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 White Floral Patterned Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese white ceramic table lamp made from a bulbous vase decorated with colorful florals, mounted on a wooden base and fitted with brass hardwa...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Striking Chinese Cinnabar Table Lamp with Foo Dog on Lid
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking red carved wood Chinese cinnabar table lamp having a sculptural round lidded urn like shape with handles and detailed foo dog finial as well as...
Category
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Modern Chinese Abacus Table Lamp, circa 1960
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Chinese abacus table lamp in hardwood with an ebonized counting frame and brass accents. Used for centuries in the Near East. This particular lamp is...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
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)
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinoiserie Style Figural Pottery Attendant Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinoiserie Style Figural Pottery Attendant Lamp
1960s
Height: 26 in Width: 8 in Depth: 8 in
Revel in the exotic allure of this Chinoiserie style figu...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Pottery, Hardwood
$1,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Gilt Metal Mounted Vase as Table Lamp
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely Chinese Famille Rose vase decorated with a centralized scene depicting Classic Chinese figures and floral motif, electrified as a lamp and ensconced in ornate gilt m...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal
Brass Asian Style Table Lamp with Birds, Dragons and Bamboo Detail
Located in Toledo, OH
A beautiful brass table lamp. This lovely Asian inspired lamp features birds, bamboo and floral detail with dragon form handles. The shade is not included. The dimensions are 32.5" H...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Vintage Oriental Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
A wonderful vintage Oriental ceramic table lamp, dating from the 1960’s.
It is of excellent quality and depicts a lovely subject of a boy riding a bull. It is full of character and ...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Archaistic Chinese Carved Agate and Gilt Metal Lamp
Located in New York, US
Our beautiful carved agate in archaistic urn-form features the figures of a wise man and female dancer and was mounted as a lamp in the early 20th century. It is mounted on a carved ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Agate, Metal
Antique Chinese Famille Rose & Bird Design Porcelain Vase Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese table lamp made from an 18th century porcelain vase mounted with wood and brass hardware as a lamp, with a multi-colored fam...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Chinese Style Black Iron Filigree Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19/20th Century) tall black iron filigree design tiered table lamp on a round base.
Ships without a shade
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of Vintage Chinese Yellow and Green Tole Palm Tree Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Vintage Chinese tole table lamps in the shape of palm trees, painted yellow and green, resting on octagonal bases and mounted with brass hardware. (PRICED AS Pair)
Ships wit...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Bronze Vase 19th Century Mounted as a Table Lamp
Located in Miami, FL
The cloisonné enamel bronze vase is mounted in table lamp.
The quality of the piece is very interesting as an object by itself.
The shape is unu...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Chinese Blue & White Rooster & Florals Design Porcelain Vase Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese table lamp made from a porcelain vase mounted with wood and brass hardware as a lamp, with blue roster and floral design aga...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Chinese Gilt Brass Mounted Celadon Porcelain Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mid 20th Century Chinese Gilt Brass Mounted Celadon porcelain lamp with molded elephant ring handles and matching finial. Harp and finial included. Molded blue floral motif throughou...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
Antique Chinese Famille Rose Multi-Colored Porcelain Vase Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese table lamp made from an 18th century porcelain vase mounted with wood and brass hardware as a lamp, with a famille rose intr...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Orange and White Dragon Motif Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a round, luster porcelain vase with an orange and gold hexagonal patterned ground against two white cartouches depicting dr...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
$1,293 Sale Price
25% Off
Chinese Celadon porcelain Vase / lamp, circa 1860.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite Chinese Celadon vase from the early 19th century is remarkable for its unusual relief decoration, showcasing intricate motifs of flora and fauna. The vase is adorned w...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Large Chinese Blue Grey Pottery Table Lamps
Located in Sheffield, MA
Highly decorative over-size stunning blue and white Asian style ginger jar lamp featuring a blue and white body with Chinese characters and decorative fish details. Including blue Be...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
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
Ceramic, Wood
$1,650 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Chinese White Porcelain Ginger Jar Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Century) white porcelain ginger jar form lamp with foliate & bird details mounted on a round wood base.
Ships wi...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Chinese Ginger Jar Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (20th Cent) ginger jar shaped table lamp with a black, green & blue background with figures on a wood base.
Ships without a shade
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s[A]
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s
Black background with gold Chinoiserie Decoration, Depicting:
Figure, Houses, Trees & foliage
Circular base with 3 bun shaped gilt fe...
Category
1930s British Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Lacquer
![Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s[A]](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/chinoiserie-decorated-standard-lamp-circa-1930sa-for-sale/f_81422/f_422423021731142173003/f_42242302_1731142174296_bg_processed.jpg?width=240 "Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s[A]")
$714 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Porcelain Hand Painted Porcelain Lamp
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A hand painted Chinese porcelain lamps with an imperial yellow background. The white porcelain with cartouches of aristocratic women in a floral background with intricately detailed ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
$1,250 / set
Fine Pair of 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted Chinese Porcelain Vases Oil Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of Chinese Export, 19th century porcelain bottle vases mounted with French ormolu as oil lamps. The well potted ovoid light pale-green porcelain pear...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
$7,895 Sale Price / set
39% Off
Porcelain Crackle Glaze Table Lamps Chinese Inspired Pair with Custom Shades
Located in Manhasset, NY
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...
Category
1960s Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Rare Antique Chinese Porcelain Zhadou Lamps, Famille Rose, 1875-1908
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this Rare Pair of massive Antique Chinese Zhadou Lamps With Famille Rose Design..
This pair is called Zhadou, these are traditional vessels with a bulbous body and flare...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Orange and Gold Crane Design Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a round, orange, luster porcelain, lidded vase decorated with a gold crane design on one side an...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Large Chinese Double Gourd Ceramic Lamp
Located in London, GB
Large Chinese Double Gourd Ceramic Lamp on wooden base
20th Century.
In good condition commensurate of age.
Shade not included
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Mid-Century Style Turquoise Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of table lamps crafted in porcelain in a classic asian form with an alluring blue glaze and presented on lucite bases.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Lucite
Asian Motif Etched Brass Free Standing Floor Lamp, circa 1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
Asian Motif etched brass free standing floor lamp, circa 1920
Finely etched brass floor lamp
Dimensions: 17" triangular base x 69" high t...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
2 Exclusive Table Lamps Chinese Woman and Man on a Pillow Brass
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very exclusive table lamps made of brass, and they are hand painted.
A woman and a man sitting in the lotus position holding their "umbrella".
High qu...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Orange and Gold Bouquet Design Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a round, orange, luster porcelain vase with with a gold floral bouquet design, mounted on a brown wooden base and fitted wi...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Famille Noir Vase as Table Lamp
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very decorative Famille Noir vase with colorful flowers and leaves painted overall on a black background, situated on pierced rosewood base, electrified and converted to a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Large 19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Vase or Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Chinese Famille rose vase or lamp. Having beautifully painted panels depicting mortals in a temple and gardens, set in a floral surrounds and having gilded...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ormolu
Antique Chinese Famille Rose Procession Scene Design Porcelain Vase Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese table lamp made from an 18th century porcelain vase mounted with wood and brass hardware as a lamp, a multi-colored famille rose and genre scene depicting a processio...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Chinese Teal Cylindrical Patterned Cloisonne Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese cylindrical table lamp made from a teal and gold-patterned cloisonne vase painted with floral arrangements and fruit bowls with a brown woode...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass, Enamel
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
$718 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Chinese Blue & White Rooster & Florals Design Porcelain Vase Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese table lamp made from a 19th century porcelain vase mounted with wood and brass hardware as a lamp, with blue roster and flor...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Yellow Balancing Scene Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Chinese ceramic table lamps made from yellow, urn-shaped vases decorated with hand-painted figurative scenes of men on balance beams, and wooden ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique Chinese Orange and White Cartouche Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a round, luster ceramic vase with an orange and gold hexagonal patterned ground against two white cartouches depicting natu...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair Chinese 19th Century Powder blue porcelain vases / lamps.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Pair Chinese 19th Century Powder Blue vases / lamps. Each with Blue and gilded ground, inset hand painted panels depicting classical battle scenes of warriors on horse back.
We can ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
19th C Chinese Glazed Ceramic Lamp
Located in Charleston, SC
This earth-toned ceramic lamp features a porcelain Chinese dragon flying through clouds. Additionally, it features a lace cuff surrounding the neck with dogwoods. The base is brass w...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
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 Pale Yellow and Colorful Floral Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese porcelain table lamp made from a pale yellow, rounded vase decorated with a brightly colored floral design mounted on a wooden base with wooden top and brass hardware.
Ship...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese blue and white porcelain vase / lamp, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite late 19th-century Chinese blue and white vase lamp showcases traditional craftsmanship with intricate hand-painted designs. The vase features delicate motifs of floral...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
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
19th Century Chinese Bronze Urn as Lamp
Located in Norwood, NJ
19th century Chinese bronze urn as lamp. Decorated with florals and dragon in high relief. Surmounted by two handles depicting phoenix...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Table Lamp Oriental Colors 19th Century, China
Located in New York, NY
Table lamp oriental colors 19th century, China. A table lamp made during the 19th century in China. Multicolored with gilded details.
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Chinese Style Porcelain Imari Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style porcelain table lamp with Imari style floral decoration on round wood base.
Category
20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Chinese Gray Barrel Porcelain Table Lamp
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."
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese Dark Blue and Red Cherry Blossom Tree Motif Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese porcelain table lamp made from a richly colored dark blue vase with a red, pink and white budding cherry blossom tree climbing up its form, a w...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
A Cream Color Ceramic Lamp on Giltwood Base with Linen Shade
Located in New York, NY
A ceramic lamp in a lovely cream-colored glaze with a graceful silhouette. The warm giltwood base gives the lamp a soft. elegance. With their neutral color, these lamps can work anyw...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Ceramic, Giltwood
Chinese Off-White and Figurative Scene Porcelain Urn Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) table lamp made from an off-white, urn-shaped, porcelain vase depicting a joyful scene of gift-bearing children greeting elders in a pastoral Set...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
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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