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 Chinese Export Silver Tankards
Located in London, GB
A rare pair of Chinese export silver mugs/tankards, each with figural Court scenes, bamboo, and dragon handles. They have the mark for Hoaching of Canton, circa 1860, and the Chinese...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
$13,548 / set
Chinese Export Silver Mug
By Yatshing
Located in London, GB
An interesting and delightful Chinese export silver mug, of double-skin construction and decorated with bamboo leaves against a matte backgro...
Category
1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Lamp Table Oriental White Red Flowers 1920s, China
Located in New York, NY
Lamp table oriental white red flowers 1920s, China. A table lamp in white porcelain with red floral pattern. Measures: H with shade 29”, H without shade 20”, diameter of foot 6”.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
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
$5,690 / set
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box, round with a collet foot and profusely decorated with applied prunus. against a smooth plain background. The box has...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair Of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of Chinese export silver candlesticks each depicting crane on a tortoise. Crane and tortoise are the symbol of immortality, happiness and longevity in Chinese mythology. The c...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
$6,774 / set
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese silver vases with all-over bamboo decoration and each with a wavy-edge flared rim. They were made by 涂茂兴, TuMaoXing, a retailer in JiuJiang (九江), next to the Yangtze ...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
$2,709 / set
Chinese Export Silver Mug with Bamboo Decoration
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export silver mug with a bamboo handle, and decorated with a bird and moth amongst profuse bamboo decoration on a matte background. T...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
19th Century Canton Chinese Export Porcelain Chestnut Bowl
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Canton Chinese Export Rose Medallion porcelain chestnut bowl with lid featuring painted interior scenes of figures, birds and flowers with gi...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Flower Vases of trumpet form, each with circular base and rising to a flared, shaped top. The vases, which are decorated with applied prunus, were ret...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
$3,387 / set
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese Export silver candlesticks with the character for "Luck" on one and "Longevity" on the other. They are attached to round wood stands.
Marked with SW, for Shing Wo, “...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
$5,080 / set
East Asian Porcelain Warming Bowl
Located in Queens, NY
East Asian porcelain warming bowl with two spouts, decorated with figures, showing an antique repair to the bottom
Category
20th Century Asian Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Rust Agate Decorate Carved Fish Plate
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rust agate round plate with a carved fish in relief.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Agate
Chinese Blue and Purple Glazing Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) blue vase with purple and pink glazing that creates an ethereal effect across its pear-shaped form.
Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age an...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Yellow Pear Shaped Ceramic Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) yellow, pear-shaped porcelain vases with crackled finishes, gold rims, and teal interiors (mark on bottom, see photos) (PRICED AS PAIR).
...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$14,000 / set
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of Chinese Export silver candlesticks, marked with TC, for Tuck Chang, 德祥 公记(DeXiangGongJi), a Shanghai retailer from 1901-1934, and with the maker's mark of 培记 (PeiJi).
230gm...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
$2,980 / set
Two Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
Two Chinese silver vases of cornucopia form, both decorated with applied bamboo and chrysanthemum and on a circular base. The vases are similar yet were made by different silversmith...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
$3,387 / set
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market.
Chinese, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 18cm, diameter 26cm
Crafted in Chin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
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
3 Piece Antique Chinese Silver Tea Set
Located in London, GB
Classic Chinese export silver tea set comprising teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl made in the Liang Sheng ?? workshop. For thousands of ye...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Two Antique Cloisonné Enamel and Gilt Bronze Lamps
Located in London, GB
These antique lamps feature beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel bodies and fine French gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts.
Each item is comprised of two light sockets, which are attached ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
$12,871 / set
Pair of Chinese Pink & Blue 'Famille Rose' Lamps with Birds and Flowers
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
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
Chinese Porcelain Peach Altar Tribute Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain sculpture of ripe, red peaches - symbolizing immortality - each crafted with great detail, stacked high in a green dish as an abundant tri...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Brown and Pink Rope Design Trim Handled Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese handled vase with a pale pink base and a burnished tan body showing highs and lows in the finish, wrapped in two ribboned r...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Style Silver Heron and Turtle Candelabras
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) silver 2 arm candelabra of heron standing on turtle with turquoise and rust enamel inlay. (PRICED AS PAIR)...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Contemporary Chinese Black and Leaf Motif Square Side Tables
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese black lacquer, square side table distinguished by quatrefoil-shaped cutouts on all sides and a gold maple leaf motif throughout
Minor scratches to finish."
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Chinese Black Two-Tiered Tole Oval Server
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese black tole, two-tiered server with a black metal frame holding two oval shelves decorated in a garland border of gold leaves with red dots...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Chinese Green Two-Tiered Tole Oval Server
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese dark green tole, two-tiered server with a black metal frame holding two oval shelves decorated in a garland border of gold leaves with red...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Set of 4 Chinese Red Porcelain Catchalls
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Chinese red glazed porcelain catchalls with organic forms decorated in raised depictions of frogs around the exteriors (priced as set).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,440 / set
Framed Vintage Chinese Acrylic Abstract Painting of Waves and Fans
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese acrylic on canvas abstract painting of black and warm toned multi-colored swirls and waves interspersed with florals, leaves, and fans in a rectangular black painted ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood
Framed Seascape Genre Painting of Fishermen Next to a Lake
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century acrylic genre painting of two people with a small boat, fishing nets, and baskets under a copse of trees on a riverbank with a village and mountains in the background on ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paint
Gilt Bronze Mounted Chinese Canton Famille Rose Porcelain Lamps
Located in London, GB
These elegant lamps are crafted from Chinese Canton famille rose porcelain and mounted with French gilt bronze (ormolu). The lamps featur...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Blue & Orange Colour 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
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market
Chinese, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 19cm, diameter 23cm
Crafted in China...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Pair of Chinese Hardwood Buffalo & Boys with Bone Flutes
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century pair of dark hardwood water buffalo with inset glass eyes. These finely carved and highly detailed figures have carved boy figures sitting on their backs holding bone flutes...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Export Silver Fruit Dish
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver fruit dish of shaped oval form. The dish has applied chrysanthemum on engraved basket weave piercing, and the base is a skirt of...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
"Massage" Large White Porcelain Vase by Luce Raggi, Italy / China Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Luce Raggi, Massage (food porn), 2017 glazed porcelain 65 x 25 cm
Hand-painted vase representing police men, seductive women and amused saints, all dedicated to
their passion fo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pekingese Rug #162
Located in Ravenna, IT
The carpet is of Chinese origin, and is characteristic of the oriental manufacturing style of the late Qing Dynasty, produced in the city of Beijing, one of the largest centers of te...
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wool
$9,679
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese ormolu and cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market
Chinese, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 20cm, diameter 23cm
Crafted in China...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
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.