Chinese Export Metalwork
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
Chinese Inscribed Pewter Encased Yixing Stoneware Teapot, Qing Dynasty
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese inscribed pewter-encased
Yixing stoneware teapot
Qing dynasty, 19th century
Measures,
3 3/8 in.,(8.5 cm.) high
base: 3 1/8 x 3 1/4 in.,(8 x 8.4 cm.)
Of square sect...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Pewter
Canton Enamel Bracket-Lobed Dish Guangxu Period, 1875-1908
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A canton enamel bracket-lobed dish, Guangxu period (1875-1908), with a centre medallion in vibrant colors painted with a pheasant perched on an ornament...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Enamel
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 Metalwork
Materials
Enamel
Pair of Diminutive Chinese Pewter Lidded Urns
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming pair of diminutive Chinese pewter lidded urns or vases featuring a turned finish with bell finials. Great for decoration, storage, or both. Minor...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Pewter
$585 Sale Price / set
35% Off
Antique Bronze Champlevé Vase with Elephant Handles
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique bronze champlevé vase with double elephant handles, circa 1900s. The vase is in good vintage condition with a nice patina and measures 7"W x 6...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Large Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Lanterns
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Lanterns such as these were widely produced during the Shang Dynasty. They were mainly used for various ceremonial purposes and featured high quality craftsmanship and ornate details...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Enamel
Early 20th century Champlevé Enamel and Bronze Large Vase
Located in Savannah, GA
Large 24" tall antique Chinese Champlevé enamel and bronze vase. Fine cloisonne floral decoration with stylized rooster head handles dating to the late 19th-early 20th century. Lovel...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of Chinese Export Silver Overlay Bottle with Five Cordials Tianjin Wuhua
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of Chinese Export silver drinking set consists of a pinch bottle and five cordials circa 1910s-1920s. Featuring matching elaborate chased relief dra...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Sterling Silver
Massive 20th Century Chinese Archaic Style Cloisonné Covered Urn/ Censor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Massive 20th Century Chinese Archaic Style Cloisonné Covered Urn/ Censor
China, 20th century
A substantial example, intricately enameled in the Archa...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
$3,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Hexagonal Cast Brass Tea Caddy
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese hexagonal cast brass tea caddy, early 20th century. Each rectangular side with a shou symbol surrounded by five stylized bats on blue enamel ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Plique-à-Jour Enamel Double Gourd Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Chinese Plique-à-Jour enamel (translucent enamel) double gourd vases, each one with removable lid, exquisite all-over enamel decoration, each one signed with lotus flower.
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Enamel, Metal
$897 Sale Price / set
28% Off
Antique pair of cloisonné enamel candlesticks, China 19th Century
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of antique cloisonné enamel candlesticks. They are featuring a red background and a dragon motif. Cloisonné is an ancient technique where metal s...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Petite Famille Verte Canton Vase, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the 1920s during China's Republic Period, this petite vase is decorated in a style known as Canton enamel, so named for the long-standing industry of export enamels based in...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Copper
Tall Asian Vases with Oriental Enamel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of tall tapered cylindrical vases presented on carved hardwood bases. Enamel decorated with dragons in a floral field of a deep red background.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Enamel
$2,650 / set
Pair of Large Chinese Polished Brass Candlesticks
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of large vintage Mid-Century Chinoiserie polished gold brass candlesticks with removable Chinese fu dogs on top.
Cast brass candle holders.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Brass
Carved Bronze Vase, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
An elegant brass vase, hand-crafted in China, Early to Mid 20th Century. Finished in dark brown with a mottled patina, probably achieved through a technique like Murashido.
The bod...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
$551 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Tole Tea Cannister With Lid
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 20th Century Chinese Export toleware tea cannister with lid. This tea tin features Chinese characters and is hand painted gold, black and green on a red background. Can be used ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Repousse Centerpiece
By Zee Sung
Located in Sarasota, FL
Chinese Export Silver Centerpiece with dragon decoration. The centerpiece bowl has two repousse dragons with attached dragon handles. The bowl rests on...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Pair of Mid 20th Century Enameled Copper Vases with Floral
Geisha Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of vases on stands are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China and dating to approximately 1960 and done in a period Chinese Export style. The vases are compos...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Brass, Copper
Pair Of Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Foo Lion Censers
Located in Norwood, NJ
Beautiful fine pair of Chinese cloisonne enamel foo lion censers, in a standing pose. Yellow enamel ground and stylized patinated copper repousse head with enamel eyes. Standing on c...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Pink
Green Antique Chinese Peking Enamel Cups and Dishes w. Floral Decoration
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th/20th c., Chinese enamelware, includes (2) cups and (2) small scalloped edge dishes, each with enameled floral design on a copper ground, unmarked.
This type of enamelling is known by several names, including Beijing, Canton and Peking enamel...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Enamel
Chinese Export Sterling Silver Creamer and Sugar by Cutshing
Located in Atlanta, GA
A two-piece set sterling silver creamer and sugar signed "CUT" and "TienXing" in Chinese, circa second half of 19th century. Cutshing...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Sterling Silver
Zee Sung Signed Chinese Export Antique Chased Silver Presentation Bowl
Stand
By Zee Sung
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This silver bowl was made by Zee Sung of China in approximately 1910 in the period Chinese Export style. The bowl is composed of silver with six stylized petal shaped panels done wit...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
6 Antique Chinese Cloisonne Teapots
Located in Brea, CA
Collection of 6 Chinese cloisonne teapots in varying shapes and designs of flora and fauna. The highest one is 5.5'' H x 2 W x 2.5'' D. the sm...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
$1,180 / set
Chinese Export Silver
Enamel Bowl
Located in London, GB
A rare and exquisite Chinese Export silver & enamel bowl, made in Shanghai around 1895 by Huang Qui Ji, and retailed by the firm of Woshing.
The bowl feat...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Petite Famille Rose Canton Vase, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the 1920s during China's Republic Period, this petite vase is decorated in a style known as Canton enamel, so named for the long-standing industry of export enamels based in...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Copper
Antique Chinese Export Silver Octagonal Compact with Applied Rose Gold Monogram
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export silver compact.
Of an octagonal form with applied rose gold accents to each corner of the box and the edges of the hinge. There is also an applied 'TB'...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Gold, Silver
Antique Brass Chinese Brazier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique brass Chinese brazier.
Filled with burning coals, this exquisitely crafted brass brazier used to warmed the hands of a wealthy Chinese on a cold...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Brass
Asian Cast Brass Footed Vessel with Animals Designs
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large cast brass Asian footed bowl with two handles.
Could be used as a jardinière for an orchid composition.
Engraved brass with animals designs on brass vessel.
Great heavy brass Chinese art...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Brass
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Serving Tray
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elaborately decorated silver serving dish or butler's tray, likely dated to the turn of the 20th century, made in China for the export market. The round tray has a solid center in...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Large Vintage Decorative Chinese Cloissone Vase with Imperial Dragon Handles
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large vintage cloissone vase is signed by an unknown maker, and originated from China dating to approximately 1980 and done in a Chinese Export st...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Brass
Chinese Export Silver Sugar Tongs by Luen Wo, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful pair of Chinese export silver small sugar tongs in a bamboo pattern by Luen Wo, late 19th or early 20th century, Shanghai, China.
The small silver tongs wonderfully cr...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
19th Century Chinese Bronze Urn as Lamp
Located in Norwood, NJ
19th century Chinese bronze urn as lamp. Decorated with florals and dragon in high relief. Surmounted by two handles depicting phoenix...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Antique Chinese Silver Hung Chong Co. Beaker Set Figural Salamanders
Spiders
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Set of four sterling silver antique Chinese export beakers or drinking cups made by the Hung Chong Co. of Shanghai with detailed applied figu...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Sterling Silver
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 Metalwork
Materials
Copper
Antique Chinese Export Silver Walking Stick Handle
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver walking stick handle; an addition to our diverse range of Chinese dragon ornamented s...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Small Chinese Export Silver Dessert Fork, Marked KH, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming, small Chinese export silver dessert fork marked KH and Bai Xi, early 20th century, China.
The small dessert fork with three tines. The ha...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Silver 19 Century Chinese Export Dragon-Handled Mug / Tankard
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
19th Century Chinese Export Silver Mug / Tankard, the sides are beautifully decorated in relief with a scene of warriors in combat, very crisp and detailed, centering a shaped cartou...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Filigree Card Case by Khe Cheong
By Khe Cheong
Located in Sarasota, FL
Chinese export silver filigree card case by Khe Cheong in its original box. The case is decorated with snakes, birds and flowers. Very fine and detailed work, 2.1 t oz weight.
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Two Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
Two Chinese silver vases of cornucopia form, both decorated with applied bamboo and chrysanthemum and on a circular base. The vases are similar yet were made by different silversmith...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Sterling Silver
$3,412 / set
Chinese Export Silver Repousse and Openwork Card Case by Sing Fat
By Sing Fat
Located in Sarasota, FL
A Chinese export silver rectangular s card case by Sing Fat, Canton & Shanghai (SF, 90 and a chop mark), circa 1880's. Each side pierced and chased, one a bird amidst prunus blossom,...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Flower Vases of trumpet form, each with circular base and rising to a flared, shaped top. The vases, which are decorated with applied prunus, were ret...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
$3,412 / set
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl, profusely decorated with dragons among clouds on a matte background. The bowl has a vacant cartouche, and is fro...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl with blue glass liner.
The bowl is pierced and has wonderfully detailed chrysanthemum decoration.
The bowl has ...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Chinese Plique-a-Jour Bowl
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small Chinese cloisonne enamel bowl made with the technique of Plique-a-jour (means "letting in daylight" in French), a challenging method similar to small scale stained windows...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Rare Chinese Export Sterling Silver Tea Set with Dragon Design Tianjing Wuhua
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese export sterling silver tea set comprised of 13 pieces including tea pot, sugar, creamer, four tea bowls and six tea spoons, circa 1910s-1920s. Featuring matching chased rel...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chinese Export Silver Snuffbox by Khe Cheong with Foreigner Subject
By Khe Cheong
Located in Sarasota, FL
Chinese Export Silver snuffbox by Khe Cheong. Unsual subject matter of a foreigner and his horse.
Marked KHC in the gold wash interior. 80g or 2.6 t. oz weight.
Category
1820s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Card Case Commodor Perry and Admiral Buchanan Interest.
Located in Sarasota, FL
Chinese silver repousse card case with battle scenes. 2 troy oz weight, no silver marks.
Signed "Japan 1854 Com Perry". Most likely made in Shanghai during a stop in May 1854 on Com...
Category
1850s Asian Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Dragon Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Dragon Candelabra, circa 1890. Each finely detailed dragon is coiled on an original wood stand, carved with cloud pat...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
$10,919 / set
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Ormolu and cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market
Chinese, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 18cm, diameter 25cm
Crafted in China...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Chinese Export Silver Mug with Bamboo Decoration
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export silver mug with a bamboo handle, and decorated with a bird and moth amongst profuse bamboo decoration on a matte background. T...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese silver vases with all-over bamboo decoration and each with a wavy-edge flared rim. They were made by 涂茂兴, TuMaoXing, a retailer in JiuJiang (九江), next to the Yangtze ...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
$2,729 / set
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of Chinese Export silver candlesticks, marked with TC, for Tuck Chang, 德祥 公记(DeXiangGongJi), a Shanghai retailer from 1901-1934, and with the maker's mark of 培记 (PeiJi).
230gm...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
$3,002 / set
Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy of shaped oval form, with applied prunus and chrysanthemum decoration and a plain, pull-off lid. The retailer is sho...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Openwork Bowl by Wan Hing
Co, Hong Kong, 1890
Located in Sarasota, FL
Chinese silver repousse and openwork bowl, decorated with dragons and flaming pearl. The bowl is marked on the bottom with a Chinese character, "90" for silver purity, and " WH" for ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Antique circa 1920 Chinese Export Floor Standing Bell with Wrought Iron Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite circa 1920 Chinese Export floor standing bell on wrought iron stand
A very well made and decorative...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Chinese Silver Repousse Dragon Handle Sauce Boat by Luen Wo
By Luen Wo
Located in Sarasota, FL
Chinese Export silver repousse sauce boat with dragon handles. Marked for Luen Wo.. Very fine decoration. 7 1/4" long, 4 " tall, 3 1/2", 7 oz weight.
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Antique Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Antique Chinese ormolu and cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market
Chinese, early 20th century
Dimensions: Height 10cm...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel
Chinese Export metalwork for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export metalwork 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 metalwork created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export metalwork 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 metalwork, popular names associated with this style include Wang Hing
Co., Hung Chong
Co., Luen Wo, and Leeching. 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 metalwork differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $95,800 while the average work can sell for $2,950.
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