Skip to main content

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.

1
202
to
33
155
34
202
202
202
12,549
10,800
3,021
1,826
1,060
857
605
576
559
415
400
321
297
273
211
186
165
89
9
59
134
49
13
12
5
1
7
2
1
3
2
2
1
70
50
37
29
28
182
180
177
3
3
4
1
1
1
1
Style: Chinese Export
Color:  Black
Chinese Green Glazed Lotus Motif Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese green glazed lotus motif vase, with three handles.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers" with Wood Stand, Early 20th Century #2
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a cute Chinese cloisonné enamel egg depicting flora theme Birds with a wood stand, early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

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

Navy Chinese Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th-century Chinese rug with zipper closure and poly-fill. Measures: 16'' x 16''.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair Chinese Cloisonné Fu Dogs
Located in Houston, TX
Copper base cloisonné Fu Dogs made for Chinese export with gilded, mane, ears and accents. This pair from 1910s or earlier.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful floral pattern on a green background. This decorative box was most likely a cigarette box or trinket b...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Antique Chinese Silver Gilt and Enamel Peacock
Located in Riverdale, NY
Antique Chinese Silver Gilt and Enamel Peacock from the 1940's on hand carved wood stand. Delicately constructed of vermeil sterling with colorf...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful floral pattern in beautiful colors of red, green, blue and red. The box rests on ball feet. This chino...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Chinese Reverse Painting on Glass Empress Dowager Cixi 1st Half of 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A CHINESE REVERSE PAINTING ON GLASS OF Empress Dowager Cixi 1st Half of 20th Century. Fine painting on glass of Empress Cixi seating on a throne in or...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flying Drago" with Wood Stand, Early 20th Century
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg depicting a dragon flying in the cloud of the sky with a wood stand, early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Porcelain Enameled Pitcher
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Amazing vintage Chinese pitcher. Features a hand painted and enameled design vibrant with green, red, yellow and blue, depicting a royal way of life.
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers" with Wood Stand, Early 20th Century
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg depicting flora theme with a wood stand, early 20th century. #5
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Inlay Coffee Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Embrace classic aesthetics with our Chinese Black Lacquer Coffee Table, highlighted by intricate Asian motifs and Mother of Pearl inlays. Featuring a protective inlaid glass top and ...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Chinese Export Six-Panel Silver Leaf Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Chinese export six-panel folding coromandel screen depicting flora and fauna. Constructed from lacquered wooden panels hand carved and painted. Features a rare silver leaf...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Silver Leaf

Chinese Black Lacquered, Hand Painted & Adhered Figure Wall Accessories - a Pair
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Amazing pair of vintage Chinese black lacquered wall accessories. Each feature a hand painted design with adhere faux stone figures.
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese "Giant" Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers" with Wood Stand #Ja2
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a very large and beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg with intricated patterns made by hand seating on a wood stand, early 20 century. It's measured about 16.5" x 10" wi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers and Bird" with Wood Stand #7
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg depicting flowers and bird with a wood stand, early 20 century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Black Lacquer Wedding Chest
Located in Pasadena, TX
Keep your throw blankets stored neatly inside this late 20th Century wedding chest. The hand painted figural scenes featuring warriors on the top, change on every side with natural e...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chinese Sancai Roof Tile
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Chinese Sancai roof tile. This piece is hand glazed and the painted tile is of pottery, depicting a warrior riding a large mythical drago...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Chinese "Giant" Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers" with Wood Stand #Ja1
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a very large and beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg with intricated patterns made by hand seating on a wood stand, early 20 century. It's measured about 17" x 10" with...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Wedding Ceremonial Hat Box, Zhijang Province, circa 1870s
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
circa 1870s Chinese wedding ceremonial hat box, Zhijang Province. Woven rattan & bamboo with brass hardware. The pedestal base has lost some of the molded floral decoration. Note the...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Two Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers and Birds" with Wood Stands #8
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg depicting flowers and birds with wood stands, early 20 century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Lot of Four Chinese Cloisonne Vases & Teapot, 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Lot of four chinese cloisonne vases and teapot 20th century. From left: Baluster-shaped black ground vase with flowering prunus emerging from a rock, ruyi band around flaring ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

1892-1904 Chinese Elder Figure With Staff
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1892-1904 large Chinese mud man figure, an elder with staff in flowing green & yellow robe. Stamped "China". Apparent losses to feet, but possibly from kil...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Cast Iron Pagoda Censer or Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful and heavy cast iron Pagoda censer. lovely for burning incense, a small, yet quiet statement piece - A compliment to any shelf or console a...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Iron

Late 19th Century Sang de Boeuf Porcelain Vase Lamp
Located in London, GB
A late nineteenth century sang de boeuf glazed baluster vase. Now set upon a hand-turned giltwood base and mounted as a lamp. Dimensions refer to height of porcelain vase and gilt...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Cloisonne' Incense Burner - Censor - with Cover
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage Chinese cloisonné' enamel tripod incense burner and cover. Item is raised on three legs, each covered with lion mask. Beautiful lotus scroll in colors of rich blues, pinks, w...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Finley Moulded Ebonized Plaster Brush Pot Bitong Imitating Carved Zitan
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Chinese finely moulded ebonized plaster Brush pot bitong imitating carved zitan 20th century Of cylindrical form, decorated with complex designs depicting Tang ladies entertain...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers" with Wood Stand, Early 20 Century #6
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg depicting the faces of the Chinese traditional opera theme with a wood stand, early 20 century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Large Chinese Style Lacquered Dining Table, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Large dining or center table in black lacquered wood with gold-painted decorations on the apron and legs. Elaborately decorated table top, in slight relief. A thick glass top protec...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Pair of Chinese Silver Prunus Blossom Vases, Maker Wang Hing & Co, circa 1890
Located in London, GB
Pair Of Chinese Silver Prunus Blossom Bud Vases, Maker Wang Hing, circa 1890 Lovely quality embossing by the renowned prolific chinese silversmiths, Wang Hing & Co of Hong Kong.
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Green and Cherry Blossom Cloissone Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese green cloisonne bowl with cherry blossoms and birds on the interior and exterior, and a yellow and blue pattern around the rim.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vase & Center Bowls, Set of 3
Located in New York, NY
Group of three Chinese cloisonne enamel gilt metal ornaments comprising one vase with dragon motif and two center bowls, one with dragon pattern an...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Beautiful Chinese fan of Canton of the 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Beautiful Chinese fan of Canton of the 19th century in Bone, Paper and Silk. Dimensions: H: 49cm, W: 28cm, D: 2cm.  
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bone, Silk

Mid Century Black Cloisonne Ginger Jar
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export Mid Century Black cloisonne ginger jar featuring large scale chrysanthemum flower. Hand Made.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair Chinese Export Green Parrots
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a late 19th century pair of the iconic Chinese "Green Parrots". The pair is in good condition considering its more than 100 years of use. This pai...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Clay

Vintage Figure Set of Miniature Terracotta Chinese Xian Warriors
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful set of Terracotta sculptures representing Xian Warriors. This set of figures is incredibly detailed and presents 4 warriors and a horse. Intrica...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Clay

Mid-20th Century Black Wood Foot Rest or Low Side Table with Turned Ming Feet
Located in Lomita, CA
This Chinese foot rest is special. It is hand carved from heavy wood, possibly Ironwood with a cylindrical roller, and raised on four stout legs. It is from the Mid-20th Century. The ironwood provides the stool with a stunning texture. Our appraiser says it originated in China's Hebei province. This is the same province as the great wall of China...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Oriental Porcelain Flow Blue White Umbrella Stand, Large Vase, Floral Decorated
Located in Stamford, CT
Oriental Porcelain Flow Blue White Umbrella Stand, Large Vase, Floral Decorated Very pretty porcelain blue and white oriental umbrella stand ...
Category

Late 20th Century English Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Pair of Large Cloisonné Elephants with Wood Stands
Located in Norton, MA
Large pair of standing elephants having fitted vases on their backs on wooden display stands Measures: Height: 15 inches, Length: 14 inches, Wid...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Blue and White Cobalt Baluster Form Prunus Vintage Vase
Located in Lomita, CA
A vintage Chinese blue and white prunus decorated baluster vase is from the Zhongguo period (circa 1960-70) marks. Zhongguo translates to "Middle Kingdom." The vase is of baluster...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Navy border Chinese Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th-century Chinese rug with zipper closure and poly-fill. Measures: 15'' x 15''.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th Century Red Cinnabar Lacquer Vase Lamp Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
A lovely pair of late nineteenth century red cinnabar lacquer vases with rectangular handles. The bodies are incised in the traditional manne...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Yixing Zisha Teapot, Bamboo Handle & Flower Finial, Signed, China, 20th C
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Yixing Zisha teapot - featuring a bamboo form handle and spout with a chrysanthemum flower finial to the lid - impressed seal marks to the base an...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Large Navy Chinese Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th-century Chinese rug with zipper closure and poly-fill. Measures: 14'' x 24''.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Shanxi Province Black Lacquer Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province black lacquer coffee table. This antique Shanxi Province Black Coffee Table was made from a Chinese bed. The coffee table is made of elm and has been finis...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Large Chinese Ceramic Guan Yin Statue
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a LOVELY Large Chinese Ceramic Guan Yin Statue. Made in China circa 1950-60 of salt glazed pottery, bisque porcelain for face, chest, hands...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Fine Quality Embroidery on Silk - Qing Dynasty, China, Mid 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique fine quality - Qing Dynasty - forbidden or seed stitch silk embroidery panel - metallic and silk threads - densely packed embroidery on a light weight damask pattern silk - m...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Early 20 Century Vintage Chinese Dark Green Glaze Pottery Vase/Liquor Bottle
Located in Pomona, CA
Our wonderful collection of handmade old vintage Chinese hand made glazed pottery vase/liquor bottle will make great accent pieces for any room of your house. It has some imperfection signs of age and usage on the mouth of vase and distressed patina. Take a close look at the pictures, there are some Buddha symbols...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Large Chinese Export Punch Bowl, Painted & Gilt Decoration in Mandarin Palette
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large & Very Fine Chinese Export Punch Bowl, with Painted & Gilt decoration in the Mandarin palette. Jingdezhen region, China ca. 1780.
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Black Enamel Cloisonné Chrysanthemum Flower Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese black enamel cloisonné and brass ginger jar vase with chrysanthemum flowers, dogwood flowers and a butterfly and beautiful rich colors. Hand crafted on solid brass.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Spoon by Wang Hing & Co., Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine and charming Chinese export silver spoon in the form of a dragon, by Wang Hing & Co., Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, China. ...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

20th Century Chinese Antique Cloisonne Figurine with Musical Instrument
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonne Beauty Figurine. It was hand made from gold copper cloisonne. This stand Beauty has very d...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Black Lacquer and Rosewood Cabinet with Soapstone and Bone Inlay
Located in Lomita, CA
This cabinet makes a dramatic statement in black lacquer with rich rosewood trim and brass pulls. But the whimsical figural bone inlay carvings are what makes this most memorable. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

20th Century Chinese Antique Cloisonne Longevity Star Statuary
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonne Longevity Star Statuary was hand made from gold copper cloisonne. This stand Longevity Star has ve...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Mid Century Chinese Copper, Enamel & Gilt Horses
Located in London, GB
A fantastic pair of enamel, gilt and copper horses. Take a look at all our pictures to see the intricate detail and life like expressions - amazing colours too. Made in China in th...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Mid-20th Century Pair of Ceramic Green Enameled Parrots China Export
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of fancy parrots is very decorative for its green colored enamel and very trendy in an elegant room. The parrots was not restored and there is some signs of the time, but t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Famille Verte Foo Dogs on Stands
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fierce pair of ceramic Chinese Foo dogs on stands depicted sitting. Made in a beautiful famille verte green with bright yellow accents. Large ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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.

Recently Viewed

View All