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
Recognized Seller Listings
Pair of 20th Century Chinese Black and Gold Lacquered Three-Tiered Cabinets
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese black lacquered three-tiered glass and wooden cabinets decorated with landscape scenes and carved borders with brass hardware and detailed interior ( Early 20th Centu...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th Century Chinese Hardwood Display Table or Stand
Located in London, GB
This display table is a refined work crafted in the 19th century of the Chinese Qing dynasty. It would serve as a beautiful ornament upon which to display plants, urns or other decor...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Denim Blue Chinese Rug with Tone on Tone Scrolling Leaf Pattern
Located in Milan, IT
A highly refined antique Chinese carpet, distinguished by a subtle tone on tone pattern of scrolling leafs in sky blue on a denim blue background, reminiscent of the most sophisticat...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wool
Chinese Celadon Porcelain Table Lamp on a Teak Base
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Century) celadon porcelain lamp with blue figural scene and mounted on a round teak base and filigree cover.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Teak
Asian Chinese Style ‘19th Century’ Large Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th century) large red and gold lacquered narrow console table with filigree carved panels and brown marble-top.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Marble
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Large Dishes, circa 1765-1775
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export famille rose porcelain dishes,
circa 1765-1775.
The pair of Chinese Export famille rose large dishes are finely painted with a flowering branch design with two la...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique 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
Set of 4 Antique Southeast Asian Silver and Enamel Compotes
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Southeast Asian export silver compotes, circa 1920. Each: Shallow bowl with pierced and chased birds and flowers. Enameled rim with raised scallops interspersed with berries...
Category
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Pair of Chinese Gilt Deity Figures
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese style (18/19th Cent) gilt diety / priest figures standing on lotus-form bases.
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair of baluster form lamps in the floral Famille Rose palette, hand decorated in polychromes with foliates and birds.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Red Lacquered and Gilt Altar Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese (Possibly Vietnamese 19th Century) red lacquered and gilt carved console (alter) table with scroll top sides and 3 front panels with carved floral and bird design.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Jardinière Attributed to F. Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Monumental Chinese cloisonné enamel ormolu mounted jardinière
Chinese and French, Late 19th Century
Height 105cm, diameter 71cm
This magnificent piece is a large ormolu mounted cloi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Enamel, Ormolu
18th Century, Chinese Export Coral and Puce Porcelain Tea Service
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain service spectacularly decorated with a smart coral scale ground with panels of puce flowers.
The service com...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Watercolors of Exotic Fruit on Pith Paper
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Chine trade watercolors are of fine quality and depict various exotic fruits including pineapples, lychees, finger citrus and orange amongst others. Now framed with a thin gilt f...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paper
Antique Chinese Silver Bamboo Tea Caddy by Hung Chong
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver tea caddy, circa 1900. Baluster with drum-form neck and cover. Chased and repousse bamboo and blossoming prunus branches on stippled ground. Plain band at shoulder. Also plain are foot rim, neck, and cover sides. Cover top has circular frame (vacant). Fully marked with Chinese characters and letters HC for Hung Chong...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Porcelain Oval Famille Rose Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Chinese Export porcelain dish in the famille rose palette is painted on the border with meandering vines and flowers which surrounds a central panel decorated with vases and pots of flowers...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Hardwood Armoires
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese (Qing Dynasty) hardwood cupboard cabinets with carved relief on 2 front doors over 2 drawers with a carved apron on base (Priced as pair).
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Lamps Hand Decorated with Court Scenes
Located in London, GB
Pair of baluster form lamps, hand decorated with court scenes in polychrome on wood bases.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Hardwood Pedestal Stands
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese (18/19th Cent) hardwood pedestal stands with celadon jade bats inserted into a carved apron under top with a box form stretcher.
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Jade
Fine Pair of Chinese Baluster Form Lamps
Located in London, GB
Fine pair of baluster form lamps hand decorated in polychromes with court scenes, fitted with Rococo gilt bronze bases.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Watercolor of a Sampan on Paper, circa 1800
Located in Downingtown, PA
The large Chinese watercolor on European paper depicts a starboard view of a two-master sailing ship with one man sailing the vessel while two passengers can clearly be seen inside t...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paper
Chinese Quing Dynasty Red Lacquered 4-Fold Screen
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese (Qing Dynasty 18/19th Century) 4 panel screen with a (restored) maroon lacquered background and finely decorated scene of figures and palace in a black lacquered frame.
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Lacquer, Paint, Wood
Large Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A large Chinese Export Silver Bowl with chrysanthemum decoration on a matte background. It was retailed by HC, for Hung Chong "鸿昌", whose shop was in Shanghai between around 1870-194...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Hardwood Pedestal Stand
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese (Qing Dynasty-probably 18th Cent) hardwood pedestal stand with an open design under top and a box stretcher with an open design.
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Paintings on Mirror Glass Chinese 18th Century China
Located in New York, NY
Paintings on Mirror Glass Chinese 18th Century China. A pair of paintings made on mirrored glass. Made during the 18th century in China. Original fr...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Mirror
Chinese Export Nankin Blue & White Porcelain Tray
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Canton Nankin Blue & White Porcelain Tray,
Circa 1810-20
The oval large Chinese Nankin porcelain oval tray is decorated in underglaze blue and white with a riverscape...
Category
Early 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Chinese Porcelain Large Jardiniere
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Porcelain Large Jardiniere
Mid-19th Century
The Chinese porcelain planter or jardiniere has an unglazed interior with a drainage hole. The exterior with a continuous scene ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Mandarin Pattern Dragon Handled Mug or Tankard
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Mandarin Tankard,
Circa 1785
The late 18th century Chinese Export porcelain mug has a dragon handle and is painted in famille rose with Mandarin figures. A...
Category
1780s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large 18th Century Chinese Porcelain Punch Bowl, Hunt Bowl Made Circa 1770
Located in Katonah, NY
The Chinese hunt bowl at its finest!
Made in the Qianlong period, circa 1770, this exquisite hand-painted Chinese export bowl shows Western figures r...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Garniture
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Five Piece Famille Rose Porcelain Garniture,
circa 1730-1750
The garniture of five Chinese Export porcelain vases consists of three covered baluster vases and two ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Rare Dutch-Market Blue & White Double Herring Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export porcelain rare blue & white double herring dish,
Circa 1765
The rectangular Chinese Export underglaze blue and white dish of rare large size is painted with two herrings, each facing a different way with an elaborate bordered edge and honeycomb cell-pattern rim. This is based on Dutch Delft dishes from this period and these Chinese porcelain dishes were made for the Dutch market.
Dimensions: 9 3/8 inches wide x 6 3/4 inches deep x 1 1/4 inches high; ( 23.82cm wide x 17.15cm deep)
Condition good with several rim frits.
Provenance: Private New England Collection;
S. Marchant & Son, London paper label.
Reference: D. Howard & J. Ayers, China for the West, London, 1978, vol. I, p. 85 where a Delft dish is also illustrated.
A Chinese dish is illustrated in Uit Verre Streken, November 2018, no. 42.
Dr. Christian J.A. Jorg reports that in 1773 the Dutch East India Company’s “Requirements” included a narrow dish for one herring and a wider version for two (Porcelain of the Dutch China...
Category
1750s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Japanese or Chinoiserie Style Urn Table Lamps by Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An exquisite pair of red ochre urn-shaped table lamps depicting flying storks / cranes and Japanese scenery. The urns are situated on a gilded rectangular platform. The urns are a st...
Category
1960s American Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Paper
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Silver Mug
By Khe Cheong
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver mug; an addition to our antique silver collection
This exceptional antique Chinese Export silver mug has a tapering cylindrical form.
The surface of this impressive Chinese silver mug is embellished with chased decoration depicting Asian figures in a village setting performing chores and playing musical instruments, incorporating a multitude of indigenous plants.
The decoration to the body incorporates a vacant oval cartouche to the anterior surface.
The upper rim and base of the mug are encompassed with applied moulded borders.
This Chinese export mug...
Category
1820s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Pale Blue Six-Sided Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Qing Dynasty Qianlong Period (20th Century) six-sided porcelain vase in pale blue, accented with lug ears along the neck (date mark on bottom).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Mandarin Shell-Form Shrimp Dish, circa 1820
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Chinese Export Porcelain rose mandarin shell-form shrimp dish, also known as a Nappie or dessert dish, circa 1820, the shaped bowl with vividly enameled glazes and detailed gilding, ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Rose Mandarin Shrimp Dish with Elaborate Enameled Gilded Handle, c. 1820
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Mandarin Shell-Form Shrimp Dish, also known as a nappie or dessert dish, circa 1820, the shaped bowl with vividly enameled glazes and detailed gilding, ...
Category
1820s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Silver Bowls
By Tu Mao Xing
Located in London, GB
A pair of Chinese silver bowls of hexagonal form with panels of dragons and bamboo as shown.
They have the mark for Tu Mao Xing of JiuJaing, circ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
18th Century Chinese Enamel Vases with Persian Style Decorations
Located in London, GB
These beautiful jugs date from the late 18th century in China, yet they have been enameled to appear as if they are Persian. They have long, slender bodies in a flattened pear shape,...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Chinese Export Silver Antique Tea Set by Tu Mao Xing
By Tu Mao Xing
Located in London, GB
Comprising a tea pot, sugar bowl and milk jug, each of globular fluted form with dragon handles, the bodies embossed with sprays of bamboo and figures on horseback, with character ma...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique 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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