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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
Period: 20th Century
Antique Cloisonné Cabbage Form Lidded Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout Chinese lidded bowl crafted in copper and enamel or cloisonné in the leafy form of cabbage with a stem handle and blue interior.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Glazed Chinese Kitchen Jar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A glossy black glaze clings to the form of this slender kitchen jar's banded surface. The glazed vessel dates to the early 20th-century and was used for storing food and condiments i...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Carved Teak Wood Fretwork Figural Cornucopia Chinese Plant Stand Planter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Carved Teak Wood Fretwork Figural Cornucopia Chinese Plant Stand Planter with Zinc Metal Liner. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 35.5" H x 20" W x 16" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Teak

Chinese Hong Mu Wood Mah Jongg Table
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Hong Mu wood Mah Jongg table, square with galleried top above four sides, each with a single drawer and two wells for tiles decorated with fretwork p...
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Pair of Chinese Pagoda Towers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of four tiered pagoda towers crafted in composition with a black lacquer finish decorated with gold painted floral designs, brass balconies, and bells.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Composition

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Tole Tea Cannister With Lid
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 20th Century Chinese Export toleware tea cannister with lid. This tea tin features Chinese characters and is hand painted gold, black and green on a red background. Can be used ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Peking Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
Amazing early 20th century Chinese Peking rug with a central floral medallion amidst a field of additional flowers on a beautiful gold field, surrounded by a deep blue border. Good a...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Hollywood Regency Lacquered Coromandel Screen with Banana Leaves
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Chinese export hollywood regency period four panel coromandel screen featuring a lush green landscape with exotic birds, vines, and banana leaves. Each panel measures 16 inc...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Style Maitland-Smith Blue & White Ginger Jars W/ Foo Dogs - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This s a lovely pair of Chinese Export style blue and white ceramic ginger jars. They have gilt accents and foo dog finials. The pottery is intentionally crackled. They are marked.
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

20th Century Chinese Ceramic Tang San Cai (Tri Color)Horse
Located in Pomona, CA
A large vintage Tang style Sancai glazed terracotta horse. This exquisite piece features a striking green and brown color glazed finish, infusing it with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Mid 20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Long Bench, Sofa
Located in Pomona, CA
This gorgeous Vintage Chinese Rosewood Carved Long Bench, Sofa has about 70 years history and still has its original condition, very smooth to touch, full of patina. It was hand made...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Set of Chinese Jade Carved Horse Drawn Carriage Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This set of Chinese Jade carved horse drawn carriage are hand crafted with exquisite detail. They were carved with a "thallium tool" and jade-resolving sand by skilled craftsmen in t...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Chinese Red Lacquered Box With Brass Mounts, Mid 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese red and black lacquered box with fine brass mounts in the Chinese Export style. Lovely color. A refined and classic decorative box, beautiful craftsmanship. 16 inches wide, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Striking Turquoise Pair of Chinese Porcelain Bluebirds
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pair of Chinese porcelain bluebirds having turquoise bodies and aubergine bases.
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Chinese Porcelain Lamps
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of early 20th Century Chinese porcelain vases custom mounted on lucite bases. Each vase decorated with a perched birds of paradise and colorful vegetation on a brown ground. Wi...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Century Chinese Export Solid Silver Condiment Set, c.1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century Chinese novelty solid silver condiment set, comprising a pepperette, salt and mustard pot, fitted in a traders pushcart. Hallmarked Chinese Export Silver, ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Blue, White Porcelain Gilt Lotus Flower Jingdezhen Serving Bowls, Teacups
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a special collection of blue and white rice grain porcelain serving bowls and Chinese style teacups. They are beautiful in red, blue and white translucent rice grain pattern with the lotus flower motif. The items are assembled and the teacups are older than the 1970s and 1960s bowls with an antique Chinese mark...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

20th century Chinese Export Porcelain Garden Seat
Located in Savannah, GA
Hexagonal shaped Chinese Nanking Style Export blue and white glazed porcelain garden seat. Features include a pierced top and sides, molded relief dots...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Pink background Cloisonné "Hundred Antiques" Pattern vase & Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
20th century Chinese export Pink background Cloisonné "Hundred Antiques" Pattern vase & carved hardwood Stand Indulge in the allure of Chinese craftsmanship with this exquisite 2...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Export Turquoise Glazed Ducks, Flock of 8, 1970's, China and Hong Kong
Located in Austin, TX
An absolutely delightful flock of eight vintage Chinese export turquoise glazed porcelain ducks, circa 1970's, China and Hong Kong. The flock consists of eight ducks of various size...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Hand Painted Lacquered Side Table Sized Cupboard with Drawer
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage circa 1920's hand painted and lacquered Chinese Wedding cupboard for folded linens etc. A very good looking and well made pi...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Red Lacquered Box With Brass Mounts, Mid 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese red and black lacquered box with fine brass mounts in the Chinese Export style. Lovely color. A refined and classic decorative box, beautiful craftsmanship. 20 wide 14 deep ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Tall Solid Brass Asian Crane Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely tall solid brass crane or heron sculpture in a beautiful pose.
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid 20th Century Vintage Chinese Carved Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique writing desk has two drawers each side and one bigger drawer at center of the front and both sides and back are nicely finished. This desk was made at about 1950's from s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Large Chinese Phoenix and Peony Blue and White Temple Jars Ginger Jars
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique pair of Chinese Kangxi style handmade lidded temple jars or ginger jars. These stunning jars are a nice large size with hand painted phoenix birds and peony flowers ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Bar Stool for Couple - a Pair
Located in Pomona, CA
This Gorgeous pair of Vintage Chinese Red Lacquered Bar Stools has over 60 years history on it. It has wonderful carving works according to Human engin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Carved Vintage Tibetan or Thailand Polychromed and Giltwood Mandalay Statue
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Wood. Carved gold painted. Polychrome. Figural. 55 1/2" h x 23" w x 9" d. Condition Paint loss. Splits in wood. Some jewels missing. Surface scratches.
Category

1940s Asian Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Chinese Carved and Lacquered Wood Framed Mirrored-Back Etagere
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare Chinese Carved and Lacquered Wood Framed Mirrored-Back Etagere. Measures 37.25" in width, 5" in depth and 27.25" in heigth.
Category

20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Large Antique Chinese Cloisonné and Brass Urn
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large exceptional antique Chinese cloisonne pot or urn. Showing a very detailed hand crafted work of enameled art with flowers and animal desig...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

20th Century Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Blue and White porcelain Ginger Jar was hand made and hand paint from famous Chinese Blue and White P...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Lobed Chinese Pantry Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Charged with the humble task of storing dry goods, this small earthenware jar was hand-shaped in the early 20th century with balanced proportions and a beautifully irregular unglazed...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Pewter Folding Dish
Located in Chicago, IL
This hand held pewter dish is an excellent example of fine Chinese metalwork of the 20th century. During the Qing dynasty, pewter craftsmen experimented with new techniques, showing ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Old or Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Tobacco Leaf Form Dish / Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese porcelain leaf dish or plate. In the form of a tobacco leaf with a heraldic crest to the center & colbalt blue d...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Dehua white china ceramic Immortals statuettes late 19th early 20th height 16 cm
Located in ARGENTEUIL, FR
Beautiful pair of Dehua white Chinese ceramic statuettes from the beginning of the 20th century which will decorate the windows of the best Chinoiserie lovers. These statuettes repre...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Glazed Chinese Kitchen Jar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A thick, glossy brown glaze coats the tapered form of this early 20th-century terra cotta kitchen jar, lingering on imperfections and glistening with an iridescent sheen. As evidence...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Tea Cup and Saucer
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tea Cup and Saucer made in Hong Kong around 1900. The cup embossed and chased with birds and bamboo against a matte background, ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Matching Red Lacquered Bedside Tables / Cabinets with Drawers
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Pair of 20th century Chinese Red Lacquered Bedside Tables with Drawers Finished With Exquisite Figural Decorative Scenes Extra dimensions Drawer height 5cm Doored cabinet heig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Silver Tea Cup and Saucer
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tea Cup and Saucer embossed and chased with bamboo against a matte background. The cup has a bamboo-form handle and sits on a pl...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Silver & Leather Theatre Opera / Wedding Tiered Phoenix Headdress, 1920s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Silver & Leather Theatre Opera / Wedding Tiered Phoenix Headdress, 1920s Silvered Metal & leather and embroidered Mandarin hat This Chinese silv...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Export Silver Teaset
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver 3-piece Teaset, circa 1920, of pumpkin form, decorated with pumpkin vine and leaves on each piece, and a large impressive cicada on the teapot. The finial on th...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

20th Century Chinese Porcelain Rose Medallion Canton Bowl
Located in Glasgow, GB
This splendid Chinese porcelain piece, adorned in the vibrant Rose Medallion style, is a large Rose Medallion Canton bowl that will make you embra...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Chinese Polished Brass Gourd Shaped Bottle Flasks With Lizards
Located in Free Union, VA
A striking and decorative pair of handsome brass bottle flasks, originally oil lamps, fitted with intricate openwork fretwork bases. An alligator like lizard is wrapped around each....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Lacquered Six Panel Coromandel Landscape Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Beautifully weathered patina Chinese export lacquered coromandel screen with six double sided panels. The screen features a mountain landscape on one si...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Four Panel Coromandel Screen Pastel Beauties
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen featuring a courtyard scene of beauties engaged in leisurely activities. The lacquered panels are incised and painted in soft pas...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Chinese 3d Carving Wood Panel Hanging Architectural Element
Located in Pomona, CA
These pair of 2 antique Chinese wood carving panels have very deep 3D carving works of Chinese folks art - Chinese Opera with gilt. Very det...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Modern Brass Lamps
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Chinese Modern Brass Lamps. A great pair of well detailed Chinese modern or Asian modern brass table lamps This versatile pair of lamps have...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Glazed Chinese Kitchen Jar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Originally used to store foods or pickle vegetables in a provincial Chinese kitchen, this late 19th-century ceramic jar is coated inside and out with a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

307CM X 181CM LIBERTY'S ViNTAGE SILK ROAD 100% WOOL PILE HAND MADE CHINESE RUG
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage circa 1940's Silk Road 100% wool pile rug hand made in China and bought from Liberty's L...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Export Polychrome Hong Cityscape Lidded Urn Pot Jar Bowl 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century Chinese export moriage style polychrome porcelain lidded urn / jar / centerpiece bowl featuring a panoramic cityscape view along the Pearl River at Guangzhou. The ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Blue and White Vintage Porcelain Ginger Jar Lamp with Rosewood Base
Located in Lomita, CA
The beautiful richly colored rosewood base contrasting the porcelain hand-painted vintage lamp makes it a standout. This Chinese export vintage lamp has its original blue and white f...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Rug with Geometric Patterns Allover - Green Blue Khakis
Located in New York, NY
Antique mid-century rug in amazing condition, inquire with any and all questions.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

1850’s-1970’s Vintage Assorted Rose Medallion Tableware Various Styles 61 Pieces
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible 1850’s antique to 1970’s vintage assorted Rose Medallion tableware including various styles with 56 pieces and 5 lids, 61 pieces total. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, this set includes various styles, ages, and conditions including some pieces with no chips to pieces with some or several chips, nicks, or chiggers. We have listed each piece with their specific condition below in measurements. Please see photos and zoom in for details as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, range from 1850’s – 1970’s. Tableware EXTRORDINAIRE!!!!! If you know Rose Medallion, you know what a GEM of a collection THIS IS!!!!! And if you are unfamiliar or new to its glorious existence, you are certainly in for a tableware TREAT!!! This is a phenomenal collection including FIFTY-SIX various hand painted Rose Medallion pieces and 5 lids equaling 61 pieces total! This style of Chinese porcelain was first made in the mid-1800s to satisfy the export demand from Europe and later the United States. These pieces vary in age as early as several Antique 1850’s pieces expanding into some 1970’s vintage pieces. There are various styles, all glossy and highly colorful depicting scenes featuring medallions, vibrant flowers, vivid birds, people, figures, leaves and trees, and Chinese scenes. This collection includes plates, platters, cups, teapots, vases, saucers, candlesticks, bowls, and even a couple of high heel shoe ashtrays!! It also includes various shapes, a few pieces with lids (a few without), a few pieces with handles (a few without), and various conditions that you can read specifics on in the measurement area below. This Rose Medallion Chinese porcelain collection will be incredible displayed either in a gorgeous glass display cabinet, on a shelf unit in your dining area, in your open kitchen cabinets...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Antique Tibetan Silver Turquoise Ghau Prayer Box
Located in Pomona, CA
Ghau is a small prayer box worn as pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines which can be pray by prayer during their travel. This Ghau prayer box (travel Buddha...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Hand Painted Blue And White Porcelain Dragon Vase
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Chinese Export blue and white porcelain dragon vase. Beautiful hand-painted vase with blue dragons on white background and an elong...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Oriental Black Lacquer Hand Painted Low Asian Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Oriental Black Lacquer Hand Painted Low Asian Side Table. Item features nice low form, carved and hand painted scenes with women, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Chinese Brass Bas-Relief Dragon Charger
Located in San Diego, CA
Superb vintage Chinese brass bas-relief dragon charger, circa 1940s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures a hefty 14"D x 2"H...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Blue & White Ginger Jar Converted to Lamp
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 20th Century blue and white ginger jar converted to lamp in the style of the Chinese period of the 18th Century. Ornamented with a floral landscape of leaves, and geometric mot...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Watercolor and Ink Landscape of Senjojiki Cirque, Near Nagoya
Located in Lomita, CA
The detail of this mountainous landscape of an area that is akin to the Alps in Japan is stunning. It is a watercolor and ink depiction of Senjojiki Cirque which is at the top of the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

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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