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
Pair of Chinese White and Umber Floral Design Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Chinese white porcelain vases decorated with umber and pink floral motifs wrapping the bulbous forms, accented in blue, pink and yellow patterned bands around the tops and b...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Rust Agate Elephant Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rust agate tapered urn with carved elephant handles having rings and scroll & floral carving in relief with a finial top with filigree sides. (modern base 1¬O" high).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Marble, Stone
Chinese White and Blue Feather and Floral Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, 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 ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Blue Tole Palm Tree and Man Table Lamps
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese light blue tole table lamps depicting a man holding a fan sitting in the shade of a palm tree. (PRICED AS Pair)(Companion lamps: NWL2012)
On...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese White and Blue Foo Dog Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) off-white porcelain urn decorated with blue foo dogs playing amid the clouds and accented in two pale blue scrolled ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Orange Botantical Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with green and blooming orange florals with two birds perched on a nearby branch, and accented with orange dog...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Multi-Colored Cloisonne Rooster Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of early 20th century Chinese cloisonne rooster sculptures with red, white, blue, green, and yellow enamels standing on circular cloisonne bases...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Chinese Blue and White Deer and Floral Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large porcelain urn with blue spotted deer amid florals on an off-white background and two navy scrolled hand...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Off-White and Blue Vine Character Porcelain Urn Vases
Located in Queens, 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 v...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese White and Cherry Blossom Branch Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, 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
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Hing
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Silver Bowl on plain round pedestal base. The decoration comprises of two applied opposing dragons against a plain background. Marked LH, for Luen Hing, a retailer based in...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
$16,543
Chinese Off-White and Blue Figurative Scene Stoneware Table Lamp
Located in Queens, 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 Orange and Pink Floral Motif Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in Queens, 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
Chinese White and Blue Peacock Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large white, ceramic urn with blue peacocks amid florals and two light blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Damage to the glaze near bird."
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Red Carved Wooden Display Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) red wooden display cabinet with an open main shelf framed above a cabinet, and intricate gold figurative sc...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Parade Scene Rounded Porcelain Watermelon Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) low, rounded white porcelain vase, known as a watermelon jar, depicting a spirited procession of participants holding flags and playing drums lea...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Emperor of Qin Mausoleum-Style Terracotta Warrior Statue
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese terracotta warrior figure modeled after one of the 7,000 warriors that form the Terracotta Army in the Mausoleum of the Fir...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chinese White and Navy Egret Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn with a navy egret amid florals and two blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Dimpling and crazing."
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White and Blue Village Scene Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, 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 Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl circa 1895, finely decorated with chrysanthemums on a matte ground, interspersed with six butterflies in flight. It has a single vacant shield-shaped cart...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver & Enamel Bowl
Located in London, GB
A rare and exquisite Chinese Export silver & enamel bowl, made in Shanghai around 1895 by Huang Qui Ji, and retailed by the firm of Woshing.
The bowl feat...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Horse with Rider Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a rider wearing robes and a red sash sitting on a horse that is painted in blue dots and a red bridle, with its head bow...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Mid-Century Chinese Wooden Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Mid-Century Chinese style wood lamp with fretwork design carving.
Ships without a shade
Category
20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Spoon Tray, Arms of Hamilton
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Spoon Tray
Arms of Hamilton of Dalziel
Qianlong Period, Circa 1750–1760
This elegant Chinese export porcelain spoon tray is delicately shaped in a ...
Category
1750s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Paper and Silk King and Queen Portrait Hanging Scroll
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 3 Ming King and Queen scroll wall hangings, shown seated with a paneled wall behind them and a brown rug with dragons underneath against a pale gold silk shantung background w...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood, Silk, Paper
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
Chinese Blue and White Peacock Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large off-white, porcelain urn with a blue peacock amid florals and two blue scrolled handles along the neck.
Light wear."
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique 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
Antique Chinese White and Blue Squared Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (19th century) white ceramic vase with a squared form wrapped in dark blue geometric patterns, and adorned with blue foo dog door knockers...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese White, Green, and Pink Floral and Rooster Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) white porcelain urn incised and painted with decorations of roosters amid blooming floral branches mixed with geometric patterned bands at the bo...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Bactrian Camel Terra Cotta Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a Bactrian camel, the main form of transport over the Silk Road, with its head tilted back and mouth open to the sky, we...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Chinese Export Silver Goblet, circa 1900
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, to a shaped stem and plain circular stepped foot.
The drinking vessel of this antique silver goblet is embellished with chased iconic Chinese dragon designs accented with stylised flame and cloud decoration, all on a matte background.
The decoration to the body incorporates a vacant shield shaped cartouche.
The upper rim of this antique Chinese goblet is encompassed with an applied moulded border.
The impressive shaped pedestal is realistically modelled in the form of three rooted and swept bamboo stalks, accented with applied leaves in junction with the drinking vessel.
The impressive domed circular foot is embellished with further chased decoration replicating the details of the bamboo's terrain and environment.
This impressive Chinese silver goblet...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere with Dragons and Figures
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere circa 1890, of rectangular form and variously pierced to all four sides. The side with the vacant cartouche has two opposing dragons separated by a...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Style Stoneware Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (20th cent) stoneware vase with multi-colored glaze and 3 figures in high relief.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 Off-White and Light Blue Vine Motif Porcelain Urn Vase
Located in Queens, 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 White and Blue Vine Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with an all-over blue vine and flower patterned ground, surrounding spaced bold, blue characters.
Signs of wear t...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 Export Silver Three Piece Tea Service
By Luen Wo
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 service...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Rare Large Chinese Export Porcelain 'Table Bay' Cape of Good Hope Dish, C. 1740
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare large Chinese export porcelain 'Table Bay' dish
Qianlong period, circa 1735-1750
Diam. 27.5 cm
This version of the ‘Table Bay’ porcelain docu...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box, round with a collet foot and profusely decorated with applied prunus. against a smooth plain background. The box has...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese White and Floral Pattern Porcelain Jars
Located in Queens, 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
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Tankards
Located in London, GB
A rare pair of Chinese export silver mugs/tankards, each with figural Court scenes, bamboo, and dragon handles. They have the mark for Hoaching of Canton, circa 1860, and the Chinese...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
$13,731 / set
Pair of Canary Yellow Porcelain Vases as Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Each of square tapering form mounted on a turned gilt base, fitted with adjustable brass rod and two-light sockets, height of vase is 15.5".
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,800 / set
Wang Hing Large Chinese Silver Dragon Mug
Located in New York, NY
Chinese silver mug, ca 1910. Straight and upward tapering sides and c-scroll handle. A spare form enlivened with applied wraparound dragon chasing its tail. Marks include stamp for W...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
19th Century Cloisonné Vase
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century Cloisonné vase richly decorated with bright Oriental patterning, chrysanthemum flowers, and birds. Topped with a gold rim, and featuring a bright blue interior, two sides are flanked with golden lion...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Chinese Export Silver Ship Centerpiece
Located in New Orleans, LA
This delightful and exceptionally rare steamboat centerpiece exemplifies the remarkable artistry of Chinese export silver. Chinese silver pieces are renowned for their exceptional qu...
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
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 Porcelain Double Boy Figure Group of Hehe Erxian
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain famille rose Fire Group Representing the Hehe Erxian.
Harmony & Joy,
Qianlong period,
Circa 1770-80.
The Chinese Export porcelain figure group is decorated...
Category
1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Two Chinese Porcelain Kangxi 'Pelgrom' Armorial Chargers, circa 1710
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A pair of very large Chinese armorial export blue and white porcelain 'Pelgrom' chargers
Kangxi period, circa 1710
The two chargers, decorated in...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Silver Mug
By Leeching
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver mug with flowers and foliage engraved within decorative panels; and a dragon handle. Marked with LC, for Leeching, 利升 (...
Category
1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
A superb Chinese export famille rose porcelain VOC teapot and pattipan saucer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
China, circa 1730
Porcelain decorated in rose-pink, yellow and soft blue- green enamels, on a shield a lion rampant crowned, holding in his left paw a bunch of seven arrows symbolis...
Category
1730s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Chinese Monumental Imari-Style Figurative Scene Lidded Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese monumental lidded floor vase celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, featuring medallions with figurative scenes agains...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Silver Bowl and Spoon
Located in New Orleans, LA
This delightful and extremely rare spoon and bowl pair exemplifies the remarkable artistry of Chinese export silver. Chinese silver pieces are renowned for their exceptional quality and unique designs, and the majority are entirely hand crafted. Today, many of these elaborate designs are housed in major museum collections, and remain a rarity on the market.
Beginning in the 18th century, silver workshops in China specialized in the manufacture of silver export pieces for Western audiences. Typically bearing motifs that were popular amongst Americans and Europeans such as dragons, bamboo and floral patterns, these charming pieces were all beautifully handcrafted with the utmost skill. Today, important pieces of Chinese export silver such as this one can be found in many of the major museum collections, and are highly valued amongst collectors.
The bowl boasts a fluid, undulating rim exquisitely engraved to depict bamboo, a motif which continues throughout the bowls body. Accompanying the bowl is a matching silver spoon, its handle intricately modeled as a vine with floral buds climbing upwards to its bowl, which seems to bloom with lovely applied buds and flowers.
The spoon features the mark of Wing Fat, a firm active in Hong Kong from 1875-1930 and Sing Fat...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Canton Blue & White Chestnut Basket & Stand
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Canton Blue & White Chestnut Basket and Stand
Circa 1810-1820
Description
This is a two-piece Chinese Export porcelain set consisting of an oval basket and a matching...
Category
1820s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Garniture
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Five Piece Famille Rose Porcelain Garniture,
circa 1730-1750
The garniture of five Chinese Export porcelain vases consists of three covered baluster vases and two ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$12,400 / set
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese silver bowl of lobed round form with applied decoration depicting various flowers and birds. It has the mark of TS for the shop of Tien Shing or T...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silver
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
$6,203 / set
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
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
$33,086 / set
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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