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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
Antique Chinese Decorated Lacquer Decorative Box
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Chinese lacquer decorated decorative box. This Stunning Chinese export hand decorated lacquered box is the perfect accessory for a coffee table or dressing table. Could be used for jewelry or important documents.
Category

1920s Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

1940s Antique Picture Frame Dragon Serpent High Relief
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1940s Antique Silver Nickel Photo Picture Frame Stand up kick plate Embellished Border design dragon serpent motif 7H x 5.25W .25D inches Original Vintage Preowned Condition. Refer ...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Early 20 Century Vintage Chinese Dark Green Glaze Pottery Vase/Liquor Bottle
Located in Pomona, CA
Our wonderful collection of handmade old vintage Chinese hand made glazed pottery vase/liquor bottle will make great accent pieces for any room of your house. It has some imperfection signs of age and usage on the mouth of vase and distressed patina. Take a close look at the pictures, there are some Buddha symbols...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Large Antique Chinese Cloisonné Champlevé Bronze Vase, China, circa 1890
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Large antique Chinese late 19th century Qing dynasty Cloisonné, Champlevé enameled bronze vase, circa 1890. The vase of archaic style and having...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of pedestals - vase holders of Chinese manufacture, early 20th century
Located in Vicenza, VI
Pair of Chinese-made pedestals/pot stands, datable to the early 20th century. The two pieces of furniture are made of carved ebonized oak, and are thus presented in a deep black col...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Oak

Rare Unique Pair Etched Figures Signed Chinese Faux Bamboo Gilded Mirrors
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic pair of mirrors that are absolutely incredible. The etched signatures and the etched figures are all done in gold leaf and just beautifully done. The mirrors meas...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Boxwood

Chinese Export Porcelain Group of Batavia-ware Urns & Covers
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Group of Five Famille rose & Batavia-ware Chocolate-colored Urns & Covers 1750s The Chinese Export porcelain circular jards and covers are painted with a chocolate Batavia-ware ground with leaf-shaped panels of famille rose flowers-mostly of peonies. Dimensions: Largest: 7 1/2 inches high x 7 1/2 inches diameter; Second largest: 7 1/4 inches x 6 1/2 inches diameter; Third largest: 5 1/2 inches high x 5 inches diameter; Pair of smaller jars...
Category

1750s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Natural Elm Tall Tea / Side Table with Decorative Feet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese Natural Elm Tall Tea / side table with Decorative Feet This Vintage tall tea table/side table ia made of elm and has unique decorative feet. This table has its ori...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Large Chinese Famille Verte Vase, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Large Chinese Famille Verte 19th century. Colorfully enameled with elegant gathering of the literati in the rock garden, The neck applied with twin gilded mythical beast ha...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Small 19th Century Chinese Export Urn Converted to a Modern Lamp
Located in Middleburg, VA
Small 19th century Chinese export urn converted to a lamp. Measures: 19” H 5.5” W 4” D.  
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Early 19th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Pistol Handle Urn, wired as a Lamp
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Pistol Handle Urn, wired as a lamp.
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Shanxi Province Hand Carved Elm Child Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province hand carved elm child chair. This elm child's chair from the Shanxi Province of China is hand carved and an extremely rare piece. All natural patina. C...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Asian Round Coffee Table Carved with Dragons and Peacocks, Indonesia, circa 1920
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb Asian side table / tea or coffee table in carved solid wood. The carved top represents a majestic peacock surrounded by two serpents or mythologi...
Category

1920s Indonesian Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Vases Now Electrified on Giltwood Bases
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lovely pair of Chinese Export porcelain hand decorated vases, decorated overall in the Famille Verte palette with numerous figures of courtesans, birds, butterflies and flowers in ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Celadon Glazed Porcelain Cong Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese celadon glazed ceramic porcelain cong form vase, no visible marks. Measures: 10.75" H x 3.75" W x 3.75" D.
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Vintage Shanxi Province Elm Coffee Table with Carved Apron
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Shanxi Province Elm coffee table with Carved Apron This Vintage elm coffee table is from the Shanxi Province of China. It has a han...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Pair of Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Pagoda Form Tea Caddies
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of petite Chinese blue and white porcelain canisters or caddies with an elegant pagoda form hand decorated with floral and geometric designs ar...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Taoist Yixing Zisha Clay 'Scholar' Figure, Cold Painted, China, 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Taoist Yixing Zisha clay 'priest or scholar' figure - cold painted - good detail - unsigned - China - 20th century. Good vintage condition - chips and ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Clay, Paint

Set of 4 Asian Armchairs in Carved and Inlaid Wood, circa 1900-1920
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Set of 4 elegant Asian lounge armchairs. In carved wood inlays with many animal and vegetal scenes: birds, flowers, plants... Chinoiserie / Chinese Export, Indochina or southern ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Shanxi Province Hand Woven Rattan Top Elm Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province hand woven rattan top elm coffee table This elm wood round leghed coffee table and hand woven rattan top is backed with solid elm wood beneath for durabili...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Elm

Antique 18th Century Chinese Export Qianlong Porcelain Chocolate Tea Pot
Located in Dayton, OH
"Antique late 18th to early 19th century Chinese Export (Qianlong Period, circa 1780) floral famille rose Armorial porcelain hot chocolate pot or...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Elm Coffee Table with Original Color and Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Chinese Elm coffee table with original color and patina This antique Chinese coffee table is hand carved and has all its original c...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Large Chinese Dragon Vase in Patinated Bronze, Late 19th Century
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large Chinese dragon vase in patinated bronze. Late 19th century. In very good condition. Stamped. Measures: 39 x 20 cm.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Shanxi Province Natural Color and Patina Elm Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Natural color and Patina Elm coffee table This Antique coffee table from the Shanxi Province of China is made of Elm and has all ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Porcelain Plate From India Company 18th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful small white porcelain plate decorated with different flowers such as petunias and phlox. Leaves seem to fly. A small plum is hidden on the back of the plate. We discover a work of extreme finesse. The lines are very fine and delicate. The arrival of porcelain in Europe was linked to the development of shipping and international trade. Porcelain was very popular in Europe because of its lightness and durability. The importation from China is linked to the lack of mastery of this technique by the Europeans. The French, Dutch and British East India...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hand Decorated Porcelain Scholar Figures
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th century Chinese hand decorated porcelain scholar figures. Stunning pair of well executed hand decorated Chinese porcelain figures...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Chinese Modern Style Cabinet Credenza by Baker Milling Road Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular two part cabinet by Baker Furniture as part of their Millertown Road collection. The cabinet consists of a large upper case, that features two center doors which open to...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carved Hardstone Eagle in Smoky Quartz
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This majestic eagle is hand carved from quality smoky quartz. The eagle is standing on a decorative geometric base that has been custom made for this purpose. With faux glass eyes, t...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Quartz

Antique Shanxi Province Elm Seat
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm Seat Antique Shanxi Province Elm Seat with Original Color and Patina Circa 1950 H 24" W 17.5" D 8.5"
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Chinese Black Painted Faux Bamboo and Gold Florals Fireplace Screen
Located in New York, NY
Chinese painted black fireplace screen with a faux bamboo frame, accented in gold botanical designs centered on each side of the panel.    
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Oxblood Red Fluted Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese oxblood red vases with fluted necks, accentuated by figurative ears holding wooden rings, leading to bulbous lower halves, atop a small, round foot (priced as pair). ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Pair Chinese Rose Medallion Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful quality and unusual colour pair of 19th Century Chinese Rose medallion porcelain vases / lamps. Having this rare yellow ground with the classical Cantonese floral decorat...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Green and Orange Lu Xing Wealth and Prosperity Deific Porcelain Figurine
Located in New York, 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

Antique Shanxi Province Elm Cabinet with Hand Carved Arpon
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm cabinet with hand carved arpon. This Elmwood cabinet with original color and patina and hardware is from the Shanxi Province of China. It has carving details at the bottom with original lacquer. The cabinet suitable to be used for an elegant storage for clothing, beddings, china and crystal...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Platter
Located in Bradenton, FL
A large Chinese Export Famille Rose charger with pink lotus and other flowers. Painted in bright vivid colors of blues, reds and yellow accents.
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Zitan Wood Tall End Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here is a wonderful 19th century Chinese Zitan wood tall end table, with intricate hand carved relief on it's apron, with a shelf that has a si...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Zitan

Chinese Export Large Vase Rose Medallion Porcelain, Qing Circa 1850
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good quality, highly decorative Chinese export, Imperial Canton, porcelain, Rose medallion, large Vase which we date to the mid 19th century, Qing dynasty, circa 1850. The vase has a baluster shape with a flared rim and is embellished with gold gilded dragons or salamanders at the shoulder with gold Foo Dog side handles. This is a well potted heavy vase indicative of the earlier Canton pieces, weighing about 3.5 Kg unpacked. It is hand-painted in the Canton or Chinese export, rose medallion decoration with two sets of four panels...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Shanxi Province Elm and Bamboo Small Tea Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm and bamboo small tea table. This antique elm and bamboo small tea table has its original color and patina. Can be used ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wood, Elm

Pair of Antique Chinese Blue/White Temple Jars from Ching Wang Shu XIX Dynasty
Located in Houston, TX
This pair is very old from the Ching Wang Shu XIX Dynasty And the color is exquisite. They are in good condition with only A few flea bite tiny chips on the under side of the lids...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porphyry

Exquisite Chinese Famille Rose Foo Dog Motif Vase, Now as a Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exquisite Chinese Famille rose foo dog motif vase, now as a Lamp Profusely decorated with numerous foo dogs and lions in a colorful lush landscape. Measures: 6" diameter base, 8" d...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Porcelain oval Lidded Box Hand Painted, circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative, oval shaped porcelain box with Lid, made in China, circa 1920 The box is well potted in an oval shape, the lid ha...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Elmwood Child Chair - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Chinese Elmwood Child Chair - Pair These Antique elm chairs are from the south of China. They have all original color and patina. Can be use...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Antique Shanxi Province Elm and Black Lacquer Nightstand / Side Table with Stora
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm and Black Lacquer Nightstand / Side Table with Storage This antique elm wood and black lacquer tall side table from the Shanxi Province has its original ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Set of Four Late 19th or Early 20th Century Chinese Nesting Tables of Zitan Wood
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here is a set of four circa late 19th century or early 20th century Chinese nesting tables made out of Zitan wood. Carved and shaped legs, and their cross bars also, rise up...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Zitan

Jade Happy Buddha
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a carved Jade figure of a sitting Happy Buddha. He is sitting over a rectangular marble base.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Pair of Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Floral Design Three-Tier Wedding Baskets
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Antique Chinese wooden wedding baskets with lightly carved floral designs in horizontal bands along the exterior of three removable circular compartments, topped with a lid f...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Wicker Camel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid century Chinese smiling camel caught in mid strut, ambitiously crafted in wicker with wood highlights. From the noted Shanghai Collection.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wicker

Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Mongolia Credenza, Sideboard, Buffet Table
Located in Pomona, CA
This Chinese Antique Hand Painted Credenza has about 150 years history with lacquer painting on front. It is made of solid wood with beautiful hand painted Chinese forks...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Meissen Chinese Butterfly Large Soup Tureen in the Schmetterling Pattern
Located in Boston, MA
I am proud to offer you this rare Meissen Chinese butterfly soup tureen. The tureen is painted in the Kakiemon style with a central Chinese butterfly on ...
Category

1950s German Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Blue Floral and Character Ginger Jar Vases
Located in New York, NY
5 antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) similar porcelain ginger jars with blue floral designs around bold, centered characters and geometric bands leading to unglazed rims (jars vary...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Chinese Black & Gold Cloisonné 'Good Luck' Circular Table Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century Chinese black & gold cloisonné 'good luck' circular table box. The tall circular box of exceptional quality, The conforming removable lid enameled with the Chinese character for 'Happiness' A stately piece, its an unusual example in black cloisonné fish...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Carved Cinnabar Lacquer and Enameled Bowl Deer and Chrysanthemum
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Classic Vintage Chinese Carved Cinnabar lacquer and enameled bowl with deer and chrysanthemum motif from a Palm Beach estate.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Urns
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain urns with a round fluid form and hand decorated with lovely floral designs.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Pair of Chinese Export Marble Seated Foo Dogs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fine pair of Chinese Export marble seated foo dogs, well carved, the male standing 26-inches high, the female 25.5-inches high, beautiful weathered patina....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Marble

Chinese Lacquered Wood Table Stone Top with Carved Essay
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese antique table from Northern China likely Shanxi Province circa late Qing dynasty to Republic period (late 19th century). The square for...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Wedding Bench, Love Seat
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 37in H x 57in W x 22 1/2in D Seat: 16 1/2in H x 51in W x 18in D Origin: China Circa: 1850- 1900 Material: Wood Condition: Solid wood construction, Hand carved, heavy, sturdy, well balanced. Normal age wear Description: Look at this lovely Chinese antique wedding bench...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Six 19th Century Chinese Export Gouache Paintings on Pith Paper
Located in Stamford, CT
A very unusual and intriguing rare set of six 19th century Chinese gouaches depicting scenes of corporal punishment, and in one, execution. Painted...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Antique Shanxi Province Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Teak and Glass Display Cabinet/Bookcase Circa: 1900s 2 Shelves and 4 Doors
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Teak

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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