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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
Glazed Earthenware Bowl, Song Dynasty, China
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Song dynasty period earthenware glazed bowl Gorgeous patina and wear. Overall excellent condition. Height: 2.7" Diameter: 6.5"
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Chinese Export Famille Verte & Blanc de Chine Elephant Joss Stick
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Famille Verte & Blanc de Chine Elephant Joss Stick, of typical form, good size, nicely decorated. Unmarked.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver Tea Set with Dragon & Bamboo Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique handcrafted sterling silver tea set was made in China in circa 1880 in the period Chinese export style. The set is composed of a teapot, creamer and lidded sugar bowl an...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Chinese Tall Cabinet, Chest
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 44in H x 33in W x 20in D Drawer: 3in H x 11in W x 12.5in D each Door opening: 25in H x 23in W Origin: China Circa: 1950's Material: Wood Condition: Solid wood construction, Well balance, sturdy, normal age wear. Description: This beautiful vintage cabinet...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Beech

19th Century, Chinese Export Famille Jaune Imperial Dragon Platter
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, early to mid 19th century. An antique famille jaune platter decorated with 3 imperial dragons chasing the central pearl. A good quality ename...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Asian Style Wicker and Brass Blanket Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid-Century Asian Style Wicker and Brass Blanket Chest. Measures 32" in width, 16" in depth and 16" in height closed.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Carved Wood Bench, Late 19th Early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Very beautiful Chinese bench in carved exotic wood: the backrest comes forward to form the armrests and ends in snails, the backrest is also composed of 2 vertical wooden panels carv...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Round Lidded Box 19th Century CO#09
Located in Norton, MA
Antique Chinese cloisonné enamel round box with lid depicting floral patterns. A white base tone and colorful floral all around, from the 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Pair Of Chinese Lacquered And Dragon Decorated Jardinières On Stands
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair Of Chinese Lacquered And Dragon Decorated Jardinières On Stands. Measures 20"W x 20"W x 25.75"H 14.75"H without stand Inside top is 18" x 18", inside bottom is 14"x 14"
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Urns with Lilies
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming pair of Chinese blue and white urns crafted in porcelain in a classic form with removable lids and hand decorated with lilies and flowers.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Shanghai Wicker Dog Basket or Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming mid century lidded dog box ambitiously handcrafted in wicker and wood with an uncanny essence of dog. From the famed Shanghai Collection.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wicker

Chinese Blue and White Eternity Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This porcelain tea leaf jar is beautifully glazed in the blue-and-white manner, with hand-painted cobalt-blue decoration against a crisp white field. The porcelain jar has a rounded form and flat lid, a traditional shape for jars used to hold Chinese...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Vintage Chinese Yellow Glazed Tall Foo Dogs, Mid 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A fun and colorful pair of vintage Chinese famille jaune glazed porcelain tall (15") foo dogs or foo lions, Chinese export, early to mid 20th century, China. The delightful pair of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Famille Rose Bowl with Pheasant and Chrysanthemums, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
During the 18th century, Europeans provided an eager market for Chinese export porcelain, especially the colorful and fanciful ware known as “famille rose.” Named for a palette of op...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Cloisonné Vase with Lid Flower Decoration China circa 1950
Located in Milan, Italy
Chinese lidded vase in cloisonne and gilt bronze enamel, probably from the first half of the 20th century. The domed lid with finial in the shape of a seated Buddhist lion overlooks ...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid-20th Century Chinese Raised Carved Glazed Ceramic Jar with lid.
Located in Pomona, CA
With detailed raised hand carved Feng Shui Pattern all over, this peacock green glazed ceramic jar is very unique. It is a perfect decorative element in any house. The pictures say...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Early-20th Century Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese Famille Rose vases. It was hand made and hand painted in about 1850 - 1900 in a civilian kiln. It has hand painted Chinese traditional folks arts of ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Blue & White Canton Chinese Export Porcelain Chestnut Baskets
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Chinese export porcelain chestnut baskets and underplates. In the Canton pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue. Both plates and baskets are reticulated thro...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Ornately Carved Cinnabar Plate with Landscape Scene & Wood Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique carved plate is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Chinese Export style. The plate is composed of cinnabar...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Monumental Chinese Green Glazed Koi
Located in Chicago, IL
A visual pun for "abundance," this monumental ceramic fish sculpture brings an abundance of blessings, wealth and marital bliss. The terracotta statue depicts a large koi, or carp, j...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

1900s Copper Red Chinese Ginger Jar with Foo Dogs
Located in Lomita, CA
A Chinese Foo Dog Ginger red-copper glazed jar circa 1900 is ready for installation. The jar itself has a distinctive shape with ribbed or fluted detailing on its surface. It is cera...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Export Jadeite Stone Lamps
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The stone bodies of this type of interior illuminated lamp are often referred to as quartz, jadeite or even jade but are in fact of the fluorite famil...
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Quartz

Large Chinese Export Red Lacquer Character Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese Export red lacquer character box, sculptural, well executed Chinese two part lacquer table box. Decorated with vines, symbols and bats. Unmarked.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

20th Century Vintage Jewelry Storage Mahogany Tansu Chest with Original Lock
Located in Lomita, CA
This is slightly larger than many so-called "tansu" chests, which were originally traditional Japanese mobile storage units, often made of wood, featuring intricate joinery and iron ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th Century Large Delft Garden Urn
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century Large Delft Garden Urn, of octagonal form with mask handles painted in blue with river landscapes within foliate and leaf borders. A good e...
Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Delft

Navy border Chinese Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 20th-century Chinese rug with zipper closure and poly-fill. Measures: 15'' x 15''.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Large Chinese Tea Box Black Lacquered Gilt Hand Painted Octagonal Box 1940s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Chinese Export Tea Box Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s. Antique Chinoiserie black lacquer box with numerous figures and gilt detail. Asian Chinese blac...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Chinese Export Buddha's Hand Citron Altar Fruit on Tazza, Blanc de Chine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Buddha's Hand Citron Altar Fruit on Tazza, Blanc de Chine. A rare form, realistically modeled Chinese Buddha's Hand Citron, presented on a scalloped compote. This wo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Blue Chinese Peking Wool Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful antique Chinese Peking hand knotted wool rug with a blue field, orange frame, and multi-color accents in an all-over Classic Chinese floral design. This rug measure: 9' ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Tin Tea leaf Cans/Holders Set
Located in Pomona, CA
Tin Tea cans from Late Qing dynasty or early Republic era of China, tea fragrance blends with time! 🌸 A set of exquisite tin tea cans from late Qing dynasty to the Republic era of C...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Tin

Chinese Ruyi Stone Drum
Located in Chicago, IL
Drum-form stools such as this were traditionally used in gardens and outdoor pavilions where upper class scholars read, wrote, gathered for discussion and, in general, developed thei...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Limestone

Kangxi Period Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Verte Openwork Dishes, a Pair
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Famille Verte openwork dishes, A Pair, Kangxi, Circa 1700 The circular Chinese Export porcelain dishes with openwork cash border...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Chinese Scholar Rock Wuling Stone on Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
An unusual Chinese scholar stone originated from Wuling Mountains, Hunan Province in central China. A type of geological wonder, formed through wind erosion and polishing by the elem...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Year of the Dragon Elaborate Hand Carved Stone Dragon Sculpture on Rosewood Base
Located in Tustin, CA
Intricately hand carved from a single block of richly variegated stone, this incredibly detailed and elaborate, Chinese sculpture is a true work of art. It features a dragon on a car...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone, Carnelian

Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s[A]
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s Black background with gold Chinoiserie Decoration, Depicting: Figure, Houses, Trees & foliage Circular base with 3 bun shaped gilt fe...
Category

1930s British Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Set of Four Antique Chinese Chests, Lacquered Leather 'Vellum' and Wood
Located in Peabody, MA
A collection of Chinese chests from the late 19th and 20th century includes a vermillion lacquered elmwood chest on stand (at bottom), atop that a cedar wood chest in beetle red lacquer; and above: a pair of 19th century lacquered leather (vellum) linen chests of subtly varied hue. As displayed, measures 62" high. Individual s3295izes are: Dark vellum trunk...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Persimmon Ginger Jar with Hundred Treasures Enamel, c. 1910
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the early 20th century, this petite oval ginger jar is a colorful example of Chinese famille rose porcelain. Contrasted by a matte, persimmon-orange glaze, the jar is decora...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

One of Two Chinese Porcelain Glazed Figural Ginger Jars with Lids, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Two Chinese blue and white porcelain glazed decorative figural and floral ginger jars with the original removable lids, 19th century. Measure: Diameter 28 cm. Height 28 cm. Two of t...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Chinese 'Famille Rose' Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful Pair Of Chinese Famille Rose hand painted porcelain Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames. Measure 14.5" in width and 14.5" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Rosewood, Paint

Set Of Six Chinese Export Paintings on Pith Paper
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set of six Chinese Export paintings on pith (rice) paper. The paintings depict Chinese processionals that include men in different settings such as playing instruments, carrying temp...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Large Wooden Chinese Lantern with Dragons and Painted Glass, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb large Asian lantern / chandelier / suspension. Structure in solid wood carved with dragons and openwork. Glass plates painted with subjects of women and various flowers. ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

Pair, Ming Dynasty Gilt Bronze Diminutive Chinese Foo Dogs / Guardian Lions
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, Ming Dynasty. Pair, Ming Dynasty Gilt Bronze Diminutive Chinese Foo Dogs or Guardian Lions of extraordinary quality and casting. Procured from an important New York Collect...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Brass Handled Lamps with Shades, Pair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The pair of vintage brass lamps is stylized urns with handles. The bases are trimmed in black and the bottoms are lined with felt. The rect...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Silver Cigar Box by Hung Chong & Co.
Located in Savannah, GA
Sterling silver cigar box marked Hung Chong (or Cheong) & Co., silversmiths & retailers, Canton, China, circa 1860-1930. Classic intertwined ...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

c. 1860 Chinese Lacquer on Wood Writing Slope
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 Chinese lacquer on wood writing slope. Made for the English market. Fold over writing surface. Secret drawers. Losses & rubbing commensurate with age, use & delicacy of ma...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage Chinese Cloisonne' Incense Burner - Censor - with Cover
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage Chinese cloisonné' enamel tripod incense burner and cover. Item is raised on three legs, each covered with lion mask. Beautiful lotus scroll in colors of rich blues, pinks, whites, and greens. Inside is solid turquoise...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Antique Chinese Branches & Birds Patterned Porcelain Rouleau Form Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (late 19th-early 20th Century) porcelain rouleau-form vases with a pattern featuring sprawling tree branches and foliage in greens, pinks, and browns, and bir...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Antique Kang Xi Style Chinese Export Porcelain Blue Ground Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese porcelain vase. In the Kang Xi style. With blue decoration on a white ground. Having ogee variant cartouches of landscape scenes of...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Assembled Set of 10 Porcelain Salt Dishes, Chinese Export
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th century assembled set of 10 porcelain salt dishes, Chinese export. Blue Canton, blue & white. Chips on a few. 2 3/4" avg. dia., 7/8" h. Whitehall Antiques is a family business ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Chinese Export Reverse Glass Portrait Painting of an Opium Maiden, circa 1830
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A wonderful and rare circa 1830 Chinese export reverse glass portrait painting of unusually large size of a lady in traditional robes holding a closed fan shown sat in front of black...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Iron

Unusual Pair of Large Chinese Export Canton Famille Rose 1000 Butterfly Vases
Located in New York, NY
An unusual pair of large Chinese export canton famille rose thousand butterfly porcelain vases. The vase has a very unusual shape and was most pro...
Category

1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Old Rough Chinese High Chairs
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
The original finish has been worn away through generations of use, leaving a soft, natural organic feel to the chairs. Rear legs have a piece added years ago due to wear: but I didn'...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Chinese Sancai Glazed Ceramic Pho Dogs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Chinese Sancai Glazed Ceramic Pho Dogs, each realistically modeled with raised paw on auspicious symbols, on a rectangular rockwork base. 23.5" H x 10" W x 12" D.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese blue and white jardiniere, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th Century Chinese Blue and White porcelain jardiniere, have bold colouring with classical motif decoration to the boarders, and chrysanthemum and leaf decoration wit...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Beautiful & Fine Georgian Era Tray W/ Chinese Gold Thread Embroidery
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite Georgian-era tray features a stunning panel of intricate Chinese gold thread embroidery, creating a luxurious and captivating centerpiece. The rich, finely woven embro...
Category

18th Century British Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Chinese Relief Amber Snuff Bottle
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage Chinese relief amber snuff bottle, circa 1970s. Amber is fossilized tree resin that has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. Much valu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Resin

Chinese Yellow Peaking Glass Scenic & Hardstone Snuff Bottle & Stand, Signed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Yellow Peaking Glass Scenic & Hardstone Snuff Bottle & Stand, Signed China, 1900s- 20th Century A beautiful Chinese yellow Peking glass scenic & hardstone snuff bottle & s...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Vintage Dried Flower Vase, Chinese, Handpainted, Decorative, Chinoiserie, C.1970
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage dried flower vase. A Chinese, waxed paper over board decorative drum vase, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Striking col...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

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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