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.
Chinese Export Porcelain Plate, Female Flute Players, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful porcelain plate, hand-decorated, featuring four women in robe gowns, Chinese Export design (for the US and European markets), circa 1970s, China. Center plate scene shows...
Porcelain
$7,349Sale Price|30% Off
19th Century Exceptional Sang de Boeuf Ox Blood Table Lamp, Decorative Handles
Located in Lomita, CA
The intricately carved handles, or ears of this oxblood lamp cause it to stand out from the field of other lamps of this type. This piece is a 19th century sang de boeuf "Oxblood", r...
Copper
Vintage Gilt Famille Verte Chinese Porcelain Seated Buddha/Luohan Ex-Lorin Marsh
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Chinese porcelain statue. In the form of a Luohan or Arhat with a famille verte robe and gilt body. The reverse ...
Porcelain
Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers" with Wood Stand, Early 20th Century
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg depicting flora theme with a wood stand, early 20th century. #5
Copper
$4,800 / set
Large Asian Bronze Foo Dogs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Large Asian Bronze Foo Dogs or Kylin Dragon, probably Chinese, circa 1950s or earlier. They retain their warm original patina. These were purch...
Bronze
Canton Famille Rose Mandarin Pattern Charger, Qing Dynasty, ca. 1890
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Canton Famille Rose 12.75-inch charger, the polychrome enameled surface depicting an active palace scene with a distinguished warrior and attendants being presented to the Emporer, the border with an arrangement of butterflies, flowers, and fruit on a gilded ground with four floral reserves with an alternating butterfly and bird (illustrated in J. Feller, p. 42, #2).* Book references Dr. John Quentin Feller, Chinese Export Porcelain in the 19th century: The Canton Famille Rose Porcelains. Salem...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain "Queen Charlotte" Pattern Tea Bowl & Saucer, Kangxi Per
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Bowl and Saucer Kangxi Period, Early 18th Century This finely potted Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer is decorated in a striking polychrome ...
Porcelain
Asian Blue and White Porcelain Planter / Fish Bowl, Late 20th Century
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This elegant Asian blue-and-white porcelain vessel, dating to the late 20th century, features a generously proportioned rounded form decorated with intricate hand-painted designs in ...
Porcelain
Chinese Nephrite Jade “Boulder” Carving
Located in San Francisco, CA
A serene world within a rock is this Chinese jade “boulder carving.” The work represents a traditional art form where a single piece of natural jade is intricately sculpted into a mi...
Jade
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Handcrafted 3 Panel Wooden Screen/Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of 3 pcs Chinese antique open carved wooden panels which used to be the interior divider/door panels in ancient China that are put together to make into a screen. Scree...
Wood
$4,800
Two Polychrome Roosters
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of Chinese export glazed ceramic roosters with polychrome plumage in pinks, greens and orange with and striking red crowns and wattles, perched on weathered green striated tre...
Ceramic
Table Lamp, Chinese, Porcelaine, Hand Painted, in a Vase Shape, China circa 1940
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vase, table lamp, in porcelain. It has been made in china, circa 1940. The decorative pattern are flowers and leaves.
Porcelain
Chinese Export Black Lacquered Mirror with Inlays
Located in Miami, FL
Chinese export lacquer and hardstone mirror, with various hardstone floral inlays in a black lacquer cartouche frame.
Wood
Porcelain Blanc de Chine Guanyin statue, China circa 1900 - 51cm
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A porcelain Blanc de Chine Guanyin statue standing on a fine lotus flowers and leaves decoration ; China circa 1900. This is a tall piece to place on a large mantel or a commode, the...
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Plate
Located in Pomona, CA
This stunning Chinese hand carved cinnabar lacquered plate has Intricate lacquer carving arts of Chinese traditional archetecture and landscape design. It named The Sense of Tough, a...
Lacquer
$950Sale Price|34% Off
Asian Antique Painted Chinese Trunk
Located in Fulton, CA
Beautifully painted Chinese trunk. Circa. 1900. Very attractive as a coffee, side or end table. Old world patina with age appropriate wear. Sturdy. 31 inches wide. 22 inches high. 2...
Wood, Paint
Antique bronze vessel with classic Asian motifs and artists stamp
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique bronze vessel with hand-crafted Asian motifs and etchings, with artist markings stamped on reverse. As a Curator, these are the pieces I...
Bronze
Early-Mid 20th Century Chinese Red & Gilt Coffee Table Trunk
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early-mid 20th century Chinese red & gilt coffee table trunk on custom iron stand. Parchment leather applied to wood - various losses & scuffs commen...
Iron
Late Republic Carmine Glazed Garlic Mouth Porcelain Vase - China - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Late Republic period carmine (ruby pink) monochrome glazed garlic-mouth porcelain vase - featuring a vibrant solid glaze to the exterior - clear glazed interior with a faint, watery ...
Porcelain
$1,500Sale Price|40% Off
Large Antique Chinese Watercolor Landscape Signed Framed
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Chinese mountaneerous landscape painting, large impressive, 35” by 59”, framed in wooden frame under glass. Watercolor with ink and gouache on paper.
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Bronze Kwan Yin Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Hand-crafted Bronze Kwan Yin Statuary. It is made of bronze with very detailed hand-crafting works on it. It is the statue of Kwan Yin sitting on a Dragon ab...
Bronze
Vintage Chinese Mother-of-Pearl Rabbit Toggle Charm
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite mother-of-pearl carving is a delightful example of the button-like toggles worn by men and women throughout the Qing dynasty. Because traditional Chinese clothing didn't ...
Mother-of-Pearl
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Large Royal Gold Plated Cloisonne Bull Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent antique Chinese Cloisonne bull statue is made from gold plated bronze/copper and shows very detailed hand craft works of Cloisonne art - a lot of Chinese traditional folks art like Buddhas flower...
Copper
$274Sale Price|25% Off
1960s Chinese Cloisonné Vase Turquoise Enamel Inlay Chrysanthemum & Butterflies
Located in Andernach, DE
Expressive and intricately detailed Cloisonné vase of medium size in turquoise, lapis blue, yellow & green. The metal filigree in brass beautifully detailed with butterflies, chrysa...
Brass, Copper, Enamel
Chinese Black Lacquered Trunk
Located in Barcelona, ES
An antique Chinese parchment and wood trunk in black lacquer, China, 1920s-1930s It has its original hardware with a frontal lock, handles at both sides and a beautiful stripped orig...
Wood, Parchment Paper, Fabric
20 thick Chinese Porcelain Handpainted Tureen with Lion Heads Handles
Located in Boca Raton, FL
20 th c Chinese Export porcelain Handpainted tureen with cover, decorated with gold lions head handles.
Porcelain
Lacquer Coffee Table Made by Gracie, with Handpainted Gilt Landscape Design
By Gracie
Located in New York, NY
A handmade coffee table by Gracie, the family firm establisged in 1898 and known for antiques, handpainted wallpapers and custom cashew lacquer furniture. This table was made in the...
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Cloissone Vases, Brass and Enamel, Chinese Export, Mid-1900s
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique Cloissone vases is an extraordinary example of the breed, displaying its well-preserved, rich coloration and exhibiting a large format d...
Brass, Enamel
Petite Chinese Square Display Stand
Located in Chicago, IL
Simple yet refined, this petite wooden riser is a sophisticated way to elevate a work of art or add dimension to a tabletop display. Crafted from a tight grain hardwood, the small pe...
Hardwood
Antique Chinese blue and white porcelain trinket/Rouge box
Located in Pomona, CA
The item in the image is an antique Chinese blue and white porcelain Rouge/trinket box with a fish design. These small boxes a...
Sterling Silver
$2,453Sale Price|35% Off
Antique Japanese Imperial Meiji High Relief Carved Dragon Throne Armchair-A Pair
Located in Pomona, CA
Up for sale are this stunning original Japanese Export 19th Century Meiji period hand carved Dragon Throne chair with intricate carving works of d...
Wood
$956Sale Price / set|20% Off
A Diminutive Pair of Chinese Sancai Glazed Phoenix Birds, on Hardwood Stands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Diminutive Pair of Chinese Sancai Glazed Phoenix Birds, on Hardwood Stands China, 20th Century A Diminutive pair of Chinese sancai glazed phoenix ...
Porcelain, Hardwood
Chinese Export Porcelain Plate Jingdezhen Manufacture-03
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Chinese export porcelain plate made at the renowned kilns of Jingdezhen during the Qianlong period (1736–1795), under the Qing Dynasty, and probably dating from circa 1760–1775. The ...
Porcelain
$493Sale Price|20% Off
ViNTAGE COLLECTABLE MAHJONG CIRCA 1960'S CHINESE EXPORT PERIOD HAND CARVED CASE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this highly collectable Chinese export Circa 1960's Mahjong set with the original box A very nice suite, it...
Bamboo, Wood
$760Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Chinese Hand Painted Blue & White Porcelain Vase
Located in North Salem, NY
19th century Chinese hand painted Blue & White porcelain vase with interesting symmetrical pattern.
Porcelain
19th Century Rose Medallion Platter
Located in High Point, NC
19th century platter in the rose medallion pattern. Losses to paint at edges from age and use.
Stoneware
19th Century Chinese Export Red Leather Camphor Wood Trunk
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chinese Export period red leather and camphor wood trunk, brass bound with a hand painted floral decoration border, In very good clean antique condition, structurally sound, with exp...
Brass
$575Sale Price|52% Off
Chinese Export Oriental Hand Carved Rosewood Corner Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Chinese export oriental corner chair. The chair is finely hand-carved of quality rosewood with shiny lacquer finish and is made using...
Rosewood
Antique Chinese Nichols Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, 11'8" x 17'4", 1920s
Located in Norwalk, CT
A beautiful oversize Chinese Nichols hand knotted wool rug with a tan field red and green frame, and multi-color accents in all-over Chinese botanical de...
Wool
18th Century Chinese Hardwood Tapered Cabinet
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A very simple and plain Chinese round corner and tapered cabinet produced early 18th century from mixed hardwoods, with later restorations and rep...
Hardwood
$4,080Sale Price / set|36% Off
Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of mid 20th century Chinese cloisonné over ceramic vases. This fun and whimsical pair depicts carp fish in a water scene with possible lotus leaf or lily pad and other water cre...
Ceramic
Hand Painted Ceramic Chinese Vase
Located in Bradenton, FL
A hand painted ceramic Chinese vase. Both sides show the same scene, a Yuenü or swordswoman on horseback. Framed with blossom outlined in gold surround with gold dots. Marked underne...
Ceramic
Fine Quality Chinese School Watercolor Of A Marsh Bird, Circa 1800
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese School Watercolor Of A Marsh Bird, Circa 1800 This finely observed Chinese School watercolor depicts a long-legged marsh bird presented in profile within a spare, atmospheri...
Lacquer, Paper
Chinese Tongzhi Floral Offering Bowl, Turquoise Glaze, 1800s
Located in Lisbon, PT
A 19th-century Chinese porcelain offering bowl from the Tongzhi period (1862–1874) used for ceremonial tributes. These bowls were typically placed before ancestral altars, filled wit...
Porcelain
$1,638Sale Price|20% Off
ANTIQUE CIRCA 1920 CHINESE MAHJONG SET + COUNTERS IN ORIGiNAL AMBOYNA WOOD CASE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this highly collectable Chinese Circa 1920's Mahjong set with the original Burr and Burl Amboyna wood box in...
Bamboo, Amboyna
Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Pattern Covered Soup Tureen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain covered soup tureen. In the Canton pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue with a mountainous Chinese village with houses, mountains, foliage,...
Porcelain
Chinese Lacquered Carved Wall Plaques, 19th Century, Red & Gilt Trim
Located in Queens, NY
4 Asian Chinese style (19th century) red lacquered and gilt trimmed wall plaques with carved scenes with figures.
Wood
Antique circa 1900 Hand Carved Chinese Camphor Wood Travelling Trunk
Located in Miami, FL
1900’s Chinese export Camphor wood travelling chest which has been ornately carved throughout A good looking and well made piece, this is a med...
Wood
Large Mid-20th Century Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Bowl, Hand-Painted Fish
Located in Grythyttan, SE
A vibrant Chinese porcelain bowl in the famille rose tradition, richly decorated with hand-painted floral motifs and stylized koi fish in a lively palette of pink, green, turquoise, ...
Porcelain
19th Century Dutch Chinese Export Eight-panel Black and Gold Lacquerware Screen
Located in Solebury, PA
A remarkable 19th-century Dutch Chinese export eight-panel black and gold lacquerware screen, commonly referred to as a Coromandel screen, was crafted from wooden panels coated with ...
Giltwood, Lacquer
EXQUISITE ANTIQUE 4 PERSON MAHJONG SUITE CIRCA 1920's CHINESE EXPORT WITH DICE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this highly collectable Chinese export Circa 1920's Mahjong set with the original box, instructions and smal...
Bamboo
Chinese Carved Guan Yin Statuary, Boxwood, Antique, Circa 1900-1940
Located in Pomona, CA
This item is a hand-carved wooden statue of Guanyin (also known as Kwan Yin or Quan Yin), the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Guanyin is depicted standing elegantly in flowing robes with ...
Boxwood
Antique Chinese Bronze Fluted Urn, Han Dynasty-Style, Ram Head Design
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a patinaed bronze urn with ram head ornamentation below the fluted mouth, raised geometric patterns wrapping the body and a tapered circular...
Bronze
Antique Chinese Export Six Panel Watercolor Floor Screen, Hand-Painted
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Six Panel Floor Screen. This elegant Chinese folding screen presents in two three-panel sections, decorated on the front with hand-painted watercolo...
Paint, Paper
Chinese Famille Rose Rouleau Vase
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Chinese Famille Rose Rouleau Vase Republic Period (1912-1949) Finely enameled with two ladies in conversation at the table in a garden setting. ...
Pottery
19th Century Chinese Guardian Lions in Original Condition
Located in Kramfors, SE
Chinese guardian lions in original condition. The lions are made from wood and were handmade sometime during the 19th century in China. The guard...
Wood
Six-Panel Double Sided Coromandel Asian Screen on Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Six-panel double sided Coromandel Asian Screen on stand. Each panel seats in a removable custom wood stand / shoe. Brownish gold color on one side and nature on the other. The subje...
Brass
Unglazed Antique Chinese Vessel
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique Chinese clay vessel is handcrafted from clay and fired. Shallow enrelief bands encircle the upper part of the vessel.
Clay
Chinese Hand Painted Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Chinese table lamp made with a converted fragrance vase as the base. The vase is hand painted with two long-tailed blue birds perched on flowering Cherry blossom branch. Below is a...
Ceramic
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Dish, Arms Hutchinson impaling Calthrop
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Hutchinson & Calthrop Armorial Platter: The Massachusetts Link Circa 1755 This Chinese Export porcelain platter, dating to the Qianlong period, circa 1755, is painted in vibrant...
Porcelain