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
Wicker Elephant Box
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chinese elephant box ambitiously crafted in wicker with carved wood tusks, feet, and lid handle. From the noted Shanghai collection.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wicker
19th Century Antique Chinese Open Carved Altar Table/Sofa Table/Console
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 35in H x 87in W x 13.5in D
Origin: China
Circa: 1800 - 1900
Material: Elm Wood
Condition: Original finish, solid wood construction, hand carved, very heavy, sturdy, normal age wear.
Look at this Antique Open Carved Altar table from China. It was made in 19 century and still maintained very good condition. It shows the traditional style of Northern China's cultural. This Chinese antique altar table...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
Large Chinese Ceramic Vase Early 20th Century Oxen & Figure
Located in Fulton, CA
Large scale Chinese ceramic vase measuring 22.5 inches tall. Decorated with oxen and figure with Chinese lettering. Dragon handles.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Export Sterling Silver Aladdin's Lamp, Form Table Lighter
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export sterling silver Aladdin's lamp - form table lighter on tall pedestal base, China, Ca. 1900. Graceful design. Measures 5 1/4 inches high x 3 1/2 inches wide from outer ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Polished Brass Asian Candlesticks
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of polished cast gold brass candlesticks.
Mid-Century Modern vintage Chinese export candle holders.
Dimensions: 4.75 in. D x 18 in. Height.
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Lamps
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of hand painted Chinese porcelain lamps with simple carved wood bases. These are in a classic Rose Medallion pattern. The wiring is in great condition and ready to use. The sh...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Worn Antique Art Deco Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
Geometric worn early 20th century Chinese rug
Measures: 2'4" x 4'4".
Category
Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wool
Mid 18th Century Chinese Export Soup Tureen with Under Plate
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice mid 19th century Chinese export porcelain soup tureen with under plate, circa 1850s. The stand is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 14.5...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Coffer, Cabinet, Side Table
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 39 1/2inH x 40in W x 17in D
Door opening: 24 1/2in H x 20 1/2in W
Drawer: 5 1/2in H x 10in W x 11in D
Origin: China
Circa: 1850 - 1900
Material: Wood
Condition: Ori...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
Mid-20th Century Chinese Parchment Cabinet
Located in CABA, AR
Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of the Orient with this exquisite mid-20th century Chinese cabinet, imported from France and crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Ma...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Parchment Paper
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
Chinese Copper Red Lacquer Stacking Tables, 3
Located in New York, NY
Three Chinese copper red lacquer stacking tables with gilt painted borders. Provenance: Property from an estate at 180 East End Avenue.
Dealer...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Copper
Gonshi Chinese Metamorphic Scholar's Rock
Located in New York, NY
Chinese metamorphic scholar's rock, unmarked, glued to base.
Dimensions: 6.5" H x 11" W x 2.5" D
Dealer: S138XX
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Stone
A 19th Century Red Lacquer Blanket Chest Trunk
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An Antique 1880's Chinese red lacquer trunk with brass mounts. The original lacquer finish with signs of age and use. Great original condit...
Category
1880s Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Chinese Red Cloisonné Zodiac Vases, with Stands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese red cloisonné zodiac vases, with stands, each one with gilt brass phoenix bird ring handles, with 'cracked ice' and floating animal medalli...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Pair of Chinese Famille Rose “Wu Shuang Pu” 無雙譜 Quadrangular Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Famille-rose 'wu shuang pu' quadrangular vase
A pair of Chinese Famille Rose “Wu Shuang Pu” quadrangular vases
20th Century,
Of typical form decorated w...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Asian Modern John Widdicomb Square Lacquered Table with Incised Decoration
Located in Houston, TX
Asian Modern John Widdicomb square lacquered table with incised decoration. This gorgeous low table or end table is lacquered a Chinese burgundy /...
Category
1960s North American Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Hand Made Chinese Sculpted Wool Area Rug
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful hand made vintage Chinese sculpted wool area rug
China, Mid-20th Century
Nice floral design, with predominant colors in light green, peach,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wool
Archaistic Chinese Carved Agate and Gilt Metal Lamp
Located in New York, US
Our beautiful carved agate in archaistic urn-form features the figures of a wise man and female dancer and was mounted as a lamp in the early 20th century. It is mounted on a carved ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Agate, Metal
Post Qing Dynasty Cinnabar Ginger Jar & Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Post Qing Dynasty Cinnabar ginger jar & stand
Exquisite high relief carved continuous landscape motif, complete with hardwood stand. Unmarked.
T...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
Chinese Hardwood Melon Shape Garden Seat Side Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in New York, NY
Chinese curved melon shape hardwood garden stool or side table with mother of pearl inlay.
Beautiful floral tree and bird motif inlaid top, with floral sprays at top of curved wood b...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Fujian Armoire/Dresser with reverse painting
Located in Pomona, CA
This beautiful Chinese antique Fujian Armoire features plain design with some carving works around the doors panels with antique hardware on the doors and drawers. Both sides and back are finished. This armoire made at about 1850's using solid Nam Mao (Nan wood) with dark mahogany finished. All doors panel are removable which will safe your a lot of space when put a large item in. Also, there is one big drawer at middle of the dresser with antique hardware. On the top compartment, there are four reverse painted glass door panels...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Ceramic Buddha Head or Bust with Real Gold Leaf, Asian Circa 1920s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good large head or bust statue or sculpture of Buddha, possibly Chinese or Japanese, which we date to the first half of the 20th century, circa 1920s.
The large hea...
Category
Early 20th Century East Asian Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Six-Panel Screen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Painted wood decorative Chinese screen with six panels.
(Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Lovely Pair of Blue and White Ceramic Chinese Garden Seats End Tables
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely blue and white Chinese cylindrical garden seats. Makes a great pair of side or drinks tables.
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Large Heavy Chinese Cast Gilt Bronze Planter
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large and heavy Chinese gilt bronze squat form jardiniere / planter. Amazing details with foo lion handles with rings, center band of relief chrysanthemums and other floral decoratio...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Glazed Tang-Style Terracotta Ewer
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a stunning large Chinese glazed terracotta dragon-form ewer. The Double Dragons are cast in fine detail. The ewer derives its inspiration fro...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese Soapstone, Semiprecious Hardstone and Lacquer Folding Screen
Located in Miami, FL
This stunning Chinese screen is an exceptionally well-crafted piece, beautifully decorated with intricate semiprecious hardstone carvings. Measuring ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Precious Stone
Cylindrical Box, Brown Lacquer Paint with Flower Decoration, Japan, Early 20th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a very beautiful Japanese box dating from the beginning of the 20th century. It is lacquered in brown color, with flower patterns.
It was made in Japan.
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fine Small Chinese Famille Rose Eggshell Bulbous Vase
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A fine small Chinese famille rose
Eggshell bulbous vase
First quarter of 20th century.
Very thinly potted, bulbous
shape, surmounted by a tapering neck
with band of ruyi lappe...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th C, Chinese, Champleve Cloisonne Vase Mounted as a Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Charming champleve cloisonné bronze base, enameled table lamp, in very good, original, clean and working condition. The lamp has a vase form body, with unusual and intriguing Chinese...
Category
19th Century American Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Pair of Great Dragon Temples Chinese Minguo Period
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of great dragon temples.
Chinese Minguo period (1912-1949), in carved bone plates. With detailed dragon carvings. Sitting on a wooden base. faults ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bone
Pair of Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Official's Hat Armchairs
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this matching pair of Qing Dynasty Style Official's Hat Armchairs. The members of this chair are delicate and slender. The back splat is made up of three connected sections. It have some openwork medallion carved with Chinese traditional folks arts. Below the seat is an ornamental opening with an arch-shaped inner frame. This kind of armchairs with four protruding ends were extremely common in the Qing dynasty, and this type of chair was most oftener seen in the reception room, studio or bedroom. Please see the pictures on the left, It is truly an antique and collectible...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
Unique Asian Character Tablet Top Faux Bamboo End Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Slate or possible stone Asian character top. Faux bamboo metal base. 20 1/4" h x 21" square.
Category
1970s European Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Slate, Metal
Japanese Imari Porcelain Trumpet Neck Floor Vase, 1930, Samourai
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Japanese Imari floor vase offer porcelain construction with each vessel having ruffled rim, hand painted allover floral enamel decoration and...
Category
1930s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Samson Porcelain Ginger Jar Table Lamps in the Chinese Export Style
Located in Essex, MA
Large scale. Now lamps with domed cover and baluster form body with bronze mounted cover and base. Decorated with aubergine, yellows and greens in the oriental taste. Dick collection...
Category
1760s French Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Solid Rosewood Hand-carved Armchairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Beautifully hand-carved and well proportioned Chinese solid Rosewood export chairs. Sturdy with refined carving and broad armrests. In good original condition. Ideal for a space that...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Chinese Massive Carved Camphor Wood Compound Cabinet, Wardrobe
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 96in H x 47in W x 21 3/4in D
Door opening: top: 21 1/2in H x 42 1/2in W
Lower cabinet: 43 1/2in H x 42 1/2in W
Origin: China
Circa: 1900
Material: Camphor wood
Condition:...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Yixing Hexagonal Vase with Painted Floral & Vine Designs
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and impressive Chinese Yixing hexagonal red clay vase with hand painted floral and trailing vine designs dating from the first half of the 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Frame Antique Chinese Embroidered Robe Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A woman's coat made of black silk with wide sleeves from Chinese late Qing Dynasty (mid to late 19th century), mounted and presented on blue linen board and framed as a stunning piec...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silk, Giltwood
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 Famille Rose Rouleau Vase
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Chinese Famille Rose
Rouleau Vase
Republic Period (1912-1949)
Finely enameled with two ladies in conversation
at the table in a garden setting.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Oriental Deep Side Table or Work Table
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Oriental deep side table or work table
This is a very attractive piece, the table has a broad cleated border which has superb worn patina where it...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Large Chinese Wooden Alter Table Mid 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here is a wonderful wooden Chinese Alter table, from the mid 20th century.
Carved on all sides of it's apron, flowers/plants, symbols and words, with some light carving on i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Repousse Tanakard
Located in Gainesville, FL
Chinese Export silver tankard with detailed repousse dragons and dragon handle.
The tankard is 5 3/4" tall, 3 1/4' in diameter, 4 1/8" at the handle....
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair antique Chinese hand-painted vases will make a colorful addition to your decor. Using several shades of green combined with blue and a brick red, a scene of entertaining at the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Carved / Lacquered Sofa circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very decorative late 19th century Chinese sofa with hand carved decoration to the back rest, a slated foot rest and drawers beneath the seat. Having a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th C. Chinese Paper Machiere Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century lidded box made from paper-machiere.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Pillows
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte pillows, Rare to find a pair, each one decorated with figures in landscape, opposing, presents...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Antique Wooden Handled Bucket Originally Used to Carry and Measure Rice
Located in London, GB
Chinese Antique wooden rice bucket with through pegged joints to the handle uniting the carrying straps which were bent into place when the ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique Chinese Hand-Painted Vases will make a colorful addition to your decor. Using several shades of green combined with blue and a brick red, a scene of entertaining at the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Vintage Chinese Repouse Framed Copper Panel of a Ceremonial Vignette
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage framed copper repouse panel appears to be signed by an unknown artist and presumed to have originated from China, dating to approximately 19...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Copper
Chinese Porcelain Figure of Woman Standing on Clouds
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese style white porcelain standing figure of woman standing on clouds, possibly and alter figure.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Goblet, with prunus decoration. The goblet weighs 258g and dates from around 1885. Marked WH for Wang Hing '宏兴‘ whi...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Mid-20th Century Chinese Famille Rose Hand Painted Porcelain Vase with Base
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in China circa 1950, and standing on a carved wooden base, the tall porcelain vase is round in shape with an elegant long and wide neck. The colorful antique urn is decorated...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Huanghuali Stacked Wood Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese Huanghuali picnic box with carrier frame featuring three removable stacking trays. It appears to be made with old Chinese rosewood (Huagnh...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
2 Antique 18th Century Chinese Export Qianlong Famille Dinner Charger Plates
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of antique late 18th century to early 19th century Chinese export Qing (Qianlong Period, circa 1780) porcelain dinner plates with hand painted famille and lattice motifs. Measur...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Wang Hing & Co., Luen Wo, and Hung Chong & Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $40 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,998.
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