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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: Mid-20th Century
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

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

Pair Of Chinese 'Famille Rose' Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful Pair Of Chinese Famille Rose hand painted porcelain Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames. Measure 14.5" in width and 14.5" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Porcelain, Rosewood, Paint

Vintage Chinese Watercolor and Ink Landscape of Senjojiki Cirque, Near Nagoya
Located in Lomita, CA
The detail of this mountainous landscape of an area that is akin to the Alps in Japan is stunning. It is a watercolor and ink depiction of Senjojiki Cirque which is at the top of the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

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

Vintage Asian Chinese Brass Prosperity Dragon Wall Hanging
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Asian Chinese Brass Prosperity Dragon Wall Hanging. As the embodiment of the masculine gender, the dragon has long been an auspicious symbol of power in Chinese culture. Dragons chasing a ball is the auspicious scene of good luck, prosperity and wealth. According to Chinese Feng Shui...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Made Silk Tapestry, Eight Immortals
Located in Pomona, CA
Rare find vintage Chinese fine silk tapestry of Eight Immortals. It is 100 percent hand made with fine silk of Chinese famous folklore of the legendary of eight Immortals crossing the sea. Eight Immortals using their own magic power to crossing the sea without ship. It is well known in Chinese cultural. From the pictures, you can see it is in very good vintage condition with detailed hand-woven skills Size: 54in H x 98in L Origin: China Circa: mid-20th century Material: Silk Condition: Very good vintage condition, hand woven, normal age wear. Disclaimer: Due to differences in monitor/screen settings, product colors may differ slightly between product photos and the physical product. P.S. The wood stick hanger on the top is NOT included. You may get it at Home Depot
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

Mid Century Chinese Silk Paintings of Birds by Signed Artists in Gilt Frames
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Elegant Chinese Export signed Silk paintings from the mid-century era. Excellent condition in gilt frames. Identical birds in differing hue and signature likely painted by different ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

Vintage Chinese Repouse Framed Copper Panel of a Ceremonial Vignette
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage framed copper repouse panel appears to be signed by an unknown artist and presumed to have originated from China, dating to approximately 19...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Copper

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

Very Decorative Chinese Champlevé Enamel Plate in a Japanese Style
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very decorative Chinese champlevé enamel plate in a Japanese style, vividly enameled with a peacock amidst flowering prunus branches and endless kno...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Enamel

Framed Seascape Genre Painting of Fishermen Next to a Lake
Located in New York, 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

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

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

Related Items
Pair of Large Scale French Forged Iron Sculptural Double Wall Hooks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of French forged iron double wall hooks France, early 20th century These beautifully sculpted wall hooks are a dramatic statement piece for an en...
Category

Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Iron

Set of Four Framed Chinese T’ang Horse Paintings
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful set of four watercolor Chinese T’ang style horses. Gilt framing on all four. Very good condition with minor wear on frames.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

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

19th Century Chinese Silk Tapestries in Bamboo Frames
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
A set of 19th-century Chinese silk tapestries, woven or embroidered entirely by hand. Left and right represents a fishing village with women and men fishing at the net. Both ba...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Bamboo

Hollywood Regency Glam Brass or Gold Wall Hanging Sculpture by Curtis Jere
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredibly cool piece designed by Curtis Jere and produced by Artisan House in the 1980s. It consists of a wave form frame with many brass hanging rods...
Category

1980s American Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass, Steel

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

Vintage Ceramic Tile Wall Hanging
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful tile hand painted and glazed with exceptional wondering colorful school of fish on a yellow color background. The tile can hang on the wall. Exceptional object of art for w...
Category

20th Century Central Asian Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Ceramic Tile Wall Hanging
Vintage Ceramic Tile Wall Hanging
H 9.25 in W 9.25 in D 0.75 in
Two Wall Hooks, 1910s
Located in Wien, AT
Two wall hooks, 1910s 2 are available, priced and sold per piece. Polished and stove enameled (We have the same only smaller ten pieces).
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Two Wall Hooks, 1910s
Two Wall Hooks, 1910s
H 7.49 in W 1.19 in D 5.12 in
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

19th Century Chinese Silk Painting, Framed
19th Century Chinese Silk Painting, Framed
H 19.25 in W 21.25 in D 0.5 in
Pair of Vintage Brass Chinese Dragon Wall Hanging
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful pair of wall hanging made of solid brass depicting detailed ancient Chinese dragon. Nice oxidise patina, decorative wall hanging. Exceptional object of art for wall display.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brass Bonsai Wall Sculpture, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Brass bonsai wall sculpture with beautiful patina. This Minimalist wall sculpture dates from the 1960s. We have a table lamp with a very similar bon...
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brass Bonsai Wall Sculpture, 1960s
Vintage Brass Bonsai Wall Sculpture, 1960s
H 15.75 in W 20.08 in D 1.97 in
Vintage Chinese Watercolor Silkscreen Framed Painting of Cats and Flowers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Watercolor silkscreen Framed Painting of Cats and Flowers. Circa Mid to late 20th Century. Measurements: 21.5" H x 13.5" W x...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood

Previously Available Items
Pair of Intricately Hand Carved Wooden Wall Sculptures Plaques Chinese Export
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exquisite pair of Chinese Export wall sculptures, heavily hand carved fruitwood. Meticulously crafted by skilled artisans with each sculpture featuring delicate detail including bir...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Fruitwood

Framed Oriental Folding Screen
Located in Fulton, CA
Asian folding panel or screen in shadow box frame. Appears to be Korean and hand painted. Depicting a village scene. Excellent original vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

Framed Oriental Folding Screen
Framed Oriental Folding Screen
H 19.5 in W 40.38 in D 2.13 in
Vintage Chinese Acupuncture Posters, c.1976
Located in San Francisco, CA
About #1 and #4 posters have sold. Original unframed "Anatomical Charts of the Acupuncture Points and 14 Meridians" posters. The posters were part of a book printed in the People'...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century Chinese Landscape Painting
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-century Chinese landscape painting, farmers with oxen, signed Lower right 'Jin Ky '71' Oil on board 12" x 18" Framed 14 x 20".  
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Chinese Folding Screen Hand Painted
Located in Fulton, CA
A four panel Chinese folding screen. Black lacquer wood frame with brass corner mounts. Birds in flora done in pastel colors. Excellent original co...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paper

Chinese Folding Screen Hand Painted
Chinese Folding Screen Hand Painted
H 47.5 in W 70.75 in D 0.75 in
Vintage Chinese Acupuncture Posters c.1976
Located in San Francisco, CA
About Original unframed "Anatomical Charts of the Acupuncture Points and 14 Meridians" posters. The posters were part of a book printed in the People's Republic of China. The post...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Vintage Chinese Silk Landscape Scroll Wall Art Hanging Decor 2
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your pleasure: a lovely vintage Chinese silk mountain landscape scene scroll wall art hanging decoration. Hand painted on silk. Signed lower right corner. Dimensions: 10 1/2" W x...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Paint

Vintage Chinese Silk Landscape Scroll Wall Art Hanging Decor 1
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your pleasure: a lovely vintage Chinese silk tree scenic landscape scroll wall art hanging decoration. Hand painted on silk. Signed lower right corner. ...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Paint

Pair of Chinese Export Decorative Wall Panels
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A pair of Chinese export decorative wall panels, Mid-second half of 20th century. Each decorated with applied pair of vases on stands, con...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Lacquer Panels Representing Young Girls in Ethnic Costumes, Vietnam
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Lacquer panels representing young girls in ethnic costumes, Vietnam Measures: H 20cm, W 20cm, P 1cm.
Category

1950s Vietnamese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Chinese Painting of Egrets and Lotus Flowers, Large-Scale
Located in Stamford, CT
A large-scale and highly decorative Chinese tempera painting depicting two white egrets in water among beautiful lotus leaves and flowers. The subtle c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

China Trade Ancestor Portraits
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Chinese export ancestral paintings available, dating from the first half of the 20th century. Each portrait is painted on Japan paper and mounted with silk border in a gilt...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Paper, Wood

China Trade Ancestor Portraits
China Trade Ancestor Portraits
H 56.75 in W 31.75 in D 2 in

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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