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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
Period: Early 20th Century
Chinese Porcelain Vase Mounted as Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
This is a rather stunning Chinese porcelain vase made for export to the West in the early 20th century. The vase has been mounted on a heavy brass base. The porcelain is painted wit...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Oriental Deep Side Table or Work Table
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Oriental deep side table or work table This is a very attractive piece, the table has a broad cleated border which has superb worn patina where it...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Chinese Carved Soapstone Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese carved soapstone vase with peonies on rockwork, 20th century. Measures: 8.5" H x 7" W.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Chinese Carved Mahogany Plantstand Pedestal, C1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delivery needs! They offer a reasonable flat-rate fee for delivery and set up to the ground floor of your home. They deliver to the vast majority of the lower 48 states. They offer a flat rate for most of our items with exclusions for the largest or most complex items such as breakfronts or crystal chandeliers or other items of greater complexity. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase as these rates are different from our stated pricing. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase. Most deliveries to the East Coast will be 295.00, to the mid-west and Southern mid-west 395.00. To the areas west of Kansas 495.00 and the farthest points to the West coast will be 595.00. Again, some areas we can't cover, however we can deliver to most of the lower 48 states so please inquire to be sure! Delivery times range from as fast as 1-4 weeks for the east coast to 5-9 weeks to the farthest areas of the west coast, sometimes longer and sometimes even shorter. If it is a time sensitive purchase, we may be able to accommodate you for a higher price. It is our goal to please each and every one of our customers with the highest standard of service possible. You must realize and accept that we are shipping antique, vintage and quality used furnishings to your home. We cannot control traffic, weather, and acts of God. There will be times when additional patience will be necessary This is a nice Chinese carved plant...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Samson Style Armorial Lamps
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An elegant pair of French porcelain Samson style Armorial decorated table lamps. These are marked "Made in France" on the underside attributing ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Yixing Hexagonal Vase with Painted Floral & Vine Designs
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and impressive Chinese Yixing hexagonal red clay vase with hand painted floral and trailing vine designs dating from the first half of the 20th c...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Champagne Mustard Soft Blue Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
An intermediate size Chinese Peking rug in soft blue and champagne tones from the early 20th century 5'3'' x 8'1''
Category

1920s Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Wooden Samourai Sculpture, Early 20th Century, Gold Color, China
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We have a very nice wooden Samourai sculpture, With It's arms up. It dates from the early 20th century, and you can see the aging in its beautiful patina. . The work of sculpture is ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese famille rose vase, the hand painted body depicting peacocks and vases, the sides with applied lion handles, 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Antique Chinese Champlevé or Cloisonné Lamps
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of antique Chinese champlevé or cloisonné lamps. Lovely pair of antique Chinese bronze champlevé or cloisonné table lamps. Offered champleve or cloisonne lamps are executed in a lovely floral pattern of beautiful shades including chartreuse, turquoise, pinks and whites. These lamps are in very good antique condition and have been newly wired to U.S. specifications. Champlevé is an enameling technique in the decorative arts, where troughs or cells are carved, etched, or cast into the surface of a metal object...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Hardwood 'Hungmu' Tea Table, Late 19th Century / Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Chinese hardwood (Hungmu) tea table, late 19th century / early 20th century Top above carved panels with lower shelf.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Pillows
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte pillows, Rare to find a pair, each one decorated with figures in landscape, opposing, presents...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Cylindrical Box, Brown Lacquer Paint with Flower Decoration, Japan, Early 20th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a very beautiful Japanese box dating from the beginning of the 20th century. It is lacquered in brown color, with flower patterns. It was made in Japan.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Antique Wooden Handled Bucket Originally Used to Carry and Measure Rice
Located in London, GB
Chinese Antique wooden rice bucket with through pegged joints to the handle uniting the carrying straps which were bent into place when the ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Antique Chinese Gilt Sterling Silver Cloisonne Phoenix
Located in Brea, CA
A antique unique incredible Chinese gilt sterling silver cloisonne phoenix on wood base, statue features beautiful emamel in blues, greens with jewel...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Large Chinoiserie Plaster Sculpture Chinese Figure under a Pine Tree
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A large chinoiserie plaster sculpture Chinese figure under a pine tree Probably early 20th century. Large, possibly unique sculpture of figure under a pine tree with a rock for...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Plaster

Chinese Export Sterling Silver Aladdin's Lamp, Form Table Lighter
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export sterling silver Aladdin's lamp - form table lighter on tall pedestal base, China, Ca. 1900. Graceful design. Measures 5 1/4 inches high x 3 1/2 inches wide from outer ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Early 20th-C. Asian Bronze Food Dogs or Lions Figurines, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are a pair of early 20th century Chinese bronze foo dogs. They are a heavy casting and in very good condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Export Snuff Bottle in Overlay Cameo Glass Finely Carved, circa 1920s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good Chinese cameo or overlay glass snuff bottle, which we date to circa 1920s. These overlay glass cameo snuff bottles are very decorative and sought after, partic...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Patinated Wooden Sculpture, Representing Buddha, China Early 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We have a very nice wooden Buddha sculpture. It dates from the early 20th century, and you can see the aging in its beautiful patina. The work ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Chinese Gilt-Decorated Black Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular box with canted corners, opening to a lacquered interior; decorated overall with floral and foliate motifs and cartouches of floral sprays and temples; on gilt claw f...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

20C Medium Chinese Soapstone Carving
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely 20c medium Chinese soapstone carving. Made in China in the early 20th century circa 1930. This is a medium/tall gre...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Pair of Antique Samson Porcelain Chinese Export Style Bottle Vases
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Chinese export style bottle vases. By the Samson et Cie Porcelain Manufactory. With chinoiserie decorated cartouches to all sides, a light brown (almost cafe au...
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Peking Handmade Dragon Designed Dark Blue Wool Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
A beautiful antique Dragon Peking Chinese hand-knotted wool rug with a dark blue field and multi-color accents all-over traditional Chinese dragon design. This rug measures 9'10"...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Handpainted Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Bowl
Located in Brea, CA
an antique handpainted red Chinese porcelain big bowl, there is a pattern in the bottom of the bowl, mark hand painted. , Measures: 10” x 4.5 ''bow...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain 17 PC Set
Located in Brea, CA
Antique Chinese famille rose porcelain 17 pieces set, hand painted, measures: 11.5” x 11.5 x 4 '' see carefully more pictures. 4...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Early Chinese Republic Era Stacking Lacquered Box Set with Dragon Motif
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique lacquered stacking box set is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China during the Early Republic period of approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese Ex...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Early 20th Century China Export Elmwood Console with Carrara Marble
Located in Brescia, IT
It is not easy to find this elegant console, that has very useful dimensions and has the top made in the precious Carrara marble. This is a piece that find its origin in China, in th...
Category

Early 20th Century Central Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Carrara Marble

Antique Chinese Brass Tray Folding Table with Engraved Top and Wooden Base
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This small antique brass tray table shows no maker's signature, but is presumed to have been made in China in approximately 1920 in the period...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Glazed Terra Cotta Pedestals or Stands
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of early 20th century Chinese glazed terra cotta pedestals or stands. These stunning antique Chinese pedestals are executed in an interestin...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Repousse Centerpiece
Located in Gainesville, FL
Chinese Export Silver Centerpiece with dragon decoration. The centerpiece bowl has two repousse dragons with attached dragon handles. The bowl rests on...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Carved Cinnabar Lacquer and Enameled Bowl Deer and Chrysanthemum
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Classic Vintage Chinese Carved Cinnabar lacquer and enameled bowl with deer and chrysanthemum motif from a Palm Beach estate.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Ningshia, Chinese Export, Hand Knotted Wool, Antique Rug, circa 1920
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique Ningshia from China made in circa 1920 In original condition and some wear consistent of age and use. This rug is been restored as we show on the photos. Hand knotte...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Set of Eight Chinese Watercolors of Working Women
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare antique set of eight Chinese watercolors depicting women in various occupations executed in a traditional delicate style on pith. Presented in a gilt carved wood Asian style fra...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint

Early 20th Century Set of Chinese Barrel Form Table with Stools
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A Chinese table and stool set early 20th century in original condition. The set with a round table and matching round benches. The table and three benched in a Hongmu wood...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Set of Antique Chines Hongmu Nesting Tables
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A set of 2 antique Chinese hongmu hand carved nesting tables. The smaller that fits neatly into the larger table for easy access. 22 wide, 2...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Rare Spectacular Hand-Embroidered Silk Japanese Kimono
Located in Brea, CA
This highly collectable spectacular rare kimono has detailed hand-embroidery throughout accented . This ceremonial Japanese kimono is hand sewn and hand-quilted throughout.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Pair Chinese Export Famille Rose Enameled Elephant Candle Holders, Early 20th C
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful pair of Chinese export famille rose enameled porcelain candle holders, late Qing Dynasty or early Republic Period, early 20th century, China. The whimsical pair of ca...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Carved Chinese Boxwood Plaque or Insert
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese carved boxwood plaque or insert. Depicting a Chinese monastery scene. The border is decorated with small repeating ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Boxwood

Pair of Petite Chinese Famille Rose Longevity Vases, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Unusual for the petite size, this pair of vases is a beautiful example of famille rose enamelware, also known as fencai ware, meaning "powdery color." Manufactured in the Qing court’s imperial workshops, this technique of overglazing porcelain with enamel gets its name from the white, opaque enamels used to create color gradients and a soft, pastel effect. Each vase depicts a meeting of Shoulao, the God of Longevity...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases - Made by Wang Hing circa 1900, Dragons
Located in London, London
Made circa 1900 by Wang Hing, this handsome pair of Antique Chinese Export silver vases, are of traditional form, decorated with a dragon motif. Each vase measures 7.25"(18.5cm) tall...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Blanc-de-Chine Seated Guanyin Altar Piece, 19th/20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Blanc-de-Chine Seated Guanyin Altar Piece , 19th/20th Century A large and impressive work, in two parts bearing seal/reign mark on the back o...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Three Piece Tea Service, circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver three piece tea service; an addition to our diverse silver teaware collection This exceptional antique Chinese silver tea service...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Large Chinese Ceramic Vase Early 20th Century Oxen & Figure
Located in Fulton, CA
Large scale Chinese ceramic vase measuring 22.5 inches tall. Decorated with oxen and figure with Chinese lettering. Dragon handles.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Large Ceramic Buddha Head or Bust with Real Gold Leaf, Asian Circa 1920s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good large head or bust statue or sculpture of Buddha, possibly Chinese or Japanese, which we date to the first half of the 20th century, circa 1920s. The large hea...
Category

Early 20th Century East Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Large Antique Chinese Cloisonnae Imperial Dragon Decorated Bowl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and very well executed cloisonnae bowl is signed by and unknown artist and originates from China in approximately 1900 in the period Chinese Export style. The bowl is done with black as the predominant color and decorated with Imperial Dragons...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Small Early 20th Century Chinese Green Quartz Lamp with a Jade Finial
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A relatively small but beautifully carved Chinese green quartz lamp with a removable carved bird top, set on a craved wood base. The lamp comes with ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Quartz

Pictorial Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
Stunning circa 1930's Chinese pictorial rug with a large deer and bird on a deep blue ground Measures: 2'5" x 4'6".
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Oriental Satin Walnut Low Table, Coffee Table
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Oriental Satin walnut low table, coffee table This is a very attractive piece, the table is in the style of an opium table, it has a carved border beneath the plate glass top The...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Satinwood

Tibetan Thangka Depicting the Bhavacakra, Early 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Tibetan Thangka Depicting The Bhavacakra Early 20th century, Color on cloth. A thangka showing the bhavacakra with the ancient five cyclic realms of samsara in Buddhi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Linen

Pair of Chinese Porcelain Famille Verte Jars
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese porcelain famille verte lidded jars, depicting court officials at leisure, decorated with handles in forms of bats, unmarked.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Silver Serving Bowl
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Japanese silver serving bowl; an addition to our Asian silverware collection. This exceptional Japanese silver serving bowl has a plain circular rounded form onto a plain circular swept, spreading foot. The body of this antique silver bowl is embellished with impressive engraved traditional oriental chrysanthemum floral and foliate designs. The decoration to the body incorporates gilded ornamentation to the centre of the flowers. NOTE: We are grateful to Adrien von Ferscht for his confirmation of origin of this exceptional antique piece. Condition This antique Asian silver bowl is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. This antique silver serving bowl has been professionally polished and is in presentation condition. The engraved decoration is all very crisp. Th hallmarks struck to the underside of the bowl are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique Asian bowl...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Etched Brass Tazza, Lotus Flower, Yin Yang Symbol, Large Scale
Located in Stamford, CT
Large scale Chinese brass tazza, the rimmed tray with with etched decoration of a lotus flower with a Yin Yang symbol in the center surrounded by images of...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Perfect Peking Carpet
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Elegant, sober taste, excellent state of conservation, interesting sizes, and also good price. The Chinese carpets like this one are perfect also in modern environments. Ref. n...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Green Jadeite Quartz Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A relatively large Chinese carved stone lamp mounted on a stepped brass and a carved wood base. The carved stone is often referred to as Jadeite or Quartz but is in fact from the flu...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Quartz

Vase pot pourri porcelain and bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A french vase pot pourri in porcelaine and bronze bear the mark on leg E.S probably Escalier De Cristal, famous maker in the late of 19 century and beginnin...
Category

1910s French Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese Export Blue and White Pear Shaped Porcelain Lidded Vases
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of blue and white Chinese export porcelain vases from the early 20th century, with lids and Chinoiseries scenes. Cr...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Chinese export silver vases; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. These impress...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

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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