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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
Antique Chinese Console Table, 20th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Antique Chinese Console Table, 20th Century. Rectangular table with four drawers with original hardware and lower shelf. Provincial Chinese des...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Green Glazed Shiwan Pottery Teapots Qing Dynasty, 'Pair'
Located in Dallas, TX
A near pair of 19th century Sancai green glazed pottery teapots. Both with yoked handles, spouts and lids. Both also have the Republic era official government wax red seal signifying...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

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

A decorative pair of carved gilt wood and lacquer Chinese Buddhist lions C 1900
Located in Central England, GB
A very pleasing and beautifully hand carved pair of Chinese Buddhist lions left and right handed and raised onto stepped rectangular plinths all carved from the same section of timbe...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Room Size Antique Art Deco Chinese Wool Rug Handmade In Dark Terracotta Color
Located in Norwalk, CT
This elegant antique Art Deco Chinese wool rug features a dark terracotta color field with a decorative border in green and vibrant accents, showcasing a stunning classic Chinese mot...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Other

Early 20th Century Chinese Hand Carved Rosewood Table Screen with Jade Insert
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this beautiful Chinese antique Rosewood decorated table screen. It is 100 percent hand made and hand carved with Jade carving insert at center of the screen. Very detailed fi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

19th Century Chinese Silk Painting, Framed
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Chinese silk painting. Framed and matted. Features scene of Chinese characters in a ceremony. Beautiful muted colors of green, red, ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood

Chinese Cast Iron Figure Buddhist Monk with Original Paint & Gilt, c. 1880's
Located in Ross, CA
Cast iron Buddhist monk, cast around 1880, likely in Guangdong, China. The monk has original paint and some some remaining gilt. The monk stands snugly on a hand made mid 20th centu...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Iron, Gold Leaf

Asian Motif Etched Brass Free Standing Floor Lamp, circa 1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
Asian Motif etched brass free standing floor lamp, circa 1920 Finely etched brass floor lamp Dimensions: 17" triangular base x 69" high t...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Blue Beige Chinese Silk Scatter Rug
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th-century Chinese Silk rug in beige, light blue and navy Measures: 3' x 4'11''.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool, Silk

Vintage Hand Made Chinese Sculpted Wool Area Rug
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful hand made vintage Chinese sculpted wool area rug China, Mid-20th Century Nice floral design, with predominant colors in light green, peach,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Lacquered Wooden Table with Curved Legs, c. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This elegant lacquered table was crafted in Northern China at the middle of the 20th century. It features elegant legs that are beautifully proportioned with curved ends. It features...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Export Porcelain Underglaze Blue Botanical Circular Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Underglaze Blue Botanical Circular Dish, Circa 1775 This Chinese Export circular dish exemplifies the underglaze blue and whit...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Finely Cast 19th Century Bronze Vessel circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
A Chinese Finely Cast 19th century bronze vessel This bold and stylish Chinese shaped hexagonal vessel is heavily cast in solid bronze. It has a very pleasing shape which is enhan...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Matching Pair of Antique Khotan Rugs
Located in New York, NY
Very rare matching pair of antique khotans with one measuring 2'8" x 3'8" and the other measuring 2'8" x 3'9".
Category

Early 20th Century Turkmen Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Nine 19th Century Chinese Export Spinach and Egg Bowls
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine and rare set of five "egg and spinach" Chinese export porcelain bowls. Painted in a Tang Sancai or "Tiger Skin" technique used in the Kangxi perio...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Large Chinese Export Qing Famille Rose Porcelain Charger
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Chinese Export Qing Famille Rose Porcelain Platter. White porcelain with birds, flowers, trees and landscape in beautiful reds, pink, green and...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th-Century Chinese Southern Official's Hat Armchairs, Set
Located in Pomona, CA
Very well constructed Ming dynasty style Southern Official's Hat Armchairs set with beautiful carved design on it.This matching Set of Ming dynasty style southern official's hat Armc...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Exceptional Sang de Boeuf Ox Blood Table Lamp, Decorative Handles
Located in Lomita, CA
The intricately carved handles, or ears of this oxblood lamp cause it to stand out from the field of other lamps of this type. This piece is a 19th century sang de boeuf "Oxblood", r...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

STUNNING ANTIQUE MEIJI PERIOD SHIGA SHIGEAKI FAMILY ESTATE WOODBLOCK PRiNT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Meiji period circa 1880 Japanese print of Shiga Shigeaki’s family estate in the origi...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Chinese Plique-a-jour Archaic Style Bowl
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small Chinese cloisonné enamel bowl made with the technique of Plique-a-jour (means "letting in daylight" in French), a challenging method similar to small scale stained windows or...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

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

Early 20th Century Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Plate, Tea Tray
Located in Pomona, CA
Well kept Chinese antique Tea Tray, born in China in about 1900s, this beautiful famille rose porcelain plate/tea tray is a very good collectible item on your shelf. There are 5 foo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Yellow Gourd Shaped Double Handled Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) yellow porcelain vases with gourd forms and handles (mark on bottom, see photos) (PRICED AS PAIR). Condition: Good; Wear consistent with ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Pair Chinese Pewter Guardian Foo Lions Hong Kong NG AN Signed Mid 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
Pair of vintage Chinese pewter guardian lions, in fierce sitting pose, with copper accents for sharp claws, and each topped with an adjustable height brass ball attached by a threade...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Femille Rose Porcelain Bowl With Marks
Located in Pomona, CA
This is an Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Bowl. As you can see in the pictures, it is in very good conditions. It shows very neat unique design and hand painted floral inside...
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

A highly decorative pair of Chinese pottery Buddhist lions circa 1900.
Located in Central England, GB
An unusual pair of 19th century Chinese hand painted and richly glazed pottery seated Buddhist lions. They are each raised onto a stepped plinth with gilt character marks on the fron...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

19th Century Rare Sang de Boeuf, Oxblood Gourd Vase with Ears, Copper Rings
Located in Lomita, CA
From the antique brass oxidized copper rings that hang from the ears, to the gourd shape and body, this is a wonderful example of a highly collectible sang de boeuf, oxblood vase. A late 19th century (circa 1890s) Chinese copper...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

1900s Antique Chinese Rug - 11'8'' X 9'2''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Chinese Rugs, as opposed to most of the antique rug productions, were woven almost exclusively for internal consumption. Since they were mostly sheltered from European and We...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pine

Chinese Watercolor Children Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Cent) watercolor portrait on paper of fat seated figure surrounded by 6 children in a gilt frame
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint

Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Tea Bowl & Saucer with Initials MJ
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Tea Bowl & Saucer Initials MJ, American Market, Circa 1785 The Chinese Export porcelain large tea bowl and saucer are pa...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique 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

Pair of Chinese Red Flower Design Hand-Painted Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Chinese red, globular porcelain vases hand-painted with butterflies over blooming white, pink-speckled florals. (PRICED AS Pair) Irregularities in interior finish."
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Blue Peking Chinese Wool Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
A beautiful antique Destressed Peking Chinese hand knotted wool rug with a blue field and multi-color accents all-over traditional Chinese design. This rug measures: 7'4" x 9'10".
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Blue Peking Chinese Wool Rug
Antique Blue Peking Chinese Wool Rug
$3,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Export Pigskin Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Chinese export pigskin box now on custom made stand as a side table. Early 20th century. Foo dogs, birds, flower & auspicious symbols. 15 1/2" w., 9 1/2" d...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Animal Skin

Chinese Export Pigskin Box
Chinese Export Pigskin Box
$515 Sale Price
42% Off
20th Century Polychrome Charger Plate
Located in Miami, FL
20th century polychrome charger plate.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

19th Century Handmade Wooden Chinese Hat Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Chinese wooden hat box - handmade, with a chinoiserie image. The box is in very good condition with fitted top, the wood is a wonderful patinated colo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Pair late 19th Century Chinese hardwood side chairs
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of late 19th Century Chinese hardwood side chairs, each with hand carved panels the the backrest, inset panel seats, raised on square section legs, united by...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese 19th Century Blue and White crackleware vases / lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of late 19th Century Chinese export Blue and White crackleware vases / lamps. Each with faux bronze mounts above and below the central blue and white hand painted scenes of birds perched on the branches of exotic flowers, boarders of scrolling foliate and floral decoration. We can convert this pair of vases to lamps...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

1950s Chinese Coromandel Four-Panel Screen with Trompe-l'œil Bookshelves and Gil
Located in London, GB
The front of the screen features a trompe-l'œil depiction of bookshelves filled with meticulously painted books, scrolls, and manuscripts adorned with Chinese calligraphy in vibrant ...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Classic Blue and White Ginger Jar Table Lamp by Chapman
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic blue and white ginger jar table lamp by Chapman. Lamp depicts Asian scenery and has a black base. Finial is a matte black...
Category

1990s North American Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage 1920s Brown and Blue Chinese Art Deco Fette Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
Vintage 1920s Chinese Art Deco Fette rug with a dark brown border and outer field, blue inner field, and all-over lattice design in lighter tan. Measures 9.0...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Ivory Light Blue Brown 20th Century Hand Knotted Wool Tibetan Scatter Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A full pile Tibetan throw rug in clear white and blue hues, circa 1930, measures: 2'11" x 4'10".
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century Bamboo & Cane Victorian Bedroom Chair, C.1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century bamboo & cane Victorian bedroom chair, C.1890 Outstanding English Victorian bamboo chair with woven cane seat Hand painted deta...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Pair of Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Official's Hat Armchairs
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this matching pair of Qing Dynasty Style Official's Hat Armchairs. The members of this chair are delicate and slender. The back splat is made up of three connected sections. It have some openwork medallion carved with Chinese traditional folks arts. Below the seat is an ornamental opening with an arch-shaped inner frame. This kind of armchairs with four protruding ends were extremely common in the Qing dynasty, and this type of chair was most oftener seen in the reception room, studio or bedroom. Please see the pictures on the left, It is truly an antique and collectible...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Vintage Decorative Stem Vase, Chinese, Ceramic, Flower Sleeve, Art Deco Revival
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage decorative stem vase. A Chinese, ceramic flower sleeve in Art Deco revival taste, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Presents beautifully with appealing decor and colour Displaying a desirable aged patina and free of marks Classic stem vase form with crisp white ceramic Attractive foliate bouquets to centre with blue and red hues Distinctive banners to neck and base present a variety of scenes and pattern motif This is a distinctive vintage...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

Vintage Chinese Carved Camphor Wood Horseshoe Back Armchairs set
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 38in H x 29 1/in "W x 26in D
 Seat: 18 1/2in H x 20 1/2in W x 18in D
 Tea table: 23in H x 13in W x 17 1/2in D Origin: China Circa: 1960's Material: Camphor Wood Condition: Solid wood construction, original condition,heavy, sturdy. normal age wear. Description: Look at this gorgeous set of Vintage Chinese Horseshoe Back Armchairs...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Patinated Bronze Handled Pot
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a patinated bronze pot decorated with intricate raised pattern banding wrapping its form, two serpentine handles with hanging rings and a gr...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Pair Very Fine Chinese Blue & White Hawthorn Covered Jars 11" 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
Pair of very fine vintage Chinese export blue and white hawthorn ginger jars, finely decorated with reserve plum blossoms. The white porcelain bisc...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th C, Chinese, Champleve Cloisonne Vase Mounted as a Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Charming champleve cloisonné bronze base, enameled table lamp, in very good, original, clean and working condition. The lamp has a vase form body, with unusual and intriguing Chinese...
Category

19th Century American Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Chinese Guardian Lions in Original Condition
Located in Kramfors, SE
Chinese guardian lions in original condition. The lions are made from wood and were handmade sometime during the 19th century in China. The guard...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Cuban Armorial Plate for Marquis de Almendares
Located in Downingtown, PA
The arms on this Chinese Export armorial plate were made for the Cuban noble Marquis de Almendares Ignacio Herrera. The plate is finely ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Blue and Raised Rose Design Double Gourd Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese white and blue double-gourd porcelain vase decorated with bands of blue, framed iconography, and raised, pierced roses amid leaves wrapping the top and middle sections, and a...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

1910s Antique Worn Chinese Rug - 8'6'' X 5'9''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Chinese Rugs, as opposed to most of the antique rug productions, were woven almost exclusively for internal consumption. Since they were mostly sheltered from European and We...
Category

1910s Unknown Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Export hand-painted porcelain tea caddy jar. Pictures of a boy and his dog adorn both sides of jar in rich colors of dark blue, gold, red and turquoise. Greek key border fram...
Category

20th Century Chinese 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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