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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
20th C. United Wilson Blue and White Ormolu-Mounted Porcelain Lamps, Signed Pair
By United Wilson Co. 1
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

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

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

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

Chinese Porcelain Ginger Jar, Qing Dynasty Yongzheng Period
Located in seoul, KR
A Chinese porcelain ginger jar, Yongzheng period, painted in underglaze blue with lotus blooms and shou(水, meaning 'Water') characters beneath a ruyi border, underglaze blue double r...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Chinese Export Four Panel Lacquered Coromandel Dressing Screen Room Divider
Located in Doylestown, PA
Chinese export smaller scale four-panel lacquered dressing screen room divider with hand-painted decoration on both sides. One side depicts a charming continuous pavilion scene wi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Jade Foo Dogs, Set of Two
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Chinese Jade Foo Dogs. The jade, or stone resembling its pale green hue, beutifully exhibits shades that span from milky white to pale jade green. The Foo Dogs possess a playful, li...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Chinese Export Silver Repousse Dragon and Landscape Box
Located in Gainesville, FL
Chinese silver box with repousse, chasing and cast applied dragons. Very fine period work. Marked with French import hallmarks.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Early 20th Century Antique Tibetan Silver Turquoise Ghau Prayer Box
Located in Pomona, CA
Ghau is a small prayer box worn as pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines which can be pray by prayer during their travel. This Ghau prayer box (travel Buddha shrine) made from Tib...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

20th Century Chinese Jade Carved Kwan Yin Bodhisattva statuary
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese hand carved Jade Kwan Yin Bodhisattva statuary shows very detailed hand carving works on it. It is all hand made and hand carved Kwan Yin sitting on the lotu...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Dragon Camphor wood Hope Chest
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a traditional style of Chinese antique massive carved Camphor chest/trunk from China. It was sailor's hope chest with all the sailor's best wishes and hopes in it. This che...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Exceptional Chinese Export Gilt Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Decorated Lap Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese export, circa 1820. An exceptional quality and rare form. Featuring figural landscape decorations in gilt to the main black lacquer doors, which open to reveal 13 separated c...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Antique Chinese Shiwan/Shekwan Mud Man Figurine Scholar c.1900
Located in Richmond, CA
Antique Chinese hand made mud man figurine, finely crafted and hand painted, of a standing elderly scholar dressed in a blue robe, holding a large lobed gourd in the palm of one hand...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Clay

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

Pair Antique 19c Chinese Gilt Cloisonne Covered Prunus Ginger Jar Table Lamps
Located in Richmond, CA
A matching pair of antique Chinese 19c azure blue ground cloisonne covered ginger jars, on gilt bronze body finely decorated with prunus blossoms in a rocky garden scene, with ruyi h...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Bronze

Fine Antique Chinese 19c Relief Carved Celadon Porcelain Vase Table Lamp 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
A fine 19c Chinese relief carved celadon glaze handled vase, decorated with scrolling vines, lappets and borders, with faux ring handles to neck, and "S...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Cloisonné Fu Dogs
Located in Houston, TX
An exceptional palatial quality pair of 19th century Chinese cloisonné Fu dogs featuring gold gilding over copper. Chinese cloisonné o...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

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

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

Pair of Large Chinese Phoenix and Peony Blue and White Temple Jars Ginger Jars
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique pair of Chinese Kangxi style handmade lidded temple jars or ginger jars. These stunning jars are a nice large size with hand painted phoenix birds and peony flowers ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Long Elm Wood Library Table Dining Table With 14 Drawers, China circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
The classic lines of this elm wood library table are well balanced by the 6 drawers along each side and single drawer on each end, for a total of 14 drawers. Chinese design includes...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

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

Chinoiserie Inlaid Armoire 19th Century Chinese Mirror Door Wardrobe
Located in Labrit, Landes
19th century armoire inlaid chinoiserie with mirror doors Stunning Chinese wardrobe very rare find and in very good condition for its age This will take a sideways hanging rail if ...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Elmwood Basket Rice Measure
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large antique Chinese 19th century Elmwood rice measure with iron decoration and handles. A rustic antique handcrafted Chinese rice measure storage basket...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Medallion Garden Seat, ca. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Chinese export porcelain canton famille rose garden seat, of circular form, the polychrome enameled surface with alternating scrolled medall...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Chinese Antique Carved Hongmu Side Chairs, 4
Located in New York, NY
Set of Four Chinese Antique Hand-Carved Hongmu Side Chairs, circa 19th century. Tallest: 43" H x 21" W x 16.5" D; seat: 20.25" H.
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Asian Carved Composite Stone Buddha Head
Located in New York, NY
Asian Carved Composite Stone Buddha Head, Buddha with closed eyes, mounted on wood base. Sculpture: 12.75" H x .75" W x 8.5" D; with base: 3" H x 8.25" W x 6" D.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Pair of Blue and White Double Happiness Ginger Jars
Located in Chicago, IL
The symbol for double happiness adorns this pair of ginger jars with best wishes for love, companionship and marital bliss. Glazed in the classic blue and white manner, each porcelai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Imari Pavilion Pattern Blue and White Tea Set c 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Re
Located in seoul, KR
The "Imari Pavilion pattern" refers to a decoration pattern found on porcelains made during this period, influenced by Japanese Imari ware. Imari porcelain, produced in the Arita reg...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Chinese Carved Collector's Display Shelf/Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique piece is a classical Chinese art deco display/room divider in the original condition, all hand carved and free standing shelving unite in dark mahogany finished. It fea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Low Chairs With Carved Back Panel, Late 19Th C., A-Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Classical 19th C. Low Chairs Backed with a carved back panel with armrest, in Burma Rosewood. These are called Opium chairs or meditation chairs in Asia. Very good an...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Library Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Chinese bamboo library table. Amazing Chinese export center or library table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. The black wood table top is supporte...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Imperial Yellow Bowl Egg Shell Porcelain 5 clawed Dragons 20th Century
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Presenting an exquisite piece of Chinese craftsmanship: the Imperial Yellow Bowl, crafted from delicate eggshell porcelain in the 20th century. Adorned with intricate depictions of e...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A large Chinese famille noire porcelain vase and original hardwood stand.
Located in Central England, GB
This most decorative large Chinese famille noire vase or possibly a walking stick stand dates to circa 1930 and it is richly decorated over a black enamel background (noire) with thi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

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

Mid 19th Century Chinese Ebonized Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
19th century Chinese bench with woven seat. Ebonized Jumu or southern elm wood. Hand carved details
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Cane, Elm

Carved 'Yaozhou' Celadon-Glazed Bowl, Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The bowl is potted with steep, flared sides and decorated to the interior with stylized peonies among scrolling tendrils. The exterior is carved with vertical lines below the everted...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Celadon

Ceramic Handmade Chinese Garden Stool
Located in Vienna, AT
Midcentury chinese porcelain garden seat, partly pierced and decorated in colours and transfer printing with dragon,
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair Of Samson Chinese Export Style Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Interesting lamps with a central porcelain ginger jar with prunus decoration with cover with a carved and painted wood base to match and blend with the porcelain. An extender between...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Large Block Print Blue and White Bowl c 1822, Tek Sing Cargo
Located in seoul, KR
This impressive, large-sized circular bowl, featuring hues of blue and white, showcases decoration through a block print technique. It is adorned with two horizontal bands of shou ch...
Category

1820s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Medallion Platter, Vivid Enamels, Canton c. 1870
Located in Bradenton, FL
Extra large 18 inch Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Medallion platter, Canton c. 1870, polychrome enameled glazes on a hard-paste porcelain body, with 'orange peel' or ju-pi texture, the c...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl circa 1890, with later blue glass liner. The bowl is pierced and has wonderfully detailed chrysanthemum decoration and sits on a plain collet foot. The r...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Antique Chinese Export Famille Rose Canton Orange Ground Vases or Urns
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Chinese export porcelain vases. In the Rose Canton or Famille Rose style. Decorated throughout with numerous cartouches of flowers and birds in a variety of ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Scale Antique Chinese Carved Cork Diorama in Ebonised Glass Display Case
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A large scale Chinese carved cork diorama in its original glass display case, early 20th Century piece, Circa 1910. The scene is of a Chinese village life and landscape, an exception...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Cork

Set of 4 Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A Set of 4 Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks with Glasgow import marks for the firm of George Edward & Sons, 1899. The Scottish firm was one of the few UK companies that stocked Chi...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Frederick Cooper Bronze Chinese Warrior & Horse Table Lamp
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1970s cast bronze Chinese warrior on horseback table lamp by Frederick Cooper. It is such a handsome piece! The lamp is in working order and has been tested by a professio...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese set of four cloisonne plates depicting birds and blossom, circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
This beautiful and vibrant set of four Chinese cloisonne wall or cabinet plates is most eyecatching. The design of exotic birds amongst branches with a flowering blossom is very wel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Export Silver Card Case
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Card Case embossed and chased with figural scenes on a matte background, including playing Go and horse-riding. The top has a plain oval cartouche. It was ret...
Category

1830s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

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

Pair Of Samson Porcelain And Bronze Mounted Vases
Located in Essex, MA
Each bottle shape with attached square bronze base. Decorated with a powder blue with gilt highlights and famille rose fan and lozenge vignettes.
Category

1880s French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Circa 1860s Chinese Export Papier Mache Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860s Chinese Export papier mache box. Gilded designs highlighted by faces & hands of inlaid egg shells. Minor rubbing & losses commensurate with age. 7" x 5.75" x 1.75" h. Wh...
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

A 1970s Traditional Blue and White Ceramic Chinese Vase
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A blue and white ceramic vase hand-crafted and painted in China in the second part of 20th century, it's in original condition with normal signs of age. Blue and white ceramics have ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Collectible Gilt Metal Tibetan Box with Turquoise 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Collectible Chinese Tibetan Gilt Brass Metal Filigree with Turquoise and Coral beads round Box Handcrafted round Tibetan, Nepalese decorative brass trinket wish box with pull-off lid...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nepalese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

A Pair of Late 20th Century Blue and White Ceramic Chinese Ginger Jars
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A pair of blue and white ceramic ginger jars hand-crafted and painted in China in the second part of 20th century, They are in original condition with normal signs of age. Blue and w...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Late 20th Century Traditional Blue and White Ceramic Chinese Ginger Jar
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A blue and white ceramic ginger jar hand-crafted and painted in China in the second part of 20th century, it's in original condition with normal signs of age. Blue and white ceramics...
Category

Late 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.

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