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Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Chinese Export
Fixé Sous Verre, View of a Port in Asia, 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large "Fixé sous verre", painting under glass representing a port scene in China in the background, with boats with different flags, rowers, all life o...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

Original Japanese Woodblock Print by Japanese Artist 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rare, original 19th century woodblock print. Beautiful Edo period print from the original publisher. Quality framed with conservation glass in an black painted frame. Red Blue Gree...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Japanese Framed Prints Reproduction 20th Gilt Frame 20 Century Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Very Decorative set of 2 reproductions of Japanese Print . Gilt Frame. Japan 20th Century.
Category

20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper, Wood

Chinese Export circa 1900 Gold Leaf Painted Fret Work Carved Wall Panel in Teak
Located in GB
We are delighted to this lovely circa 1900 hand carved and paint Chinese Export wall panel A very good looking and well-made piece, would suit any setting its ornately carved in s...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Teak

Fixé Sous Verre, Palace Scene in Asia, 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
LargeFixé sous verre, painting under glass representing a Palace scene in China: you can see many courtiers prostrating themselves in front of the Emperor, guards and different areas...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

Pair of Antique Botanical Pictures of Exotic Flowers and Butterflies
Located in London, GB
A pair of exquisite gouache / watercolour studies of exotic flowers and butterflies; European in the Cantonese style, circa 1900. Why we like them Exquisitely hand-painted with ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Four Antique Pictures of Flowers and Butterflies
Located in London, GB
A set of four exquisite gouache studies of exotic flowers and butterflies; possibly Cantonese, circa 1900. Why we like them Exquisitely hand-painted with lots of minute details, ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Original Japanese Woodblock Print by Totoya Hokkei 19th Century
By Totoya Hokkei
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rare, original Utagawa Hiroshige 19th century woodblock print. Beautiful Edo period print from the original publisher. Museum quality framed with con...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Japonaise Painting in a Wood Frame, Representing a Woman, Japan, XX Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an genuine painting, of a woman, with green and orange colors. It has been made in Japan, during the XX Century. It is signed.
Category

20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint

Chinese Export Trade Painting Depicting ‘the Tea Shop', Chinoiserie Chique
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A refined Chinese export painting depicting ‘The Tea shop’ Canton, early 19th century Ink and watercolour on silk, H. 63.5 x W. 52.3 cm Framed in giltwood frame. ?The paintin...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

An extremely rare Chinese export famille rose armorial porcelain charger
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An extremely rare and large Chinese export famille rose armorial porcelain charger with the Amsterdam coat-of-arms Qianlong period, circa 1720-1...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Enamel

VINTAGE CHINESE OIL PAiNTING OF A BEAUTIFUL VASE & GHASIA GIRL STATUE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely decorative vintage Chinese oil panting of a Geisha girl statue standi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Pair of Signed Antique Chinese Watercolour Silk Paintings of Geisha Girl Flowers
Located in GB
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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

Four Antique 19th Century circa 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girls
Located in GB
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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Pair Antique 19th Century 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girl & Lord
Located in GB
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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Pair 19th Century Chinese Hand Painted Scrolls of Processions
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful quality hand painted pair of Gouache and gilt paper scrolls. Each depicting processions of courtiers in carriages, walking, in boats and pagoda buildings. Mounted in ebon...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Set of Six Chinese Watercolours on Pith Paper Depicting Artisans Canton, 1835
Located in Uckfield, Sussex
Many export paintings were known for their skillful treatment of subject and brilliancy of color; these paintings are no exception. These types of export paintings were highly regarded Chinese mementos of life in Canton during the 19th century and were created to capture of the atmosphere of that particular region. The subjects varied from colorfully costumed women...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Five Extremely Rare Chinese Drawings of Foreigners, 18th Century, Colonial
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Five Chinese paintings of western people by an unknown artist China, circa 1760, captions later All in giltwood frames. “A woman with Portuguese hairdo, with gold, silver and gemstone necklace, a skirt under a vest, a koi on her back, called a cloak, a woman customarily inherited the family business, the male humble, to the threshold (Qianlong year, circa 1735).” Gouache on silk, measures: 32 x 25.4 cm “He is a Westerner who had a white skin. He does not have a heavy beard but plaits his hair. He wears a triangular black hat, short jacket, leather shoes and long stockings...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Set of Six Chinese Canton Watercolours on Pith Paper Depicting Interior Scenes
Located in Uckfield, Sussex
Many export paintings were known for their skillful treatment of subject and brilliancy of color; These paintings are no exception. These types of export paintings were highly regarded Chinese mementos of life in Canton during the 19th century and were created to capture of the atmosphere of that particular region. The subjects varied from colorfully costumed women...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

XX. th Century Chinese Silk Embroidered Whit Two Dragons and the Fireball
Located in Brescia, IT
Chinese yellow silk panel, embroidered with great quality.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Reverse-Painted Mirror Pictures
Located in Rome, IT
A pair of Chinese reverse glass painting representing women and a child in a garden pavillion. Original "Chinese Chippendale" framing. China for expo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Art Glass

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.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Extremely Fine Chinese Silk Embroidered Bed-Cover for the Dutch Market
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Chinese red silk, embroidered bed cover Guangdong or Macao, mid-18th century The red silk cover, one one side elaborately embroided in co...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Gold, Silver

Chinese Carved Wood Wall Art from a Hunting Tiger
Located in Antwerp, BE
A large 19th century Chinese carved wall plaque in wood features a hunting tiger on rocks with bamboo trees and the sun in the background. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Drawing, China, 19th Century on Paper, Art Asia
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Drawing, China, 19th century on paper, Art Asia Drawing Measures: H 33.5cm, W 24.5cm Carton H 50.5cm, W 41.5cm
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Pair of 19' century Chinese Reverse-Painted Mirror Pictures
Located in Rome, IT
A pair of Chinese reverse glass painting representing women and a child in a garden pavillion. Original "Chinese Chippendale" framing. China for expo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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 Wall Decorations

Set of Nine Chinese Export Gouache Paintings
Located in London, by appointment only
A set of nine Chinese export gouaches of local idealised landscapes, each depicting waterside architectural settings each mounted in a Gothic pa...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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Chinese Export Watercolor Exotic Bird Paintings on Paper
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade watercolor paintings of exotic birds on branches are in watercolor and gouache on Chinese paper. One picture depicts a pigeon perched on a tree branch with a landscape background. Chinese calligraphy can be seen in the top right corner. The second picture depicts two courting birds in shades of brown, both perched on a branch, also in a landscape background. Both paintings framed with a green silk mat and contemporary gilt and dark wood frame. Reference: Chinese Export...
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Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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Early 20th Century Japanese Black and White Paper Print of Antique Screen
Located in Brescia, IT
Early 20th century Japanese black and white paper print of drawings of 18th century Japanese screen. This black and white paper print ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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Paper

Mughal Style Miniature Court Scene Painting - Framed - India - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Mughal style miniature painting - gouache on paper with silver highlights - hand painted - depicting a court scene with the Mughal Emperor Jahangir weighing his son, Prince Khurram, as part of his 15th birthday celebration, his weight measured in gold, this sum then dispersed to those in need, with prominently featured jeweled courtiers, all set against a grand display of royal wealth featuring daggers...
Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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Gold Leaf

Japanese Traditional Woodblock Print Snow Flowers
Located in Weesp, NL
Original Japanese polychrome woodblock print "snowflowers" by Nishijima Katsuyuki. Signbed by the artist in pencil in the lower right corner. The subject in this artwork is the Honjin (Inn for Daimyô) in Kusatsu on a snowy day. Honkin was the most prestigious accommodation in Shukuba (post town) in the Edo period. Kasatsu-juku Honjin was the landmark of Kusatsu-juku for about 240 years from the early Edo period to the early Meiji period. The books of guest records are written about many famous historical...
Category

1980s Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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Paper

Japanese Mid-Century Modern Woodblock Print by Tomizaburo Hasegawa
Located in Weesp, NL
1960's Japanese woodblock print titled " In front of the garden" by Japanese asian and modern & contemporary artist Tomizaburo Hasegawa. The Art work is signed, titled and dated in ...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Limited Edition Mid-Century Modern Japanese Woodblock Print
Located in Weesp, NL
Japanese limited edition 90 / 500 woodblock print by Katsuyuki Nishijima in great condition. "Machiya in Marutamachi" Traditional Japanese wooden ...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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Paper

Original Antique Prints of 19th Century Japanese Silk Panels, France, 1860
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful pair of prints of 19th Century Japanese silk panels Amazing illuminated gold lustre Lithographs Published by A.Morel, Paris, Fra...
Category

1860s English Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Antique Chinese Mahjong Game Set in Fitted Carved & Polychrome Painted Wood Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Mahjong set is unsigned and documentation shows it to have originated from China and date to approximately 1900 and done in the Chines...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Softwood, Bakelite

Chinese Cloissone Box with Carved Jade Plaque, circa 1900
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A diminutive Antique Chinese Cloisonné box with jade medallion line with wood. The enameled outside in shades of blue with gold color wir...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Jade, Enamel

Utagawa Toyonobu Shinsen Taikoki Japanese Woodblock Diptych Print, 19th Century
By Toyonobu Utagawa
Located in Studio City, CA
A Classic image by renowned Japanese printmaker Utagawa Toyonobu from his newly selected history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi series. A very good impres...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century Japanese Woodblock Print "Scarlett Ring" by Hiroyuki Tajima
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Japanese woodblock print entitled "Scarlett Ring" by Hiroyuki Tajima, circa 1974. The print is numbered 21/50 in the lower center and is signed in the lower right. The pi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Antique Japanese Woodblock Print of a Samurai, 19th Century
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A vibrant antique Japanese wood block print of a samurai. The block print with broad sage green mat with ebonized Asian style frame with UV Glass. M...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Art Glass, Hardwood, Paper

Previously Available Items
Asian Framed Embroidery with Landscape, Early 20th Century
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Beautiful handmade silk embroidery, framed under glass. We see a landscape where a lake or a navigable river is represented, bordered by houses, forests and mountains. Asia, old In...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Fabric, Silk, Glass, Wood

Chinese Ancestral Portrait, 19th Century, China
Located in Girona, Spain
Chinese ancestral portrait. Gouache on paper. Gilded wooden frame with elaborate, decorative hooks. Very large 19th century, China Vin...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paper

Original Antique Botanical Print Orchid Zygopetalum, Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the orchid Zygopetalum Maxillare Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand colo...
Category

1850s English Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Twelve Early 19th Century Chinese Export Rice Paper Court Scenes
Located in London, GB
A very fine group of twelve early 19th century Chinese Export rice paper watercolors, each depicting nobles of various ranks. Housed in bamboo mounted crackle gilt frames with waterc...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Bamboo, Giltwood, Paper

Original Antique Botanical Print, Orchid Onchinium, Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the orchid, Oncidium Lanceanum Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color....
Category

1850s English Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Botanical Print, Rose Lophosperum, Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the rose, Lophosperum Scandens Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color....
Category

1850s English Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Vintage Chinese Ancestral Portrait Hand Painted Glass a Window to Another Time
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare Chinese ancestral portrait which has been hand painted on glass I have no idea exactly how this was made but it looks complicate...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

Painting on Silk "The Court Woman and her Companions"
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Painting on silk The court woman and her companions on the terrace in front of the literary screen. Frame in modern red varnish. China or Japan circa 1880. Measures: H 152, L 70, ...
Category

1880s Asian Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

3 Original Antique Botanical Prints . Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of flowers Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithographs with original hand color. Published, circa 1850. ...
Category

1850s English Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

3 Original Antique Botanical Prints . Unframed, circa 1850
3 Original Antique Botanical Prints . Unframed, circa 1850
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H 9.75 in W 6.25 in D 0.07 in
18th Century Chinese School Botanical Watercolor
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
An 18th century Chinese School watercolor study of a pomegranate, circa 1790-1800, watercolor on paper, the lower right hand corner signed in hanzi, framed; from the Collection of Sir Joseph Banks...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Botanical Print - Bignonia Grandiflora. Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the Bignonia Grandiflora Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color. Pu...
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1850s English Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Botanical Print - Combretum Purpureum. Unframed, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the Combretum Purpureum Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color. Pub...
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1850s English Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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Paper

Chinese Export wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export wall decorations 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 wall decorations created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export wall decorations 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 wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Chelsea House, Sunqua, and Totoya Hokkei. 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 wall decorations differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $76,572 while the average work can sell for $2,550.

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