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.
Pair 19th Century Chinese Rose Medallion Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Pair 19th century Chinese Rose medallion / Cantonese spill vases, each with the classical Green ground, wonderful floral and foliate decorati...
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Export Table Lamp, Gray Porcelain & Brass Base
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese porcelain table lamp in a light gray hue and barrel shape on a wooden base with brass hardware. (Available in yellow: NWL2003) Ships without a shade."
Metal, Brass
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...
Enamel
Chinese Porcelain Bird Motif Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (20th Century) yellow and turquoise porcelain table lamp with bird design. Condition: (Ships without a shade)
Porcelain
19th Century Famille Rose Style Samson Porcelain Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century Famille rose style Samson porcelain lidded vase / lamp. Having classical oriental scenes with flowers, folate and motif decoration, inset painte...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Familie Rose Porcelaine and Gilt Bronze Lamps, Late 19th
Located in Warsaw, PL
A decorative pair of Chinese Famille Rose porcelain vases, later mounted as table lamps. The baluster-form bodies are finely hand-painted with figural court scenes depicting scholars...
Bronze
Chinese White and Blue Figurative Scene Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a white and blue baluster-shaped porcelain vase depicting a mother and children playing outside...
Metal, Brass
Chinese Cloisonné Double Dragon Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A fine 1960’s Chinese cloisonné enameled table lamp, decorated with the auspicious and joyous double dragon motif. Two dragons in yellow and green contend for a Flaming Pearl set aga...
Brass, Enamel
Stunning Pair of Early 19th Century Chinese Export Bronze Mounted Lamps
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A remarkable pair of early 19th century hand painted Rose Mandarin Chinese Export porcelain vases now as lamps. The vases are pre-1850 and lamped i...
Bronze
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...
Fabric, Elm
Early 20th Century Decalcomania Vase Lamp
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 20th Century large decalcomania vase lamp of baluster form depicting oriental figures, birds, butterflies and foliate detail set against g...
Ceramic
Pair Rose Medallion vases / lamps, 19th Century.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of 19th Century Chinese Canton / Rose medallion vases / lamps. Each with wonderful bold classical greens and pinks, pairs of gilded Foo dog handles. The grou...
Porcelain
A fine pair of 19th century Rose Medallion and gilt bronze mounted lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century pair of Rose Medallion porcelain lamps with gilt bronze bases.
Bronze
Porcelain Crackle Glaze Table Lamps Chinese Inspired Pair with Custom Shades
Located in Stamford, CT
Porcelain crackle glaze table lamps. Chinese inspired pair of mint green table lamps each with a custom shade. The pair sitting on teak bases wit...
Porcelain
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...
Fabric, Elm, 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...
Fabric, Elm
Large Pair of Canton / Rose Medalion Chinese Vases / Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of large 19th century Chinese Canton vases / lamps. Each with a green ground with flowers, foliage, butterflies and birds surr...
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Canton Porcelain Table Lamp, Famille Rose
Located in MONTPELLIER, FR
Late 19th century Chinese Canton porcelain vase, later converted into a table lamp. This finely hand-painted Famille Rose porcelain vase features traditional court scenes within sha...
Metal, Brass
Associated Pair of 19th Century Chinese Porcelain Mirror Black Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
Associated pair of 19th century Chinese porcelain mirror black lamps, circa 1880 Baluster Classic form. Both on old hardwood bases. Two similar age...
Porcelain, Hardwood
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...
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.
Porcelain
Chinese Export Black Ceramic Table Lamp with Floral and Bird Design
Located in Savannah, GA
Chinese Export table lamp made from a graceful vase decorated with colorful birds, dogwood branches and fruit on an orange peel surface. The hardware is brass and the vase is perched...
Brass
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.
Porcelain
Chinese Carved Jadeite Guanyin with Cat, Mounted as a Lamp, Circa 1920s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Carved Jadeite Guanyin with Cat, Mounted as a Lamp on French Bronze Base with Longevity Finial, Circa 1920, Two pieces of Jadeite, the Lamp (co...
Metal, Bronze
1940s Chinese Blanc-de-Chine Figural Lamp of the Goddess Guanyin
Located in Cookeville, TN
A beautifully rendered blanc-de-chine porcelain figural lamp depicting the revered Chinese goddess Guanyin, dating to the 1940s. The sculpture features graceful drapery, serene expre...
Metal
Pair of Yellow Ground German Porcelain Vases with Flower and Bird Decoration
Located in New York, NY
A pair of beautiful yellow ground German porcelain vases mounted as lamps hand painted with flowers, bird and insect decorations. Each of these lamps are beautifully hand painted wit...
Porcelain, Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Celadon vase/lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality early 19th Century Chinese Celedon porcelain vase / lamp. Having a wonderful bellied form with classical embossed motif decoration around, shell like handles to e...
Ormolu
Large Chinese Carved and Painted Wooden Buddha Head Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese carved bleached wood table lamp with Buddha head on a square giltwood base with a giltwood head piece under a three light top with central...
Glass, Wood
$2,895 / set
Pair of Chinese Modern Brass Lamps
By E. F. Chapman, The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Chinese Modern Brass Lamps. A great pair of well detailed Chinese modern or Asian modern brass table lamps This versatile pair of Hollywood ...
Brass
Imposing Pair of Chinese Oxblood Glazed Porcelain Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
each large and richly glazed vase of baluster form with wiped rim and base featuring striated and speckled oxblood glazed body with deep lavender/blue overtones
Ceramic
$1,376Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Chinese Export Chinoiserie Floor Lamp For The English Market
Located in New Orleans, LA
An outstanding antique lacquered, hand painted and hand crafted chinoiserie Chinese Export floor lamp, made for the English market and dating from about 1920. This is a quality lamp ...
Brass, Gold Leaf
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...
Porcelain
Pair Of Vintage Table Lamps, Oriental Ceramic, Accent Light, Hall, Lounge, Study
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of vintage table lamps. An Oriental, ceramic baluster form accent light with Continental revival taste, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1990. Pleasing lamps wi...
Ceramic
Pair Chinese famille Rose vases / lamps, C19th.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite pair of 19th-century Chinese Famille Rose porcelain vases have been elegantly transformed into lamps. Characterized by vibrant, multicolored floral motifs and intricat...
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century Rose Medallion, Canton Vases or Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive pair of 19th Century Chinese cantonese, rose medallion vases or lamps. Having panels of classical oriental scenes, also flowers, birds and butterflies amongst a green b...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Phoenix Table Lamp
Located in Essex, MA
Colorful phoenix bird representing renewal, rebirth and immortality.. Mounted as a lamp on a molded brass base. Single socket.
Brass
$7,551 / set
Pair C19th Rose Medallion vases / lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and decorative pair of Chinese Celadon/ Rose medallion vases / lamps. Each with a light green ground, inset panels depicting classical oriental scene and gilded liz...
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Powder Blue Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A striking 19th century Chinese power blue vase / lamp with French gilded ormolu mounts to the top and plinth base.
Ormolu
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...
Porcelain
Wood Chinese Table Lamp, with Hand Carved Butterfly Decoration Pa, China 1880
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a table lamps in wood, handcarved. With butterfly decor pattern. It has been made in china circa 1880. Brown color. Rond Shape. USA PLUG A...
Wood
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...
Hardwood, Beads
Late 20th-C. Chinese Export Style Table Lamp - Monkey With Pomegranates
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century Chinese Export style table lamp depicting a monkey with pomegranites . It is mounted on a wood base with brass accents. It is in very good condition.
Brass
Pair 19th Century Famille Verte Chinese Porcelain Lamps
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Chinese Famille Verte Hand-Painted Porcelain Lamps. Each lamp features a proportioned porcelain body, transitioning from a faceted base to a rounded shoulder and neck. The su...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Hat Stands Mounted as Lamps
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Chinese enamel and pierced Porcelain Wig / hat Stands Mounted as Lamps, with Ebonized wooden base. Measures 6" in width x 6" in depth x 18.5" in height to the top light bu...
Brass
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...
Porcelain
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...
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.
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Celadon Glaze Porcelain Vases Mounted as Table Lamps
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Chinese Celadon Glaze Porcelain Vases Mounted as Table Lamps Dimensions: 5" in width, 5" in depth and 21.5 inches in height.
Celadon, Porcelain
Pair of 20th Century Chinoiserie Brass Candles Sconces
Located in Germantown, MD
Measures 37" in width x 18" in depth at the base x 41.5" in height.
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Famille Verte Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century Chinese Famille Verte vase/lamp. Having classical green motif and symbol decoration, mythical dog of faux handles either side. Mounted on a gilded wo...
Porcelain
Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase with Ebonized Base Mounted as Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
A Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Table Lamp with Ebonized Base Measures 6" in width, 6" in depth and 19" in height to the top of the bulb socket and 27" in height to the top of the ...
Brass, Enamel
Pair Of Chinese Phoenix Bird Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
The birds now mounted as lamps with colorful bodies and hardwood bases. Two light sockets with jade finials.
Brass
Chinese Hand Painted Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Chinese table lamp made with a converted fragrance vase as the base. The vase is hand painted with two long-tailed blue birds perched on flowering Cherry blossom branch. Below is a...
Ceramic
$956Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Porcelain, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Famille Verte Chinese Export Crackle Ware Vase Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th century Famille Verte Chinese Export porcelain crackle ware vase lamps on carved hardwood square bases. Entirely hand decorated, each slightly different from the other. ...
Ceramic, Hardwood
Tang Dynasty Style Pewter and Brass Horse Mount Table Lamp by Frederick Cooper
Located in New York, NY
Chic Asia Modern, Hollywood Regency, Chinese style table lamp, depicting a Tang Dynasty style horse constructed of pewter and brass table, with flowing hair tail. This example is in ...
Brass, Pewter
Chinese Porcelain Vase Mounted as Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
This is a rather stunning Chinese porcelain vase made for export to the West in the early 20th century. The vase has been mounted on a heavy brass base. The porcelain is painted wit...
Porcelain
$716Sale Price|20% Off
Japanese Vase with Black Background in the Style of Chinese Famille Verte
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Japanese Vase with Black Background in the Style of Chinese Famille Verte. Well decorated with woman in a garden. No chips, cracks or repairs, drilled for electricity 21" h to socke...
Porcelain
Chinese Famille Jaune Enameled Porcelain Vase Mounted as Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
A Chinese Famille Jaune Enameled Porcelain Vase Mounted as Lamp. Measures: 6" in width, 6" in depth and 29.5" in height to the of the finial.
Enamel
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Porcelain, Wood