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
A Chinese huanghuali, wumu and mother-of-pearl watch holder
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Canton, 2nd half 19th century
H. 22.5 x W. 30 x D. 12.5 cm
The pocket watch, an antique Swiss triple calendar Moon phace pocket watch in gunmetal case, dating from around 1860-1900, is marked Acier Garanti, Oxidage Inalterable, and is numbered. The stand, made of huanghuali (Dalbergia odorifera...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Porcelain Octagonal Multi-Colored Floral and Vase Motif Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain table lamp comprised of a porcelain vase with eight multi-colored sides featuring floral and vase motifs with raised decorative pomegranates around the neck, mounte...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chinese Export Silver Tray
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tray engraved with prunus on a matte background, with applied chrysanthemum decoration to the border, and with two b...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Vintage Chinese Tole and Iron Potted Flower Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese tole and iron decorative potted flower sculpture with white flowers connected to a green multi-leaf stalk, mounted in a square yellow and blue metal base pot with sca...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Carved Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese style (19th century) red lacquered and decorated carved vertical wall plaques of ladies (Priced as pair).
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export 18th Century Lacquer Bureau on Stand
Located in London, GB
A fine and rare mid 18th century Chinese Export lacquer bureau on stand. Probably made in Canton specifically for the export trade to meet the demands of the European market. Beautifully decorated throughout with gilded decorations on a black lacquer background. The writing section is fitted with double serpentine fronted drawers and pigeon holes - all profusely decorated with sprigs of flowers, foliage and butterflies. The apron frieze contains three working drawers, the central drawer arcaded. With a small pull out pen drawers...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Carved Wooden Wall Plaque Depicting Riders on Horseback
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese carved wooden wall panel depicting two riders on horseback attempting to capture a wild horse from its herd in a rectangular wooden frame.
...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box, circa 1895, with British import marks for Glasgow 1902, and a later blue-glass liner.
The box is pierced with two pairs of opposing dragons, and th...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Five Extremely Rare Chinese Drawings of Foreigners, 18th Century, Colonial
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Five Chinese paintings of western people by an unknown artist
China, circa 1760, captions later
All in giltwood frames.
“A woman with Portuguese hairdo, with gold, silver and gemstone necklace, a skirt under a vest, a koi on her back, called a cloak, a woman customarily inherited the family business, the male humble, to the threshold (Qianlong year, circa 1735).”
Gouache on silk, measures: 32 x 25.4 cm
“He is a Westerner who had a white skin. He does not have a heavy beard but plaits his hair. He wears a triangular black hat, short jacket, leather shoes and long stockings...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Green Botanical Table Lamp on Wooden Base
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a vase painted with an intricate green motif of flora and dragon flies with brass hardware and a turned wooden base and top....
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Chinese Black and Gold Tole Scroll Handle Vessel Planters
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese black and gold tole vessels with scrolled handles and a painted fold design of figures sitting amongst a variety of florals on a r...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Chinese Style Filigree Gilt Wood Dragon Floor Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) carved and filigree gilt wood 6 sided dragon base floor lamps with round brass filigree shade (PRICED AS Pai...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chinese Camphor Wood Sailor's Large Brass-Bound Sea or Campaign Chest & Lock
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Sailor's Large Brass-bound Camphor Wood Sea or Campaign Chest,
Mid-19th Century.
A large rectangular dramatic campaign or sailor's trunk lined with Camphor wood and with interior inset drawer, the exterior with brass corners and clasp. There is the original Chinese lock...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
A rare Chinese Export Silver Goblet depicting the story of the Three Kingdoms. The goblet embossed and chased with characters from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, including Zhuge ...
Category
1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Black Faux Bamboo Two-Tiered End Table
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese black end table with two tiers supported by gold-accented faux bamboo legs, and painted with gold borders and a floral motif decorating...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Porcelain Filigree Garden Seat
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19/20th Cent) beige and aqua porcelain filigree garden seat / pedestal.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Multicolor Glazed Porcelain Pheasant Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) porcelain sculpture of a pheasant with colorful, gold-outlined plumes perched on a rocky formation of green and brown.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Pink Cherry Blossom Tree Motif Table Lamp Mounted on a Wooden Base
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese off-white porcelain table lamp made from a bulbous vase with a budding green and pink cherry blossom tree growing up its form, a wooden base, and brass hardware.
Ships witho...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Ancestor in Navy Robes Portrait
Located in Queens, 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
Chinese Porcelain Traditional Figures
Located in Queens, NY
7 Asian Chinese (20th Cent) porcelain figures in blue and white patterns in traditional dress (PRICED EACH).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Carved Wood and Red Accented Bogu Etagere Shelf
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese Bogu wooden etagere featuring open display shelving connecting ornately carved, red framed doors, two red drawers with golden foliage ornamenta...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese White and Pink, Blue and Yellow Bogu Pattern Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) white porcelain urn painted with pink, light blue, and yellow bogu pattern - a traditional decorative theme that employs items like bronzeware, p...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Two Carved Wood, Marble and Onyx Chinese Tables
Located in London, GB
Two carved wood, marble and onyx Chinese tables
Chinese, Early 20th Century
Height 77cm, diameter 51cm
Intricately carved and elegantly formed, the two Chinese tables feature r...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Pair of Chinese White and Pink Cherry Blossom Motif Lidded Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Chinese white porcelain urns decorated with dark pink and green-leafed cherry blossoms growing up the rounded forms, finished with red-finial topped lids and made with holes...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Navy Blue Botanical Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, 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
Pair of Chinese Blue and Orange Fish Design Lidded Porcelain Jars
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese (Mid 20th Century) lidded porcelain jars with orange fish swimming on blue, sponged backgrounds, inspired by patterns from the Ming Dynasty...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Olive Green Multi-Tube Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese olive green and brown glaze porcelain vase with one tall tube surrounded by four shorter tubes, all extending from a bulbous shape, on a circular foot.
Necks have been repa...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Mauve Glazed Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese tall glazed porcelain vase in an elegant mauve shade (date mark on bottom, see photos).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White Green and Yellow Vegetal Winter Melon Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) winter melon-form porcelain vase decorated with an incised, white bottom half that grows into verdant abstracted vegetal and peacock shapes on th...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Goblet, with prunus decoration. The goblet weighs 258g and dates from around 1885. Marked WH for Wang Hing '宏兴‘ whi...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Pots with Stands
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese (19/20th century) blue and multi-colored cloisonnv small rectangular cachepots. (priced as pair).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Chinese Beige Botancial Motif Rounded Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) bulbous porcelain vase with pink florals and an orange bird amid green leaves on one side and characters on the reverse. There is dark, speckled ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese White and Blue Fish Decorative Plates
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain decorative plates painted with thin blue patterned bands along the rims, opening to wider floral motifs on the interiors that surround centra...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Chinoiserie Scene Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
2 Asian Chinese style oil painting portraits on canvas of figural chinoiserie scene of man holding bird with bowing servant framed by gold leaf painted fretwork (Similar to 058969) (...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Gold
Pair of Chinese Pale Green and Pink Blossom Lidded Jars
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese pale green lidded jars decorated with lily pads and pink lotus blossoms on one side of their round forms and extending up to the lids,...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Beige and Green Botanical Motif Rounded Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, 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
Chinese White and Green Vegetal Winter Melon Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) winter melon-form porcelain vase decorated with an incised, white bottom half that grows into verdant abstracted vegetal and peacock shapes on th...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Iron and Gilt Buddha Bust
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style gilt and polychromed cast iron bust of Buddha.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Chinese Yellow and Blue Carpet
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) high pile carpet with a yellow field and blue and ochre details. (11 3/4' x 17 1/3')
Rug is in antique condition...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Tapestry
Chinese Multicolor Banded Pattern Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) porcelain urn wrapped in a variety of patterned bands, including florals, roosters, and geometric patterns in pink, green, blues and yellows.
Th...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Export Silver Bottle Coaster Circa 1900
By Luen Wo
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver bottle coaster, an addition to our ornamental silverware collection.
This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) bottle coaster has a cylindrical form to a plain spreading base.
The body of this Chinese silver coaster is embellished with fine and impressive embossed and pierced decoration depicting two iconic oriental dragons amidst clouds.
The decoration to the body incorporates a sun motif to either side, each accented with a central cartouche, one remains vacant and the other bears the contemporary engraved monogram initials 'CHD.'
The upper and lower rims of this coaster are encompassed with plain applied moulded borders accented with bands of tooled decoration.
This exceptional coaster has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as sterling silver (925, 925/1000).
Condition
This antique Chinese silver coaster is a very good gauge of silver, excellent quality and in exceptional presentation condition.
The Chinese hallmarks struck to the underside of this coaster are all very clear.
Dimensions
Diameter of rim 7.9cm/3.1".
Diameter of base 8.4cm/3.3".
Height 6.5cm/2.6".
Weight
5.1 troy ounces/160g.
Maker: Luen Wo.
Date: circa 1900.
Origin: Shanghai, China.
Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request.
Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this piece of antique Chinese silverware.
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Green and Red Faded Floral Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with a faded green and red floral pattern and accented with pale pink scrolled handles along the neck.
Signs of we...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Burgundy and Gold Vine Design Painted Decorative Box
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese wrapped decorative box with a burgundy base with muted metallic gold gourd and leaf pattern on vines with a large central character, bronze handles and latch, and an interior...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Mustard Colored and Tonal Patterned Meiping Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese, mustard-colored porcelain Meiping form vase carved in raised, tonal florals, with patterned bands around the top and base.
Crackling in glaze.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Pink Floral and Blue Cartouche Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) pink porcelain urn decorated with a light blue floral design grounding multiple light blue cartouches, each bearing a bogu pattern that signifies ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl, profusely decorated with dragons among clouds on a matte background. The bowl has a vacant cartouche, and is fro...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl, profusely decorated with chrysanthemum, prunus, iris, and bamboo, and with a vacant circular cartouche. The bowl d...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Wooden Screen with Reverse Glass Painted Panels
Located in London, GB
This exquisite Chinese folding screen has been crafted from wood, and fitted with Fine reverse glass paintings. The screen is composed of six wooden panels. These panels are subdivid...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Glass
Pair of Antique Chinese Hardwood and Veined Marble Stands
Located in London, GB
The stands in this matching pair are made from 'Hongmu' wood (Chinese hardwood). Each stand rests upon four stylised and flared dragon feet, which extend into four ornately carved ca...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box circa 1890, of barrel shape with plain pull-off lid. This extremely unusual box, which could equally be used for ice as well as biscuits (but not at...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Cloisonne Figures of Stags
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Cloisonne figures of stags,
Early 20th century,
Wonderful, expressive pair of small cloisonne models of stags with gilt horns and ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl with applied decoration depicting various plants and birds, and with three dragon handles. The retailer's mark is...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Antique Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver goblet; an addition to our wine and drinks related silverware collection.
This exceptional antique Chinese Export silver (CES) goblet has a circular bell shaped form a shaped stem and plain circular stepped foot.
The drinking vessel of this silver wine goblet is embellished with impressive engraved bamboo stems emanating from the lower portion.
The embossed stem of this impressive solid silver goblet...
Category
Early 1900s Hong Kong Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Pair of Ormolu Mounted Chinese Porcelain Tazze
Located in London, GB
Pair of ormolu mounted Chinese porcelain tazze
Chinese & French, Late 19th Century
Height 18cm, width 31cm, depth 21cm
These very fine decorative pieces are a pair of tazze (from the Italian tazza...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Chinese Export Porcelain Underglaze Blue Pair of Candlesticks
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Underglaze Blue Pair of Candlesticks,
Circa 1850-80
The pair of Chinese Export underglaze blue porcelain candlesticks have a circul...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Silver Kiddush Goblet
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver covered Kiddush goblet, 19th century.
Round cup on a stem mounted to a flat circular foot. Stepped domed cover with bird finial. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Antique Chinese Export Silver Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Turn-of-the-century Chinese export silver picture frame. Oval window in shaped surround with scrolls and flower heads at top, and leaves, stars, flowers, and heart cartouche vacant o...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Patinated Bronze Footed Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a patinated bronze urn carved with raised geometric patterned bands wrapping its form, sitting atop a round foot, and fitted with two curved...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
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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