Chinese Export Sculptures
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
Bronze Sculpture, Late 19th Century, Asia
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze sculpture, late 19th century, Asia
Measures: H 19cm, W 15cm, W 8cm.
Category
1880s Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$1,235 Sale Price
20% Off
Massive Solid Alabaster Antique Hand Carved Asian Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful solid alabaster antique Asian large sculpture hand carved, circa 1950s, great condition no chips or cracks or chips came out of a state i...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
$1,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Chinese Carved Jade Kilim Statues - a Pair of two
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this pair of original hand carved Jade Kilim statue. They bring Happiness and Wealthiness to you in Chinese cultural. As you can see in the pictures, They are in very good co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade
$248 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terracotta Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a man with his fists raised, wearing a hat or a head wrap and boots, and standing on a faceted...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of Chinese Lidded Porcelain Elephant Figurines
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese olive green elephant figurines, decorated with carved detailing and pierced sides, and fitted with lids (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$14,800 / set
Vintage Chinese Metal Gilt Filigree and Enamel Cranes Figures on Wooden Stand
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Chinese Gilt Metal Filigree and Enamel Cranes Figures on Wooden Stand.
Mid 20th century circa 1950s Asian fine jeweled sculptures.
Two Orient...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Pair of Chinese Gilt Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style gilt carved foo dog figures holding a open design ball
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
$1,500 / set
Heavy Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Wisdom Figure in Tang Dynasty Style
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous SanCai glazed terra-cotta wisdom figurine, Crafted in the Tang Dynasty Style. The clay is coated or made into clay sheets, then placed inside the model, and pressed into for...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Chinese Emperor and Empress Wooden Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of Antique Chinese Emperor and Empress Statues are 100% hand made and hand carved with paint and gilt on them. Some of the paint and gilt has been worn off but overall they are in good condition. Look at the pictures, you can see that they are in many years history with some age wear. Now you can have them on your collection shelf.
Size: 6in H x 2 3/4in W x 2in D each
Origin: China
Circa: Late Qing era
Material: Wood
Condition: Hand made, hand painted, normal age wear.
Disclaimer: Due to differences in monitor/screen settings, product colors may differ slightly between product photos...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$446 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Chinese Multicolor Glazed Porcelain Pheasant Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) porcelain sculpture of a pheasant with colorful, gold-outlined plumes perched on a rocky formation of green and brown.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Standing Figures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style blue and white porcelain standing figures (19/20th Cent)
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$4,250 / set
Chinese papier-mâché golden sphere
Located in LA CELLERA DE TER, ES
Exclusively handcrafted piece. This sphere is created using the ancient Chinese papier-mâché technique – a millennia-old craft that eventually spread worldwide. Traditionally employe...
Category
2010s Spanish Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Gold Leaf
Chinese papier-mâché golden sphere
Located in LA CELLERA DE TER, ES
Exclusively handcrafted piece. This sphere is created using the ancient Chinese papier-mâché technique – a millennia-old craft that eventually spread worldwide. Traditionally employe...
Category
2010s Spanish Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Gold Leaf
19th Century Pair of Chinese Guardian Lions in Red and Gold Lacquer
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this stunning pair of statues representing Chinese guardian lions, also known as lions of Fo, made in red and gold lacquer and painted wood. Their origins date ba...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Bronze Sculpture Of A Lady
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Bronze Sculpture of a Chinese Lady. It depicts a semi nude Chinese lady standing up and wrapped with a robe around one of her shoulders, the back, below the hip and one of ...
Category
20th Century East Asian Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$680 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
This square ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to prote...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Hand Carved Bamboo Fish Man Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this beautiful vintage Chinese hand carved bamboo fish man. It is 100 percent hand made from bamboo shoot. You can see the pictures ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bamboo
$221 Sale Price
25% Off
Bronze Sculpture Japanese Scholar Scroll Fukurokuju Inlay
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Well done, very sharp detailed cast bronze figure with inlay of silver metal on scroll, 1920s- 1930s. Beautiful golden patina on head and bottom from years of handling. 8.3 lbs.
Category
1920s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$3,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Wood Sculpture from Old Water Mill Gear, China 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
This wood accent piece originally served as a section of gear work from a water mill in China. Note the carved upper section that created the "gearworks."
The deep worn patina of the...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Mid 20th Century Chinese Wood Carved Kwan Yin Statuary
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent vintage Chinese Wood Carved Kwan Yin Statuary has intricate carving works. It is all hand made and hand carved Kwan Yin sitting under the tree and holding a flower i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Boxwood
$1,237 Sale Price
25% Off
San Pacific 17" Bronze Crane
Located in Pasadena, TX
This beautiful crane is made by San Pacific International. It's cast in bronze and has a beautiful verdigris patina. It balances on a round base and stands 17" tall.
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$640 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese He He Er Xian Blue and White Porcelain Twins
Located in Sarasota, FL
This striking porcelain figure depicts a pair of twin boys rendered in classic blue-and-white, a motif deeply rooted in Chinese decorative tradition. Seated side by side, one child h...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Carved Soapstone Buddha
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a heavy carved light yellow-green soapstone Buddha seated over an oval stone base with bracket feet.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
$220 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Rose Quartz Rooster
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rose quartz small carved figure of a rooster (as is-repair to base) (20th Cent)
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Rose Quartz
Pair of Antique Chinese Multi-Colored Cloisonne Rooster Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of early 20th century Chinese cloisonne rooster sculptures with red, white, blue, green, and yellow enamels standing on circular cloisonne bases...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Antique Cloisonne Longevity Star Statuary
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonne Longevity Star Statuary was hand made from gold copper cloisonne. This stand Longevity Star has ve...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Metal
$1,345 Sale Price
31% Off
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Horse with Rider Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a girl wearing a red hat riding a brown horse, standing on a textured base.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Woman and Kneeling Camel Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a woman in a gray dress sitting on a kneeling Bactrian camel with its head tilted back and mout...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Asian Chinese Brass Prosperity Dragon Wall Hanging
Located in Moreno Valley, 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 Sculptures
Materials
Brass
20th Century Chinese Wooden Carved Tieguai Li
Located in Pomona, CA
Up for sale is a magnificent vintage Chinese Wood Carved Tieguai Li Statuary. It is all hand made and hand carved from boxwood. According to legend, after Tieguai Li becoming an immo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Boxwood
$746 Sale Price
25% Off
Small Carved Jade East Asian Woman’s Figurine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small jade East Asian woman’s figurine. It depicts a carved jade woman’s figure that appears to be dancing or stretching herself. She is wearing a...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade
$300 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Chicken Blood Stone Carving of Bodhidharma on Wood Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small chicken blood stone carving from China circa early 20th century, possibly early (late Qing to early Republic period). It depicts an aged Bo...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Chinese Iron and Gilt Buddha Bust
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style gilt and polychromed cast iron bust of Buddha.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Chinese Multicolor Porcelain Pheasant Statue
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) glazed porcelain statue of a pheasant with colorful, gold-outlined plumes perched on a rocky formation of green and brown. (Smaller version availab...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Polychrome Harmony Fish, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this large koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. Much of t...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Pine
Pair of Chinese Bamboo Root Carved Peacock Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of similar Chinese peacock sculptures carved from the roots of bamboo, utilizing the main section of the root for the bodies, and the "root hair" ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Huren Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a Huren (northern tribesmen) man dressed in red robes and a prominent hat, with one fist raised in the air.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Chinese Painted Clay Buddha Statue with Green and Brown Robes
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (early 20th Century, Republic of China) clay Buddha sculpture with painted details in green, brown, and blue. (Similar sculptures: NWL2497...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Clay
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Man and Horse Terra Cotta Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a man dressed in dark gray robes, with one fist raised in the air, sitting atop a red saddle, on a horse that is painted...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Early 20 Century Antique Carved Bronze 3 Generations of Buddha Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
Three generations of Buddha represents Past, Present and Future three generations of Buddha. They are Dipamkara Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Buddha. They wer hand made from ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$880 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Silver Figures of Eight Immortals Yangqinghe Jiuji Marks, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in New York, NY
Important and rare silver figures of eight immortals Yangqinghe Jiuji marks, Late Qing dynasty. Each hollow figure portraying one of the immortals in an animated pose, with highly detailed facial features, four pierced with apertures for the insertion of facial hair, clad in finely chased robes, all but two with their characteristic attributes, their bases bearing either two seal marks reading Yangqinghe Jiuji gongyibu and Zhe'ning Hu Qiusheng zao, or three marks in regular script reading Yangqinghe Jiuji gongyibu, Shang and Sheng zuo, original hand-carved wood stands. Measures: 11 1/4in (28.5cm) high (tallest one).
The earliest records of the silver atelier known as Yangqinghe date to 1775 in Shanghai...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Silver
Pair of Great Dragon Temples Chinese Minguo Period
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of great dragon temples.
Chinese Minguo period (1912-1949), in carved bone plates. With detailed dragon carvings. Sitting on a wooden base. faults ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bone
$35,639 / set
Bronze Buddha Head on Stand
Located in New York, NY
Unique bronze Buddha head on walnut stand.
Category
17th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$29,000
Fantastic 19th Century Chinese Blanc De Chine Model of a Water Buffalo or Ox
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic 19th Century Chinese Blanc De Chine Model of a Water Buffalo. Beautifully hand-carved and enameled with a bright white body and black enamel eyes. This piece is really superb and in fabulous condition for its age. In Chinese culture, the water buffalo symbolizes the coming of spring. Throughout China the spring season began with a ceremonial plowing by the imperial capital through the use of a water buffalo, symbolizing its importance to the imperial heritage. Water buffalo were created in China for centuries, with terracotta pieces found in Han dynasty tombs...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Hand Carved Soap Stone Chinese Buddha Sculpture
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional vintage hand carved stone chinese Buddha.
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Stone
$175 Sale Price
55% Off
Two Brass Chinese Figures (Ox
Elephant) - W4000 NUST SELL
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
Two Brass Chinese Figures (Ox & Elephant) - W4000
MUST SELL
This is a pair of heavy Chinese brass figurines of an ox and an elephant. They are in very good condition with some resid...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Brass
$570 Sale Price
40% Off
19th Century Chinese Bronze Incense Vessel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully chased 19th century bronze. In three parts. Great as just a table sculpture.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Asian Hunting Scene in Gilt Bronze 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Asian hunting scene
In gold bronze
Chinese warrior bear hunting
19th century
Measures: 20 x 18 x 9 cm.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Chinese papier-mâché golden sphere
Located in LA CELLERA DE TER, ES
Exclusively handcrafted piece. This sphere is created using the ancient Chinese papier-mâché technique – a millennia-old craft that eventually spread worldwide. Traditionally employe...
Category
2010s Spanish Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Gold Leaf
Vintage Asian Glazed Ceramic Foo Dogs - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Stunning pair of glazed ceramic foo dogs. A chic deep green color with flashes of deep blue. Lots of intricate detail on the face and body. Areas of wear from age add to the effect. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$1,950 / set
19th Century Sculpture of Guan Yu
关羽
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century sculpture of Guan Yu (??), a guardian deity.
Guan Yu (d. A.D. 219), a warrior of the late Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220) renowned for his valo...
Category
19th Century Irish Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Chinese Carved Soapstone Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A carved soapstone lamp base, unusual because of the color of the stone; reddish, brown and black. The carving is in the shape of a vase which i...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
Vintage Papier Mâché Parcel-Gilt Buddha
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large, decorative and unusual papier mâché gilded Buddha.
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Paper
19th Century Pair of Chinese Hardwood Buffalo
Boys with Bone Flutes
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century pair of dark hardwood water buffalo with inset glass eyes. These finely carved and highly detailed figures have carved boy figures sitting on their backs holding bone flutes...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Antique pair of Homunculus Sculptures
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Unique and charming set of homunculus type figures on wooden base. Unknown origin and date but probably early 20th century. See pics
Category
20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$195 / set
Chinese Export sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export sculptures 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 sculptures, popular names associated with this style include and Europa Antiques. 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $195 and tops out at $98,000 while the average work can sell for $1,895.
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