r...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Copper

Large Chinese Ceramic Cylindrical Table Lamps
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large impressive and beautiful pair of vintage cylindrical Chinese table lamps having stunning decoration with birds and foliage in navy blue, burnt orange and gold against a white b...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Wood, Ceramic

Antique Chinese Blue & White Table Lamp
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classically elegant timeless vintage Chinese blue and white table lamp having lovely floral decoration. Custom shade is 10" h x 15 diamete...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Celadon Bottle Vases Mounted Lamps, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese celadon glazed ceramic porcelain bottle vases mounted as lamps, the vessels with incised scrolling floral decoration and ruyi borders, mounted with gilt brass on hard...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Celadon

Lovely Chinese Export circa 1920 Antique Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Table Lamp
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare hand painted and lacquered Chinese Export circa 1920s Chinoiserie table lamp with hand painted finish of a chap playing a flute T...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Wood

Pair Chinese 19th Century Crackleware Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive good quality pair of late 19th century Chinese crackleware vases, each with a white ground and bronzed boarder, motif and foliate decoration, circa 1890. Batch 7...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Midcentury Chinese Export Style Porcelain Tobacco Leaf Pattern Table Lamp
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Chinese Export style porcelain table lamp in the vibrant tobacco leaf pattern. The wiring is new, and it is mounted to a brass base. It is unmarked.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Samson Chinese Style Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Each baluster form ginger jars with powder blue ground with famille verte vignettes. Bronze bases. Single light with shades. A former Bunny Williams installation.
Category

1870s French Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Early 20th Century Chinese Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fabulous pair of early 20th century hardstone Chinese figural lamps. The finials are jade and come with the original silk shades. They measure 12 1/2 inches high with the base and 11...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Stone

Pair of Appliques in Carved and Polychrome Wood, Electrified, Macau xx Century
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pair of appliques in carved and polychrome wood from Macau, 20th Century These appliques are crafted from wood that has been intricately carved and painted with polychrome colors,...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Wood

LOVELY CHINESE EXPORT CIRCA 1920 ANTIQUE CHINOiSERIE BLACK LACQUER FLOOR LAMP
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare hand painted and lacquered Chinese Export circa 1920's Chinoiserie floor standing lamp Pleas...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Black Cloisonné Table Lamp with Floral Motif, China, circa 1890
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Offered is a stunning, 19th century cloisonné table lamp with a floral and bird motif. Rested upon decorative wooden stand. US PLUG ADAPTATOR WILL BE FURNISHED FOR FREE TO THE US BU...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Good Quality 19th Century Chinese Rose Medallion Vases
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of 19th century Chinese Cantonese / rose Medallion vases, each having the classical green ground with pink floral decoration, pierced blue handles to either ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Decorative Chinese Flying Foo Dogs Carved Wooden Base Table Lamps
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delivery needs! They offer a reasonable flat-rate fee for delivery and set up to the ground floor of your home. They deliver to the vast majority of the lower 48 states. They offer a flat rate for most of our items with exclusions for the largest or most complex items such as breakfronts or crystal chandeliers or other items of greater complexity. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase as these rates are different from our stated pricing. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase. Most deliveries to the East Coast will be 295.00, to the mid-west and Southern mid-west 395.00. To the areas west of Kansas 495.00 and the farthest points to the West coast will be 595.00. Again, some areas we can't cover, however we can deliver to most of the lower 48 states so please inquire to be sure! Delivery times range from as fast as 1-4 weeks for the east coast to 5-9 weeks to the farthest areas of the west coast, sometimes longer and sometimes even shorter. If it is a time sensitive purchase, we may be able to accommodate you for a higher price. It is our goal to please each and every one of our customers with the highest standard of service possible. You must realize and accept that we are shipping antique, vintage and quality used furnishings to your home. We cannot control traffic, weather, and acts of God. There will be times when additional patience will be necessary. This is a beautiful pair of flow blue Chinese...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Fruitwood

Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Chinese famille rose floral and bird porcelain lamp. Pink, green and teal colors on a white background. Lamp sits on a carved wooden ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of 20th Century Chinese Ginger Jar Lamps with Birds of Paradise and Vines
Located in New York, NY
Lovely pair of vintage Chinese table lamps, crafted in porcelain sometime during the 20th century. Designed in a traditional ginger jar shap...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Cinnabar Vase as Table Lamp
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a stunning Chinese cinnabar vase is intricately carved with Chinese figures and natural elements, situated on a wood base. 19th century. The size of the vase only is 11,81 in...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Blue and White Porcelain Jars Made into Wired Table Lamps
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Chinese Export blue and white porcelain jars with hand-painted Pagoda landscape scenes and newly mounted as table lamps on lucite bases. Created in China each of this pair ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Famille Rose table lamps with boughs of Flowers and Hand Painting
Located in Lomita, CA
A soft color palette on a blush-colored ground Famille Rose table lamp creates statement lighting. The overall pattern, porcelain quality and the colors of the pair are entirely Hand...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export lighting made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, popular names associated with this style include The Marbro Lamp Company, CANTON FAMILLE ROSE, Capodimonte, and Chapman Manufacturing Company. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $24,680 while the average work can sell for $2,406.

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