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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
Set of Chinese Red & Black Boxes, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Set of Chinese red & black boxes, 20th century. Set of three Chinese red and black boxes, decorated with scenes of figures amongst landscapes with temples and pavilions. Wood,...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Porcelain Figure of Woman Standing on Clouds
Located in Queens, 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

Palatial 19th Century Chinese Qianlong Porcelain Vase with Cover and Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
Palatial 19th Century Chinese Porcelain Vase with Cover and Pedestal in the Qianlong style, with lovely floral and bird cartouches on rust red ground. With Qianlong mark on undersid...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Bronze Fluted Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a patinaed bronze urn with ram head ornamentation below the fluted mouth, raised geometric patterns wrapping the body and a tapered circular...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid-20th Century Chinese Boxwood Carved Decorative Fan
Located in Pomona, CA
This exquisite fan showcases the artistry and cultural heritage of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. Handmade with meticulous attention to detail, the fan features beautifully carve...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Boxwood

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Lacquer Painted Altar Cabinet, Sideboard
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 37.5in H x 59in W x 19in D Drawer: 3.5in H x 15.5in W x 14in D Door opening: 20.5in H x 33in W Origin: China Circa: 1900 - 1940 Material: Wood, lacquer painting Condition: Original finished, solid wood construction, sturdy, normal age wear. This Chinese Altar Cabinet...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Chicken Blood Stone Carving of Bodhidharma on Wood Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small chicken blood stone carving from China circa early 20th century, possibly early (late Qing to early Republic period). It depicts an aged Bo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Pair of Vase rose medaillon Canton Porcelain with Ormolu Bronze
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning pair of vase rose medaillon canton porcelain with ormolu bronze in the base and the top of the vases, probably the ormolu bronze is later than the porcelain around 1890 ...
Category

1890s Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique 19th Century Hand Painted Chinese Porcelain Lidded Jar
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This rather large antique Asian covered jar is unmarked but believed to have been made in China in circa 1880 for the export market. The jar is done with a robin egg blue background ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export Macgregor of MarcGregor Armorial Porcelain Platter C. 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
The arms are MacGregor of MacGregor, Argent an oak tree eradicated in bend sinister surmounted of a sword in bend bother proper, in the dexter canton an antique crown gules ; crest, A lion’s head proper (crowned with an antique crown). The supporters are Dexter a unicorn argent (crowned), sinister a deer proper ; and motto “Men do and spare not." The Clan MacGregor had been outlawed and the very name forbidden after the battle of Glenfruin (1603) until the end of the 18th century, and the family used the name of Murray. John Macgregor...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Ginger Jar Lamps, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th century Chinese Famille rose lidded ginger jar lamps, each with wonderful colorful scenes depicting vases, motifs and floral decoration, raised on pierced...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

1950s Fine Antique Chinese White Jade Fish Sculpture Figurine
Located in Chula Vista, CA
an antique decorative fish sculpture made in white stone jade. unmarked Preowned Very good vintage condition unrestored. Refer to images. 5.13 D x 1 W x 2 H
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

A Good Pair of Chinese Export-style Floral Decorated Vases Mounted as Lamps
Located in San Francisco, CA
each of shapely baluster form with flaring neck above a bulbous body with a flared foot; hand-painted overall with iron-red floral and foliate vines and clusters with flying birds on...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export Black Lacquer and Gilt Decorated Sewing Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Chinese export black lacquer and gilt decorated sewing / occasional table, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bone, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer

Antique Chinese 14 Karat Yellow Gold & Apple Green Jade Woman's Necklace
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique necklace is signed by an unknown maker and originates from China, dating to approximately 1920 and done in the period Chinese Export style. The necklace is composed of 1...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade, Gold

Large Scale Chinese Export Style Hand Painted Ceramic Ducks, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of large scale Chinese Export ducks in very good condition. They have vivid colors!
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Ceramic Teapot Elephant shape Celadon Glaze, Mid 20th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese handcrafted ceramic teapot with an elephant shape and a celadon glaze, which we date to the 20th century, circa 1930s. The Teapot is handcrafted of a heavy ceram...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Large Rond Jewelry Box, Color with with Internal Compartments, Japan 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an rond large box. It has been decorated with gilted drawing. It has been made in Japan, during the 19th Century. In red and gold color. It is a jelwery box.
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Chinese Export Padouk Side Chairs
Located in Essex, MA
Made in Goa by Chinese craftsman. Each with shaped crestrail with leaf carving over a pierced splat, drop in balloon seat. Raised on cabriole legs with turned stretchers and ending o...
Category

1780s Indian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Padouk

Japanese 19th Century Scalloped Imari Porcelain Dish or Charger
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Japanese Dish or Charger, made in Japan at the beginning of the 19th century. With beautiful colors in red blue and white. The Item is in good condition.
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Yixing Zisha Teapot, Bamboo Handle & Flower Finial, Signed, China, 20th C
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Yixing Zisha teapot - featuring a bamboo form handle and spout with a chrysanthemum flower finial to the lid - impressed seal marks to the base an...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Beautiful Earthy Chinese Woven Rattan Market Basket
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful Chinese woven rattan market basket having decorative writing on the wooden handle and a great reddish patina.
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rattan

Pair of Vintage Chinese Yellow and Green Tole Palm Tree Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Vintage Chinese tole table lamps in the shape of palm trees, painted yellow and green, resting on octagonal bases and mounted with brass hardware. (PRICED AS Pair) Ships wit...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th C China Trade Roll Top Lap Desk on Stand
Located in Charleston, SC
A early-19th century Asian hardwood lap desk on stand. A similar one is pictured in "The Decorative Arts of The China Trade," page 248. The stand is a replacement made from pearwood.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Cloisonne Bowl
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Chinese Cloisonne Bowl Bronze and enamel materials made with Cloisonne technique Origin China Circa 1950 Floral decoration perfect condition cloisone te...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Chinese Export Hardwood Carved Plaque of Quan Yin in Landscape
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Hardwood Carved Plaque of Quan Yin in Landscape China, circa 1920s Expertly hand carved landscape plaque of Quan Yin the Buddhist goddess of compassion, mercy, and healing and the eternal protector of women and children. Mounted with symbolic brass hook. Overall measurements : 15-Inches high to the the top of the hook/ 14-Inches high to the top of the hand carved wood plaque...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 20th-Century Chinese Cow-Pea Red Porcelain Jar/Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent 20th Century Chinese Cow-pea Red porcelain jar/vases. It was hand made in about 1850 - 1900 in a civilian kiln. It is in Cow-pea red color which was very fam...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

19th Century Chinese Lacquered Chest on Stand
Located in Sheffield, MA
A very handsome Chinese lacquered trunk or coffee table with exceptional heavily embellished hand-hammered hardware -- iron handles, hinges, corner plates and lock which uses a cross...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Pierced Blanc de Chine and Bisque Porcelain Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage bulbous pierced single lamp, of grand scale. The globe-form Blanc de Chine bottom portion surmounted by a cylindrical pierced top of unglazed bisque porcelain. Base (Diame...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Black and White Cherry Blossom Tree Motif Porcelain Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese black porcelain jar with red and white cherry blossom trees growing from a green pastoral scene at the base. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Qianlong Mark Twin Handled Bronze Glazed Porcelain Censer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Very fine quality Chinese Qianlong mark twin handled porcelain censer decorated in deep red brown glazes with gilded highlights and probably dating fr...
Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Magical Old Chinese Box in Faded Cinnabar
Located in Hopewell, NJ
If objects could talk, this box would have some interesting stories for all its wonderful aged patina, cracks and character. A faded cinnabar, the entire surface is meticulously hand...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century, Chinese Export Famille Rose Medallion Centerpiece Bowl 15.75"
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th century. A fine quality antique Chinese famille rose medallion wash basin or centerpiece bowl. The center has a vivid immortal courtyard scene surrounded by a greek key border and 4 matching windows to the interior edge. The border adorned with butterflies, bird and floral motifs all enameled over a celadon base...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Collection of Three Chinese Porcelain Blue & White Tea Pots
Located in Sheffield, MA
Collection of 3 Chinese Export Porcelain blue & white tea pots. Treat yourself to a cup of tea or serve a guest with individual teapot or use them as dec...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Terracotta Urns / Vessels
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of urn shapped terracotta pots or vessels wiht glazed decorations, China, 1930s. Provincial rustic handmade terracotta wine jars or preserving pots. The taller one is covered by...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Terracotta, Clay

Pair Chinese Plant Stands Lacquered Painted Pedestal Table 1920
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of Chinese hardwood stools or pot stands With floral decorations all over Circa 1920 Offered in great shape ready for home use right away We ship to every corner of the...
Category

1920s Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Famille Rose 'Wu Shuang Pu' Platter
Located in Bradenton, FL
This rare Chinese porcelain platter is boldly decorated and to the top with heroic characters from the 'Wu Shuang Pu', the Table of Peerless Heroes, each ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Light Blue Crackled Finish Porcelain Beaker Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese (20th Century) light blue porcelain vase with a beaker shape and crackled finish.     
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Chinese Export Porcelain Tureen With Lid and Underplate
Located in Bradenton, FL
Rare find! 19th century Chinese Export porcelain tureen with lid. Lid has a green porcelain top handle and side handles. Beautiful colors of green and white with green florals.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

1950s German Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Asian Blue and White Porcelain Flower Drum Vase
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Asian Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Flower Drum Vase. Decorated with a Chinoiserie blue and white landscape, river, mountains, foliages and architectural Chinese Pagodas. Transitional Gu-form beaker vase with spreading base and flaring trumpet rim, painted in shades of underglaze cobalt blue. Offering a trumpet shape and extra-wide mouth, it is a great size to add to any blue and white Chinese porcelain collection or to display your favorite flowers. Marked with number 13. Made in China circa 1950. Dimensions: 10 inches tall x 5.5 opening mouth diameter. In the style of the Meissen Blue and white...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Porcelain

Massive Solid Alabaster Antique Hand Carved Asian Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful solid alabaster antique Asian large sculpture hand carved, circa 1950s, great condition no chips or cracks or chips came out of a state i...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Alabaster

Vintage Chinese Oriental Black Lacquer Hand Painted Low Asian Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Oriental Black Lacquer Hand Painted Low Asian Side Table. Item features nice low form, carved and hand painted scenes with women, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Italian-Market Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Dish, Marchesi di Sorbello Arms
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Coat-of-Arms on this Chinese Export armorial are for the Marchesi di Sorbello from a service ordered by Uguccione III Bourbon del Monte, 12th Marquis Regent of Sorbello (1737-1816). He was the son of Guiseppe I (1690-1747) a successful and important diplomat for the King of Sardinia...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Two Ming Style Chinese Pottery Dignitaries
Located in Bradenton, FL
Two Chinese Ming style sancai polychrome glaze terracotta pottery figures of Chinese dignitaries in glazed green and ocher terracotta on hexagonal bases and removable heads. The man ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Early 20th Century Chinese 3d Carving Wood Panel Hanging Architectural Element
Located in Pomona, CA
These pair of 2 antique Chinese wood carving panels have very deep 3D carving works of Chinese folks art - Chinese Opera with gilt. Very det...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Plant Stand with Marble Inset
Located in Hudson, NY
The exquisitely carved rosewood plant stand, shown here, reflects the character of its age and intricate detailing. Made in China in the mid 19th ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Marble

Chinese White and Floral Rounded Porcelain Watermelon Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) low, rounded porcelain vase known as a watermelon jar, painted with colorful, flourishing florals on one side and characters on the reverse.   
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Yellow Ceramic Bowl in Chinese Style
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Super art pottery bowl in Chinese style. Wonderful simplicity and color. Factory mark of Bretby, England on the underside. Free shipping  
Category

1890s English Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Family Ancestor Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink family ancestor portrait capturing nine honorees seated in front of scrolls bearing text framed by curta...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut, Wood, Paper

Hand Painted and Gilt Chinese Export Porcelain Centerpiece Bowl & Giltwood Stand
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Very large Chinese export porcelain centerpiece bowl (or fishbowl) of the finest quality with giltwood stand. Featuring enameled decorations and cartouches in the shapes of fans, flo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Antique Samson Chinese Export Style Porcelain Bianco Sopra Bianco Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique French porcelain plate. Attributed to Samson. In the Chinese Export porcelain style. With a painted floral motif to ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Circa 1800-30 Blue Canton Platter, Chinese Export
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1800-30 large Blue Canton platter, Chinese export. Elongated octagonal form with incut corners. Pleasing decoration. Minor kiln flaws. 15" x ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese 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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