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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
Vintage Chinese Turtle & Koi Fish Relief Green Glass Snuff Bottle
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage Chinese turtle and koi fish relief green glass snuff bottle, circa 1940s. The bottle is in very good vintage condition and measures 2"W x 1.25...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Vintage Chinese Realgar Peking Glass Baluster Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese Peking glass vase. Crafted to imitate realgar (雄黃), a mineral widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. With a polished p...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Chinese Wooden Scenic Design Carved Hinge Top Box
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century Chinese carved wooden box featuring an elaborate scenic design with a hinged top and brass closure hardware. (Stamped HUNG HOP CHEST CO. HONG...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Chinese Metal Gilt Filigree and Enamel Cranes Figures on Wooden Stand
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Chinese Gilt Metal Filigree and Enamel Cranes Figures on Wooden Stand. Mid 20th century circa 1950s Asian fine jeweled sculptures. Two Orient...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Wooden Small Rectangular Chest with Hand Painted Exotic Birds
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Mid-Century small rectangular hinged chest with metal latch and two side ring handles, hand painted featuring two exotic birds (depicted on the top and front), pine, berries,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Lacquer and Hardstone Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese export lacquer and hardstone mirror, with various hardstone floral inlays in a gilt lacquer cartouche frame. The inset mirror is 22" x 2...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Precious Stone, Lacquer

Pair Chinese Blue Ink & Wash Peonies & Pomegranates Paintings, Lingnan School
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair Chinese Blue Ink & Wash Peonies & Pomegranates Paintings, Lingnan School, Aged Handmade Paper, Presented in Western Blue Polychromed & Gilt O...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

Vintage Chinese Hongmu Pair of Alter or Console Tables or Center Table
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning Early 19th to 20th Century Chinese Hongmu pair of alter or console tables or center table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will ha...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Striking Chinese Cinnabar Table Lamp with Foo Dog on Lid
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking red carved wood Chinese cinnabar table lamp having a sculptural round lidded urn like shape with handles and detailed foo dog finial as well as...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Chinese Carved White Stone Temple Stele Sculpture of a Guan Yin
Located in Bradenton, FL
Carved white stone temple sculpture of a Bodhisattva featuring exquisite craftmanship and attention to detail. Bodhisattvas were enlightened beings who chose to remain in the cycles ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Vintage Chinese Hand Chiseled Stone Trough, Planter
Located in Pomona, CA
This stone planter is retrieved from the village in northern part of China. It is hand chiseled out of one piece of stone and hand carved by the local stone master. It's originally f...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Handmade Square Blue Antique Wool Rug Designed Art Deco Fl
Located in Norwalk, CT
This beautiful hand-knotted wool rug showcases a navy blue center framed by a multicolored border in a stunning Chinese floral pattern. This rug measures 7' x 7'2".  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Jardiniere
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Jardiniere, 19th century, with metal mounted rim and metal insert, with pink floral and garland motif with crest to center, iron red character mark ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Red on White Chinese Teacup
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions both practical and decorative. This fine ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Ormolu-Mounted Cloisonne Garniture
Located in London, GB
A fine French ormolu-mounted cloisonne enamel three-piece garniture with applied decoration of butterflies flowers and branches. The vases are converted as lamps.
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Bronze Champlevé Vase with Elephant Handles
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique bronze champlevé vase with double elephant handles, circa 1900s. The vase is in good vintage condition with a nice patina and measures 7"W x 6...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

An Antique Chinese Cloisonné Pedestal/Stand with Cloisonné Rooster Inlaid Top
Located in New York, NY
An Antique Chinese Cloisonné Pedestal/Stand with Cloisonné Rooster Inlaid Top. The top features a circular cloisonné panel set within a slightly recessed wooden frame. The cloisonné...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Vintage solid brass and enamel Chinese export trinket box.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage Chinese export solid brass and enamel trinket box. This solid brass box has four medallions on the top and medallions on each side of the box. The top of the box fe...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Carved Chinese Rubber Wood Panel with Double Dragon Motif – 20th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
This round carved panel from China, made of rubber wood, features a traditional double dragon motif in openwork relief. The two dragons are depicted in motion, their sinuous bodies i...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rubber

Chinese Export Porcelain Rare Turquoise Fruit Baskets & Stands - a Pair
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Turquoise Openwork Fruit Baskets & Stands, Circa 1785 The Chinese Export porcelain openwork fruit baskets and stands are painted with an allover turquoise e...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Jade vase with rings. China, 19th century
Located in Catania, IT
Jade Vase with Rings. China, Qing Dynasty, 19th century. A Chinese jade vase dating back to the 19th century, Qing Dynasty era. It is a refined art object, entirely carved in natural...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Pair of Chinese Tiered Teak Carved Side Tables Cabinets
Located in Germantown, MD
An absolutely gorgeous pair of Chinese tiered teak carved side tables cabinets. Versatile use. May be used as side table s in the living room, family room ...
Category

Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Teak

Large Oval Jewelry Box, Color with with Internal Compartments France 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an Ovale large box. It has been decorated with a sivered color metal plate and lid. It has been made in France, during the 19th Century. In brown color. It is a jelwery box.
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Portuguese India Company Porcelain Platter, 18th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A refined 18th-century Chinese porcelain platter from Portuguese India Company of the Pink Family. Hand-painted with bright pink, orange and green floral designs, typical of the Pink...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Chinese Ningxia Saddle Cover Rug, produced for Tibetan around 1850/70
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare Ningxia saddle cover with pure natural colors, as well as with the original undyed beige yack wool. The two saddle holes still with the original red leather edging. Like all antique covers, made in two parts. Possibly an export product for Tibet. These covers were always used as a saddle pad...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair of Chinese Off-White Cherry Blossom Tree and Bird Motif Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese off-white urn-shaped porcelain vases depicting groups of birds perched on flowering branches of cherry blossom trees and one bird flying above, positioned between two...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Multicolor Floral and Vine Motif Meiping Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese white porcelain vase with a Meiping form decorated in swirling green vines interspersed with colorful florals. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Tall Antique Carved Hall Stand, Oriental, Chinese Elm, Hat, Coat Rack, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a tall antique carved hall stand. An Oriental, Chinese elm hat and coat rack, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Delightful ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Portrait of a Young British Gentleman in China Chinese Export School, circa 1920
Located in Seaford, GB
An evocative early 20th-century oil portrait depicting a poised young British gentleman, likely a merchant or naval officer, painted against a moody, clouded sky with a distinct pago...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint

Zabihi Collection Vintage Chinese Dragon Rug
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th-century one of a kind hand-knotted Chinese rug with a dragon motif Measures: 5'2'' x 8'1''
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique 18th/19th C. Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy with European Decoration
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain tea caddy. Made for the European market. Likely Qianlong period. With puce painted cartouches d...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

1900s Antique Korean Brass Fish Locks Set of Four
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1900s Antique Korean Brass Fish Locks Set of Four Fish Shaped Lock 7.13 h x 3.5 w x 1.13 d Unrestored original vintage condition See all images for condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Korean Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Large Chinese Green Glazed Terra Cotta Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout large Chinese bowl handcrafted in terracotta in classic form and decorated in an alluring variegated jade green glaze.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Early-Mid 20th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Jardiniere
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early-mid 20th century Chinese export porcelain jardiniere. Decorated in famille rose palette with a battle procession scene. Tiny glaze pops & scuffs. 6.25" dia. base. 8 3/16" h., 8...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Lotus Form Ceramic Bowl, Blue Flambe Glaze, China, Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage lotus form ceramic bowl - blue flambe glaze - non glazed foot rim - unsigned - China - late 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - no chi...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Black and Floral Motif Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese black ceramic table lamps made from baluster-shaped vases decorated with birds amid blooming florals in pinks, yellows, and blues, and wooden bases with brass hardwar...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Chinese Celadon Blue And White Vase
Located in Norwood, NJ
A large antique 19th century Chinese floor vase having a celadon ground and blue and white underglaze decoration to the body. The underglaze decoration is of foliage, stems with ber...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese blue and white porcelain vase / lamp, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite late 19th-century Chinese blue and white vase lamp showcases traditional craftsmanship with intricate hand-painted designs. The vase features delicate motifs of floral...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

Three Mid-20th Century Stone's Patinated Wood Statues of Chinese Figures
Located in Catania, Sicilia
Three hand-carved wood chinese figures with a patina that makes them look like stone in good conditions with just signs of age. The finish ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Unusual Chinese Longshan Black Pottery Vase
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Unusual Chinese Longshan Black pottery vase Late 20th century. Finely handcrafted in relief in archaic style with figures and inscriptions...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

20th Century Chinese Wooden Carved Tieguai Li
Located in Pomona, CA
Up for sale is a magnificent vintage Chinese Wood Carved Tieguai Li Statuary. It is all hand made and hand carved from boxwood. According to legend, after Tieguai Li becoming an immo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Boxwood

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 - ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Silk, Wood

Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Double Cypher Dinner Plate, Dutch Market
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Double Crest Marriage Dinner Plate, Probably the Dutch Market, Circa 1755-60 The attractive Chinese Export crested armorial marriage plate has a central design with shields, each with a different gilt cyphers, flanked by angels blowing horns with above a crown. The inner well with a gilt chain design and the border rim painted with four flower groupings. This type of design was made to celebrate a wedding. Dimensions: 9 inch diameter x 1 inch high Reference: China For the West, David Howard and John Ayers, Volume Two, Page 398, #396, for a plate with shield...
Category

1750s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Rose Mandarin Porcelain Coffee Cup & Saucer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain coffee cup & saucer. In a puce or purple Rose Mandarin variant. Decorated in polychrome enamels with puce colored cells and embellishments throughout. Depicting a scene with a woman and two children in a courtyard setting. (Perhaps a mother and her children...) Simply a wonderful Chinese porcelain cup and...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Chinese Carved Hardwood Figure of an Immortal Holding a Bat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite late 19th-century Chinese carved hardwood figure depicts an immortal holding a bat, symbolizing happiness and good fortune in Chinese culture. The workmanship is exemp...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bone, Hardwood

Pair 19th Century Famille Verte Chinese Porcelain Lamps
Located in Bradenton, FL
Rare pair decorated with court figures engaged in leisurely pursuits, on carved wood bases. Bright vivid and colorfully hand painted motif. Please note shade is not included.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large and Impressive Chinese Export Reverse Painting of Women in Exotic Setting
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large and impressive Chinese reverse painting on glass depicting a group of traditionally garbed women in an exotic setting with mountains and foliage in the background. The subjec...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Paint

Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese hexagonal cast brass tea caddy, early 20th century. Each rectangular side with a shou symbol surrounded by five stylized bats on blue enamel ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage solid brass and jade Chinese export trinket box
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a solid brass ornately decorated Chinese made trinket box. This trinket box has four medallions on each corner of the top with a center medallion that has a carved jade inset...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export 18th Century Lacquer Bureau on Stand
Located in London, GB
A fine and rare mid 18th century Chinese Export lacquer bureau on stand. Probably made in Canton specifically for the export trade to meet the demands of the European market. Beautifully decorated throughout with gilded decorations on a black lacquer background. The writing section is fitted with double serpentine fronted drawers and pigeon holes - all profusely decorated with sprigs of flowers, foliage and butterflies. The apron frieze contains three working drawers, the central drawer arcaded. With a small pull out pen drawers...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Export Covered Bowl #2
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese export covered bowl with rabbit handles. Porcelain covered serving bowl with floral decoration and affixed rabbit head handles, uns...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

FINE PAIR OF EXTRA LARGE BOISTEROUS EXPLOITS OF THE DRUNKEN IMMORTALS PAINTINGs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Vintage Chinese paintings depicting the Boiste...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pine

Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Patinated Bronze Shallow Bowl
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a patinated bronze shallow bowl carved with raised geometric patterned bands wrapping the exterior, and an inscription on the bottom of the ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Large 20th Century Famille Verte Porcelain Decorative Piece
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of traditional Chinese artistry to your space with this large 20th Century Famille Verte Porcelain Decorative Piece. This striking piece features a classic bottle shape a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Canton Enamel Bracket-Lobed Dish Guangxu Period, 1875-1908
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A canton enamel bracket-lobed dish, Guangxu period (1875-1908), with a centre medallion in vibrant colors painted with a pheasant perched on an ornament...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Early 20th-Century Chinese Carved Dresser with American Style influence
Located in Pomona, CA
This fantastic Beech wood dresser is from Shanghai, China. it features mirrors on the center of top part, candle plateaus, relief carving works on the top and bottom and nice hardware. It has two small drawers on the top and two bigger drawer at middle and two drawers on the bottom. There are delicate carving works of floral and twine pattern on the top and bottom with tiger feet...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of mid 20th century Chinese cloisonné over ceramic vases. This fun and whimsical pair depicts carp fish in a water scene with possible lotus leaf or lily pad and other water cre...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases
Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases
$4,080 Sale Price / set
36% Off
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Horse and Rider Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a rider wearing robes sitting on a horse with a bowed head, on a square base.       
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

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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