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
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
Chinese Export Barley Twist Lacquer Decorated Floor Lamp
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A made for the English market, Chinese export carved to a barley twist floor lamp, once probably a torchiere. Lacquered in black and burnished with gold Asian motifs. Classic, chic a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Paint
Chinese Export Adjustable Height Floor Lamp
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Chinese export floor lamp with adjustable height. The height can be adjusted up to 76".
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Mahogany
Chinese Pink Cherry Blossom Tree Motif Table Lamp Mounted on a Wooden Base
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese off-white porcelain table lamp made from a bulbous vase with a budding green and pink cherry blossom tree growing up its form, a wooden base, and brass hardware.
Ships witho...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century Pair Chinese Rose Medallion Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful quality and unusual colour pair of 19th Century Chinese Rose medallion porcelain vases / lamps. Having this rare yellow ground with the classical Cantonese floral decorat...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Large Pair of Canton / Rose Medallion Vases or Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive pair of 19th century Chinese Cantonese or rose medallion vases or lamps. Each with wonderful bold colors, with classical oriental scenes of courtiers walking around...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
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
Pair 19th Century Chinese Celadon lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Pair of late 19th Century Chinese Celadon porcelain vases / lamps, each with two scrolling Lilly pad arms, raised on finely hand carved hardwood stands.
Batch 81 N/H
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Export Ginger Jar Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Covered ginger jar converted to lamp. Overall ginger jar diameter is 10.5" wide at its widest point. The custom parchment shade is 19" in diameter and 9" high. Dore bronze mounts are...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Famille Verte Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century Chinese Famille Verte vase or lamp. Having wonderful hand painted inset panels to the green ground, depicting birds, flowers and various plants. Tape...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Bronze Asian Lamps Style of James Mont Pair
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite pair of bronze Asian lamps. These lamps are well designed, heavy and would look extra special in an Asian inspired room. James Mont styl...
Category
1940s Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Importance Chinese Lamp from the Beginning of the 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Importance Chinese lamp from the beginning of the 20th century mounted on gold gilt bronze.
Measures: Height 1m10.
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
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 White Porcelain Vase Lamp
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century white glazed porcelain vase, the body with incised decoration.
Now wired as a table lamp.
Dimensions refer to vase only and do not include electrical compon...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Fine pair Antique Chinese Export Orange Ground & 24K Gilt Vases Turned to Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Antique 19th Century Chinese Export Orange Ground and 24K Gilt Decorated Vases later turned to Lamps. This is a truly beautiful pair of...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Porcelain Nanking Crackle Glaze Famille Rose Vase Lamp 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
A vintage Chinese porcelain ovoid jar vase with Nanking style crackle glaze and decorated in famille rose with warrior figures in a battle scene, electrified and turned into a lamp o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Qing Period Blue and White Chinese Export Hat Stand, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Qing Period Blue and White Chinese Export Hat Stand, Now as a Lamp
China, 19th Century Lamped in the 20th century
19th-century Qing Period Blue and White Chinese Expor...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Antique Chinese Sang De Boeuf Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very decorative 19th century Chinese sang de boeuf baluster vase, converted to a lamp. Mounted on a carved hardwood stand.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Sang De Boeuf Vase Mounted as a Table Lamp, 20th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Chinese Sang de Boeuf Vase mounted as a table lamp.
An attractive Chinese sang de boeuf vase with a flared rim, the neck gradually transfo...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Chinese Celadon vases / lamps, late 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and decorative pair of late 19th Century Chinese Celadon porcelain vases / lamps. Each with wonderful raised floral and folate decoration with birds perched on the ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Carved Green Quartz Censor, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Carved Green Quartz Censor, Now as a Lamp
A captivating Chinese-carved green quartz censor was skillfully transformed into a lamp, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and art...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Quartz, Metal
Chinese Black Glazed Porcelain Lamp With Gilt Metal Mounts
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This handsome Chinese black porcelain vase is mounted with gilt metal fittings.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Lovely Chinese Export circa 1920 Antique Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Table Lamp
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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 of Chinese Celadon Porcelain Vases / Lamps, circa 1920
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very decorative pair of 18th century style Chinese Celadon porcelain two handled vases / lamps, raised on carved pierced hardwood stands, circa 1920.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Ceramic Oriental Table Lamps, Decoration, Bronze, 19th C.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of Ceramic Oriental Table Lamps, Decoration, Bronze, 19th C.
A fine pair of porcelain vase style table lamps depicting gathered figur...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Teak
Two Antique Cloisonné Enamel and Gilt Bronze Lamps
Located in London, GB
These antique lamps feature beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel bodies and fine French gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts.
Each item is comprised of two light sockets, which are attached ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Rose Ormolu Mounted Rose Medallion Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century Chinese rose medallion Cantonese vase / lamp, having wonderful gilded ormolu mounts to the top and base. Hand painted classical oriental scenes, depi...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Export Urn Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally a covered Chinese jar converted to lamp with very fine French dore bronze mounts. Beautiful bronze finial. Custom parchment shade dimension is 15" in diameter x 9.5" high.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Lamps in Black Cloisonné Enamel and Gilt Bronze, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Origin: probably China and France.
Pair of bottles shaped lamps in black cloisonné enamel mounted with chiseled and gilt bronze mount with a quadripod...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Enamel, Bronze
lamp table abacus suanpan chinese calculator 13 rods 2 heaven 5 earth beads
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
CHINESE, HARDWOOD, ABACUS OR SUANPAN WITH 13 RODS, TWO HEAVEN BEADS & FIVE EARTH BEADS UPCYCLED INTO A TABLE LAMP, 16½“ HIGH
Fun and engaging, interactive table lamp that can also be used as calculating tool
As well as providing light, this table lamp can be used as a calculation tool by sliding the counters along the rods. In addition to the basic functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, the abacus can calculate square and cubic roots.
Each bead in the upper deck...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Hardwood, Beads
Chinese porcelain lamp decorated with flowers and peacocks, China, Early 20th
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Asian porcelain vase mounted as a lamp.
Floral and animal decor: peacocks.
China, first part of the 20th century.
Very good condition, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Asian Chinese wall sconce, painted birds, China, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Lantern-shaped wall sconce.
Wooden structure carved with dragons.
Glasses painted with birds and floral bouquets.
China, circa 1900
In very good condition.
Dimensions:
height 43 c...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Glass, Wood
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
Classic Blue and White Ginger Jar Table Lamp by Chapman
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic blue and white ginger jar table lamp by Chapman. Lamp depicts Asian scenery and has a black base. Finial is a matte black...
Category
1990s North American Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Green Painted and Gilt Tôle Tea Canister Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Of cylindrical form with incurved top; elaborately decorated with a central cartouche enclosing a Mandarin figure leaning against tea chests set above the number 11, flanked by pseud...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese 19th Century Famille Noire Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century Chinese famille noire vase / lamp. Having wonderful prunus blossom and chrysanthemums with birds among them, raised on a pierced ormolu base.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
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
Vintage Blue & White Porcelain Foo Dogs Table Lamp
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage blue and white porcelain foo dogs table lamp, circa 1950s. The lamp is in good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Chinese Export Prunus Vase, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Prunus Vase, Now as a Lamp
Early 20th Century, China
Dimensions: Height: 24 in Diameter: 7 in
Bring home this beautifully crafted Chinese E...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Pair Chinese Celadon Porcelain Vases / Lamps, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very decorative pair of late 19th century Chinese Celadon porcelain two handled vases, each with embossed classical motif decoration. Mounted on faux Sienna marble plinths and wire...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Bayeux Porcelain Pair of Lamps, Canton Style, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Bayeux porcelain lamps on a white background with a polychromatic decoration in the Chinese Canton style porcelain. On one side, a scene with Chinese dignitaries on a cartouc...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain and Patinated Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (early 20th century) table lamps crafted from Chinese porcelain urns in the Famille Rose style
Pair of Chinese famillie rose table lamps. Al...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair Rose Medallion Chinese vases / lamps, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Pair of good quality 19th Century Chinese Rose medallion porcelain vases / lamps. Each vase having the unusual pink colouring, bird handles to either side, and Lizards. The inset han...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Porcelain Hat Stand Table Lamp
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is a colorful antique Chinese porcelain hat stand, depicting a group of women in a traditional Chinese setting, converted into an eleg...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Rosewood, Linen, 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
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
Gilt Bronze Mounted Chinese Canton Famille Rose Porcelain Lamps
Located in London, GB
These elegant lamps are crafted from Chinese Canton famille rose porcelain and mounted with French gilt bronze (ormolu). The lamps featur...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Oriental Porcelain Celadon Glazed Painted Vase Mounted as a Lamp 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
An oriental porcelain
Celadon-Glazed painted
Vase mounted as a lamp
20th century.
Of meiping form painted
with flowering branches of peonies
and poem inscription,
on turned wood stand...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Celadon
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Crackelware Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of late 19th century Chinese crackleware vases / lamps. Each with oriental style ormolu mounts to the top and bottom. Cla...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Table Lamp, Chinese, Porcelaine, Hand Painted, in a Vase Shape, China circa 1940
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vase, table lamp, in porcelain. It has been made in china, circa 1940.
The decorative pattern are flowers and leaves.
Category
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Porcelain Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully painted 19th Century Chinese vessel converted to lamp. Wooden base. Custom parchment shade is 10" high x 16" wide.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Enamel
Chinese Art Deco Turquoise Craquelure Porcelain Vase Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Art Deco turquoise craquelure porcelain vase lamp with stylised
foo dog handles. Original brass base and lamp cap.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Pair Chinese Blue and White crackleware vases / lamps, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of late 19th Century Chinese blue and White crackleware vases / lamps. Each with bronzed scrolling impressed boaders and handles. The crackleware ground with scro...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Midcentury Chinese Export Style Porcelain Tobacco Leaf Pattern Table Lamp
By Mottahedeh
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
Porcelain Ginger Jar Form Floral / Botanical Table Lamps Att. Chelsea House-Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely pair of porcelain ginger jar form hand painted table lamps attributed to Chelsea House. The vase portion is 12 inches in height. They rest on gilt Asian footed...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Giltwood
Antique Chinese Ching Dynasty Seated Famille Rose Figurines Designer Table Lamps
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinese Ching Dynasty seated famille rose figurines now designer table lamps. These lovely figures set freely on the lamp stands and have not bee...
Category
18th Century Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Pottery
Beautiful Satsuma Style Decorations & Elegant Gilt Gold Detailing Porcelain Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This exquisite 20th-century porcelain table lamp showcases exceptional craftsmanship with its beautifully painted Satsuma-style decorations and elegant gilt gold detailing. The lamp’...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Wood, Paint
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Crackle Ware Vases/Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of Chinese blue and white crackle ware vases / lamps, each with oriental figures looking up at bats flying around the sky.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
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.