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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
Early 20th Century Chinese Faux Ivory Carved Earthquake Detector, Seismograph
Located in Pomona, CA
Chinese seismograph was invented by Zhang Heng in about Eastern Han Dynasty. According to the history, The seismograph has eight directions, which are east, south, west, north, southeast, southwest, northeast and northwest. There is a dragon containing a dragon ball in each direction, and there is a toad under each dragon head corresponding to it. If an earthquake occurs in any direction, the dragon ball contained in the dragon's mouth in that direction will fall into the toad's mouth, and the direction of the earthquake can be determined from this. This seismograph was made from Faux Ivory with hand carved and hand painted eight dragons and eight toads and decorated with floral and flamings. also, there is hand carved Tao statue sitting on the top reading the Tao Te Ching...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bone

Chinese Famille Rose Buddha Budai And Boys Group 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE BUDDHA BUDAI AND BOYS GROUP 20th Century Modelled as Budai seated with five children climbing on his arms and leg, two boys are holding a lotus leaf and one h...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Chinese Rose Medallion Famille Rose Porcelain Charger
Located in Pearland, TX
A stunning antique early 20th Century Chinese Export famille rose porcelain charger plate. Maker's mark on reverse. This lovely larger charger has gorgeous colors in the traditional ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Stands
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of Chinese hardwood stands, having inset Rouge marble tops, carved flower and foliate decoration with birds. Each raised on ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Decorative Vintage Chinese Gold Leaf Floral Painted and Lacquered Sideboard
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nicely made, Chinese floral gold leaf painted and lacquered sideboard cupboard This is a very good-loo...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Republic Period Cloisonne Mounted Brass Casket
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish vintage Chinese Republic period cloisonne mounted brass casket or box dating from around 1920-30. The heavily made quality casket is of rectangular shape with a hinged cove...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Large Antique Oriental Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very impressive large antique oriental ceramic table lamp. We can’t work out if it’s Chinese or Japanese. It dates from the late 19th century and was likely converted ...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Chinese Vintage Glazed Stoneware Pottery Planter Jardinaire
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely cream colored Chinese glazed ceramic planter with raised decoration.
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Large Chinese Export Satsuma Moriage Geishas Koi Fish Bowl Decorative
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Vintage Chinese Export Satsuma Moriage Geishas Koi Fish Bowl A very good looking well made and decorat...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Figures of the Hehe Erxian Twins
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Figures of the Hehe Erxian Twins 19th Century or Older Embrace the allure of Chinese porcelain with this fine Pair of Chinese Export Famille Ve...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Type Porcelain Two Handled Foot Basin on Wood Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A mid Century Chinese Export Porcelain Two Handled and painted Foot Basin on Wood Stand in great vintage c9 edition. No cracks, repair, whatsoever. Measures 18" in width, 10" in dept...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood, Paint

Large Chinese Hand-Painted Silk Scroll of Two Blue Cranes, Mid Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese Hand-Painted Silk Scroll of Two Blue Cranes, Mid-20th Century Dimensions: Framed: 48" H × 37" W × 1.5" D Sight: 44" H × 32" W A striking hand-painted Chinese silk scroll...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood

Early 20th Century Chinese Immortal Deity Carved Foo Dog Sculpture Buddha Carved
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an intricately carved wood sculpture Chinese immortal longevity Buddha deity figure crafted with gold -gilt and a black finish...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Wood

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Gilt Famille Rose Gravy or Sauce Boat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese porcelain gravy boat or sauce boat. In the Famille Rose style. Decorated with painted scenes of flowers, ...
Category

Early 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

Pair of Chinese 19th Century Hardwood Stands
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century Chinese hardwood stands. Each having inset marble tops, carved grape vines to the frieze, two shelves beneath an...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

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

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.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Chinese Export Porcelain Double Boy Figure Group of Hehe Erxian
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain famille rose Fire Group Representing the Hehe Erxian. Harmony & Joy, Qianlong period, Circa 1770-80. The Chinese Export porcelain figure group is decorated...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Cloisonne Blue White General Jar Baluster Vase Garniture w Stand
Located in Richmond, CA
This exquisite matching pair of antique Chinese export blue and white cloisonné covered general jars is a fine example of the intricate artistry and craftsmanship of traditional Chin...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japonese Plate Famille Rose Meiji Period, Japan 1830
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This plate is a japanese place in porcelain. Made in Japan circa 1830, during the Meiji period. Representing a lady and a child. With colored enamaled porcelain, decorations.
Category

1830s Japanese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th Century Chinese Etched Brass Jardiniere with Lion Heads
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 19th Century Chinese Etched Brass Jardiniere with lion heads and measuring 14" in width, 11" in depth and 10" tall.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Dragon Barrel Form Garden Stool
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Chinese red lacquered barrel form garden stool / plant stand with dragon motif, circa 1940s. I believe the stool is made of elm wood and covered with a rich red lacquer f...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Silverware Cabinet Collectors Chest Relief Carved Chinoiserie
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A nicely carved Chinese storage or silverware cabinet, circa 1960s. It features beautiful Chinese wood relief carved scenes throughout. The hinged top lifts to reveal a green velvet ...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Chinese Export Platter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century... possibly 18th Century. Excellent condition for its age and size. Great for display.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

19th C Chinese Porcelain Snuff Bottle Blue & White Hand Painted, Qing Xianfeng
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good quality Chinese snuff bottle, made from porcelain and finely hand painted in cobalt blue, dating to the mid 19th century, Qing, Xianfeng period circa 1850s. This...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Chinese Café Au Lait Porcelain and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique Chinese café au leit porcelain and ormolu vases Porcelain: Chinese, 18th Century Ormolu: French, Late 19th Century Height 33cm, width 23cm, depth 18cm The porcela...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Small Vintage Chinese Blue and White Ginger Jar
Located in Sheffield, MA
A vintage Chinese ceramic ginger jar in traditional cobalt blue and white with a centered character symbolizing “LUCK”. The jar is topped with a lid, A second similar slightly smal...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Floral Umbrella Stand
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese (20th Century) porcelain cylindrical shaped umbrella stand with dark blue, purple and green decoration of birds and flowers
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Chinese Export "Rockefeller Pattern" Punch Pot
Located in Dallas, TX
"Rockefeller Pattern" / Chinese Export Famille Rose Mandarin-Pattern punch pot (or large tea pot) and cover. Qianlong Period (1736-1795), the vessel finely e...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fine pair Antique Chinese Export Orange Ground & 24K Gilt Vases Turned to Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Antique 19th Century Chinese Export Orange Ground and 24K Gilt Decorated Vases later turned to Lamps. This is a truly beautiful pair of...
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Oriental Chinese Export Vintage Pagoda Top Red Cabinet Very Decorative
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely large vintage circa 1930's hand painted and lacquered Chinese Pagoda top cabinet A very good look...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Shanxi Province Elm Sofa Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi Province Elm sofa table This Antique Shanxi Province Elm sofa table has its original color and patina. This piece would be great in any...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

20th century Chinese Export Porcelain Garden Seat
Located in Savannah, GA
Hexagonal shaped Chinese Nanking Style Export blue and white glazed porcelain garden seat. Features include a pierced top and sides, molded relief dots...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique circa 1920 Chinese Export Floor Standing Bell with Wrought Iron Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite circa 1920 Chinese Export floor standing bell on wrought iron stand A very well made and decorative...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Chinese Export Armorial Famille Rose Plate, Arms of Poley Impaling Coffin
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Armorial Famille Rose Plate, Arms of Poley Impaling Coffin, Circa 1755. The attractive Chinese Export Amorial porcelain plate with a shaped wavy rim depicts a central...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Asian Coat Rack in Carved Wood with Dragons
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Elegant Asian coat rack in carved wood. Its coat hooks are in the shape of dragons. Has a central bar for hanging hangers and 3 shelves for storing bags, hats and shoes. Southern Ch...
Category

Mid-20th Century Vietnamese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Etched Brass Box with Carved Jade Inset Top, Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Sweet little Chinese export brass box with beautiful floral etched designs, looks like peonies to me. With a lovely white jade top carved in fretwork with a vase framed by the flower...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade, Brass

Large Pair of Canton / Rose Medalion Chinese Vases / Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of large 19th century Chinese Canton vases / lamps. Each with a green ground with flowers, foliage, butterflies and birds surr...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Chinese Export Famille Rose Enameled Elephant Candle Holders, Early 20th C
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful pair of Chinese export famille rose enameled porcelain candle holders, late Qing Dynasty or early Republic Period, early 20th century, China. The whimsical pair of ca...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Pair Canton Enamel Vases, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive pair of late 19th century Chinese Canton enamel vases, each with wonderful pastel colours, with a powder blue ground exotic flora...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Two Round Inlaid Hardwood Chinese Tables
Located in London, GB
Two round inlaid hardwood Chinese tables Chinese, Early 20th Century Height 77cm, diameter 51cm The main body of these superb Chinese tables has been crafted from hardwood, and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century Chinese Export Oval Platter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully painted dragon motif. No cracks, chips or repairs.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Japonaise Painting in a Wood Frame, Representing a Woman, Japan, XX Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an genuine painting, of a woman, with green and orange colors. It has been made in Japan, during the XX Century. It is signed.
Category

20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

A Pair of Vintage Chinese Elephant Side Tables in Painted Wood
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of matching Chinese elephants in painted wood. Original paint and featuring bejeweled gold head-dresses. The set was made in Asia, probably China during the early to mid 20th ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint

Pair of Chinese Song Dynasty Style Beige Cong Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese Song Dynasty-style (late 19th Century) vases with traditional cong forms, beige crackle finishes, and round mouths and bases (PRICED AS PAIR). Condition: Goo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of three provincial glazed pottery ginger jars
Located in London, GB
A set of three provincial glazed ginger pottery pots of varying sizes and with different motifs. Sold as a set. Tallest 16cm smallest height 13cm.
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Tang Style Sancai-Glazed Figure of a Court Lady
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Tang style Sancai-glazed Figure of a Court Lady, 20th century. Standing figure with the long amber and green-glazed robe and green-glazed shoes, the delicate features ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Sublim Nest of 4 circa 1880 Chinese Export Brown Lacqurered Tables Hand Painted
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime nest of four original Chinese brown lacquered tables with dragon carved feet and gold leaf detailing A good looking, decorative and...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Stunning 20thC Chinese Export Solid Silver Filigree Gem Set Cup & Cover c.1950
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Stunning mid-20th Century rare Chinese solid silver-gilt filigree cup & cover, the cup is richly gilded and applies with jade and amethyst cabochons stones. The cup stands proudly on...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Gold Plate, Silver

Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Dish- Morgan impaling Warton Coat of Arms
Located in Downingtown, PA
Large Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Dish Morgan impaling Warton Coat of Arms, Circa 1780 A large Chinese Export rectangular platter with canted corners, floral swag border, a ce...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Antique Chinese Watercolor Landscape Signed Framed
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Chinese mountaneerous landscape painting, large impressive, 35” by 59”, framed in wooden frame under glass. Watercolor with ink and gouache on paper.
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Old or Antique Chinese Mallet Form Prunus or Hawthorne Pattern Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese porcelain vase. In the mallet form. Painted with blue underglaze decoration in the Hawthorne pattern with prune sprigs and a brushstroke background. Simply wonderfu...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Large Armorial Tankard
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Large Armorial Tankard, Circa 1780 The stunning Chinese Export porcelain armorial tankard is circular with a taper towards the foot. There is a coat of arm...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Early 19th Century Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Box
Located in Richmond, London
A large early 19th century chinoiserie black lacquer and gilt box of a rare shape. Canton, China, circa 1830. Why we like them Exquisite gilt decoration, wonderfully preserved orig...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Mid Century Rose Medallion Porcelain Enamel Vase
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Rose Medallion Porcelain Enamel Vase Measures 6 " in width, 6" in depth and 12" height
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Green Jadeite Quartz Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A relatively large Chinese carved stone lamp mounted on a stepped brass and a carved wood base. The carved stone is often referred to as Jadeite or Quartz but is in fact from the flu...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Quartz

Mid Century Rose Medallion Vase Mounted as Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Rose Medallion Vase Mounted as Lamp. Measures 8 " in width, 8 " in depth and 18.5" height
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Pair of Yellow Pear Shaped Ceramic Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) yellow, pear-shaped porcelain vases with crackled finishes, gold rims, and teal interiors (mark on bottom, see photos) (PRICED AS PAIR). ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Plique-à-Jour Enamel Double Gourd Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Chinese Plique-à-Jour enamel (translucent enamel) double gourd vases, each one with removable lid, exquisite all-over enamel decoration, each one signed with lotus flower.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Metal

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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