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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
LOVELY ANTiQUE STYLE CHINESE PORCELAIN LARGE TABLE LAMP SUPER DECORATIVE FINISH
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely ex-display Chinese Porcelain table lamp with lovely original finish Please note the delivery f...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Lamp Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Chinese Export porcelain lamp bases mounted in French Louis XVI style bronze dore.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Chinese Off-White and Blue Figurative Scene Stoneware Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) table lamp made from an off-white and blue stoneware vase with carved floral bands, two small decorative handles, and a scene depicting two women...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

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. H: 116cm, D: 60cm 
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Off-White Orange and Pink Floral Motif Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of similar Chinese porcelain table lamps made from off-white, urn-shaped vases with pink, orange and green florals, berries, leaves and snap dragons with wooden bases and brass...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Metal, 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

Pair of Chinese Style Filigree Gilt Wood Dragon Floor Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) carved and filigree gilt wood 6 sided dragon base floor lamps with round brass filigree shade (PRICED AS Pai...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

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 boarders with scrolling foliate decoration and handles. Scenes of birds, ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Important Chinese blue ceramic lamp with butterflies, Quing Thongzhi, China 1865
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Important Chinese lamp in blue ceramic decorated with butterflies and flowers. China. QING dynasty, Tongzhi era, 1861-1875 Blackened wooden base In excellent condition, electricity ...
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain, Wood, Ceramic

Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Green Jadeite Quartz Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A relatively large Chinese carved stone lamp mounted on a stepped brass and a carved wood base. The carved stone is often referred to as Jadeite or Quartz but is in fact from the flu...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Quartz

Pair of Samson Chinese Export Style Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Baluster form decorated with a central crest with overall reds, greens and blues.
Category

1890s French Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Mid Century Mahogany Chinese Dragon Lantern Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly unusual and whimsical mid century Chinese lamp made up of a carved wood standing dragon on a circular wooden pedestal with toupee feet serving as a lamp stand with a pag...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Linen, Mahogany

Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Ginger Jar Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century Chinese Famille rose lidded ginger jar lamps, each with wonderful colorful scenes depicting vases, motifs and floral decoration, raised on pierced...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Vase / lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th Century Chinese Famille Rose vase, having a yellow ground with floral decoration. An inset hand painted panel depicting exotic birds flowers and trees. C...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Style Large Pair of Chinese Jar Lamps in Sang de Boeuf Glaze
Located in Richmond, London
A splendid pair of 18th century style Chinese temple jar lamps of grand scale, in Sang de Boeuf glaze. China, mid/late 20th century.  Why we like them Richly coloured, of well-draw...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Pottery

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

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

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

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

19th Century Samson Famille Rose Style Ormolu Mounted Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century Samson porcelain, Famille Rose style porcelain lidded vase / lamp. Having wonderful colorful classical oriental motif, floral and foliate decora...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

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 socke...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Chinese blue and white Ginger jar vases / lamps, C19th.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An unusual pair of late 19th Century Chinese blue and white ginger jar lamps. Each with hand painted motif decoration to the gro...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

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...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Pottery Parrot Roof Tile Table Lamp W / Bamboo Shade
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Chinese Export earthenware parrot roof tile that has been converted into a lamp. The bamboo shade is new. It measures 12”D x 7”H. The wrong is new as well.
Category

Early 20th Century Cypriot Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Pottery, Bamboo, Wood

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

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...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Famille Verte Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 18th century style Chinese Famille verte vase / lamp. Having bold classical Chinese scenes of courtiers under pagoda buildings and in gardens playing games and on...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

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...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Large Pair of Rose Medallion 19th Century Vases or Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century Chinese rose medallion / Cantonese vases / lamps. Each having classical Chinese scenes of people in gardens and on verandas...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

Large Pair 19th Century Rose Medallion Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of 19th century Chinese Rose medallion vases / lamps. Each with wonderful bold classical Cantonese birds, flower, butterflies in Green, white and pink, inset hand painted panels depicting exotic birds and scenes of various courtiers, scholars, women and children. Mounted on carved gilt wood stands. We can convert the vases to lamps...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

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

Samson Porcelain Famille Rose Style Lidded Vase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century Famille Rose style porcelain lidded vase / lamp. Having wonderful colorful floral and motif decoration with scenes of vases with exotic flowers....
Category

Late 19th Century French 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

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 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

Pair of Kerosene Lamps with Birds in Chinese Style
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of French antique kerosene lamps. The bronze paunch is decorated with birds on branches and flowers in Chinese style. What makes these lamps stun...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Bronze

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.
Category

Early 20th Century American Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Enamel

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...
Category

1880s German Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

19th Century, Chinese Blue and White vase / lamp. 56cm (22") high
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive, good quality late 19th Century Chinese export blue and white crackleware vase / lamp. Having wonderful hand painted scenes of soldiers on horseback and running holding...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

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 ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Large Pair of 19th Chinese Yellow and Green Ground Vases/ lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large, good quality pair of 19th century Chinese green and yellow ground vases, each with classical motif decoration, scrolling flowers, leaves an...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Century Chinese Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very decorative pair of 20th Century Chinese porcelain vases / lamps. Each with blue coloured classical motif decoration boarders and Deer head handles, inset hand painted panels ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Chinese Export Style Green Embossed Gourd Table Lamps - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love the color! This is a pair of mid-century Chinese Export style gourd lamps .They have dual sockets and adjustable stems. The bases and caps are brass, and the bodies are a rais...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Brass

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

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.
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Brass

Chinese 19th Century Sang Du Bouf Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century Chinese Sang du Bouf porcelain vase / lamp. Having gilded ormolu mounts.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Rose Medallion lamp.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century Chinese Rose medallion vase / lamp. Having classical inset hand painted panels depicting classical scenes of various courtier, the ground in the typi...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Crackle Glazed Vase Mounted as a Table Lamp, 19th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Chinese Crackle Glazed Vase Mounted as a Table Lamp. Chinese monochrome crackle-glazed vase with opposing black lion masks, now mounted a...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

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

Pair 19th Century Rose Medallion Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th Century Chinese Cantonese vases / lamps. Each with classical green ground, wonderful exotic floral decoration, butterflies and birds. The vases can be co...
Category

19th Century Chinese 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, depictin...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

Sang De Boeuf, Ormolu Mounted Vase, by Rookwood 1936, Now as a Lamp, Dark Glaze
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sang de Boeuf, Ormolu Mounted Vase, by Rookwood Pottery 1936, now as a Lamp, Light Glaze Beautiful glazed vase raised on four ormolu elegant paw feet, attributed to E.F. Caldwell (O...
Category

1930s American Vintage Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

Chinese Export Lamp
Located in Stockton, NJ
A blue and white motif Chinese export vase, now as lamp. Interesting raised dragon detail. Distress painted base. Two sockets. Shade for display purposes only. Vase measures 19"H.
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

A Pair of Chinese Export Hunt Scene Porcelain Lamps
Located in Savannah, GA
A pair of Chinese export hunt scene porcelain lamps, 20th century. 7 inches wide by 6 inches deep by 20 inches tall; 16 ½ inches to top of wooden cover
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Porcelain

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

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.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Celadon, Porcelain

Pair Antique 19c Chinese Gilt Cloisonne Covered Prunus Ginger Jar Table Lamps
Located in Richmond, CA
A matching pair of antique Chinese 19c azure blue ground cloisonne covered ginger jars, on gilt bronze body finely decorated with prunus blossoms in a rocky garden scene, with ruyi h...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Bronze

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

Large 19th Century Rose Medallion Vase or Lamp, Ormolu Mounted
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century Chinese rose medallion / canton vase / lamp, having wonderful gilded ormolu scrolling foliate Rococo style mounts with putti seated on either side. The...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting

Materials

Ormolu

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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