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Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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
Period: Early 20th Century
Early 20th Century Chinese Red Trunk with Iron Mounts
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 20th century Chinese red trunk with iron mounts. Red parchment leather apparently over lacquer. Original iron hardware & carrying handles. Original pat...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Iron

Antique circa 1900 Hand Carved Chinese Camphor Wood Travelling Trunk
Located in Miami, FL
1900’s Chinese export Camphor wood travelling chest which has been ornately carved throughout A good looking and well made piece, this is a med...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Wood

Chinese Woven Top Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in the style of Chinese furniture, this petite storage chest is the perfect place to stow cords, toys, blankets, or anything you want stored beautifully. The square trunk fea...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Rattan, Wood, Lacquer

Antique circa 1900 Hand Carved Chinese Camphor Wood Travelling Trunk Nice Finish
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice circa 1900’s Chinese export Camphor wood travelling chest which has been ornately carved throug...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Wood

Chinese Camphor Wood Travelling Trunk Silk Lined Multi Compartments, circa 1920
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice circa 1920’s Chinese export Camphor wood travelling chest with silk lining A good looking and well made piece, they are very rare in this size, it would make a great side or coffee table or perhaps a luxury toy...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Silk, Wood

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Early 20th Century Oak Blanket Chest Trunk With Scroll Carved Detailing
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Antique Original Hand Painted Green Dome Top Trunk with Flowers, Sweden Dated 18
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Catalan Baroque Carved Walnut Cassone or Trunk, 18th Century
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Small 19th Century Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Delightful Mid 19th Century Camphor Wood Military Campaign Trunk, Of Rare Small Proportions, Having Well Figured Lift Up Lid Enclosing Storage Space, Original Brass Bound Decoration And Original Brass Handles. Its widely accepted that trunks like this were normally purposed for army use, often given into the ownership of high ranking officers to use for their travels around the various battlegrounds and territories of the empire around the world, hence the carrying handles and the brass banded decoration, which also serves the functional purpose of protecting the item from bumps and bashes during the numerous times it would have been transported. In modern day living this trunk would make a perfect coffee table boasting signifcant storage, or could also be used as a storage chest in many locations around the home including the hallway, living room or bedroom. The trunk is also a little smaller than a large amount which yuou will find on the market, which of course allows for it to be used in an even wider variety of spaces. The trunk has also been inspected in our workshops by our expert antique...
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Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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19th Century Camphor Wood Trunk
Located in Martlesham, GB
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19th Century Camphor Wood Trunk
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Early 20th Century Antique Painted Indian Rolling Merchant's Chest Trunk
Located in Lafayette, IN
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20th Century Louis Vuitton Trunk, France c.1930
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An exquisite and complete Louis Vuitton trunk from the early part of the 20th century. An absolutely essential item for elite travellers of its time the trunk is adorned in the iconic LV monogrammed canvas, accented by lozine trim and brass fittings. This trunk stood as the epitome of luxury over 100 years ago, boasting an unparalleled level of sophistication and elegance, it remains a timeless masterpiece that transcends eras. The captivating allure of the Louis Vuitton trunk transforms it into more than a mere luggage accessory; it becomes a focal point for any room. With its impressive dimensions, it is perfectly suited as a striking coffee table, side table, or even as a standalone centrepiece, seamlessly integrating into any interior, whether modern or traditional. An extraordinary piece that not only pays homage to the past but also serves as a statement of unparalleled luxury in the present. A brief history about Louis Vuitton trunks: Louis Vuitton was born in 1821 to a farmer and milliner and came from a long-established working-class family in eastern France. Vuitton grew up understanding the effects of perseverance and a strong work ethic from watching his family. At the age of 16, he made the decision to walk 292 miles from his hometown to Paris to try and make a new life for himself. When he arrived the city was in the midst of industrialization with current modes of transportation evolving quickly allowing for longer journeys. With this came the need for sturdy travel pieces. Vuitton was taken as an apprentice for a successful box maker and packer named Monsieur Marechal. He learned to craft durable containers and how to pack them properly – a well-respected profession at the time.In 1854, years after he had mastered his craft and became well respected for it, Vuitton ventured out on his own to open a shop on Rue Neuve des Capucines. It was here that he began to establish himself as a luggage maker. Then, in 1858, Vuitton designed the first Louis Vuitton steamer trunk. At the time trunks had rounded tops to allow for water to run off but this did not allow for convenient stowage. Vuitton introduced a flat, yet waterproof, trunk that was easily stackable. The first of his trunks were outfitted with a grey canvas referred to as Trianon – it wouldn’t be until several decades later that the signature monogram would be introduced. With a burgeoning business, Vuitton moved his family and workplace to Asniere, where he employed twenty workers to craft his trunks. By 1900 he would have 100 employees, and in 1914 the company would more than double in size. After years of success, Vuitton began to experiment with the design of his luggage by introducing a new striped canvas pattern (1876) and later the still well-known Damier print (1888). The hand-painted patterns were developed to prevent counterfeits. Even in the late 1800s, Louis Vuitton was enough of a status symbol to warrant counterfeiting. In 1886, his son George invented and patented an ingenious locking system that made it impossible to pick the lock of their trunks. This lock is still used today. 1892 would prove to be a time of mourning for the family as Louis Vuitton passed...
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20th Century French Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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A very chic canvas-covered wooden steamer trunk, complete with sturdy leather carrying handles and very attractive vertical wood and brass banding. This wonderful vintage travelling trunk...
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No Reserve
H 21.66 in W 43.12 in D 23.23 in
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Previously Available Items
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Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in the style of Chinese furniture, this petite storage chest is the perfect place to stow cords, toys, blankets, or anything you want stored beautifully. The square trunk fea...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Rattan, Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Woven Top Chest
Chinese Woven Top Chest
H 19 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
20th Century Antique Black Lacquer Trunk
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality antique lacquer trunk, with ornate brass straps, complete with original carrying handles. The trunk remains in very good condition for its age and comes co...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Hardwood

20th Century Antique Black Lacquer Trunk
20th Century Antique Black Lacquer Trunk
H 16.54 in W 32.29 in L 16.54 in
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Located in Hopewell, NJ
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1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Located in Lisse, NL
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Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Handsome Chinese Red Trunk on Custom Iron Stand
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful Chinese red trunk with raised gold medallions that rests on a custom iron stand.
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1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Antique Chinese Camphor Leather and Brass Footlocker Trunk Storage Chest Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century Chinese export camphor chest or trunk. Features a leather exterior trimmed in brass. Measures: 31".
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Hardwood

Small Antique Oriental Trunk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Chinese walnut small trunk has its original dark walnut color with a beautiful patina finish. This piece has iron accents, hinges and brackets throughout the piece and has a dro...
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1910s French Vintage Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Iron

Small Antique Oriental Trunk
Small Antique Oriental Trunk
H 24 in W 26.5 in D 14 in
Antique and Complete, Hand Carved Teakwood Chinese Blanket Chest w. Fan Pattern
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 20th century, richly carved Chinese Trunk with decorations all around. If you are looking for a decorative and useful piece of furniture with a distinct Asian design then this all handcrafted Chinese 'blanket chest' could be perfect. By the way, just because it is called a blanket chest that does not mean that it has to be used as such. Although it would also look great at the footend of a bed, filled with bed linnen or otherwise. The totally different than usual design with its large amount of typical Chinese elements is what immediately drew our attention. The hand carved Chinese fan in the front, the rounded section (also ornately carved) in the middle of the lid, the fighting tiger and dragon...
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Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Brass

Vintage Camphor Wood Chest, Oriental, Carved, Trunk, circa 1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage camphor wood chest with oriental carved scenes. A trunk dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930. Beautifully decor...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Chinese Export Hand-Painted Leather Trunk on Stand, Early 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hand painted pigskin leather trunk on later made painted stand, having brass hardware and retaining its original paper lining, China, early 20th century.
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

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Brass

Chinese Lacquered Trunk
Located in Pasadena, CA
This large Chinese pigskin lacquered trunk dates to the early 20th century. The cinnabar lacquer is in overall good condition with wear to the bottom e...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Brass

Chinese Lacquered Trunk
Chinese Lacquered Trunk
H 15 in W 35 in D 20 in
Chinese Lacquered Trunk
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a Classic Chinese lacquered pigskin trunk that dates to the early 20th century. The cinnabar red lacquer is in very good condition considering ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Trunks and Luggage

Materials

Leather, Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Lacquered Trunk
Chinese Lacquered Trunk
H 14 in W 18 in D 30 in

Chinese Export trunks and luggage for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export trunks and luggage for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage trunks and luggage created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, case pieces and storage cabinets, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export trunks and luggage made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 trunks and luggage differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $750 and tops out at $7,500 while the average work can sell for $1,885.

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