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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
Late Qing Dynasty Large Baluster Famille Rose "Hundred Antiques" Jar
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A late Qing Dynasty Chinese large Baluster Famille Rose "Hundred Antiques" Jar, A multitude of decorative objects and flowers in polychrome enamels and ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Pair of Chinese Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese (19/20th Cent) green and yellow small porcelain reclining foo dog figures
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

20 Canton Woven Bamboo Gallery Trays
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
20 Canton Woven Bamboo Gallery trays, each one of woven and bent bamboo.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

20 Canton Woven Bamboo Gallery Trays
20 Canton Woven Bamboo Gallery Trays
$1,015 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Chinese Oxblood and White Natural Motif Meiping Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain Meiping vase in a red oxblood hue decorated with a white natural motif capturing the silhouettes of birds, vines and leaves.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Multicolor Floral Round Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese white, round porcelain vase decorated in a pink, green, orange and blue floral designs, accented in gold detailing.      
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Two Pairs, 18th Century Mandarin Pallet Chinese Export Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
On left: Pair of early 18th century mandarin pallet Chinese vases decorated with various scenes and gilt handles (on neck), orange ground with blue borders around scenes, visible rep...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Blue Chinese Peking Handmade Designed Wool Rug From the 1920s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Behold this elegant antique Peking Chinese wool rug! Its navy blue field, decorative border, and beige accents showcase a stunning classic Chinese motif. This rug measures 12'6'' x ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Other

Rare 19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Boxes, Monogrammed 'DF', c. 1800
Located in Richmond, London
Chinese-export monogrammed lacquerware is extremely rare and particularly sought after. The exquisite decoration of these lacquer boxes is simply superb, which makes them a true col...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of Chinese Guangcai Gilt Floral Porcelain Sleeve Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese Guangcai porcelain sleeve vases decorated with ornate floral and figurative scenes in palettes of pink, green and yellow with top...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood

Pair of Chinese Crackle Glazed Porcelain Lamps with Wooden Base and Lampshades
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly invite you to read the full description, as we aim to provide detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our pieces. This exceptional pair ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

A matched pair of Chinese soapstone hand carved figures circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This decorative pair of soapstone carvings depicts traditionally dressed figures of a man and woman. The woman is dressed in ornate robes, and she is holding a fan. The man is a fish...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Tole Tea Cannister With Lid
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 20th Century Chinese Export toleware tea cannister with lid. This tea tin features Chinese characters and is hand painted gold, black and green on a red background. Can be used ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid 19th Century Geometric Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mid 19th Century Geometric Chinese Accent Size Rug Measures: 3'7'' x 5'11''.
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Mid-19th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Medallion Vase Mounted as a Lamp
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-19th century Chinese export porcelain Rose Medallion Vase Mounted as a Lamp. Very good quality with foo lion handles; panel molded body with linen fold top. Perfection for this f...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique English Porcelain Pseudo Tobacco Leaf Pattern Tea Cup & Saucer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English porcelain cup & saucer. Attributed to Copeland Spode. In the Pseudo-Tobacco Leaf pattern, mimicking the Chinese Export pattern of the late 18th Century. Both cup and saucer have a gilt scalloped rim, are decorated in underglaze blues, and cold painted in reds, purples, and greens. Each is richly gilt. Simply a wonderful early English tea cup and saucer! Date: Early 19th Century Overall Condition: They are in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Condition Details: There is fine and tight crazing visible to the saucer (mostly on the underside). Otherwise each cup and saucer have tiny spots of crazing here and there, some rubbing to the gold, and some wear to the enamel decoration. Otherwise, there are some fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age. Maker: Attributed to Spode Copeland Pattern: Pseudo Tobacco Leaf...
Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage handsome hand carved male Figure with black pedestal.
By Alba China
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome handcrafted male figure standing on a black pedestal. This hand carved figure is uniquely carved into a ball. The sculpture is a man ...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Chinoiserie Black Lacquered and Gold Coromandel 6 Panel Screen
Located in West Hartford, CT
Spectacular Chinese black lacquered 6 panel folding screen incised with gold gilt and white paint featuring Chinese village scenery. Feet...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Vintage Quartetto Of Nest Tables, Chinese, Nesting, Occasional, Mid 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage quartetto of nest tables. A Chinese, rosewood graduated occasional table with Mother of Pearl inlay, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Delightfully prese...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

1900s Chinese Export Silver Three-Piece Tea Service
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver three-piece tea service; an addition to our diverse silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique Chinese silver tea set...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Rosewood Antique Chinese Export Alter Table with Hand Carving
Located in Lomita, CA
The warmth and patina of the antique rosewood and the intricate hand carving makes this altar table irresistible. The silhouette A vintage Chinese export carved rosewood altar or co...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

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

Late 18th Century Antique Dragon Design Chinese Rug 11'9'' X 7'3''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Early 19th Century Antique Dragon Design Chinese Rug 11'9'' X 7'3'', Handmade and Hand-knotted with dragon design Y & B B
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Bronze Sculpture Of A Lady
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Bronze Sculpture of a Chinese Lady. It depicts a semi nude Chinese lady standing up and wrapped with a robe around one of her shoulders, the back, below the hip and one of ...
Category

20th Century East Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese White Porcelain Gall Bladder Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) white porcelain gall bladder form vases, named for their resemblance to the shape of the organ, with bulbous bottoms and thin, delicate nec...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Nichols Carpet, Gold, Blue, Green, Navy Carpet Handmade Wool Rug
Located in Port Washington, NY
This is an early 20th-century Nichols Chinese carpet, characterized by its vibrant color palette and intricate design elements. The carpet showcases a striking golden-yellow field ad...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

1920s Antique Chinese Peking Wool Rug Handmade Blue with Classic Floral Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This luxurious antique Peking Chinese hand knotted wool rug features a navy blue field adorned with a designed frame and golden accents in a stunning all-over Chinese floral motif. ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Other

19th Century Chinese Carved Hardwood Flower Stands Marble-Top Insert
Located in Brea, CA
A 19th century antique Chinese heavily carved hardwood circular stand table with rouge marble top insert, the inset marble top over carved hardwood apron with mother of pear inlay pl...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Sang De Boeuf, Ormolu Mounted Vase, by Rookwood 1936, Now as a Lamp, Dark Glaze
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sang de Boeuf, Ormolu Mounted Vase, by Rookwood Pottery 1936, now as a Lamp, Light Glaze Beautiful glazed vase raised on four ormolu elegant paw feet, attributed to E.F. Caldwell (O...
Category

1930s American Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Large Antique Etched Brass Bowl
Located in Washington, DC
Large Antique Etched Brass Bowl with dragon Detail. China, circa early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Porcelain Hand Painted Porcelain Lamp
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A hand painted Chinese porcelain lamps with an imperial yellow background. The white porcelain with cartouches of aristocratic women in a floral background with intricately detailed ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Patinated Bronze Tapered Leg Vessel
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a patinated bronze vessel carved with raised geometric and serpentine patterns, sitting atop three tapered legs and finished with two c-shap...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Carved Wooden Dragon Mirror, Indochina, Circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Carved Wooden Dragon Mirror, Indochina, Circa 1900 The frame, executed with exceptional craftsmanship, features a symmetrical and dynamic composition: two majestic dragons, finely c...
Category

Early 1900s Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

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

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Chinese Famille Rose Multi-Colored Porcelain Vase Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese table lamp made from an 18th century porcelain vase mounted with wood and brass hardware as a lamp, with a famille rose intr...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Chinese Raincoat and Hat set
Located in Pomona, CA
A very rare and pristine condition traditional Chinese raincoat consisting of both an apron skirt, cape and hat made entirely from palm tree and coconut fibers several layers thick. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Palmwood

Antique Chinese Silver Blossoming Branch 4-Part Glass Decanter
Located in New York, NY
Chinese silver-mounted glass decanter, ca 1900. Ovoid bowl and cylindrical neck; interior partitioned forming four compartments. Blossoming branch cage. Neck rings and collar with fl...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Two Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain HeHe Groups Kangxi Period
Located in Dallas, TX
A Pair of Chinese famille verte laughing twins 'HeHe Erxian' biscuit group, Kangxi (1662-1722), the two boys with jovial expressions and seated upon an openwork rock-base studded wit...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Petite Famille Verte Canton Vase, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the 1920s during China's Republic Period, this petite vase is decorated in a style known as Canton enamel, so named for the long-standing industry of export enamels based in...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Antique Album Of Chinese Gouache Paintings On Paper
Located in Bradenton, FL
Rare Chinese Export School. 24 miniatures in watercolor and bodycolor on pith paper. Album of pith paintings depicting trades and professions. 19th century Chinese, bound with silk t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair Of Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Foo Lion Censers
Located in Norwood, NJ
Beautiful fine pair of Chinese cloisonne enamel foo lion censers, in a standing pose. Yellow enamel ground and stylized patinated copper repousse head with enamel eyes. Standing on c...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Small Vintage Carved Oriental Figure, Chinese, Hand Carved, Black Onyx, Art Deco
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small vintage carved Oriental figure. A Chinese, hand-carved black onyx traditional travelling man statue, dating to the late Art Deco period, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Onyx

Mid-20th Century Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase with Battle Scene & Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in China circa 1950, this tall porcelain vase stands on its original carved wooden base. The elegant vessel features a baluster shape with a wide flared neck and is hand pain...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Very Soft and Early Ningxia Seat Cover from the First Half of the 19th Century
Located in Vienna, AT
This square carpet, produced around 1800-1830, with a golden yellow field once formed part of one of the long bench covers used in Tibetan monasteries or made maybe also for a single Throne seat. The cruciform design at the centre of the field represents two Tibetan dorje...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th C. Chinese Lacquered and Polychrome Scholars Block/Paperweight
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-C. Chinese Lacquered and Polychromed Scholars Block/Paperweight with Custom Box China, 19th century, complete with later custom box This 19th-century Chinese lacquered and polyc...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Xit Li Long "Jewels of the fall" 24" x 20" oil on canvas
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a wonderfully rendered painting by Xit Li Long. The painting is an oil on canvas. Its a still life of of a prepared table. The painting ha s a lot of detail. The painting s...
Category

Early 2000s Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Double Happiness Tea Caddies
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Originally a wish for a happy marriage the double happiness symbol is iconic, here we present a pair of lidded tea caddies hand decorated with a floral background.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Heavy Pair Of Vintage Horse Figures, Oriental Stone, Fireside Ornament, Bookends
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a heavy pair of vintage horse and groom figures. An Oriental, stone fireside ornament or bookends, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Charming figures of substanti...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Large Chinese Export Red Lacquer Character Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese Export red lacquer character box, sculptural, well executed Chinese two part lacquer table box. Decorated with vines, symbols and bats. Unmarked.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

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

Blue Tan Chinese Animal Pictorial Landscape Rug
Located in New York, NY
A 20th century Chinese Peking rug with 2 reindeers and a large bird in a scenic background with a tree and palm tree. The wool on this rug is lustrous and has a silky feel to it if w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century Chinese Stained Elmwood Low Stand or Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Chinese Stained Elmwood Low Stand or Side Table. Very sturdy. Measures 15.5" in width, 17" in depth and stands 21".
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Export Enamel Gourd Cachepots
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export enamel gourd cachepots, Each one realistically cast and modeled. Gold plated copper base. Shown with jade plants, not included. 2.5" ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Chinese Porcelain Wucai Vase W/ Rosewood & Jade 19th C., Or Earlier In Display
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th century or earlier. An early Chinese porcelain vase polychrome decorated with a green, red and blue foo dog surrounded by foliate detailing. Accompanied with a rosewoo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Vintage Chinese Metal Gilt Filigree and Enamel Cranes Figures on Wooden Stand
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

Set Of Twelve Chinese Framed Pith Paper Watercolors
Located in Essex, MA
Set of twelve with cream colored faux bamboo frames. Each depicting Chinese furniture and interiors.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Antique circa 1900 Hand Carved Chinese Camphor Wood Travelling Trunk Nice Finish
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice circa 1900’s Chinese export Camphor wood travelling chest which has been ornately carved throug...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mother-of-Pearl Decorated Rattan Flip Top Side Table Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
A sunning Mother-of-Pearl Decorated Rattan Flip Top side table cabinet in good vintage condition measuring 18.5" in width, 11.5" in depth and stand...
Category

Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rattan, Wood

Fine Beige Blue Antique Indo-Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular 19th century Indo-Chinese rug. The weave is very fine (check detailed image of back) and has quite a decorative look highlighted by a beige color oval shaped field acce...
Category

Late 19th Century Indian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Famille Rose Sweetmeat Dishes set with Wooden
Located in Pomona, CA
A set of antique Chinese famille rose porcelain nine-piece combined square dishes for sweetmeats or nuts, each dish decorated with floral patterns, smooth glazed bases, late Qing Dyn...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Longgui Dragon Turtle Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese carved wooden sculpture of a Longgui or (dragon turtle) holding a coin in its mouth on an ornately carved wooden base.       
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

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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