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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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Style: Chinese Export
Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Ancestor Portrait in Navy
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink ancestor portrait capturing the honoree seated and wearing an elaborate hat and navy dress, on a beige b...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Walnut, Paper

Late 18th Century Chinese Glass Painted Scene of a Family Gathering Fruit
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese (18th/19th century) framed glass back painting depicting a family gathering fruit beneath two trees surrounded by birds and butterflies in a wood...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

Chinese Watercolor of a Sampan on Paper, circa 1800
Located in Downingtown, PA
The large Chinese watercolor on European paper depicts a starboard view of a two-master sailing ship with one man sailing the vessel while two passengers can clearly be seen inside t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Traditional Chinese Painting on Silk, 2 Women. Unusual Carved and Gilt Frame
Located in Buffalo, NY
Traditional Chinese Painting on Silk, depicting 2 Women. Unusual oversized shell motif to carved and gilt frame.
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Set of Five Antique Chinese Watercolors on Silk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing set of five Chinese watercolor paintings on silk depicting men occupied in their trades, executed in a soft delicate technique and presented under glass in four wood frame...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silver Leaf

Chinese Watercolor Children Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Cent) watercolor portrait on paper of fat seated figure surrounded by 6 children in a gilt frame
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

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

Framed Pink and Green Painted Panel Depicting a Chinese Landscape
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese partially distressed painted panel in green and pink against a crackle beige background depicting a landscape wtih trees ad architecture inside a floral border.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Large Chinese Heavily Carved Wood Relief Plaque Wall Mounted Sculpture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning vintage heavily carved relief, ready to hang. Now, more than ever, home is where the heart is.
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Ancestor in Navy Robes Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink ancestor portrait capturing the honoree seated in a red chair on a patterned floor and wearing an elabor...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paper, Glass, Walnut

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

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

Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Family Ancestor Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink family ancestor portrait capturing nine honorees seated in front of scrolls bearing text framed by curta...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paper, Glass, Walnut

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

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 Paper Scroll in Plexiglass Case
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese paper scroll in a plexiglass case.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

Chinese Framed Acrylic and Gold Leaf Painted Panel of a Flowering Tree
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century Chinese acrylic still life painting in white, brown and beige on a gold leaf background depicting a flowering tree growing from a rocky base with a bird and dragon fly al...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Acrylic, Giltwood

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

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

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

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 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. (Companion pieces: NWL2543A-G).  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Chinese Export Chinoiserie Original Oil Painting on Board
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning, rare, Chinese Export original oil painting on board. Adorned with Chinese dragons and the like. Age appropriate wear. One of a kind. All original including the hooks at to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Clay

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

19th Century Chinese Carved Scenic Monkey Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese 19th century carved wall plaque with monkeys playing in trees with fruit (finished on back with bamboo trees).  
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Bamboo, Mahogany

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. (Companion pieces: NWL2543A-G).   
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

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

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

Wood, Bamboo

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. (Companion pieces: NWL2543A-F).       
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Framed Vintage Chinese Acrylic Abstract Painting of Waves and Fans
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese acrylic on canvas abstract painting of black and warm toned multi-colored swirls and waves interspersed with florals, leaves, and fans in a rectangular black painted ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic, Wood

19th Century Chinese Reverse Painting on Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
A 10th century Chinese reverse painting on glass. A snow landscape with people and houses in snow.
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

19th C. China Trade Seascape with the Ship Avon in Stormy Seas, by Lai Fong
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century China Trade Seascape with the Ship Avon in Stormy Seas, by Lai Fong (active: 1875 - 1905), circa 1890, an oil on canvas starboard side view of a square-rigged ship under furled and reefed sails, with decks awash, under leaden sky on heavy seas, unsigned. This is one of a series of three paintings by Lai Fong of the Avon offered here. The painting is finely painted in a thin coat on a thin canvas, as is typical with China Port paintings...
Category

1890s Hong Kong Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

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

Set of Three-Framed Antique Chinese Textiles Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of three antique textile fragments from China, circa 19th century Qing dynasty, professionally displayed in matching giltwood frames as a triptych. Originally they were embroidered panels from semi-formal skirt...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Framed Chinese Antique Brocade Dragon Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Chinese brocade dragon panel from Imperial Qing Dynasty circa 19th century, beautifully presented with a linen mat and in a silvered wo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Brocade, Silk, Wood

Two Framed Chinese Antique Textile Fragments Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A group of two antique textile fragments from China, circa 19th century Qing dynasty, professionally preserved and displayed in giltwood frame...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Wood

Chinese Export circa 1900 Gold Leaf Painted Fret Work Carved Wall Panel in Teak
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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

Paintings on Mirror Glass Chinese 18th Century China
Located in New York, NY
Paintings on Mirror Glass Chinese 18th Century China. A pair of paintings made on mirrored glass. Made during the 18th century in China. Original fr...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Mirror

Framed Seascape Genre Painting of Fishermen Next to a Lake
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century acrylic genre painting of two people with a small boat, fishing nets, and baskets under a copse of trees on a riverbank with a village and mountains in the background on ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

VINTAGE CHINESE OIL PAiNTING OF A BEAUTIFUL VASE & GHASIA GIRL STATUE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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

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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