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Chinese Export Decorative Art

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
Set of Four Chinese Export Chinoiserie Bird Panels on Gold Ground, Mid-Century
Set of Four Chinese Export Chinoiserie Bird Panels on Gold Ground, Mid-Century

Set of Four Chinese Export Chinoiserie Bird Panels on Gold Ground, Mid-Century

Located in San Carlos, CA

Striking set of four Chinese export decorative wall panels featuring finely rendered birds and floral motifs painted against a luminous gold ground. Each tall, narrow panel is hand-p...

Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Set of Four 20th Century Asian Style Watercolor Painted Wall Panels
Set of Four 20th Century Asian Style Watercolor Painted Wall Panels

Set of Four 20th Century Asian Style Watercolor Painted Wall Panels

Located in Germantown, MD

Set of Four 20th Century Asian Style Water Color Painted Wall Panels, Faux Bamboo frame. Each panel measures 15" in width and stands 41" tall.

Category

20th Century American Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Paint, Paper

Chinese Chinoiserie Decorated Lacquer Panels, a Pair
Chinese Chinoiserie Decorated Lacquer Panels, a Pair

Chinese Chinoiserie Decorated Lacquer Panels, a Pair

Located in Bradenton, FL

Pair of stylish Chinoiserie panels in a lacquer finish, painted in gold, red & black with landscapes with village and people. The frame also decorat...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Long Tailed Hawk on a Rose Tree
Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Long Tailed Hawk on a Rose Tree

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Long Tailed Hawk on a Rose Tree

Located in Downingtown, PA

Feathered Elegance: Famille Rose Hawk on a Rose Branch This exquisite Chinese Porcelain Plaque, dating to the Mid-20th Century, is a vibrant example of traditional Chinese panel pai...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 4 Chinese Black Lacquer Geisha Screen Panels
Set of 4 Chinese Black Lacquer Geisha Screen Panels

Set of 4 Chinese Black Lacquer Geisha Screen Panels

Located in Queens, NY

Set of 4 Asian Chinese style (20th Century) black lacquer screen panels depicting geishas, intaglio etched with painting (PRICED AS SET).

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Birds with Prunus and Cherry
Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Birds with Prunus and Cherry

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Birds with Prunus and Cherry

Located in Downingtown, PA

Lovebirds in Blossom: A Famille Rose Porcelain Plaque This beautiful Chinese Porcelain Plaque, dating to the 20th Century, captures a classic and auspicious natural scene in a horiz...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

A Highly Decorative Chinese Deep-Relief Gilt & Lacquer Wood Panel 19th Century
A Highly Decorative Chinese Deep-Relief Gilt & Lacquer Wood Panel 19th Century

A Highly Decorative Chinese Deep-Relief Gilt & Lacquer Wood Panel 19th Century

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

A CHINESE DEEP-RELIEF GILT & LACQUER WOOD PANEL 19th Century. Depicting a court scene carved in deep relief, red and black lacquer highlighted with gold later framed. Extremely col...

Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Framed Antique Chinese Textile Embroideries
Early 20th Century Framed Antique Chinese Textile Embroideries

Early 20th Century Framed Antique Chinese Textile Embroideries

Located in Miami, FL

Set of 3 Chinese antique silk embroideries in gilt frames. Purchased in an antique shop in Hong Kong in 1973. The subject is depiction of Courtesans in daily routine with floral bac...

Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Thangka Depicting the Mandala of Avalokiteshvara, Tibet, Late 20th Century
Thangka Depicting the Mandala of Avalokiteshvara, Tibet, Late 20th Century

Thangka Depicting the Mandala of Avalokiteshvara, Tibet, Late 20th Century

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

A thangka depicting the mandala of Avalokiteshvara Tibet, Late 20th century. The central deity, flanked to each side by three Lamas, above a central mandala composed of concent...

Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Textile

Zabihi Collection Tibetan Pictorial Throw Rug
Zabihi Collection Tibetan Pictorial Throw Rug

Zabihi Collection Tibetan Pictorial Throw Rug

Located in New York, NY

A fine-quality antique Tibetan throw-size pictorial rug. Would make for a great wall hanging too Measures: 2'5" x 5'

Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

Frame Antique Chinese Embroidered Robe Qing Dynasty
Frame Antique Chinese Embroidered Robe Qing Dynasty

Frame Antique Chinese Embroidered Robe Qing Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A woman's coat made of black silk with wide sleeves from Chinese late Qing Dynasty (mid to late 19th century), mounted and presented on blue linen board and framed as a stunning piec...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Pair of Distressed Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wooden Panels
Pair of Distressed Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wooden Panels

Pair of Distressed Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wooden Panels

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Stunning pair of distressed antique Chinese hand painted wooden panels having red backgrounds and figural decoration of warriors on horseback in black, white and green.

Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Framed Fine Embroidered Second Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty
Framed Fine Embroidered Second Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty

Framed Fine Embroidered Second Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel presented in a giltwood frame circa mid-late 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese ...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Framed Fine Embroidered Fifth Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty
Framed Fine Embroidered Fifth Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty

Framed Fine Embroidered Fifth Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel presented in a giltwood frame circa mid-late 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese ...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Pair Antique 19th Century 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girl & Lord
Pair Antique 19th Century 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girl & Lord

Pair Antique 19th Century 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girl & Lord

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of antique circa 1880’s Chinese hand painted Gouache paintings depicting a Geisha girl and Lord A very good looking and beautifully painted pairing, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...

Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Carved Wood Panel, China, 20th Century, Interior Decoration
Carved Wood Panel, China, 20th Century, Interior Decoration

Carved Wood Panel, China, 20th Century, Interior Decoration

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Carved wood panel, China, 20th century, Interior Decoration Measures: H 48cm, W 66cm, W 3cm. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of Signed Antique Chinese Watercolour Silk Paintings of Geisha Girl Flowers
Pair of Signed Antique Chinese Watercolour Silk Paintings of Geisha Girl Flowers

Pair of Signed Antique Chinese Watercolour Silk Paintings of Geisha Girl Flowers

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of antique circa 1920’s Chinese Export hand painted on silk paintings depicting a Geisha girl and a floral scene with butterfly. A very good looking and beautifully painted pair, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...

Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

20th-Century Chinese Carved 8 Immortal Figures Wooden Panels -Wall Hanging set
20th-Century Chinese Carved 8 Immortal Figures Wooden Panels -Wall Hanging set

20th-Century Chinese Carved 8 Immortal Figures Wooden Panels -Wall Hanging set

Located in Pomona, CA

This is a set of 4 panels of Chinese open carved wooden panels. They were made from Camphor wood which has its unique fragrant and keep the bugs away, solid and sturdy. It features beautiful detailed open carved Chinese traditional...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

1920s Asian Framed Silk Embroidery Butterflies & Flowers
1920s Asian Framed Silk Embroidery Butterflies & Flowers

1920s Asian Framed Silk Embroidery Butterflies & Flowers

Located in Miami, FL

Early 20th Century embroidery probably framed in the 1960s in a gilt faux bamboo frame. Embroidery on black silk background of flowers and wheat sheaths with two butterflies in fligh...

Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Mid-20th Century Chinese Open Carved Wooden Panel/Wall Art
Mid-20th Century Chinese Open Carved Wooden Panel/Wall Art

Mid-20th Century Chinese Open Carved Wooden Panel/Wall Art

Located in Pomona, CA

This Chinese large carved camphor wood interior window panel from the Mid 20th century, with beautiful carving design, Created in China during the mid 20th century, Of this architect...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Chinese 'Famille Rose' Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames
Pair Of Chinese 'Famille Rose' Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames

Pair Of Chinese 'Famille Rose' Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames

Located in Germantown, MD

Beautiful Pair Of Chinese Famille Rose hand painted porcelain Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames. Measure 14.5" in width and 14.5" in height.

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Rosewood, Paint

Very Decorative Chinese Champlevé Enamel Plate in a Japanese Style
Very Decorative Chinese Champlevé Enamel Plate in a Japanese Style

Very Decorative Chinese Champlevé Enamel Plate in a Japanese Style

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

A very decorative Chinese champlevé enamel plate in a Japanese style, vividly enameled with a peacock amidst flowering prunus branches and endless kno...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Golden Pheasant on a Tree Branch
Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Golden Pheasant on a Tree Branch

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Golden Pheasant on a Tree Branch

Located in Downingtown, PA

Symbol of Splendor: Famille Rose Golden Pheasant Plaque This striking Chinese Porcelain Plaque, dating to the 20th Century, captures a dramatic natural scene executed in the vibrant...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Architectural Bronze Door Knocker with Studs
Vintage Architectural Bronze Door Knocker with Studs

Vintage Architectural Bronze Door Knocker with Studs

Located in Lomita, CA

Framed Chinese Bronze Door Knocker Architectural Fragment Description: This striking framed Chinese bronze architectural fragment features a traditional door knocker with a sculptur...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Embroidered Floral Wall Hangings
Chinese Embroidered Floral Wall Hangings

Chinese Embroidered Floral Wall Hangings

Located in Queens, NY

3 Asian Chinese style embroidered wall hangings with gilt faux bamboo frame and floral and bird design with pink border (PRICED EACH)

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Bamboo

China Trade Framed Pith Paper Set of Pictures of Butterflies and Plants
China Trade Framed Pith Paper Set of Pictures of Butterflies and Plants

China Trade Framed Pith Paper Set of Pictures of Butterflies and Plants

Located in Downingtown, PA

Fluttering Exotica: Eight China Trade Watercolors on Pith Paper This superb Set of Eight Chinese Watercolors, dating from Circa 1840–1860, offers a delicate and vibrant collection of...

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Chinese Black Framed Embroidery Wall Hangings
Chinese Black Framed Embroidery Wall Hangings

Chinese Black Framed Embroidery Wall Hangings

Located in Queens, NY

Asian Chinese style (19th Century) black framed embroidery wall hangings with blue background (PRICED EACH)

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Silk Road Portraiture: A Chinese Export Glass Painting of a Persian Warrior
Silk Road Portraiture: A Chinese Export Glass Painting of a Persian Warrior

Silk Road Portraiture: A Chinese Export Glass Painting of a Persian Warrior

Located in Downingtown, PA

Silk Road Portraiture: A Rare Chinese Export Glass Painting of a Persian Warrior This intriguing Chinese Export Reverse Glass Picture is a remarkable testament to the cross-cultural...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Glass

Chinese Embroidered Dragon Wall Hanging
Chinese Embroidered Dragon Wall Hanging

Chinese Embroidered Dragon Wall Hanging

Located in Queens, NY

Asian Chinese (19th Century) horizontal gold thread embroidered wall hanging of dragon with purple background mounted on a black fabric panel.

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Fabric

Four Antique 19th Century circa 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girls
Four Antique 19th Century circa 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girls

Four Antique 19th Century circa 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girls

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four antique circa 1880’s Chinese hand painted Gouache paintings depicting Geisha girls in traditional settings. A very good looking and beautifully painted suite, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...

Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Framed Antique Chinese Child Tiger-Head Hat
Framed Antique Chinese Child Tiger-Head Hat

Framed Antique Chinese Child Tiger-Head Hat

Located in Atlanta, GA

This lovely textile art was from Central-Northern China circa 1900s, known as "Tiger-head" hat, it was a lavishly made cotton with silk hat in form of tiger for baby boys with a wide...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Cotton, Silk, Plexiglass, Wood

Chinese Porcelain and Wood Foo Dog Design Split Vase Wall Plaque
Chinese Porcelain and Wood Foo Dog Design Split Vase Wall Plaque

Chinese Porcelain and Wood Foo Dog Design Split Vase Wall Plaque

Located in Queens, NY

Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) wall plaque framing a bisected porcelain lidded jar painted with orange foo dogs and characters in wood with a decorative faux bamboo edge.

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Vase and Wood Wall Plaque
Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Vase and Wood Wall Plaque

Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Vase and Wood Wall Plaque

Located in Queens, NY

Chinese wall plaque framing a bisected famille rose porcelain lidded vase, depicting trees and blooming florals, in wood with a decorative faux ba...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

One-of-a-kind Carved Chinese Style Tableaux, 19th Century
One-of-a-kind Carved Chinese Style Tableaux, 19th Century

One-of-a-kind Carved Chinese Style Tableaux, 19th Century

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Gorgeous and unusual pair of wood carvings in the Chinese taste, set in beautiful, gold-colored, faux-bamboo frames.

Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Beech

Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Paper and Silk King and Queen Portrait Hanging Scroll
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Paper and Silk King and Queen Portrait Hanging Scroll

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 Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Silk, Paper

Chinese Porcelain Foo Dog Split Vase Wooden Wall Plaque
Chinese Porcelain Foo Dog Split Vase Wooden Wall Plaque

Chinese Porcelain Foo Dog Split Vase Wooden Wall Plaque

Located in Queens, NY

Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) wall plaque framing a bisected porcelain lidded jar painted with orange foo dogs and characters in wood with a decorative faux bamboo edge.

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Vintage Chinese Repouse Framed Copper Panel of a Ceremonial Vignette
Vintage Chinese Repouse Framed Copper Panel of a Ceremonial Vignette

Vintage Chinese Repouse Framed Copper Panel of a Ceremonial Vignette

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This vintage framed copper repouse panel appears to be signed by an unknown artist and presumed to have originated from China, dating to approximately 19...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Copper

Chinese White Gesso Horned Antelope Head Wall Plaque
Chinese White Gesso Horned Antelope Head Wall Plaque

Chinese White Gesso Horned Antelope Head Wall Plaque

Located in Queens, NY

"Chinese Mid-Century hand-carved, white gesso-painted wall plaque depicting a horned antelope head emerging from a decorative oval plaque. (Similar...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese White Gesso Horned Goat Head Wall Plaque
Chinese White Gesso Horned Goat Head Wall Plaque

Chinese White Gesso Horned Goat Head Wall Plaque

Located in Queens, NY

"Chinese Mid-Century hand-carved, white gesso wall plaque depicting a horned goat head emerging from an ornamental plaque.(Similar piece: NWL2192) Anatomical right ear has crack, sc...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Reproduction Chinese Tang Dynasty Clay Mural
Vintage Reproduction Chinese Tang Dynasty Clay Mural

Vintage Reproduction Chinese Tang Dynasty Clay Mural

Located in Pomona, CA

Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Clay Beauty Mural Brick. It was hand made reproduction from Tang Dynasty. This Mural Brick has very detailed handcrafted beauty arts on it wi...

Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Clay

Chinese Export decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export decorative art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, asian art and furniture, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export decorative art 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 decorative art, popular names associated with this style include and Sunqua. 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 decorative art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $280 and tops out at $76,572 while the average work can sell for $2,513.