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.
to
42
259
4
2
8
45
206
6
41
56
17
2
1
4
1
7
4
1
2
3
6,927
4,710
2,928
898
861
714
635
533
470
468
366
245
204
203
97
85
82
77
95
62
49
48
47
224
30
225
214
208
8
5
Height
to
Width
to
265
265
265
1
1
Style: Chinese Export
1892-1904 Chinese Elder Figure With Staff
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1892-1904 large Chinese mud man figure, an elder with staff in flowing green & yellow robe. Stamped "China". Apparent losses to feet, but possibly from kil...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
$195 Sale Price
33% Off
Chinese Sancai Glazed Ceramic Yinglong Winged Dragon Figurine
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Sancai glazed ceramic figurine depicting Yinglong, the dragon deity standing on all fours, a sphere clenched in its mouth.
Chipping along the bottom paws, some glaze losses ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Export Buddha
s Hand Citron Altar Fruit on Tazza, Blanc de Chine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Buddha's Hand Citron Altar Fruit on Tazza, Blanc de Chine. A rare form, realistically modeled
Chinese Buddha's Hand Citron, presented on a scalloped compote. This wo...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$896 Sale Price
25% 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
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Carved Stone Buddha Head Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Carved Stone Buddha Head. It was dated back to 1920s and shows very detailed hand carving works on it. You can see from the pictures that It ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Stone
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
Two Ming Style Chinese Pottery Dignitaries
Located in Bradenton, FL
Two Chinese Ming style sancai polychrome glaze terracotta pottery figures of Chinese dignitaries in glazed green and ocher terracotta on hexagonal bases and removable heads. The man ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
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
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
Vintage Chinese Tang Tri-Colored Glazed Tomb Ceramic Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Vintage Chinese Tang tri-color glazed ceramic beautify figure was hand made with famous tri-colored glaze on the ceramic. It has beautiful color and detailed carving...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
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
Pair of Chinese Red Lacquered Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19th Cent) red lacquered carved figures of squatting foo dogs
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Lacquer
$6,500 / set
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
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese (19/20th Cent) green and yellow small porcelain reclining foo dog figures
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
$3,500 / set
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
Small Carved Lavender Opaline Jade Guan Yin Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small carved lavender “opaline” jade Guan Yin sculpture. The sculpture has some russet jade spots in the upper back. The back of her head is...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade
$712 Sale Price
25% Off
Carved Vintage Tibetan or Thailand Polychromed and Giltwood Mandalay Statue
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This carved vintage Mandalay statue is a striking example of Southeast Asian artistry, likely originating from Tibet or Thailand. Crafted from solid giltwood and richly decorated wit...
Category
1940s Asian Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Chinese Porcelain Group figurines of Journey to the West
Located in Pomona, CA
This ceramic figurine group depicts the main characters from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. The figures are typically identified as the Tang Dynasty monk Tang Sanzang...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
9.5" x 10.5" Jade Ram Incense Burner
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is an incense burner, but it's just as much a sculpture.
The piece is intricately carved and has 3 individual compartments.
Each compartment is capped with an intricately carve...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade
Antique Asian Bronze Elephant Sculpture Statue 19th c.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Asian Bronze Elephant Sculpture Statue late 19th c.
Asian Chinese antique cast bronze elephant sculpture.
Ceremonial cast metal elephant with beautiful detailed carving on hi...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Carved Jade Old Man with Child Figurine
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a small jade Asian old man with a child figure. It depicts a carved orange jade old man holding a child. The small sculpture is standing over a gilt ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade, Metal
$1,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Porcelain Figure of Woman Standing on Clouds
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style white porcelain standing figure of woman standing on clouds, possibly and alter figure.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
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 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
Patinated Wooden Sculpture, Representing Buddha, Early 20th Century, Gilt Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Sculpture in patinated wood, representing Buddha, made in China at the beginning of the 20th century. Buddha is depicted with his arms raised. The gold leaf with which it is covered,...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Chinese White Small Cabbage Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Chinese White Jade Small Cabbage Sculpture . It depicts a very well hand carved delicate white cabbage sculpture. It stands over an elongated wood base. In Chinese culture,...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade
Incredible Pair of Solid Brass Reclining Stags with Impressive Antlers
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An impressive pair of vintage solid brass opposing reclining stags having beautiful detailed casting and fabulous large antlers.
Category
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Guanyin in Carved Wood and Polichrome, China, Early 20th Century, Asian Art
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guanyin in carved wood and polichrome, China, early 20th century, Asian art
Measures: H 56cm, W 16cm, W 15cm.
Category
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Gold Coated Foo Lion with Paw on Red Ball
Located in Pasadena, TX
This Foo lion was crafted in China and is gold coated..
Its made of porcelain and is finely detailed.
The Foo Lion's paw rest on a red ball.
It has red accents.
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Two Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain HeHe Groups Kangxi Period
Located in Dallas, TX
A Pair of Chinese famille verte laughing twins 'HeHe Erxian' biscuit group, Kangxi (1662-1722), the two boys with jovial expressions and seated upon an openwork rock-base studded wit...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
Antique Chinese Terracotta Bronze Finish Army Kneeling Warrior Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique Chinese Terracotta Bronze Finish Army Kneeling Warrior Sculpture circa 1960's.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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
Pair of Vintage Asian Green Tole Bonsai Palm Tree Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Vintage Asian tole bonsai palm tree sculptures with green and gold painted leaves and trunks, mounted on oval bases. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
20th Century Asian Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Metal
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
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
Asian Gilt Guan Yin Buddha
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese Asian style gilt carved figure of seated Guan Yin Buddha on a lotus base (20th Cent)
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
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
Pair of Vintage Asian Green and Gold Tole Bonsai Palm Tree Sculptures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Vintage Asian tole bonsai palm tree sculptures with green and gold painted leaves and trunks, mounted in circular pot bases. (PRICED AS PAIR)
Category
20th Century Asian Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Chinese Art Deco Spinach-Green Jade Horse, Ca. 1920
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Art Deco Spinach-Green Jade Horse, Ca. 1920
DIMENSIONS:
Height: 13.5 inches
Length: 11.5 inches
Depth: 4.5 inches
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Jade
Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
This small 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 protec...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Rose Quartz Sculpture of a Chinese Man Holding a Ruyi Scepter
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a rose quartz heavy sculpture of a Chinese man holding a ruyi scepter. The sculpture is standing over an asymmetrical oval base adorned with some ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Rose Quartz
$3,600 Sale Price
20% Off
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
A Pair of Blanc de Chine Ceramic Foo Dogs, Ca. 1840
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Blanc de Chine (Chinese White Glazed) Ceramic Foo Dogs, Ca. 1840
DIMENSIONS
Width: 5 inches
Height: 11 inches
Depth: 6.5 inches
ABOUT SCULPTURES
There is a small baby lio...
Category
1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
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 Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Rider and Horse Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a girl in a red garment holding an object riding a dark brown horse, standing on a textured base.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Chinese Tang Tri-Colored Glazed Tomb Ceramic Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Vintage Chinese Tang tri color glazed ceramic beautify figure was hand made with famous tri-colored glaze on the ceramic. It has beautiful color and detailed carving...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Pair Of Metal Asian Men Busts
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Pair of Patinated Metal Asian Men Busts. It depicts two large busts of an Asian men with long mustache and beards. Both of them are wearing what appears to be like a crown ...
Category
20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Metal
$760 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Woman and Horse Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a woman dressed in gray and red robes sitting atop a blue and green saddle, on a horse that is standing on a square base...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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 Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Tomb Guardian
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb guardian figure seen in its typical stance of one foot higher than the other as it rests on an anima...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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
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 Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Woman Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta figure of a woman wearing robes bearing the Tang Dynasty's traditional tri-color glaze, or Sancai, utilizing brown, green and off-white...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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
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
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
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.
More Ways To Browse
Vintage Black Cat Figurines
Vintage Ceramic Mushrooms
Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Elephant
Vintage Wood Sculpture Stand
Vintage Wooden Mannequins
White Glazed Terra Cotta
3 Dolphins
Antique French Bronze Horse
Art Deco Bronze Deer
Art Deco Ceramic Horses
Arthur Court Brass
Austria Bulldog
Bear Marble Sculpture
Big Cat Sculptures
Bird Sculpture Sterling Silver
Bitossi Bird
Brass Pheasant
Bronze Alligator