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.

21
3,665
57
54
to
544
2,665
911
3,776
3,770
3,770
190,804
115,387
41,246
31,745
14,869
11,419
10,247
10,168
9,426
8,605
7,214
7,122
6,197
5,790
5,499
5,097
4,612
3,482
283
1,258
2,124
111
773
464
194
134
13
66
29
32
41
30
23
34
13
1,634
1,282
1,233
821
413
3,364
3,245
3,178
111
53
24
24
14
7
7
Style: Chinese Export
Very large carved and gilt wood Buddha, Burma 19th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Very large statue of Buddha (1.22 m), on its pedestal, seated in Bhumisparsa mùdra, or gesture of taking the earth as witness. Buddha calls upon the goddess of the earth to bear witn...
Category

Late 19th Century Burmese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair, Chinese Famille Rose Enamel Decorated Porcelain Garden Stool
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, early to mid 20th century. A pair of likely mid century Chinese porcelain garden stools. Each stool features enamel decorated surfaces of figural windows, landscapes and pr...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

20th Century Antique Chinese Hand Carved 4 Panels Wooden Screen/Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
A set of four Chinese large carved wooden screen, with fretwork design, Created in China during mid 20th century, each of this set of four of large panels captures our attention with...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Red Leather, Brass and Camphor Wood Chinese Export Trunk
Located in Centennial, CO
A beautiful, antique (mid 1800s) Chinese red leather and brass over camphor wood export trade trunk offers ample storage and could be used as a coffee table or accent piece. It is a ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of Four Diminutive Chinese Export Hardwood Nesting Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive miniature set of four diminutive stacking or nesting tables crafted from hardwood. The Chinese export tables feature gracefully carved aprons in an open geometric fretwork...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Antique Chinese Export Silver Hot & Spicy Dragon Mustard Pots
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese export silver mustard pots, ca 1890. Each: Cylindrical with fixed and entwined ratan-style handle; cover chained with inset and engraved diaper top. Applied wraparoun...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood Drum Stools or Drink Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of Chinese export ming style drum tabouret form stools or drink tables. Hand-crafted from rich Hongnmu hardwood with a dark finish that showcases the lovely woodgrains....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Ceramic Vase with Blue China Decorations from the 1950s
Located in Milano, MI
Chinese ceramic vase with China blue decorations, made in the 1950s Ø 18 cm h 18 cm Chinese ceramics are some of the most renowned and admired works of art in the world, with a his...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Display Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
Very well constructed with two removable open doors cabinet and have coordinated antiqued hardware. This beautiful carved Display Cabinet/dresser has lot of detailed open carving w...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Chinese Red Lacquered Wood Joint Stool
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Red lacquered square top stool on four legs joined by double box stretchers. China, 19th century.  
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

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

Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Jardinières 100 Antique Pattern, Late Qing
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Jardinières 100 Antique Pattern, Late Qing Period Circa 1900 Marked A magnificent pair of Chinese Ex...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Glass Picture of a Persian Warrior
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export glass picture of a Persian warrior, The Chinese reverse glass picture depicts a Persian warrior seated on the back of a dappled horse riding at a trot, a shield slu...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Two Famille Rose Cosmetic Boxes, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period
Located in seoul, KR
Circular form with flattened doomed covers, the covers with a medallion of flower with full bloom, the bowls with two round borders. Period : Qing Dynasty, Kangxi-Yongzheng Period P...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Pair of Chinoiserie Hand-Painted Paper Panels, Watercolor on Paper
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
Original paintings, inspired by antique Chinese export wallpapers., from our studio. An antiquing process is applied to the paintings for a distressed effect.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

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

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

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

Canton Famille Rose Plate, ca. 1840
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Canton Famille rose 9.6 inch plate, ca. 1840, enameled with seven figures, the four males forming a band, one playing the erhu, one playing symbols, one playing the dizi (bamboo flute...
Category

1780s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Watercolor Exotic Bird Paintings on Paper
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade watercolor paintings of exotic birds on branches are in watercolor and gouache on Chinese paper. One picture depicts a pigeon perched on a tree branch with a landscape background. Chinese calligraphy can be seen in the top right corner. The second picture depicts two courting birds in shades of brown, both perched on a branch, also in a landscape background. Both paintings framed with a green silk mat and contemporary gilt and dark wood frame. Reference: Chinese Export...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Chinese Table Lamp, 19th Century with Brass Mount, 19th Century Famille Rose
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table lamp is a 19th century Famille rose vase lamp, it has been made in china circa 1880. The mount is in brass, and the porcelain in hand painted. USA PLUG ADAPTATOR WILL BE ...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Fixé Sous Verre, View of a Port in Asia, 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large "Fixé sous verre", painting under glass representing a port scene in China in the background, with boats with different flags, rowers, all life o...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

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

19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Window Panel/Wall Arts
Located in Pomona, CA
This Chinese Qing Dynasty period large carved elm wood interior window panel from the late 19th century, with fretwork design, Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the later...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Pair of Large Antique Chinese Palace Urns
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of Chinese urns handcrafted in terracotta in an elegant classic form decorated in an alluring blue under a chic crackle glaze.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Hongmu Corner Chair, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese Hongmu corner chair, 19th century. The horseshoe-form back with molded crest above a pair of open carved splats with fruiting and fl...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Attr. to Gabriel Viardot - Japanese Vitrine / Cabinet
Located in Beaune, FR
Lovely little Japanese-style vitrine in carved wood in the style of Gabriel VIARDOT. Vitrine in the upper part and shelves in the lower part. This small piece of furniture is in good...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Brass Buddha with child Incense 1940s China
Located in Den Haag, NL
Chinese Buddha with child . The child is a insert ,can be removed . The holes are for incense ,i think . strange combination .Do you now more than me . Solid Brass .
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chinese Export Blue and White Porcelain Cachepots
Located in New York, NY
Each of hexagonal form; decorated with blue borders and roundels.
Category

20th Century 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

Vintage Cylindrical Picture Jasper Tower on Wood Stand More Views Vintage Cyli
Located in Pomona, CA
As a nurturing and protective stone, the picture jasper meaning helps to bring you comfort, alleviating any fear, stress or anxiety you may be feeling. It’stimulates the root chakr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain Bowl
Located in Pomona, CA
This antique Chinese porcelain bowl is a rare find from the Qing Dynasty, featuring delicate blue and white patterns. Crafted from high-quality porcelain and pottery, this bowl is ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Bowl Hand Painted Blue and White, 17th Century Ming Export
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand painted Chinese Export porcelain bowl, which we date to the 17th century, Ming Dynasty. The bowl is fairly thickly potted with a fairly high, slightly undercut foot and an everted rim. The bowl is decorated inside and outside, in varying shades of under-glaze cobalt blue with various symbols and designs separated by curvy lined panels...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Celadon Ground Floor Vase
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th century. A large Chinese floor vase having a celadon ground and blue and white underglaze decoration to the body. The underglaze decoration depicts high ranking office...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Album Of Chinese Gouache Paintings On Paper
Located in Bradenton, FL
Rare Chinese Export School. 24 miniatures in watercolor and bodycolor on pith paper. Album of pith paintings depicting trades and professions. 19th century Chinese, bound with silk t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

A Chinese Export Canton Famille Rose Butterfly Plate, ca. 1860, Rare Design.
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Very Rare Chinese Export Canton Famille Rose Plate, Mid-Nineteenth Century, with a central large butterfly, its wings forming four roundels, the front wings with a pair of birds am...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Chinese Raised Carved Glazed Ceramic Jar with lid.
Located in Pomona, CA
With detailed raised hand carved Feng Shui Pattern all over, this peacock green glazed ceramic jar is very unique. It is a perfect decorative element in any house. The pictures say...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair, Chinese Export Figural Blue & White Hongxian Porcelain Vases C. 1915
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, Hongxian period circa 1915. A pair of Chinese export porcelain vases in a blue and white floral motif surrounding two figural emperor windows. Marked with wax seal and Hon...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century, Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Planter or Fish Bowl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th century. This exceptional 19th-century Chinese export porcelain fish bowl or planter. Crafted with unparalleled skill and adorned with intricate geometric borders, its...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Peking Blue Chinese Carpet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Peking blue Chinese textile floor covering. Great addition to your interiors and rooms. Perfect size for a bathroom!
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Sauce Tureens, Covers & Stands
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Sauce Tureens, Covers & Stands, A Pair, Circa 1775 The pair of Chinese Export porcelain sauce tureens are of a shaped rectangular form and are ...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

BATTLE SCENE AND HUNTING SCENE Late 18th Century Chinese
Located in Madrid, ES
BATTLE SCENE AND HUNTING SCENE Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese paintings, from the 18th century, on paper. Framed. Small defects. Dim.: 177 x 162 cm
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Vintage Chinese Carved Stone Ruyi
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese stone Ruyi is hand carved from a whole piece of solid stone. It shows very detailed hand craft works Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird on each end. Also, there...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Antique Art Deco Tan and Purple Wool Rug with Classic Chinese Motif 4 X 7
Located in Norwalk, CT
This antique art deco Chinese wool rug showcases a tan field with a decorative purple frame and multi-colored accents in an all-over Chinese classic motif. This rug measures 4'1" x ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Other

Blue and White Double Happiness Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
The symbol for double happiness adorns this slender ginger jar with best wishes for love, companionship and marital bliss. Glazed in the classic blue and white manner, the porcelain ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19th Century Chinese Red Cinnabar Lacquer Floral Pedestal c.1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An exquisite 19th Century Chinese red lacquer pedestal table. Crafted in a square shape with gracefully curved legs that merge seamlessly with the base, it captivates all who encount...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Room Size Antique Art Deco Chinese Wool Rug Handmade, Floral Design In Purple
Located in Norwalk, CT
This stunning hand-knotted wool rug features a purple field with a navy blue border and multicolored accents, all arranged in a beautiful Chinese floral pattern. This rug measures 6...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique large circular Chinese Republican period hand painted framed panel
Located in Central England, GB
This superb very large Chinese Republican period porcelain panel depicts a detailed underwater aquatic scene which is illuminated with golden sunlight. It shows numerous shubunkin go...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wood Trunk on Stand Early 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th Century Chinese Hand Painted Wood Trunk on Paint Decorated Stand. Overall Dimensions: 18" x 32" x 24" (45.7 x 81.3 x 61 cm.) Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Adel...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Handmade Square Blue Antique Wool Rug Designed Art Deco Fl
Located in Norwalk, CT
This beautiful hand-knotted wool rug showcases a navy blue center framed by a multicolored border in a stunning Chinese floral pattern. This rug measures 7' x 7'2".  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair, Sampson French Porcelain Famille Rose Medallion Pallet Porcelain Urns
Located in Atlanta, GA
Samson & Cie was operated by four generations in Paris and Montreauil-sous-Bois from 1845 to 1979/1980. It was first established by Edme Samson (Paris 1810 – 1891) at 7, Rue Vendôme ...
Category

20th Century French Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

1920s Vintage Peking Wool Rug Handmade In Light Pink with Classic Chinese Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This elegant antique Peking Chinese wool rug showcases a pink-rose field with a decorative frame and multi-colored accents in a stunning all-over Chinese classic motif. This rug mea...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Other

Chinese Kangxi Mark Porcelain Ginger Jars, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Ginger Jars, with mystical creature motif, cobalt blue overglaze Kangxi six character mark in double circle to underside, on carved wo...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Chinese Silk Rug, Beijing, Qing Dynasty, Circa 1930
Located in RÉDING, FR
"Chinese Silk Rug, Beijing, Qing Dynasty, Circa 1930" Even after the fall of the Celestial Empire, carpets were woven according to very precise rules, as in this quality product, wh...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

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