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.
to
3
650
162
817
3
24,537
15,524
7,519
2,776
2,378
1,639
1,140
1,019
824
636
556
489
436
362
340
279
268
63
110
251
456
3
73
17
20
1
5
4
1
449
408
255
141
131
728
719
717
8
6
820
820
820
26
11
7
6
3
Style: Chinese Export
Recognized Seller Listings
Pair of Chinese Polychrome and Lacquer Door Panels
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese style (late 19th/early 20th Century) red painted doors inset with pierced & relief carved polychrome lacquered panels (PRICED AS Pair).
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
$22,500 / set
Yongzheng Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Plate with Arms of Gresley
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Plate,
Arms of Gresley Quarterly with Bowyer in Pretence,
Yongzheng Period,
1735
This u...
Category
1730s Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
18th-century Chinese Export Pseudo Tobacco Leaf Oval Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Pseudo Tobacco Leaf Oval Dish,
Circa 1765
The oval Chinese Export porcelain dish is painted in a variation of the Tobacco Le...
Category
1760s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Rose Quartz Toad
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rose quartz figure of a toad standing on a teak base (20th Cent)
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Teak
$2,850
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
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Hardwood Armoires
Located in Queens, 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
$145,000 / set
Chinese Export Porcelain Covered Famille Rose Two-handled Pots
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Covered Famille Rose Two-handled Pots,
Circa 1775
The unusual pair of Chinese Export porcelain circular two-handled pots and covers are painted in famille r...
Category
1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Celadon Balluster Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese celadon colored vases with baluster shapes, accented at the necks with scrolled ears, each sitting atop a round foot (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$4,500 / set
Chinese Quing Dynasty Red Lacquered 4-Fold Screen
Located in Queens, 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
Pair of Large Chinese Canton Famille Verte Ormolu Mounted Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of large Chinese Canton famille verte ormolu mounted porcelain vases
Chinese, 19th century
Measures: height 107cm, diameter 37cm
This magnificent pair of Chinese vases, fro...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Chinese Coromandel 4-Fold Screen with Graduated Tiered Panels
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (20th Century) black coromandel 4 fold screen with heron design and 4 graduated tier panels.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks, each with coiled dragon chasing a fire pearl around the plain column, with the dragons rising in opposing directions to face each other....
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
$4,742 / set
2 Pairs of Antique Chinese Orange and White Design Porcelain Ginger Jars
Located in Queens, NY
2 PAIRS of Antique Chinese (late 19th-early 20th Century) porcelain ginger jars with intricate orange and white designs and matching lids. (PRICED PER PAIR)
Condition: Good; Wear co...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Floral and Character Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) porcelain urn decorated with a blue geometric floral pattern surrounding a centered emblem with dark blue characters, a Greek key band around the...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Ormolu Mounted Chinese Porcelain Jardinière
Located in London, GB
A large ormolu mounted Chinese porcelain jardinière
French and Chinese, Late 19th Century
Height 102cm, width 80cm, depth 63cm
Combining Ch...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Chinese Style Porcelain Temple Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th/20th Cent) porcelain temple jar with blue & brown decoration on a white field.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Teapot and Cover
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Teapot and Cover,
Circa 1740-50
The circular globular teapot is unusually painted to either side of the spou...
Category
Mid-18th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Red Lacquered 4-Fold Screen with Carved Floral Frame
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese style (19th/20th century ) red and gold lacquered 4 fold screen featuring a carved floral frame and a Chinoiserie design.
Antique Condition prior repairs
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Export Porcelain Pair of Armorial Plates, Arms of Van Gellicum, Kangxi
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain early armorial plates,
Arms of Van Gellicum, Dutch Market,
Kangxi period, 1710-1730.
The Imari armorial plates were made for the Dutch family...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial En Grisaille Soup Plates
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial En Grisaille Soup Plates,
Pair,
Circa 1745
Chinese Export porcelain armorial en grisaille services are unusual to find. This striking pair of soup...
Category
1740s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Qing Style Mint Green Glazed Globular Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty style Yongzheng period (20th century) mint green, glazed porcelain vases with globular forms influenced by West Asian cul...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Black Nature Scene Motif Lidded Vases
Located in Queens, NY
"4 Chinese similar black porcelain vases painted with natural scenes depicting ducks amid florals and lily pads and geometric patterned bands at the tops and bases with finial-topped...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Qin Dynasty Style Life-Size Kneeling Terracotta Soldier Statue
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Qin Dynasty-style (20th Century) life-size terracotta soldier statue kneeling on a rectangular base. (Head is removable)(Companion piece: NW...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Silver Chinese Export Tea and Coffee Service, by Tuck Chang & Co., Shanghai
Located in London, GB
Silver Chinese Export tea and coffee service, by Tuck Chang & Co., Shanghai
Chinese, Late 19th century
Measures: Milk jug: height 8cm, width 14cm, depth 10cm
Coffee pot: height 25...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Canton Famille Rose Mandarin Pattern Charger, Qing Dynasty, ca. 1890
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Canton Famille Rose 12.75-inch charger, the polychrome enameled surface depicting an active palace scene with a distinguished warrior and attendants being presented to the Emporer, the border with an arrangement of butterflies, flowers, and fruit on a gilded ground with four floral reserves with an alternating butterfly and bird (illustrated in J. Feller, p. 42, #2).*
Book references
Dr. John Quentin Feller, Chinese Export Porcelain in the 19th century: The Canton Famille Rose Porcelains. Salem...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Multicolor Floral Round Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese white, round porcelain vase decorated in a pink, green, orange and blue floral designs, accented in gold detailing.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Green and Red Lu Xing Wealth and Prosperity Deific Porcelain Figurine
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) glazed porcelain statue of Lu Xing, one of the deities of the three stars considered essential in Chinese astrology, each...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Two Chinese Gilt Bronze Mounted Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
These cloisonné enamel vases are wonderful pieces of Chinese decorative art. They were crafted in the last decade of the Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911.
The vases a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Chinese White and Blue Dragon Design Porcelain Meiping Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) white porcelain Meiping vase decorated in a dynamic blue dragon motif.
Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Rose Quartz Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese rose quartz foo dogs with black eyes seated on teak bases (20th Cent)
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Teak
$15,000 / set
Chinese Ceramic Cream, Orange, and Green Fish Motif Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a porcelain vase intricately painted with orange fish swimming amidst green plant life framed by colorful geometric bands a...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
An extremely rare Chinese export famille rose armorial porcelain charger
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An extremely rare and large Chinese export famille rose armorial porcelain charger with the Amsterdam coat-of-arms
Qianlong period, circa 1720-1...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Chinese Blue and White Dragon Motif Porcelain Meiping Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese white porcelain Meiping vase decorated in a swirling blue dragon motif.
Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Black and White Cherry Blossom Tree Motif Porcelain Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese black porcelain jar with red and white cherry blossom trees growing from a green pastoral scene at the base.
Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Bamboo Root Carved Peacock Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of similar Chinese peacock sculptures carved from the roots of bamboo, utilizing the main section of the root for the bodies, and the "root hair" ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Chinese Carved Bamboo Root Face Wall Hanging
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese wall plaque made from a bamboo root carved in the shape of a smiling face with a bamboo root fiber beard. (Companion pieces: NWL2543A-G).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Chinese White and Navy Blue Symbol Patterned Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large, off-white porcelain urn painted with a navy blue pattern featuring Buddhist symbols and other shapes with accented blue scrolled handles.
...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Floral Porcelain Planter with Wooden Stand
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain planter painted with florals and greenery over a black ground on the exterior and fish amidst seaweed along the interior. The pot sits atop a 5-footed wooden stand ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
18th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Chinoiserie Bureau Desk for the Dutch Market
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An extremely rare, possibly unique, Chinese export lacquer bureau for the Dutch market
Canton, circa 1737
H. 118 x W. 102.5 x D. 63 cm
Provenance:
- Private collection, The Netherlands
- J.K. Driessen Antiques, Arnhem (Art Fair Breda, 1989)
- Noble collection, Belgium
Literature:
- C.J.A. Jörg, ’De handel van de V.O.C. in Oosters lakwerk in de 18de eeuw’ in: Nederlands Kunsthistorisch Jaarboek , Jr. 31 (1980), pp. 355-363 (ill.)
- Annigje Hofstede, Nederlandse meubelen van Barok tot Biedermeier, 1700-1830, Waanders, Zwolle 2004, pp. 35-37 (ill.)
This lacquer bureau is one of the four writing desks purchased in Canton in 1737, and as far as is known, this is the only remaining bureau of its type from the period. As the VOC believed that large pieces of import took up too much valuable space in their trading ships...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cypress, Lacquer
Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Golden Pheasant on a Tree Branch
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Golden Pheasant on a Flowering Tree Branch,
20th Century,
The large porcelain plaque, in an upright format, depicts a large Golden Ph...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Standing Figures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style blue and white porcelain standing figures (19/20th Cent)
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$4,250 / set
Chinese White and Blue Nature Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large white, porcelain urn with a scene of blue flora and fauna, and two dark blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Light wear with some damage ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Large Five-piece Famille Rose Garniture of Vases
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Large Five-piece Famille Rose Garniture of Vases,
Circa 1775-80
The Chinese Export porcelain flattened baluster vases and covers are of a large size with ra...
Category
1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Lidded Bronze Ritual Wine Vessel
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style verdigis bronze ritual wine vessel with raised archaistic patterns, accented with two rings and topped with a lid bearing three bird-form finials.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Export Silver Card Case
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Card Case, circa 1900, embossed and chased with a dragon amidst clouds on one side, and with a vacant shield-shaped cartouche. The reverse side features chrysan...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Porcelain American Ship Spoon Tray
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain American Market Ship Spoon Tray,
Circa 1785-90
The Chinese Export porcelain spoon tray is painted in famille rose with an American three-masted ship under f...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
China Trade Watercolors of Flower Baskets with Chinoiserie Frames, A Set of Six
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade Watercolors on Pith Paper of Flower Baskets,
Circa 1850.
The watercolors on pith paper framed vertically within Chinoiserie black and gold frames depict flowers within h...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paper
Chinese Floral Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Vase for Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Floral Cloisonné enamel and ormolu vase for Islamic Market
Chinese, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 21cm, diameter 24cm
This beautifu...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Elephant Modeled as a Candlestick
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export porcelain canton famille rose elephant modeled as a candlestick,
Circa 1860
The standing Chinese Export porcelain elephant with its trunk up is painted in an iron-red with gilt decoration and caparisoned. On its back is a gu-form vase candle holder rising from the raised saddle. Below the urn is a long saddle cloth hanging down painted with famille rose birds...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Chinese Export Famille Rose Dessert Plates Circa 1750
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this pair of Chinese export Famille Rose dessert plates with sprays of delicately painted flowers in purple and pink surrounding a bouquet of tulips and peoni...
Category
1750s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Navy Glazed Porcelain Parrot Statue
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese glazed porcelain statue of a navy blue parrot with a brown beak and talons perched atop green grasses.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Pale Green and Pink Blossom Lidded Jars
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese pale green lidded jars decorated with lily pads and pink lotus blossoms on one side of their round forms and extending up to the lids,...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Ming Dynasty Porcelain Shou Lau Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese (Ming Dynasty-Circa 1500) blue & green porcelain Shou Lau seated figure with oversize head (symbolism of longevity & luck) on a base suppo...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Celadon Porcelain Pot with Bird
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style (20th Century) celadon porcelain jardiniere with a bird and floral decoration.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese 19th Century Carved Horseshoe-Back Folding Chair
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (19th Century) horseshoe-back wooden folding armchair with a rush seat, sloped, carved back and footrest.
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Off-White and Blue Vine Lidded Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) lidded porcelain ginger jar with a dark blue vine and floral motif against a white ground, and bold blue characters on 4 sides.
Wear throughout...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Black and Gold Tole Lake Scene Oval Tray
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese tole serving tray with a painted gold design of a lake scene on a black background with a shallow lip with two cut out handles.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of White and Blue Pattern Lidded Porcelain Ginger Jars
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese white and blue porcelain lidded ginger jars painted with floral and vine motifs, Greek key patterned bands at the openin...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Navy Blue Botanical Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn decorated with a blue botanical scene of an oversized peony emerging from a marsh under a bird...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Taoist Han Elder Man Longevity God Porcelain Figurine
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain figurine with a long beard and raised forehead, clad in yellow and blue robes and holding a staff that symbolizes health ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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.