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
Recognized Seller Listings
Chinese White and Blue Character and Floral Ginger Jar Vases
Located in New York, NY
3 antique Chinese (early 20th century) similar porcelain ginger jars with blue floral designs around bold, centered characters and geometric bands leading to unglazed rims (jars vary...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Off-White and Blue Vine Character Porcelain Urn Vases
Located in New York, NY
4 similar antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) off-white ceramic vases with urn forms decorated in light blue, delicate vine and floral motifs and bold characters on 4 sides (jars va...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Framed Vintage Chinese Pen and Ink Ancestor Portrait in Red
Located in New York, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink ancestor portrait capturing the honoree seated and wearing an elaborate hat and red dress, on a beige ba...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Chinese Export Porcelain Blue Enamel Plate Made for the American Market
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export Porcelain blue enamel plate made for the American Market,
circa 1785.
The small Chinese Export American-market plate has a central roundel in brown depicting an, ...
Category
1780s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese White and Cherry Blossom Branch Porcelain Urns
Located in New York, NY
Pair of similar Chinese white porcelain urns depicting small yellow birds in cherry blossom branches on the fronts, and characters on the rever...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Brown and Gold Tole Serving Tray with Lake Scene
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese brown and gold tole serving tray featuring a lake scene with trees, bridges, boats, and fishermen.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chinese Blue and Orange Fish Design Round Lidded Porcelain Jars
Located in New York, NY
4 antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) similar porcelain vases with orange fish swimming around blue backgrounds - some displaying sponged effects - inspired...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Rust Agate Carved Plate with Sea Motif
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese rust agate plate with a carved crayfish and shells in relief and a crayfish carved handle.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Stone, Marble
Chinese White and Blue Character and Floral Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) ceramic urn with blue floral designs surrounding bold, centered characters on 4 sides.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Medallion Vase, Canton, circa 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Chinese export porcelain rose medallion vase, 23in, Canton, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Sancai Glazed Tang Dynasty-Style Horse Figure
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta figure of a horse commonly used as a tomb figure for wealthy burials in the 7-8th centuries, and crafted with its traditional tri-color...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese White and Blue Floral and Character Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) porcelain urn decorated with a blue geometric floral pattern surrounding a centered emblem with dark blue characters, a Greek key band around the...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Black and Gold Tole Lake Scene Oval Tray
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese tole serving tray with a painted gold design of a lake scene on a black background with a shallow lip with two cut out handles.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Ancestor in Navy Robes Portrait
Located in New York, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink ancestor portrait capturing the honoree seated in a red chair on a patterned floor and wearing an elabor...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper, Glass, Walnut
19th Century Chinese Carved Scenic Monkey Wall Plaque
Located in New York, NY
Chinese 19th century carved wall plaque with monkeys playing in trees with fruit (finished on back with bamboo trees).
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Mahogany
Chinese White Floral Patterned Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Chinese white ceramic table lamp made from a bulbous vase decorated with colorful florals, mounted on a wooden base and fitted with brass hardwar...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese Pink Floral and Bird Design Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Chinese pink ceramic table lamp made from a baluster-shaped vase decorated with colorful birds, florals and koi on a wooden base with brass hardware.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Ancestor Portrait in Navy Dress
Located in New York, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink ancestor portrait capturing the honoree seated in a green chair and wearing an elaborate hat and blue dr...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Walnut, Paper
Chinese Beige and Green Botanical Motif Rounded Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) bulbous porcelain vase with pink florals and a yellow-chested bird amid green leaves on one side and characters on the reverse. There is speckled...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Off-White Orange and Pink Floral Motif Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of similar Chinese porcelain table lamps made from off-white, urn-shaped vases with pink, orange and green florals, berries, leaves and snap dragons with wooden bases and brass ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Asian Chinese Style Carved Mahogany and Bevelled Glass Dragon Wall Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese-style (19th century) carved mahogany and bevelled glass wall mirror with carved dragon and scroll design frame with a filigree pediment top.
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Mahogany
Chinese White and Floral Column Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Chinese white porcelain table lamp made from a column-shaped vase painted with a crane alongside a blooming pink peony, a wooden base, and brass hardware.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese Ceramic Cream, Orange, and Green Fish Motif Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a porcelain vase intricately painted with orange fish swimming amidst green plant life framed by colorful geometric bands ab...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese Off-White and Blue Symbol Patterned Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large, off-white porcelain urn painted with a blue pattern featuring Buddhist symbols and other shapes with accented blue scrolled handles.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White Floral and Butterfly Patterned Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
3 Chinese white porcelain vases with pear-shaped forms decorated in butterflies above pink and orange florals growing from green leaves on one side with characters on the reverse. (P...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Oval Tole Black and Gold Pastoral Scene Tray
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese oval tole serving tray with a painted gold design of a children playing outside, supervised by a parent on a black background surrounded b...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chinese White and Blue Peacock Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) large white, ceramic urn with blue peacocks amid florals and two light blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Ancestor Portrait in Navy
Located in New York, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink ancestor portrait capturing the honoree seated and wearing an elaborate hat and navy dress, on a beige b...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Walnut, Paper
Chinese White and Navy Blue Botanical Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn decorated with a blue botanical scene of an oversized peony emerging from a marsh under a bird ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Natural Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn decorated in a blue scene of a bird perched on a flowering branch above water, and accented with two light blue scrolled hand...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Guangzhou Dog Hunt Scene Moonflask Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) Guangzhou painted export porcelain moonflask vases depicting richly colored dog hunt scenes on the bodies and gold patterned sides surrou...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Rosewood Pot Stand
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese-style rosewood jardiniere stand with a fluted lotus design over a carved filigree round base with 4 feet.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rosewood
Chinese Celadon and Tonal Pattern Porcelain Pot
Located in New York, NY
Chinese celadon, porcelain pot decorated with a raised, tonal botanical and dragon design wrapping the entirety of its bulbous form and accented with foo...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Pig Head Shaped Porcelain Tureen
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) export porcelain tureen in the form of an orange and pink pig head divided into lid and base at the mouth, and decorated ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Beige and Charcoal Floral Porcelain Jar
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) small, beige porcelain jar with a slight lip and charcoal-colored florals.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Four Chinese Rosewood Nested Tables
Located in London, GB
These beautiful tables were created in China in the early 20th century. They have been carved from rosewood. These ‘nested tables’ vary in their size, so th...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Chinese Orange and Gold Bouquet Design Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a round, orange, luster porcelain vase with with a gold floral bouquet design, mounted on a brown wooden base and fitted wit...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Rider and Horse Tomb Figure
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a girl in a red garment holding an object riding a dark brown horse, standing on a textured base.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese Off-White and Blue Figurative Scene Stoneware Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) table lamp made from an off-white and blue stoneware vase with carved floral bands, two small decorative handles, and a scene depicting two women ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of Chinese Off-White Cherry Blossom Tree and Bird Motif Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, 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
Pair of Chinese Red Flower Design Hand-Painted Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese red, globular porcelain vases hand-painted with butterflies over blooming white, pink-speckled florals. (priced as pair).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Navy Glazed Porcelain Parrot Statue
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese glazed porcelain statue of a navy blue parrot with a brown beak and talons perched atop green grasses.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Tall Black Glazed Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese black glazed porcelain vase with a tall, slim shape and a white interior.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Gold and Black Painted Cherry Blossom Motif Decorative Box
Located in New York, NY
Chinese large decorative wooden box with gold cherry blossom design on top and sides against a black background, with a hinged lid, and small hid...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chinese Light Gray and Red Cherry Blossom Tree Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese light gray porcelain vase with a flowering red and gray cherry blossom tree stretching up its urn-shaped form.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Floral Pattern Porcelain Jars
Located in New York, NY
5 Chinese white porcelain, open-mouthed jars decorated in an all-over pattern of florals and foliage in purple, orange and green, accented with gold lotus flowers (Priced each).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Huren Tomb Figure
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a Huren (northern tribesmen) man dressed in red robes and a prominent hat, with one fist raised in the air.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese Off-White and Light Blue Vine Motif Porcelain Urn Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) off-white porcelain vase with an urn form decorated in a light blue, delicate vine and floral motifs and bold characters on 4 sides.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Blue Double-Gourd Porcelain Vase with Gold Rim
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Qing Dynasty Style (20th Century) blue porcelain double-gourd vase with a raised vine and pear pattern that symbolizes a traditional blessing for longevity and abundance, and...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Langyao Emerald Green Glazed Footed Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese bulbous footed porcelain vase crafted in the Lang kiln (Langyao) in a dazzling and uniform emerald green glaze with a strong glass-like luster, shift...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Style Black Iron Filigree Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese style (19/20th Century) tall black iron filigree design tiered table lamp on a round base.
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Vintage Chinese Red and Gold Carved Handled Box
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese red and gold painted decorative wooden box with a metal latch and band around the base and an ornately carved handle featuring a scenic image of two men.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese White and Blue Village Scene Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) large white, porcelain urn depicting a blue scene of a village along the water, and finished with two dark blue scrolled handles along the neck.
...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Horse with Rider Tomb Figure
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a girl wearing a red hat riding a brown horse, standing on a textured base.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese White and Navy Blue Symbol Patterned Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) large, off-white porcelain urn painted with a navy blue pattern featuring Buddhist symbols and other shapes with accented blue scrolled handles.
...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Sancai Glazed Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Horse Tomb Figure
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta figure of a horse commonly used as a tomb figure for wealthy burials in the 7-8th centuries, crafted with traditional tri-color glaze, ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese White and Blue Feather and Floral Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Chinese porcelain urn painted with a blue and white floral background surrounding a center white oval with bold markings, dark blue feathers along the neck, and geometric patterned b...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Floral Rounded Porcelain Watermelon Jar
Located in New York, 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
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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