Chinese Export Wall Decorations
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.
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Paint
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Silk, Giltwood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Iron
20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Paper, Wood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Porcelain, Rosewood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Teak
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Silk, Giltwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Glass, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Glass
Early 20th Century English Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 20th Century English Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Soapstone, Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Silk, Glass, Wood
20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Canvas
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Silk
20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Textile
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Silk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Copper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Clay
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper, Fiberglass
20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Gold
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Glass, Wood, Walnut, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Paint
20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper, Glass, Walnut
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood, Silk, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Glass, Walnut, Wood, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Acrylic, Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Glass, Wood, Walnut, Paper
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations
Bamboo, Wood