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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
Recognized Seller Listings
Pair of Chinese Black and Gold Tole Scroll Handle Vessel Planters
Located in New York, 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

Chinese White and Blue Foo Dog and Serpent Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th century) white porcelain urn decorated with blue foo dogs, clouds, and serpents, and accented in two pale blue scrolled handle...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Blue and Orange Fish Design Porcelain Sleeve Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique Chinese (mid 20th century) sleeve-shaped porcelain vases decorated with orange fish swimming around blue backgrounds, inspired by patterns ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Carved Walnut Arm Chair
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese style carved walnut folding campaign style arm chair with dragon carved back and arms (19th Cent.)
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Chinese Black and Floral Motif Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese black ceramic table lamps made from baluster-shaped vases decorated with birds amid blooming florals in pinks, yellows and blues, and wooden bases.
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export Porcelain Small Canton Famille Rose Elephant Candlestick
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain small canton famille rose elephant modeled as a candlestick, circa 1860 The standing Chinese Export porcelain elephant with its trunk up is painted in an iron-red with gilt decoration. On its back is a vase-shaped candle holder rising from the raised saddle painted with a band of green leaves. Below the urn is a long saddle cloth hanging...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver and Cherry Wood Vases
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Chinese export silver and cherry wood based vases; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection These impressive antique Chinese export silver vases have a tapering cylindrical rounded form with a waisted neck. The surface of each vase is embellished with fine and impressive applied bamboo stalk ornamentation, all on a matte background. The plain waisted upper portion of each vase is fitted with a pair of tiered fingerpieces. Each Chinese silver vase is fitted to the original cherry wood base; the vases are fitted with an internal silver dowel pin which provides a concealed attachment to the plinth, securing to the underside with a screw fitment. The hallmarks struck to the underside of these impressive antique vases include: Maker's mark: GW (Gem Wo) Character mark: Untraced These exceptional vases have been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as sterling silver (925, 925/1000). Condition: These antique Chinese vases are an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The applied decoration is all very sharp. The Chinese hallmarks struck to the underside of each base are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these fine examples of antique Chinese silverware...
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Paper and Silk King and Queen Portrait Hanging Scroll
Located in New York, 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

Antique Chinese Orange and Metallic Bamboo Design Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a round, orange, luster porcelain, lidded vase with a metallic bamboo design, mounted on a brown wooden base and fitted with...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Chinese Pink Floral and Duck Design Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Chinese pink ceramic table lamp made from a baluster-shaped vase decorated with ducks in natural surroundings emphasized with linework and orange dragonflies, on a wooden base with b...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

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

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Carved Wooden Wall Plaque Depicting Riders on Horseback
Located in New York, 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 Pink Floral and Crane Design Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Chinese pink porcelain table lamp made from a baluster-shaped vase decorated with cranes and sparrows in natural surroundings emphasized with li...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vibrant Coloured Pair of Glazed Ceramic Foo Dog Sculptures Made for Birks
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of glazed ceramic foo dog sculptures for birks resting on painted on wooden base Marked: "Made in Spain for Birks" and bearing sticker marked Birks with inventory number.
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Green Painted Faux Bamboo and Gold Design Fireplace Screen
Located in New York, NY
Chinese green painted fireplace screen with a faux bamboo frame, accented in gold botanical and foliate designs centered on each side of the p...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Tankard, Mosey with Pulleyne in Prentice
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain armorial tankard, Mosey with Pulleyne in Prentice, circa 1755. The Chinese Export Tankard unusually painted with both a large armorial and a large crest below a gilt chain band around the rim. Large Famille Rose sprays of flowers are painted to each side. Dimensions: 5 inches high x 5 3/4 inches wide x 3 1/2 inch diameter. Reference: Chinese export porcelain, Volume I, David Sanctuary Howard, Page 549, (Q4). The arms are discussed as follows.The arms are of Mosley, Sable a chevron between three pick axes...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Chinese Cream and Green Vegetal Design Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) round porcelain vase with a small mouth opening and cream, lined design on the bottom half that grows into lush, green vegetation on the top.   ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Woman Figure
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta figure of a woman wearing robes bearing the Tang Dynasty's traditional tri-color glaze, or Sancai, utilizing brown, green and off-white...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Porcelain Light Green and White Cartouche Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) bulbous porcelain urn with a large white cartouche depicting a basket of botanicals on each side against a light green background patterned with ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Pink Floral and Blue Cartouche Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, 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 Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed 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, and crafted with traditional tri-color gla...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Chinese Rectangular Tole Black and Gold Monestary Scene Tray
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese rectangular tole serving tray with a painted gold design of a figures in a monestary courtyard on a black background surrounded by a shallow lip with rounded corners....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Multicolor Glazed Porcelain Pheasant Sculpture
Located in New York, 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 White and Blue Gaming Scene Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Chinese white and blue porcelain table lamp made from an urn-shaped vase depicting a group of figures around a game table under a tree, ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Chinese Yuan-Style Dark Blue and White Dragon Porcelain Pot
Located in New York, NY
Chinese bulbous, dark blue porcelain pot crafted in the Yuan Dynasty style, wrapped in the dynamic white shape of a dragon and accented with foo dog ornamentation along the sides.   
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Blue Vine Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, 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.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Pink, Blue and Yellow Bogu Pattern Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, 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

Vintage Mid-Century Chinese Wooden Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Vintage mid-century Chinese style wood lamp with fretwork design carving.
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Export Silver Three Piece Tea Service
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Chinese Export Silver Three Piece Tea Service - Antique Circa 1920 An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver three piece tea service; an addition to our diverse silver teaware collection This exceptional antique Chinese silver tea set...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Six-Sided Beige Crackled Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese six-sided, beige, crackled porcelain vase, crafted in a style typical of the Song Dynasty's official kiln during the Southern Song period and acc...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Blue Garden and Bird Design Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th century) white and blue porcelain urn decorated with a bird amid a flowering garden, and accented in two navy scrolled handles along the neck.    
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Orange and White Cartouche Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) table lamp made from a round, luster ceramic vase with an orange and gold hexagonal patterned ground against two white cartouches depicting natur...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

18th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Bowl with Chinese Domestic Furniture
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Famille Rose porcelain bowl with Chinese "Antiques" & Scholar's items on Furniture, Qianlong Period, circa 1735-1740. The Chinese Export porcelain bowl is finely painted inside and out with famille rose enamels. On the front is a depiction of an unusual grouping of Chinese domestic...
Category

1730s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Orange Botantical Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, 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

Chinese Carved Bamboo Root Face Wall Hanging
Located in New York, NY
Chinese wall plaque made from a bamboo root carved in the shape of a smiling face with a bamboo root fiber beard.      
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Chinese White and Navy Blue Patterned Handled Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white porcelain urn painted with a blue pattern featuring urns, furniture, and florals with blue scrolled handles on the neck.   
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Camel with Rider Tomb Figure
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a bearded rider dressed in a gray coat and brown boots riding a yellow Bactrian camel standin...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Maroon and Umber Lidded Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in New York, NY
Chinese porcelain lidded ginger jar in a finish that shifts within a range of umber, red and maroon, adding dimension to its shape.        
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Iron and Gilt Buddha Bust
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese style gilt and polychromed cast iron bust of Buddha.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Chinese White Green and Yellow Vegetal Winter Melon Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, 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

18th-century Chinese Export Porcelain Pair of Court Maiden Candlesticks
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain pair of maiden candlesticks, circa 1760-1775    A pair of large Chinese Export figures of standing maidens holding ...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Wooden Bar Cabinet with Shou Carvings
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese hardwood bar cabinet with a paneled exterior and brass-hinged top and doors that open to reveal ample storage for glassware, slide-out bottle trays, two drawers and S...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Sky Blue Gourd Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (late 19th century) sky blue porcelain vase with a bulbous base and thin neck flanked by two lug ears at its top.    
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Carved Wooden Altar Table / Console
Located in New York, NY
Chinese hardwood altar / console table accented with ornately carved and pierced spandrels and recessed legs and topped with a surface bearing gently sloping sides.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Shiwan Guangdong Red Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese red porcelain foo dogs with spirited expressions, detailing, and shiwan town in guangdong forms- home to one of the most famous folk kilns during the ming and qing dy...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

18th-century Chinese Export Porcelain Large Famille Rose Cachepot
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Cachepot, Circa 1750-60   The very large Chinese Export porcelain cachepot is of cylindrical form with an ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Green and Red Faded Floral Porcelain Urn
Located in New York, 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.  
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Yuan Style White and Blue Dragon Motif Porcelain Pot
Located in New York, NY
Chinese bulbous, white porcelain pot crafted in the Yuan Dynasty style, wrapped in a large scaled blue dragon on the body and decorative symbols ar...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver Bottle Coaster Circa 1900
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

Two Chinese Gilt Bronze Mounted Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
These cloisonné enamel vases are wonderful pieces of Chinese decorative art. They were crafted in the last decade of the Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911. The vases a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Pair of Chinese White and Maroon Floral Motif Porcelain Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese white porcelain vases decorated with dark maroon and pink floral motifs wrapping the bulbous forms, accented in blue, pink and brown patterned bands around the tops a...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Carved Wood Civil Officer Statues
Located in New York, NY
2 Chinese carved wooden statues of civil officers wearing white robes detailed with red trim, a red broad sash above the waste, and an ornate belt below th...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Continental Porcelain Soup Tureen
Located in New York, NY
Continental (19th Century) (Chinese Export) soup tureen with cover on an associated oval tray, both decorated with birds and a 3-masted ship.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Camel Tomb Figure
Located in New York, 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

Chinese Off-White and Navy 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 navy blue vine and floral motifs and bold characters on 4 sides.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Green Vegetal Winter Melon Porcelain Vase
Located in New York, 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 Green and Botanical Hand-Made Tole Lidded Urn
Located in New York, NY
Chinese hand-made, light green tole urn painted with branches, fruit, and a dark green band at the base and finished with a finial atop its lid.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Style Porcelain Imari Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Asian Chinese style porcelain table lamp with Imari style floral decoration on round wood base.
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Wang Hing & Co., Luen Wo, and Hung Chong & Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $40 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,998.

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