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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
Unusual Pair of Large Chinese Export Canton Famille Rose 1000 Butterfly Vases
Located in New York, NY
An unusual pair of large Chinese export canton famille rose thousand butterfly porcelain vases. The vase has a very unusual shape and was most pro...
Category

1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

19th Century Chinese Canton / Rose Medallion Garden Seat
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th Century Chinese Canton / Rose medallion hexagonal porcelain garden seat. The top and sides having pierced decoration to the centres, two rows gilded buttons aroun...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Rust Agate Vessel
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rust agate (vessel) urn with a carving in relief and ring sides holding a loop handle with a cover having carved bats. (modern hanging stand 8½"w x 11¾"h)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Chinese White Green and Yellow Vegetal Winter Melon Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) winter melon-form porcelain vase decorated with an incised, white bottom half that grows into verdant abstracted vegetal and peacock shapes on th...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Polychrome Khmer Guardian Lions, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Grand and imposing, these monumental lion sculptures offer protection to all those who stand before them. Dated to the mid-19th century, the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Southeast Asian Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Chinese Blue White Jar with First Scholar
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round, blue-and-white storage jar is underglazed with a celebratory procession of young boys leading a mythical qilin. Also known as k...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Mauve Glazed Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese tall glazed porcelain vase in an elegant mauve shade (date mark on bottom, see photos).      
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Black and White Cherry Blossom Tree Motif Porcelain Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese black porcelain jar with red and white cherry blossom trees growing from a green pastoral scene at the base. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Lacquer

Pair of Chinese Beige Kwanyin Figurines
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Similar Chinese beige plastic robed, beaded figurine depicting the Buddhist Goddess with left arm raised, grasping a lotus, right arm relaxed with open palm. (PRICED AS PAIR)...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

Chinese Bronze Vase with Bird Design
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese (19th Cent) bronze vase with birds in relief.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Gray Ceramic Figure Depicting a Dignitary
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese molded ceramic figure, fired in a matte gray finish, depicts a mustached dignitary in formal attire standing on a square base with both hands clasped. Some chipping with a p...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Asian Chinese style Metal Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style metal square funnel shape design vase with an antique patina and having an etched design
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Chinese Wax Candle Figure Depicting an Emperor
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese wax figure molded in a reddish-brown shade with gilt highlights depicts a robed emperor leaning slightly back, his left hand stroking his beard, right arm grasping a sheathed...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ash

Pair of Chinese White and Umber Floral Design Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Chinese white porcelain vases decorated with umber and pink floral motifs wrapping the bulbous forms, accented in blue, pink and yellow patterned bands around the tops and b...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Beautiful Earthy Chinese Woven Rattan Market Basket
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful Chinese woven rattan market basket having decorative writing on the wooden handle and a great reddish patina.
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Rattan

Pair of Chinese Export Polychrome Porcelain Cachepots, 18th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
This pair of 18th century Chinese Export polychrome porcelain cachepot are an exceptional example of antique porcelain made by skilled Chinese artisans for the European market. A sca...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Chinese Carved Wood Statue of a Fisherman, , circa 1900, Republic period
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We have a Chinese wooden sculpture. A fisherman who is carrying a fish. The teeth and the eyes are made of glass and, for the eyes, they are p...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pair of Blue and White Porcelain Vases with Water Lillies
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese blue and white vases with classic form and hand decorated in an unusual modern style with a waterlily motif all around.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Larger Than Life Terracotta Buddha Bust of Guanyin, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
Monumental Terracotta Bust of Guanyin — China, Early 20th Century A striking, larger-than-life terracotta bust of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, originating from China and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Cloisonné Vase
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century Cloisonné vase richly decorated with bright Oriental patterning, chrysanthemum flowers, and birds. Topped with a gold rim, and featuring a bright blue interior, two sides are flanked with golden lion...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Koi Fish and Seaweed Porcelain Moon Flask Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) white porcelain moon flask vase decorated with an underwater scene of seaweed, koi and turtles surrounded by flowers and topped with two handles....
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Early 20th Century 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 Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Asian Rooster Finial Lidded Red Urns
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Rooster Finial Lidded Red Urns
Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain and French Bronze Candelabra
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of candelabra consisting of a pair of 18th century Chinese export vases mounted in 19th century French bronze in the Louis XVI style. The porcelains are very decorative and do...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Jade

Pair of White and Blue Pattern Lidded Porcelain Ginger Jars
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese white and blue porcelain lidded ginger jars painted with floral and vine motifs, Greek key patterned bands at the openin...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Mid 20th Century Chinese Hand Painted Sewing Box, Jewelry Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique vintage Chinese sewing box is 100 percent hand made and hand painted with traditional Chinese painting on the side and lid of the box. It wa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair of Antique 19th Century Japanese Porcelain Multicolored Lacquered Vases
Located in New York, NY
A monumental and unusual pair of antique 19th century Japanese porcelain poly-chrome lacquered vases. Each is beautifully designed with...
Category

1870s Japanese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Pale Green and Pink Blossom Lidded Jars
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Chinese pale green lidded jars decorated with lily pads and pink lotus blossoms on one side of their round forms and extending up to the lids,...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Navy Blue Botanical Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white, porcelain urn decorated with a blue botanical scene of an oversized peony emerging from a marsh under a bird...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Sancai Glazed Terra Cotta Camel Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a Bactrian camel, the main form of transport over the Silk Road, with its head tilted back and mouth open to the sky, we...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Bactrian Camel Terra Cotta Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terra cotta tomb figure of a Bactrian camel, the main form of transport over the Silk Road, with its head tilted back and mouth open to the sky, we...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Porcelain Qing Emperor Decorative Figure
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your collection with this exquisite Chinese porcelain figurine inspired by the illustrious Qing dynasty. Crafted in a stunning wucai style, the figurine depicts a distinguish...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Massive Rose Canton Porcelain Punch Bowl, Edmé Samson et Cie, Paris
Located in Downingtown, PA
Massive Rose Canton Porcelain Punch bowl, Edme Samson et Cie, Paris, circa 1880 The massive beautiful bowl with unusual steep sides is...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Chinese Pair of Bronze Happy Buddha Candle Holders
Located in Pomona, CA
These early 20th century candlesticks are cast of bronze in the form of two Happy Buddhas standing on rectangle pedestal bases. Each Buddha holds a dish for taper candles overhead w...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Post Qing Dynasty Cinnabar Ginger Jar Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Post Qing Dynasty Cinnabar ginger jar & stand Exquisite high relief carved continuous landscape motif, complete with hardwood stand. Unmarked. T...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer

Quartz Rock Crystal of a Chinese Goddess
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very rare Carving of a Goddess seated inside of a large Quartz Rock Crystal . Hard to see any details in the photos . No signature found . The stone is appox 9" across an...
Category

Late 19th Century Central Asian Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Quartz

Large Chinese Famille Verte Vase, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Large Chinese Famille Verte 19th century. Colorfully enameled with elegant gathering of the literati in the rock garden, The neck applied with twin gilded mythical beast ha...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Monumental Imari-Style Orange Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese monumental porcelain orange and floral patterned vases celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, with medallions featuring figurative scenes of women in gardens...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver Cigar Case
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver cigar case; part of our diverse Asian silverware collection This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) ci...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Rose Quartz

Chinese Beige Botancial Motif Rounded Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) bulbous porcelain vase with pink florals and an orange bird amid green leaves on one side and characters on the reverse. There is dark, speckled ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Mid-Century White Porcelain Chickens
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) white porcelain chickens, detailed with tonal feathers and red features and sculpted perched on rocks (P...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Light Green and White Cartouche Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) bulbous porcelain urn with a large white cartouche depicting a basket of botanicals on each side against a light green background patterned with...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Pair of Chinese Hand Painted Planters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Finley hand-painted with butterfly and bird motif. No cracks or breaks. From a fine estate in Beverly Hills.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Early 20th-Century Antique Chinese Erotic Porcelain Figurine
Located in Pomona, CA
These "spring palace paintings" (春宫畫), Chinese erotic porcelain figurine were historically given to brides and young couples, sometimes as a form of "sex education" in a culture wher...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Navy Blue Patterned Handled Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) white porcelain urn painted with a blue pattern featuring urns, furniture, and florals with blue scrolled handles on the neck. Light wear."
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Yellow and Cherry Blossom Design Porcelain Sleeve Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese yellow porcelain sleeve vase with cherry blossom branches and birds in a pale neutral palette, wrapping all four sides and growing up t...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique French Porcelain, Gilt and Silvered Brass Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful clock set, which is comprised of a mantel clock and pair of flanking vases, is designed in a fanciful French ‘Oriental’ style. The set is crafted from brass which has been silvered, parcel gilt and painted. The clock is also mounted with porcelain plaques which are beautifully painted with colourful depictions of birds and flowers. The mantel clock is composed of a tall rectangular body with a break arch top which is crowned by a covered twin-handled urn. The urn features a parcel gilt pointed finial on its cover and a silvered body painted with pink cherry blossoms. The urn stands on the arched top of the clock, which is decorated with a sculptural gilt scrollwork band and a gilt foliate border. The arch contains a circular porcelain dial which features a central painting of a pair of birds, encircled by black Roman Numerals within white cartouches. This dial is framed by a gilt beaded bezel. The shoulders of the clock body are mounted with parcel gilt and silvered elephant heads holding ring handles. Porcelain panels decorate the front and sides of the silvered clock body. These panels are beautifully decorated with paintings of colourful birds, butterflies and cherry blossom trees, set within gilt stiff-leaf frames. The clock body is set on a silvered rectangular base which is edged with a parcel gilt foliate band. The front of the base is mounted with a silvered and parcel gilt lion's head mask and flanking painted porcelain plaques. The clock stands on four parcel gilt silvered feet, which are geometric and scrolled in form. The pair of silvered vases...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Chinese White and Navy Blue Symbol Patterned Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large, off-white porcelain urn painted with a navy blue pattern featuring Buddhist symbols and other shapes with accented blue scrolled handles. ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese White and Cherry Blossom Branch Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of similar Chinese white porcelain urns depicting small yellow birds in cherry blossom branches on the fronts, and characters on the rever...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Style Stoneware Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (20th cent) stoneware vase with multi-colored glaze and 3 figures in high relief.      
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Silver Dragon Card Case
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver card case, ca 1910. Rectangular. Chased ornament on stippled ground. On recto, a blossoming prunus branch with armorial cartouche (vacant). On verso, a fanged a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Blue and White Cobalt Baluster Form Prunus Vintage Vase
Located in Lomita, CA
A vintage Chinese blue and white prunus decorated baluster vase is from the Zhongguo period (circa 1960-70) marks. Zhongguo translates to "Middle Kingdom." The vase is of baluster...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Ceramic

Antique Early Chinese Republic Era Stacking Lacquered Box Set with Dragon Motif
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique lacquered stacking box set is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China during the Early Republic period of approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese Ex...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Softwood

Small Handcarved Chinese Chest
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A hand carved Chinese large table box with hinged lid. Intricately carved all-over with Asian carvings resting of four paw feet. Bronze lock plate on front.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Large pair 19th Century Rose medallion vases on stands.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive good quality pair of 19th Century Chinese Cantonese / Rose medallion vases on stands. Each with classical green ground, inset hand painted panels depicting various ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain, Giltwood

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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