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.
Chinese Export Wallpaper Six Panel Screen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese export wallpaper six panel screen, each panel depicting Chinese decor. Screen includes blue and white painted vases, urns and furnishings in colors that include blue, burgund...
Wood, Paint, Paper
1920s Asian Framed Silk Embroidery Butterflies & Flowers
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th Century embroidery probably framed in the 1960s in a gilt faux bamboo frame. Embroidery on black silk background of flowers and wheat sheaths with two butterflies in fligh...
Silk
Vintage Asian Fabric & Paper Ancestor Portrait - China - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage mixed media ancestor portrait - silk fabric/paper/hair and gouache mounted to a silk background - hand painted face and details - original yew wood frame and glass - China - ...
Fabric, Silk, Wood
20th Century Chinese Ceramic Tang SanCai (tri color)Horse
Located in Pomona, CA
A large vintage Tang style Sancai glazed terracotta horse. This exquisite piece features a striking green and brown color glazed finish, infusing it with a touch of classic allure. T...
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...
Bronze
Wooden Samourai Sculpture, Early 20th Century, Gold Color, China
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We have a very nice wooden Samourai sculpture, With It's arms up. It dates from the early 20th century, and you can see the aging in its beautiful patina. . The work of sculpture is ...
Wood
19th century Rose Medallion Chinese Export Covered Chamber Bowl
Located in Savannah, GA
Rare early Canton Chinese Export porcelain Rose Medallion bowl with lid. Features include outstanding intricately painted birds, flower...
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Green Serpentine Scholar Rock Diety Stone
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, probably late 19th to early 20th century. Super heavy piece, great quality and carving to this antique scholar rock!.
Serpentine
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...
Porcelain
$3,945Sale Price|20% Off
Dragon Rug Wool Silk Carpet with Chinese Imperial Kansu Design Hand Knotted
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Dragon Rug Wool Silk Carpet with Chinese Imperial Kansu Design Hand Knotted 6 x 4 ft - 180 x 120 cm. A beautiful contemporary dragon design rug, han...
Wool, Silk
Large Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Medallion Platter, Vivid Enamels, Canton c. 1870
Located in Bradenton, FL
Extra large 18 inch Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Medallion platter, Canton c. 1870, polychrome enameled glazes on a hard-paste porcelain body, with 'orange peel' or ju-pi texture, the c...
Porcelain
$716Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Chinese Export Diminutive Canton Quatrefoil Tureen Acorn Handle
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Chinese Export Diminutive Canton Quatrefoil Tureen An exquisite 19th-century Chinese export diminutive Canton Quatrefoil Tureen is a testament to the masterful craftsmanship of the era. This fine example measures 9 inches wide by 8 inches deep, standing at 4 inches high. Decorated with deep, crisp blue decorations, it exudes elegance and sophistication. The removable lid is a work of art in itself, with beautiful decoration and featuring an acorn handle. Lift the lid to reveal the equally stunning interior, measuring 8 inches wide by 6 inches deep and standing 2 inches high, painted with the same intricate decoration as the exterior. This tureen encapsulates the rich history and artistic tradition of Canton Chinese export porcelain...
Porcelain
18th Century Chinese Blue And White Porcelain Barber Dish, Qianlong Period
Located in Bilzen, BE
Mid 18th century blue/white barber porcelain dish from the Qianlong period No repairs 26 x 29.5 cm
Porcelain
Vintage Famille Rose Porcelain Dancing Court Lady - China - Circa 1930
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage famille rose porcelain dancing court lady - hand painted - indistinct impressed marks to the interior of the base - China - circa 1930. Excel...
Porcelain
Chinese Famille Jaune Enameled Porcelain Vase Mounted as Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
A Chinese Famille Jaune Enameled Porcelain Vase Mounted as Lamp. Measures: 6" in width, 6" in depth and 29.5" in height to the of the finial.
Enamel
$196Sale Price|20% Off
Rectangular Brass and Bronze Wood Jewelry Box, 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. Wonderful piece to add to existing collection. Marked on the bottom, China
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Chinese Export Canton Blue and White Plate, circa 1820
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese export canton blue and white plate circa 1820 Typically painted with a riverscape showing arched bridge, willows and pagodas... ...
Ceramic
Antique Rare Black Yixing Teapot, Qing Dynasty, Yinkow, China 1910s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an antique ceramic teapot done in black clay. This is a Yixing teapot made in the Qing dynasty. The square chop tells us the location 营口 (Yinkow) on the...
Ceramic
Vintage Asian Hare's Fur Glaze Tea Bowl - Unsigned - China - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Asian Hare's fur glaze tea bowl - small size - unsigned - China - 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - no cracks - no chips - no repairs - non glazed areas as inten...
Ceramic
Large Cizhou Ware Sgraffiato Ceramic Bowl, Signed, China, Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Large Cizhou ware sgraffiato bowl - wheel thrown slip decorated buff colored ceramic - unglazed foot rim - signed on the base (as photographed) - China - l...
Ceramic
Chinese White Glazed Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
A strong but silent 20th century Chinese white glazed porcelain ginger jar with a lid and straight sides. Perfect as is, or filled with flowers, branches, or any other myriad vices y...
Porcelain
Antique Carved Chinese Boxwood Plaque or Insert
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese carved boxwood plaque or insert. Depicting a Chinese monastery scene. The border is decorated with small repeating ...
Boxwood
19th Century Handcrafted Chinese Elm Wood Side Table – Solid Rustic Design
Located in IT
This 19th-century handcrafted elm wood side table from China is a beautifully rustic piece with timeless appeal. The table features a solid, single piece of elm wood for the top, sho...
Elm
Chinese Rosewood Calligraphy Duan Inkstone with Brush and Dragon Motif
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Chinese rosewood calligraphy duan inkstone with brush and dragon motif, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chip...
Stone
$1,429 / set
Footed Dish, 19th Century Famille Rose, China
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This 19th century dish is an unusual scalloped form. It shows wear but it in excellent condition. This colorful porcelain bowls dates to the mid-19th century and was originally used as a serving dish for ritual offerings, placed before a home altar...
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Terra Cotta Woman Figure, Tang Dynasty, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta figure of a woman wearing robes bearing the Tang Dynasty's traditional tri-color glaze, or Sancai, utilizing brown, green and off-white...
Terracotta
$2,100 / item
Chinese Black Framed Embroidery Wall Hangings
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Century) black framed embroidery wall hangings with blue background (PRICED EACH)
Old or Antique Chinese Export Famille Rose Plate with Basket of Flowers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine old or antique Chinese export porcelain plate In the Famille Rose style. Decorated throughout with enamel floral decoration in primarily pink against a white ground. ...
Porcelain
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Hardwood Chinese Tea Table
Located in Huntington, NY
Hardwood Chinese tea table.
Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Teardrop Porcelain Vase with Off-White Crackle
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese teardrop-shaped porcelain vase with an off-white crackle finish, a fluted opening and a hole in the base.
Porcelain
Mid-Century Tall Chinese Iconographic Vase C1970
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous tall hand crafted and hand painted vase with Chinese iconography. Tall and with good weight to it. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear use. Please see all pi...
Clay
Chinese Blue & White 'Prunus & Birds' Jar/Vase & Cover Earlier Qing Dynasty
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Blue & White 'Prunus' Jar/Vase & Cover Early Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) This impressive Chinese Blue & White 'Prunus' Jar/Vase and Cover, dating to the Early Qing Dynasty, is...
Porcelain
Vietnamese Seal, in Wood and Metal, Brown Color, from Vietnam Cirace 1880
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vietnamese wood seal, made of wood, and metal. It dates from the end of the 19th century around 1880 and is in good condition.
Metal
$1,850 / set
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Jars with Lids
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Chinese blue and white vases with lids.
Porcelain
$3,335Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Export Six Panels Lacquered Screen
Located in Madrid, ES
Chinese screen for export with 6 panels decorated on both sides. The front side with various scenes of daily palatial life with relief figures, buildings and landscapes made of pain...
Brass
Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Ancestor in Navy Robes Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink ancestor portrait capturing the honoree seated in a red chair on a patterned floor and wearing an elabor...
Wood, Paper, Glass, Walnut
$2,895 / set
Pair of Chinese Modern Brass Lamps
By E. F. Chapman, The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Chinese Modern Brass Lamps. A great pair of well detailed Chinese modern or Asian modern brass table lamps This versatile pair of Hollywood ...
Brass
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Light Green-Black Jade Lidded Urn
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a lidded light green-black color jade urn adorned with multiples branches of kelp leaves that are attached to it. The urn stands over an asymmetrical ...
Jade
XIANG TIAN - 'Relaxing' - Vintage Watercolor Painting - Signed - China - 20th C.
Located in Chatham, ON
XIANG TIAN - 'Relaxing' - Vintage watercolor painting on paper - nice quality and composition - signed with a single red chop mark and Chinese characters (upper left) - signed and ti...
Paint, Paper
Chinese Export Porcelain Phoenix Table Lamp
Located in Essex, MA
Colorful phoenix bird representing renewal, rebirth and immortality.. Mounted as a lamp on a molded brass base. Single socket.
Brass
Majestic Chinese Ding Vessel Hand Carved Decorative Ritual Tripod
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Ancient Chinese Vessel Hand Carved Decorative Ritual Tripod Style Ding pot decorative vase vessel 11.63 w x 7.75 h x 4.25 d Preowned original vintage unrestored Refer to images listed.
Wood
20th Century Chinese Peking Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful 20th century Chinese Peking rug with a central floral medallion against a dark abrash indigo background, and surrounded by a wide stylized lotus and scrolling vine patter...
Wool
Handmade Antique Peking Chinese Blue Wool Rug with Allover Floral Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
Upgrade your interior decor with this superior-quality handmade Chinese rug. Our beautiful traditional Chinese rug has a stunning blue field, mult...
Other
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Chinese Floral Golden Tan Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent 19th-century antique Chinese rug is an exceptional example of traditional Chinese textile artistry, reflecting both imperial elegance and balanced minimalism. Hand-k...
Wool
$2,800 / set
Large Pair Chinese Export Style Sated Dogs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large pair of Chinese Export style seated dogs. A true pair one facing the right, the other to the left. Exquisitely modeled and painted, with blue and gold gilt...
Porcelain
$370Sale Price / set|35% Off
Early 20th Century Antique Tibetan Hand Painted Dragon Drums, 3 Pieces Set
Located in Pomona, CA
This Gorgeous pair of Antique Tibetan Drums have many years history but it still maintained it's original condition. They are all hand made from wood and ...
Leather, Wood
20th Century Chinese Antique Cloisonne Figurine with Musical Instrument
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonne Beauty Figurine. It was hand made from gold copper cloisonne. This stand Beauty has very d...
Metal
French Large Samson Chinese Export Style Porcelain Armorial Table Lamp
Located in Vero Beach, FL
French Large Samson Chinese Export Style Porcelain Armorial Table Lamp Elegant French porcelain Samson style armorial decorated table lamp from the early...
Porcelain
Mid Sixties Famile Rose Large Platter with Geisha Girls
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic example of an Famile Rose Chinese export platter in excellent condition. Geisha girls and well executed hand painted decorations. 15.75 dia. X 2 deep Made in China painted ...
Porcelain
Mid 20th Century Chinese Wood Carved Kwan Yin Statuary
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent vintage Chinese Wood Carved Kwan Yin Statuary has intricate carving works. It is all hand made and hand carved Kwan Yin sitting under the tree and holding a flower i...
Boxwood
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Brass and Enamel Foo Dog Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely and vibrant pair of brass bookends with Foo Dog repousse in brilliant enamel colors - well suited for any room and lovely for the Childs room
Brass
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Chinese Floral Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Wool Rug Peking
Located in New York, NY
This elegant antique Chinese Peking rug from the 1920s is a sophisticated representation of early 20th-century textile artistry, embodying both imperial refinement and organic symbol...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Elegant Chinese Vintage Geometric Dusty Rose With Black Carpet
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite early 20th-century Chinese rug captures the essence of timeless Eastern elegance, rendered through the lens of Art Deco simplicity and precision. Woven circa 1920, the...
Wool
South East Asian Hardwood Brass Hinged Storage Side Table Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
A South East Asian, probable Chinese, Hardwood Brass Hinged Storage Side Table Cabinet. Workd well as an occasional low stool. Measures 16.25" in width, 16.5" in width and 18.5" in h...
Brass
Pair Antique Chinese Famille Rose Rouleau Figural Vase Table Lamps Early 20c ROC
Located in Richmond, CA
A matching mirror pair of antique Chinese early 20th century famille rose figural rouleau vase turned into lamps. The finely painted decorations depict a scene of a general looking u...
Porcelain
Doris Leslie Blau Chinese Vintage Geometric Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
This captivating Chinese wool rug from the 1920s exemplifies the harmony of minimalist design and symbolic richness, characteristic of early 20th-century Mongolian textile artistry. ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Chinese Vintage Abstract Brown Hand-Knotted Wool Rug Mongolian
Located in New York, NY
Steeped in cultural symbolism and artistic tradition, this 1880s antique Chinese Mongolian rug is a striking testament to the design heritage of northern China. Woven entirely by han...
Wool
Chinese Vintage Pale Sand Rug With Imperial Dragons And Auspicious Motifs
Located in New York, NY
This grand and visually arresting Chinese rug, dating from the 1920s, is a superb example of early 20th-century Peking craftsmanship infused with imperial symbolism and refined aesth...
Wool
19th Century Chinese Silver Candelabra with Heron and Turtle Design
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) silver 2 arm candelabra of heron standing on turtle with turquoise and rust enamel inlay. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Enamel
Vintage Chinese Export Tray Table with Faux Bamboo Base
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this oval Chinese tray table dates from the 1940s. Table top is a removable oval tray with a faux bamboo outer rim. Base has decorative open work details and folds ...
Wood