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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Style: Chinese Export
Set Of Twelve Chinese Framed Pith Paper Watercolors
Located in Essex, MA
Set of twelve with cream colored faux bamboo frames. Each depicting Chinese furniture and interiors.
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Antique Chinese Gouache Pith Painting
Located in Bradenton, FL
Fantastic framed and matted antique Chinese painting of a village scene. Painted on pith paper with gouache in bold colors in typical style. Having the expected wear and foxing. 12 1...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Paint
Small Chinese Export Reverse Painted Mirror, Late 18th Century
Located in London, GB
A Small Late 18th Century Chinese Export Reverse Painted Mirror
Depicting two coloured birds perched on a rocky outcrop, with four large peony blooms, the mirror plate with a sligh...
Category
Late 18th Century Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Giltwood
Late 18th Century Framed Chinese Glass Back Painted Scene of a Family
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese (18th/19th century) framed glass back painting depicting a family beneath two flowering trees surrounded by birds and butterflies in a wooden frame with decorative metal top ...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Glass
Chinese Silk Hanging Scroll with Original Gold Lined Box
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Chinese silk scroll painting of a peacock surrounded by stunning foliage with calligraphy on the upper left side.
Housed in its original...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk
Framed Antique Chinese Embroidery Textile Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A piece of beautiful antique textile fragments from China, circa 19th century Qing dynasty, artistically displayed in a giltwood frame with contrasting teal blue color cloth matts. O...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk, Giltwood
VIntage Longevity Chinese Symbol Iron Cast Wall Hook
Located in North Hollywood, CA
VIntage Longevity Chinese Symbol Iron Cast Wall Hook.
Asian Calligraphy Symbols Prosperity Luck.
Vintage solid iron Asian Chinese character wall blessin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Iron
Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Ancestor Portrait in Navy Dress
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink ancestor portrait capturing the honoree seated in a green chair and wearing an elaborate hat and blue dr...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Glass, Wood, Walnut, Paper
19th Century China Trade Seascape with a Junk, Signed, circa 1870
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century China Trade Seascape with a Junk, by Lee Heng, circa 1870, an oil on board seascape with large Chinese Junk under full sail in the fo...
Category
1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Other
19th Century Pair of China Trade Portraits of an American Sailor and Wife
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Pair of China Trade Portraits of an American Sailor and His Wife, circa 1890s, two oil on canvas half length portraits of a young American Navy seaman (identified by his...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas
Framed Antique Embroidery Chinese Textile Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A piece wonderful antique textile fragment from China, circa 19th century Qing dynasty, artistically displayed in a giltwood frame with white ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk, Giltwood
Pair of Framed Chinese Figural Carved and Painted Panels
Located in Norwood, NJ
Nicely carved and framed pair of high relief carved and painted panels. Subtle colors with age appropriate worn finish carved depicting cranes (birds) amongst flowers standing in wat...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood, Elm
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
Framed Chinese Antique Textile Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A spectacular antique Chinese embroidery panel dated from Qing dynasty (circa 19th century), professionally framed with linen mat, pur...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk, Wood
Framed Antique Embroidery Chinese Textile Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A piece of beautiful antique textile fragments from China, circa 19th century Qing dynasty, artistically displayed in a giltwood frame with co...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk, Giltwood
Fine Quality Embroidery on Silk - Qing Dynasty, China, Mid 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique fine quality - Qing Dynasty - forbidden or seed stitch silk embroidery panel - metallic and silk threads - densely packed embroidery on a light weight damask pattern silk - m...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk
Chinese Carved Wooden Wall Plaque Depicting Riders on Horseback
Located in Queens, 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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood
Verre Eglomise Chinese Export Reverse Glass Painting
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique Verre Eglomise Chinese Export reverse glass painting.
Beautiful Chinese reverse glass painting of two women in a Chinese garden with a scroll. This painting is particularly vibrant and exquisite in color and detail. The wood frame painting...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Glass, Wood
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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Carved Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese style (19th century) red lacquered and decorated carved vertical wall plaques of ladies (Priced as pair).
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood
Set of Six 19th Century Chinese Export Gouache Paintings on Pith Paper
Located in Stamford, CT
A very unusual and intriguing rare set of six 19th century Chinese gouaches depicting scenes of corporal punishment, and in one, execution. Painted...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Pair of Chinese Patriarch Matriarch Ancestral Portraits
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stately pair of Chinese export ancestor portraits depicting a patriarch and matriarch of high ranking official status. Both depicted sitting and wearing decorated robes and hats. Mou...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk, Plexiglass, Wood, Paper
Chinese Chinoiserie Scene Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
2 Asian Chinese style oil painting portraits on canvas of figural chinoiserie scene of man holding bird with bowing servant framed by gold leaf painted fretwork (Similar to 058969) (...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Gold
Chinese Ancestral Portrait, Gouache on Paper
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Ancestral Portrait, Gouache on Paper. Portrait shows four family members, each in patterned and richly colored robes. This Chinese portraiture of family elders, done on gouac...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Framed Antique Embroidered Purse Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful antique embroidered purse from China, circa 19th century Qing dynasty, artistically displayed in a giltwood shadow box frame with...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Linen, Silk, Giltwood
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 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
Framed Antique Chinese Textile Groups Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A group of three antique Chinese textiles, arranged and professionally matted and framed. The museum quality display includes two similar pouches symmetrically flanking a fan case...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk, Wood
Framed Chinese Embroidery Panel of Longevity Deities
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Chinese embroidery work of art presented in a carved gilt frame with and silver borders, circa late Qing Dynasty 19th century. The imp...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk, Wood
Late 19th-C. Hand Painted Chinese Ancestral Portraits Un Water Gilt Frames - S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of late 19th century hand painted ancestral portraits depicting a wealthy couple in fabulous robes. I love the muted tones of the paint. The water gilt frames highlight...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Giltwood, Paper
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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Ancestral Portrait, Gouache on Paper
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Ancestral Portrait of a man and woman. Portrait shows a man and a woman, each in patterned and richly colored robes. This Chinese portraiture of family elders, done on gouach...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
(4) Chinese Export Oil on Canvas Exterior Scenes C. 1840 National Gallery Prov.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Export, mid 19th century.
An exceptional and original 4 piece set of Chinese Export oil paintings on canvas depicting exterior ga...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Gold Leaf
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
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
19th Century China Trade Seascape with the Ship Avon at Anchor by Lai Fong
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century China Trade Seascape with the Ship Avon at Anchor, by Lai Fong (active: 1875 - 1905), circa 1890, an oil on canvas starboard side view of a square-rigged ship at anchor ...
Category
1890s Hong Kong Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas
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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Paint
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
19th Century Chinese Gilt Inkwash Painted Screen
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a singular piece, a framed vintage Chinese gilt and inkwash miniature six-fold paper screen, that was possibly a salesman's sample, and it is beautiful.
This is from the la...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Giltwood
Young Elegant Asian Woman Oil on Canvas, circa 1940s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Young elegant Asian woman oil on canvas, circa 1940s
This is one of our favorite paintings. A young Asian woman out on a warm afternoon.
The quality of this painting cannot be ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas
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
Materials
Beech
Portrait of a Young British Gentleman in China Chinese Export School, circa 1920
Located in Seaford, GB
An evocative early 20th-century oil portrait depicting a poised young British gentleman, likely a merchant or naval officer, painted against a moody, clouded sky with a distinct pago...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Paint
19th Century, Chinese Export Stormy Maritime JunkBoat Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Chinese Export gouache painting depicts a sailing vessel navigating turbulent seas, executed in the refined style characteristic of Cantonese (Guangzhou) workshops ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
Antique Chinese School Ink, Watercolor and Gouache on Paper - Framed Under Glass
Located in Morristown, NJ
Chinese School (likely 19th c.), ink, watercolor and gouache on laid paper, apparently mounted on backing sheet, no signature or mark detected, framed under glass.
A traditional Chi...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
19th Century Chinese Silk Painting, Framed
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Chinese silk painting. Framed and matted. Features scene of Chinese characters in a ceremony. Beautiful muted colors of green, red, ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk, Wood
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
Two Antique Chinese Gouache Paintings of Birds on Pith Paper
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare 19th Century gouache paintings on pith paper, one of two birds on a tree and one of a blue bird on a branch with flowers and trees both executed in a distinctive traditional del...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Paint
Chinese Watercolors of Exotic Fruit on Pith Paper- A Set of Eight
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Chine trade watercolors are of fine quality and depict various exotic fruits including pineapples, lychees, finger citrus and orange amongst others. Now framed with a thin gilt f...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
19th Century, Chinese Export Junk Ship Maritime Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
This **19th-century Chinese Export gouache on board painting** presents a striking depiction of a **Chinese junk at harbor**, with delicate brushwork capturing the vessel's ornate co...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Giltwood, Paint
Framed Antique Chinese Embroidery Panel Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique Chinese embroidery panel, originally the sleeve band of a robe from Qing Dynasty, circa 19th century. Nicely presented as a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk, Wood
Vintage Watercolor Painting on Rice Paper - Signed - China - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage large scale watercolor painting on rice paper - indistinctly signed lower right - mid 20th century.
Excellent vintage condition - no ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
China Trade Watercolor & Gouache Set of Twelve Paintings of Fruit & Flowers
Located in Downingtown, PA
Superb quality painting!
China Trade Watercolor & Gouache on pith paper,
Set of twelve paintings of fruit and flowers,
Circa 1850-1860
...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Antique Chinese Embroidery Textile 8" x 8"
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Embroidery, Origin: China, Circa: Late 19th Century
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Silk
Chinese Carved Bamboo Root Face Wall Hanging
Located in Queens, 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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Framed 19th Century Chinese Landscape of House by a River
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese landscape painting with house by a river framed in black and red lacquer (19th Century).
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood
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 Wall Decorations
Materials
Paper
Pair of Fine Chinese Export Reverse Paintings on Glass, Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
a pair of 19th century Chinese Export reverse glass paintings depicting scenes of nobles at leisure in a palace that is open to beautiful gardens, original frame, inspired by English...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Materials
Glass
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.