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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
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
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...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

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

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

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

Late 18th Century Framed Chinese Glass Back Painted Scene of a Family
Located in New York, 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 ...
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Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

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...
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Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

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...
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Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Gold, Silver

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

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18th Century Fine Brussels Tapestry, Silk Wool, Green, Blue, Mythological Theme
Located in Port Washington, NY
This very fine Oudenaarde tapestry is one in the series related to the mythological story of Ulysses. It was woven in the late 18th century using t...
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18th Century and Earlier Belgian Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Silk

Chinese Late 18th Century Reverse Painting on Glass in its Original Frame
Located in Hudson, NY
This large reverse painting on glass from China circa 1780 to 1790 depicts a dramatic battle scene of numerous horsemen and infantry charging in a very...
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Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

Chinese Export Bud Vase Famille Rose Porcelain Hand Painted, Qing, Circa 1850
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good, decorative Chinese export, Imperial Canton, porcelain, Famille Rose, Small or Bud Vase which we date to the mid-19th century, Qing dynasty, circa 1850. The vase ha...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain

Islamic Ottoman Silk and Metal-Thread External Curtain Cover for the Holy Kaaba
Located in New York, NY
Extremely rare Islamic ottoman silk and metal-thread external curtain cover for The Holy Kaaba, Turkey, circa 19th century. With the Tughra of ...
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19th Century Turkish Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Metallic Thread

Chinoiserie Handpainting of Export Wallpaper Panels with Trees, Flowers & Birds
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
The pair of original paintings inspired by the 19th century Chinese export trade chinoiserie paintings of tree, flower & bird motif on wallp...
Category

2010s Hong Kong Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

French Zuber Wallpaper Scene of Nubians, Late 18th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming and early wallpaper scene of Nubian women collecting fruit in baskets, likely Zuber, late 18th century, printed and hand colored, now framed an mounted to artist board.
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Vintage Chinese Watercolor & Ink Landscape Painting, Signed, Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage traditional style watercolor and ink landscape painting on silk (applied to paper backing) - hand painted - silk damask textile border - signed with a red seal lower right (u...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Paint, Paper

Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Medallion Garden Seat, ca. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Chinese export porcelain canton famille rose garden seat, of circular form, the polychrome enameled surface with alternating scrolled medall...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Framed Hand-Painted Fan Late 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a truly splendid antique and highly decorative French hand painted set in a gilded and glazed box frame, dating from the late 18th century. This wonderful fan is beautifully hand-painted with stunning figures dressed in classical costumes, gracefully dancing and playing music with a charming classical pavilion in the background. It has spectacular guards and spins. Add this highly ornate antique framed fan...
Category

1790s French Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Linen

Chinese Export Porcelain Large Bowl Hand Painted Famille Rose, Qing Ca 1750
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautifully hand painted large Chinese export bowl from the mid 18th century, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1736-1795. We date thi...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Silk Embroidered Floral Panel Table Runner
Located in Dayton, OH
Large antique framed Chinese black silk folk art textile / tapestry panel or table runner embroidered with brown, gold and blue flowers / leaves. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Black Silk Floral Birds Oil Painting Panel
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage signed Chinese black silk panel painted with a pair of robins perched on a flowering branch. Measures: 13.75” x 0.5” x 30.5” / Sans Fram...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Paint

Previously Available Items
Framed Chinese Qing Dynasty Embroidered First Rank Badge
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel framed in a giltwood frame circa 18th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese as Buzi which was ...
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18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

Chinese Eglomise Painting
Located in Doylestown, PA
A late 18th Century Chinese eglomise painting of young women.
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

Chinese Eglomise Painting
Chinese Eglomise Painting
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H 17 in W 14 in D 1 in
Set of Three Framed Antique Chinese Textiles Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of three antique textile fragments from China, circa 18-19th century Qing dynasty, professionally displayed in matching giltwood frames as a triptych. Originally they adorned t...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Wood

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...
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Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Set of Three Late 18th Century Chinese Botanical Watercolours
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Three Chinese botanical watercolors, each depicting flowering dahlias, circa 1790-1800, watercolor on paper, one pink, one yellow and one light purple, individually framed. Provenance: From the collection of Sir Joseph Banks...
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Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Large 18th Century Chinese Ancestral Painting on Silk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Chinese ancestral portrait painted on silk having beautiful details and soft colors dating to the mid-18th century. The frame is a simple black wooden molding. There are a few brown ...
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18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

Impressive 18th Century Large Chinese Ancestral Portrait
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Very large and meticulously detailed Chinese ancestral portrait of a royal man and woman in red and navy blue robes against a neutral off white background. Wonderful Chinese letterin...
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18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Set of Late 18th-Early 19th Century Chinese Reverse Paintings on Glass
Located in Hudson, NY
This set of three paintings done in reverse painting and mirror on glass come from the estate of Princess Fredericka Ann Guirey from her home Sigrist House in Nassau and hung in the drawing room which was decorated by Mallets Antiques...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

Superb Very Large Finely Rendered Chinese Antique Ancestral Portrait
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Gorgeous and impressive in scale and age, this is an 18th century original watercolor on parchment of three Chinese royalty rendered with meticulous de...
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Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Chinese Reverse Glass Mirror Picture, Qianlong Period
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A reverse-glass mirror picture, depicting two hawks perching, surrounded by peonies and prunus branches. Apart from the expected loss to the silvering and a few chips to the frame, e...
Category

1780s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass

Finely Painted Pair of China Trade Watercolors in Period Frames
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lovely pair of late 18th century China trade watercolors on paper executed with exceptional detail, one depicting tea cultivation, the other ...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Watercolor

Chinese Export Watercolors of Chinese Sampans on European Paper, circa 1800
Located in Downingtown, PA
Two Chinese watercolors on European paper, each depicts a different ship. In one, a sampan is approaching land- a mountain and trees can be seen in the background. The second waterc...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

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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