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Chinese Export Decorative Objects

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
Pair of Yellow Pear Shaped Ceramic Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) yellow, pear-shaped porcelain vases with crackled finishes, gold rims, and teal interiors (mark on bottom, see photos) (PRICED AS PAIR). ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Four Petite Japanese Blue White Inban Dishes
Located in Chicago, IL
These petite Japanese dishes are patterned with a bright, cobalt blue design of flowers and leaves, arranged to form a large, five-petal plum or cherry blossom. A type of porcelain w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and Purple Glazing Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) blue vase with purple and pink glazing that creates an ethereal effect across its pear-shaped form. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age an...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Fluted and Scalloped Celadon Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese celadon porcelain vases with tall fluted necks and scalloped openings (PRICED AS PAIR). Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Chinese White and Orange Botantical Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with green and blooming orange florals with two birds perched on a nearby branch, and accented with orange dog...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of 19th Century Rose Medallion Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century Chinese Rose medallion vases, each with gilded mythical serpent handles on either side, hand painted inset hand painted panels of exotic birds a...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Pair Of Metal Asian Men Busts
Pair Of Metal Asian Men Busts
$760 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Chinese Rust Agate Incense Burner
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rust colored agate urn (incense burner) with pierced round cover with rings and carved monkey and dragon handles resting on a base of 4 fish. (modern base 1¬O" high).  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Marble

Chinese White and Navy Egret Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn with a navy egret amid florals and two blue scrolled handles along the neck. Dimpling and crazing."
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Famille Rose Baluster Jar with Ancient Censers, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully commemorated on this lidded baluster jar, censers have been used for thousands of years in Chinese culture as a part of funeral rites or prayer offerings. Filled with dried aromatic plants and essential oils, the censer issued fragrant smoke that forged a connection to the spiritual realm. This late Qing-dynasty jar...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Pair of Chinese Dehua Porcelain Figures of Boys on Water Buffalos
Located in Brea, CA
A pair of antique Chinese measures: 8” x 8'' dehua porcelain figures of boys on water buffalos, republic period, 3'' see more pictures. buy from Bonham...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Tin Tea leaf Cans/Holders Set
Located in Pomona, CA
Tin Tea cans from Late Qing dynasty or early Republic era of China, tea fragrance blends with time! 🌸 A set of exquisite tin tea cans from late Qing dynasty to the Republic era of C...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Tin

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Chinese Antique Textiles and Embroidery Edition in Chinese
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Chinese antique textiles and embroidery. Chinese language, Great textile art table book. Distributed by Eliane j Giraud Dupont Editeur, Paris....
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Paper

Pair of Chinese Off-White Cherry Blossom Tree and Bird Motif Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese off-white urn-shaped porcelain vases depicting groups of birds perched on flowering branches of cherry blossom trees and one bird flying above, positioned between two...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Langyao Emerald Green Glazed Footed Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese bulbous footed porcelain vase crafted in the Lang kiln (Langyao) in a dazzling and uniform emerald green glaze with a strong glass-like luster, shift...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19th C Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Footed Incense Burner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th C Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Footed Incense Burner. Item features blue and white scenes with birds and trees, scrolling handles, footed tripod base, pierced lid, v...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Chinese Red and Gold Carved Handled Box
Located in Queens, NY
"Vintage Chinese red and gold painted decorative wooden box with a metal latch and band around the base and an ornately carved handle featuring a ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair of Polished Brass Asian Candlesticks
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of polished cast gold brass candlesticks. Mid-Century Modern vintage Chinese export candle holders. Dimensions: 4.75 in. D x 18 in. Height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Decorative Wall Dish
Located in Milano, IT
Round plate in bronze and cloisonné enamel designed in China in the 20th century. This plate is made of bronze and cloisonné enamel, a goldsmithing technique originally applied to j...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese White and Blue Floral and Character Ginger Jar Vases
Located in Queens, NY
5 Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) similar porcelain ginger jars with blue floral designs around bold, centered characters and geometric bands leading to unglazed rims (jars vary...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Olive Porcelain Beaker Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (late 19th Century) ceramic vases with a deep green teadust glaze and beaker-shaped forms (mark on bottom, see photos) (PRICED AS PAIR). Condition: Good; Wea...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Gray Incised Meiping Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) gray porcelain vase in a Meiping form carved with tonal floral medallions and accented with diminutive handles at the opening. Condition: Good; W...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese White and Floral Patterned Porcelain Mallet Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white vases with mallet forms decorated in raised designs of floral arrangements in wicker baskets (mark on bottom, see photos) (PRICED AS...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Chinese Green and Red Faded Floral Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white porcelain urn decorated with a faded green and red floral pattern and accented with pale pink scrolled handles along the neck. Signs of we...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Parade Scene Rounded Porcelain Watermelon Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) low, rounded white porcelain vase, known as a watermelon jar, depicting a spirited procession of participants holding flags and playing drums lea...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Boxwood

Chinese White, Green, and Pink Floral and Rooster Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) white porcelain urn incised and painted with decorations of roosters amid blooming floral branches mixed with geometric patterned bands at the bo...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Black and Green Leaf Glazed Porcelain Pear Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (17th Century-style) black glazed ceramic pear-shaped vase decorated with a green leaf on the front and back.    
Category

17th Century Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Jade

Chinese Navy Blue Ginger Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) ceramic ginger jar vase in navy blue with a brown earthenware opening.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese White and Blue Feather and Floral Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese porcelain urn painted with a blue and white floral background surrounding a center white oval with bold markings, dark blue feathers along the neck, and geometric patterned ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of 19th Century Famille Rose Beaker Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large pair of beautifully hand-enameled. No cracks, breaks or repairs.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Chinese Cream Floral and Bird Motif Round Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese cream porcelain vase decorated with softly rendered pink florals blooming from green leaves alongside an orange bird on one side, and character ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese White Porcelain Gall Bladder Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) white porcelain gall bladder form vases, named for their resemblance to the shape of the organ, with bulbous bottoms and thin, delicate nec...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Enamelware Teapot with Mythical Qilin, c. 1920s
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and he...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Chinese Export Silver Bridge Pavilion Card Case
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver card case, ca 1910. Rectangular with hinged push-button cover. Chased ornament on stippled ground. On recto, a blossoming prunus branch and birds with armorial ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Chinese White and Blue Character and Floral Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) ceramic urn with blue floral designs surrounding bold, centered characters on 4 sides.  
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chinese Imari Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese Imari (18th cent) porcelain small vases with a scalloped top and scenes of figures and flowers. (small chip to 1 top) (priced as pa...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Chinese Black Glaze Pottery Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
Our wonderful collection of handmade old vintage Chinese hand made glazed pottery vase will make great accent pieces for any room of your house. It has some imperfection signs of age...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Chinese White and Floral Rounded Porcelain Watermelon Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) low, rounded porcelain vase known as a watermelon jar, painted with colorful, flourishing florals on one side and characters on the reverse.   
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Blue Foo Dog Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) off-white porcelain urn decorated with blue foo dogs playing amid the clouds and accented in two pale blue scrolled ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Chinese Speckled Maroon Glazed Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese porcelain vase with a fluted opening and a speckled maroon finish that adds dimension to its rounded base, sitting atop an earthtone glazed foot. Glaze chip at center."
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Enameled Ginger Jar with Children at Play, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Contrasted by a crisp white field, this oval jar is decorated in the famille rose style with a lively scene of young children playing in a courtyard garden. Under an overarching bamb...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Chinese White Porcelain Peacock and Floral Design Fluted Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese white porcelain fluted vase with a tall, cylindrical form decorated in large scale dark blue leaves outlined in gold, amid green, yellow a...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Off-White and Navy Blue Bird Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) off-white, porcelain urn with a navy blue bird amid florals and two blue scrolled handles along the neck. Light wear, hairline cracks."
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Red Flower Design Hand-Painted Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Chinese red, globular porcelain vases hand-painted with butterflies over blooming white, pink-speckled florals. (PRICED AS Pair) Irregularities in interior finish."
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Large Aubergine, Purple, and Maroon Porcelain Urn Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain urn-form vase in a rich aubergine color overlayed with a barely visible blue base, creating highs and lows that add dimension to the finish and form. Slight imperf...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Carved Stone Foo Dogs on Rectangular Plinths, 20th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Chinese hand carved stone Foo dogs resting on rectangular decorative carved plinths. 20th Century
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

19th Century Pair Chinese Rose Medallion Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderful quality and unusual colour pair of 19th Century Chinese Rose medallion porcelain vases / lamps. Having this rare yellow ground with the classical Cantonese floral decorat...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Hung Chong Co., Mottahedeh, and Samson Cie. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $68 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,500.

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