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Chinese Export Furniture

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
Early 20th Century Chinese Folding Screen/Room Divider with Cloisonne panels
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of 6 panels of Chinese vintage lacquered wooden screen which to be used as the room section panels in ancient China that are put ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Elegant Pair of Blue & White Planters on Teak Stands
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely pair of blue and white Chinese planters on curvy carved teak stands. For indoor display.
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

1900s Chinese Garden Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully detailed paint work. Unusual turquoise color. Mint condition. Probably 1920s to 1930s.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

20th C. United Wilson Blue and White Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Lamps, Signed Pair
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of late 20th century ormolu and crackle porcelain lamps by United Wilson Porcelain, signed. Stunning blue and white vase form lamps with ornate ormolu mounts. Part of United Wilson's ormolu series inspired by 18th century French antiques, the collection infuses Eastern and Western artistry using Asian porcelain and European-style sculptural gilt bronze. The shapely body features a floral and foliate design with pairs of cherub figures noting the French influence as well as the gorgeous silk shades with pleat detail and long fringe. The original bronze finials coordinate with one another as they are slightly different adding uniqueness to the pair. These are exceptional lamps of the finest quality in very good condition. Signed on the bottom with United Wilson 1897...
Category

Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Rustic Antique Chinese Stool or Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique Asian stool has a square top and a balanced form with timeless rustic appeal. Beautifully worn from a century of use, the aged wood pat...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Inlaid Urn Stands
Located in Cheshire, GB
Pair of Chinese inlaid urn stands, the tops inset with white marble, above pierced sides decorated with mother of pearl foliated motifs raised on square...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Side Tables
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century Chinese hardwood side tables, each with an inset panel to the tops, carved scrolling foliate and motif decoration to the frieze, four square secti...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Large 18th Century Chinese Export Armorial Charger
Located in Dallas, TX
An impressive 18th century Chinese export armorial charger. Crest in center of plate with floral sprays around the border. Decorative bands around of plate and the rim. White backgro...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver Battle Mug with Dragon Handle
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver mug, ca 1880. Straight and upward tapering sides with allover low-relief battle frieze depicting soldiers—spearmen, lancers, and swordsmen—with a few hapless me...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Wang Hing Chinese Export Silver Dragon Moon Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese export silver vases, ca 1910. Each: Flat and round moon body on domed foot; animal-head handles mounted to shoulder. On front and back is chased dragon—a horned and t...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Vintage Chinese Terracotta Garden Seats
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Mid Century Chinese garden seats handcrafted in terracotta in classic form with a unique two tone drip and speckle glaze.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Lacquered Box Black Octogonal Chinese Export Gilded Floral
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Immerse yourself in the allure of the 19th century with our exquisite lacquered box, a stunning testament to Chinese export craftsmanship. Crafted in an elegant octagonal shape and a...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

2 Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowls from the Ship Wrecked "Tek Sing"
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In 1822 the Chinese Junk "Tek Sing" or true star sank in the south China sea, where the ship and its cargo remained until salvaged in 1999. These antique blue...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Art Deco Blue Silk Rug with Asian Décor, Peking Blue
Located in Bochum, NRW
An excellent silk rug, Art Deco decor of stylized clouds and waves in beautiful shades of blue and ivory, also called Chi and Ruyi. Beautiful midcentury...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Early 20th century lacquered vanity box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century lacquered vanity box circa 1910. Good quality Chinese export table top vanity box.  Hand painted in a plum and black colour scheme in a lacquered finish. Cube sh...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

1960 China Export Pair Porcelain Blue and White Giant Jars Vases
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of elegant and fine giant jars in porcelain, has its origin in the extremely part of the Chinese continent, probabily from the Japan. The entire surface is decorated with the relief of white flowers, the peonia flowers, symbol of authority, power and wealth. On the surface, are present many drawings in blue of the Pho dogs...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Rug, Tan and Blue Oriental Handmade Wool Rug
Located in Port Washington, NY
China has a long tradition of carpets and the original ones, probably used as merchandise, are dated at over 2000 years ago. The art of knotting carpets was however, introduced somewhere around the 15th century in China. The patterns on some of the older Chinese carpets...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

20th century Chinese Export Porcelain Garden Seat
Located in Savannah, GA
Hexagonal shaped Chinese Nanking Style Export blue and white glazed porcelain garden seat. Features include a pierced top and sides, molded relief dots...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Stunning Antique Chinese Gold Gilt Painted Paper Mache Large Serving Dinner Tray
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite circa 1880 Chinese Dragon Paper Mache dinner serving tray A lovely decorative piece, base...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloisonne Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This Chinese Antique Cloisonne Vase was hand made from gold copper with cloisonne. It has detailed cloisonne works of Peony, Magpie and floral a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Copper

Early 20 Century Antique Carved Bronze 3 Generations of Buddha Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
Three generations of Buddha represents Past, Present and Future three generations of Buddha. They are Dipamkara Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Buddha. They wer hand made from ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Apple Green Chinese Crackle Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique Apple Green Chinese Crackle Vase.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Four Framed Chinese T’ang Horse Paintings
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful set of four watercolor Chinese T’ang style horses. Gilt framing on all four. Very good condition with minor wear on frames.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint

Chinese Export Bud Vase Famille Rose Porcelain Hand Painted, Qing, Circa 1850
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good, decorative Chinese export, Imperial Canton, porcelain, Famille Rose, Small or Bud Vase which we date to the mid-19th century, Qing dynasty, circa 1850. The vase ha...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Plates with Green Enamel, Set of Twelve
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Plates with Green Enamel, Set of Twelve, Circa 1775 The Chinese Export porcelain plates had a wavy shaped rim which is decorated with a contin...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Saucer with Doves in a Bird Bath
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine late 18th or early 19th Century Chinese export armorial porcelain saucer. With a white ground and cobalt blue and gilt geometric designs. The center bears an armorial crest ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Antique Chinese Carved Nephrite White Jade Belt Buckle
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century hand-carved nephrite white jade waist buckle. Features a mythical bird with possible chilong creature on front. Unique Asian jade piece. Very fine and detailed carving.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Set Of Two Diminutive Carved Chinese Jade Beads
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set Of two diminutive carved jade beads. Beautiful intricate carvings on both. Both have tiny hole in top and at bottom.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Kangxi Blue Ginger Jar with Phoenix & Birds
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain ginger jar. With a white ground and blue decoration. With a depiction of a Chinese phoenix (Fènghuáng, 鳳凰) amongst the clouds, along with de...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Cloisonne Elephant Ginger Jar
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual antique Chinese ginger jar handcrafted in a cloisonne technique, decorated with fauna, flora, and tassels on an alluring blue background, featuring a removable head ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Export Wallpaper Six Panel Screen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese export wallpaper six panel screen, each panel depicting Chinese decor. Screen includes blue and white painted vases, urns and furnishings in colors that include blue, burgund...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

Vintage Chinese Export Eggshell Porcelain Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese Export porcelain vase. In a baluster form. Decorated with a painted scene of two men and two women in traditional Chinese garb. In the background are trees and a roc...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 4 Chinese Export Porcelain Celadon Plates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 4 antique Chinese porcelain celadon plates. Each with a raised depictions of birds, bugs, and butterflies surrounded by pink, orange, and green foliage against a celad...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Celadon

Chinese Export Snuff Bottle in Overlay Cameo Glass Finely Carved, circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good Chinese cameo or overlay glass snuff bottle with a spoon top, which we date to circa 1925. These overlay glass cameo snuff bottles are very decorative and sought after, particularly with two different colour/ shades of overlays and this level of good carved detail. It is made of a clear / yellow tinged opaque glass which has been over-layed with an orange glass which shades to red at the base, producing a very decorative detail. It has then been well hand carved and polished to produce a scene with a basket of fruit, ribbon bow, musical instrument and other motifs. The bottle has a rounded red glass / stone stopper which is fitted with a bronze spoon.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Lacquered Asian Trays from Vietnam, with circles Decor Pattern Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This tray is an Asian tray. It has been made in Vietnam in the 1980's. It is made in black lacquered painted wood. Oranges fishes are the decor pattern.
Category

1970s Vietnamese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Blue and White Brush Pot with First Scholar
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Blue and White Qilin Brush Pot
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Classic Vintage Bamboo Corner Chair, British Colonial Decor, Bohemian Seating
Located in Chicago, IL
Charming bamboo corner chair with ball finials. Could be English or Chinese made for export. Sides and bottom apron of the chair have decorative bamboo work and the seat is solid bam...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

19th Century Chinese Cherrywood Occasional Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Chinese Cherrywood occasional table featuring a carved water lily design to apron. With rounded edges, carved divet to top and three delicate stretchers.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Antique Chinese Shanxi Red Lacquer Poplar Floral Painted Bentwood Hat Tea Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese Shanxi Red Lacquer Poplar Hat / Tea Box. Features a floral decorated design over red lacquer finish. Dimensions: 13" x 13" x 12.25"h
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Poplar, Lacquer

Antique Chinese Tea Caddy Cloisonne Enamels on Copper 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Handcrafted using the Cloisonné technique, this tea caddy has an original shape, decorated with stylized bats and flowers, and signed at the bottom. Perfect for tea enthusiasts, it w...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

MId-20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Siver Chest Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional Mid-20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Siver Chest and Cabinet in great vintage condition. Features a flip top that open to reveal two flatware storage trays all fel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Felt, Rosewood

Chinese Wicker Elephant Box from the Shanghai Collection
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Chinese elephant sculpture ambitiously hand crafted in woven wicker with rattan and wood highlights, having a removable head as a lid. From the famed Shanghai collection.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wicker

Pair of Chinese Terra Cotta Garden Seats with Elephants and Flowers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of vintage Chinese garden seats with rare decorative appeal hand decorated with elephants on an alluring red background and floral and geometric borders.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Early 20th-C. Chinese Warrior Terracotta Roof Tile Mounted On Lucite
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an antique Chinese warrior roof tile that has been mounted on lucite. The composition appears to be glazed terracotta. The piece could be older. It is unmarked and in very go...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta, Lucite

Mid-Century Chinese Export Style Famille Rose Garden Seat / Side Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese Export style colorful famille rose garden seat or side table. It depicts Chinese pastoral scenes on each panel. The top is 10.5” in diameter.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Blue and White Brush Pot with Koi & Lotus
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Blue and White Brush Pot with Fish & Flora
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This stonewa...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Umbrella Stand or Vase
Located in Doylestown, PA
Chinese Famille Verte porcelain cylinder vase or umbrella holder, c. 1960s. This cheerful vase or cane/umbrella holder has great vibrant colors with flowers and ribbon swag detail. ...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Manchurian Robe Panel Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese silk embroidery Manchurian robe panel. Embellishe...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Hand Painted and Carved Tall Mirror, China circa 1770-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
The attractive carving found in the frame of this mirror includes dramatic flourishes on top, balanced at the base while narrow sides contain figures, birds and more. Notice the ori...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

Blue and White Brush Pot with Birds and Peonies
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Silk Brocade Object W/ Carved Turquoise Beads Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk EmbroideryBrocade Object W/ Carved Turquoise...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Brocade Child's Bib Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Child's Bib. Embellished with a f...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Child's Bib, Cat Motif Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Child's Bib, Cat Motif. Embellish...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Silk Figural Embroidered Purse Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidered purse...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Manchurian Robe Panel Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Manchurian Robe Panel. Embellishe...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Brocade Collar Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Brocade Collar panel. Embellished...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Wang Hing & Co., Luen Wo, and Hung Chong & Co.. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $40 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,998.

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