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.
Mid-Century Chinese Coffee Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautifully hand-carved coffee table features a marble inset top with mother-of-pearl inlay decoration. These tables are popular due to their beautiful aesthetic, craftsmanship,...
Marble
Pair of Porcelain Kneeling Chinese Boys Holding Shallow Single Blossom Vessels
Located in Savannah, GA
This whimsical pair of porcelain figures depict kneeling Chinese boys holding square containers suitable for single blossoms. The symmetry is graceful from all angles and the color p...
Porcelain
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Decorated Tea Caddy Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese for the English market, 19th century. A fine quality antique Chinese export tea caddy decorated with beautiful gilding surfaces, a hinged lid which opens to reveal a tooled ...
Pewter
Beautiful Satsuma Style Decorations & Elegant Gilt Gold Detailing Porcelain Lamp
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This exquisite 20th-century porcelain table lamp showcases exceptional craftsmanship with its beautifully painted Satsuma-style decorations and elegant gilt gold detailing. The lamp’...
Porcelain, Wood, Paint
Chinese Famille Rose Ginger Jar Table Lamp on Bronze Base
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Chinese Famille Rose ginger jar table lamp is an antique (circa early 20th or even late 19th century) porcelain jar mounted as a lamp on ornate...
Bronze
$1,250 / set
Chinese Export Porcelain Turquoise Cats
Located in Downingtown, PA
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Cats with Turquoise Glaze This striking pair of Chinese porcelain figures, dating from the Early 20th Century, depicts two domesticated cats posed a...
Porcelain
Chinese Porcelain Qing Emperor Decorative Figure
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your collection with this exquisite Chinese porcelain figurine inspired by the illustrious Qing dynasty. Crafted in a stunning wucai style, the figurine depicts a distinguish...
Porcelain, Paint
Chinese Export Four Panel Gilt Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen featuring a pagoda pavilion landscape with a dramatic gold leaf background. The black lacquered panels are incised with vibr...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Oriental Ceramic Fish Bowl, Jardiniere or Planter On Rosewood Stand
Located in Plainview, NY
The Chinese ceramic fish bowl, jardiniere, or planter features a rich, multicolored palette that vividly brings to life intricate scenes of regal...
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Rose Mandarin Porcelain Vase, 19th Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine, antique Chinese Rose Mandarin porcelain vase. With rich polychrome enamel decoration on a light celadon ground. An excel...
Porcelain
$451Sale Price|30% Off
Early 20thc Chinese Soapstone Carving of Flowers & Birds on Teakwood Stand
Located in Savannah, GA
This very lovely soapstone sculpture is intricately carved and features two vases and a smaller receptacle with three little birds intertwined in flowers and leaves. Some design etch...
Soapstone
Chinese Silver and Enamel Teapot with Magpies and Blossom
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This Chinese silver and enamel teapot is a mid-20th century piece from the final years of the Republic period, dating to around 1945. Combining traditional m...
Silver, Enamel
Chinese Export Four Panel Coromandel Screen Cranes on Gold Leaf
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dazzling Chinese export lacquered four-panel coromandel screen featuring a flora and fauna waterscape with stylized cranes. The carved lacquer panels...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Hand-Carved Chinese Jade Calligraphy Brush with Horsehair Tip, 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Chinese Jade, Bone & Horse hair Calligraphy Brush, Hand-Carved, 15 in. A refined vintage Chinese calligraphy brush, distinguished by its sculptural, segmented handle composed of ...
Jade
$1,400 / set
Chinese Carved Stone Foo Dogs, a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Chinese carved stone foo dogs. Very nice substantial size. Each with moveable ball in mouth. 6.5" x 4" wide 9" tall. Add some Asian style to your design project.
Stone
Mid Century Chinese Ink on Silk and Paper Four-Fold Floor Screen
Located in Germantown, MD
A mid 20th Century Chinese Ink on Silk and Paper Four-Fold Floor Screen Measures 71" in width and 52.5" in height. Each panel is 17.75" wide.
Fabric, Silk, Wood, Paper
Set of Four Chinese Export Chinoiserie Bird Panels on Gold Ground, Mid-Century
Located in San Carlos, CA
Striking set of four Chinese export decorative wall panels featuring finely rendered birds and floral motifs painted against a luminous gold ground. Each tall, narrow panel is hand-p...
Wood
Gorgeous Pair of Ceramic Chinese Garden Seat End Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely pair of pastel figural decorated garden seats that make a marvelous set of drinks tables. Gayle
Ceramic
Chinese Export Eight Panel Coromandel Screen Lotus Blossoms
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand Chinese export post republic period eight panel coromandel screen featuring a waterscape decorated with blossoming lotus and birds....
Brass
Pair of Vintage Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Floor Vases
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of large, highly decorated porcelain vessels are Chinese Famille Rose style floor vases features blooming peonies and exotic birds, likely peacocks or pheasants. Peonies ar...
Porcelain
Mid Century Chinese Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Decorative Wall Fan
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful decorative Wall Hanging Fan , circa 1950's, Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Asian Tea Set with Hand Woven Wicker Carrying Warmer Basket, Teapot and Mugs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Asian tea set with carrying basket. 1 porcelain teapot, 2 porcelain tea mugs and a wicker carrying basket. Perfect for a trip to the garden for tea time or pi...
Porcelain, Wicker
Blue & White Four Flowers Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This round, porcelain ginger jar is brightly glazed in the blue-and-white manner. A combination of stenciled linework and hand-brushed shading, the jar is decorated with garden scene...
Porcelain
FINE ANTiQUE FOUR PERSON MAHJONG CIRCA 1920'S CHINESE EXPORT PERIOD HAND CARVED
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this highly collectable Chinese export Circa 1920's Mahjong set with the original hand carved box and additi...
Bamboo, Hardwood
Early 19th Century Chinese earthenware jars containers or Planters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An old glazed stoneware pair of Chinese 'egg post' or planters from Southern China. The pots have a traditional continuous coiling dragon wrapped around the body chasing the eternal ...
Earthenware
Celadon Vase, in a Green Color, Ceramic, Mid-20th Century, Made in China
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Green Celadon vase. This ceramic was made in China in the 20th century. It is small in size and has decorations in the manner of the Song period.
Ceramic, Celadon
Chinese Qing Four Panel Carved Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Chinese late Qing dynasty four panel folding coromandel screen featuring carved soapstone. The lacquered panels are decorated with idyllic scenes of beauties in a pagoda p...
Soapstone, Brass
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Chinese Elm Yoke Back Officials Hat Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Highly carved pair of Chinese elm yoke back officials hat chairs. Featuring a decorative back splat with figural scenes. The arms have a whimsical serpentine form and the spandrels on the crest and front apron have finely carved detail. Constructed with a mortise and tenon joinery and supported by square legs with a foot rest in the front. Also known as pagoda chairs...
Elm
Circa 1880 Chinese Export Porcelain Thousand Butterfly Creamer
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880 Chinese export porcelain thousand butterfly creamer. Scroll handle with gilding; finely enamelled decoration overall. Popular motif. Minor rubbing typical for age & use. 4...
Porcelain
Old Round Blue & White Canton Chinese Export Porcelain Covered Tureen/Vegetable
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain covered tureen or vegetable dish. In the Canton pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue. Depicting a mountainous Chinese village to the top o...
Porcelain
Porcelain Blanc de Chine Guanyin statue, China circa 1900 - 51cm
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A porcelain Blanc de Chine Guanyin statue standing on a fine lotus flowers and leaves decoration ; China circa 1900. This is a tall piece to place on a large mantel or a commode, the...
Porcelain
$188 / item
Blue & White Trailing Vines Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This round, porcelain ginger jar is brightly glazed in the blue-and-white manner. A combination of stenciled linework and hand-brushed shading, the sides and lid are enlivened with a...
Porcelain
Fine Chinese Famille Rose Hexagonal Jardiniere and Stand Republic Period
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A fine Chinese Famille Rose Hexagonal jardiniere and stand. Republic Period (1912-1949). Decorated with a continuous scene of ladies at lei...
Ceramic
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Chinese Export Rose Medallion Bowl & Hardwood Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Chinese Export Rose Medallion Bowl & Hardwood Stand China, circa 1880s, Later carved hardwood stand 20th Century Of good size, bright and colorful, hand painted and en...
Porcelain
Large Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Medallion Bowl #10
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large colorful vintage Chinese export famille rose medallion porcelain bowl. Features classic oriental scenes with Chinese people throughout. Ov...
Porcelain
$2,288Sale Price / set|20% Off
Stunning Mid-Century Chinese Pair of Verdigris Bronze Lamps, James Mont Style
By James Mont, William Billy Haines
Located in Bochum, NRW
Monumental Chinese verdigris bronze pair of table lamps, in the spirit of James Mont. Mounted on a solid wood base with a turned wood top. The brass vertical element is adjustable in...
Bronze
Pair of Antique Chinese Beige and Orange Foo Dog Patterned Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (late 19th-early 20th Century) porcelain urn-form vases with a pattern featuring swirling orange foo dogs against a gray-beige background. (PRICED AS PAIR) C...
Porcelain
A Massive Pair of Chinese Pink and White Dragon Porcelain Planters
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Massive Pair of Chinese Pink and White Dragon Porcelain Planters Elevate your living space with a touch of timeless elegance with this exquisite pair of massive Chinese porcelain ...
Porcelain
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Export Four Panel Coromandel Screen Pearlescent Landscape
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Captivating Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen featuring an idyllic seascape with beauties. The background is comprised of pearlescent crystal sand that shines like glitter ...
Brass
Large Italian A.Santini Faux Ivory Tusk Carving God of Longevity Chinoiserie 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
A huge Italian A.Santini faux ivory resin sculpture in a curved tusk form, standing 25" tall, of a detailed Chinese god of Longevity standing with a child, mounted upon a stand with ...
Resin
Chinese Export Silver Cigarette Case Depicting the Bund and the Angel of Peace
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Silver Cigarette Case Depicting the Bund and the Angel of Peace, Shanghai, c. 1930–1940 129 grams, 4.5" W × 3.5" H × 0.33" D (8.75" W open) A rare and historically s...
Sterling Silver
Japanese 19th Century Scalloped Imari Porcelain Dish or Charger
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Japanese Dish or Charger, made in Japan at the beginning of the 19th century. With beautiful colors in red blue and white. The Item is in good condition.
Porcelain
$3,080Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Silver & Leather Theatre Opera / Wedding Tiered Phoenix Headdress, 1920s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Silver & Leather Theatre Opera / Wedding Tiered Phoenix Headdress, 1920s Silvered Metal & leather and embroidered Mandarin hat This Chinese silv...
Metal
19th Century Flow Blue Gravy Sauce Boat with Two Handles
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous double handled double spout fliw blue gravy boat. In excellent antique condition with a minor chip at the base.
Clay, Porcelain
1940s Chinese Pair Foo Dog Glazed Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of antique chinese figurines Foo Dog sculpture green glaze ceramic. Dimensions: 8" H x 3.75" W x 6.5" D Ple...
Ceramic
Pair of Rose Medallion Vases
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Fine pair of 19th century rose medallion vases.
Ceramic
Chinese Chinoiserie Decorated Lacquer Panels, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of stylish Chinoiserie panels in a lacquer finish, painted in gold, red & black with landscapes with village and people. The frame also decorat...
Lacquer
$704Sale Price / item|54% Off
Chinese Export Blue & White Porcelain Coved Tureen, 19th Century
Located in Huntington, NY
Chinese Export Blue & White Porcelain Coved Tureen, 19th Century
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Willow Woven Fisherman Basket Asian Storage Container
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Chinese Willow Woven Fish or Grain Basket. Vintage Chinese fisherman basket hand woven from natural willow wood with removable lid. This woven reed fisherman’s basket was use...
Rattan, Wood
20th Century Antique Tibetan Hand Painted Tall Credenza Storage Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique Tibetan Painted Cabinet is 100% hand made and hand painted using mineral painting which last the paint a much longer time. You can see some of the finish has already los...
Wood
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Soup Tureen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Export Famille rose porcelain soup tureen and underplate. Qianlong Period, decorated with the figure of a mahout astride an elephant and flower sprays with gold rim. The theme of this lot indicates that it was probably made for the European colonial market in India, where East Indian ships...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Chinese Export Style Green Pottery and Blossom Vases, S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These is set of two Chinese Export style vases or ewers. They are a vivid green majolica glaze with a spraying of white blossoms. Measures: Small ; 5.25”H x 8.5”H.
Pottery
Antique Blue and White Chinese Export Porcelain Dish Hand Painted Kangxi 1700
Located in Katonah, NY
This beautiful blue and white porcelain dish was made in China during the Kangxi reign (1662–1722). It was created specifically for export to the European market. Measuring 8.25 inch...
Porcelain
Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Planter
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 20th Century Famille Rose Porcelain Planter. Planter is decorated with a continuous figural family scene of a man, woman, child and elder. All are dressed in traditional garmen...
Porcelain
Large Antique Rose Medallion Chinese Export Porcelain Punch Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain punch bowl. In the Rose Medallion (Famille Rose) style. The central cartouche of the bow...
Porcelain
Mid 19th Century Set of Chinese Cantonese Blue & White Dinner/Lunch Set 71 pcs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic set of blue & white hand decorated porcelain Canton ware, perfect for a lunch 68 pcs. 13 - tea cups 13 - saucers 13 - 9" plates 2 - 7" bowls 17- 6" plates 3 - 10" dinner pl...
Paste, Porcelain
Gump’s Exotic Chinese Jade & Sterling Silver Cigar Lighter
By Gumps
Located in New York, NY
Exotic cigar lighter, ca 1920. Sterling silver globular bowl with chained cap swing-mounted to round frame, in turn, swing-mounted to hemispheric frame mounted to open support. Chine...
Jade, Sterling Silver
Pair 20th Century Chinese Export Famille Verte Porcelain Parrots, Kangxi Style
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Porcelain Parrots, Kangxi Style, Mid-20th Century A striking pair of Chinese export porcelain parrots, modeled in the Kangxi famille verte tradi...
Porcelain
Chinese Porcelain Snuff Bottle
Located in Vienna, AT
Very decorative, hand painted, Chinese snuff bottle, made from porcelain, circa 1940s. The bottle has a narrow neck with a cone shaped stopper. The main decoration is hand painted.
Porcelain
Large Pair Chinese Celadon Glazed Bottle-form Porcelain Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
each large vase with long neck and everted lip above a bulbous body; all in a soft green celadon glaze with brass caps and bases
Ceramic