Chinese Export Sterling Silver
CHINESE EXPORT STYLE
Expanded trade between Europe and East Asia, starting in the 16th century, led to a booming market for exported goods, particularly furniture. This was bolstered by the establishment of the Dutch and English East India Companies at the beginning of the 17th century. From folding screens and chairs to lacquer tables and silver, Chinese Export furniture was in demand and regularly copied and imitated, leading to styles like chinoiserie and Chinese Chippendale.
The expansion of exporting that had strengthened the arts during the Ming dynasty continued into the Qing dynasty era — Chinese designers made many furniture pieces specifically for export, resulting in distinctive designs that mixed traditional techniques with forms appealing to foreign buyers. For instance, cabinetmakers in Canton (modern-day Guangzhou) were prolific in crafting hardwood furniture for export in European styles that involved the expert joinery techniques of Chinese furniture. Designs for Chinese Export porcelain, cabinets, decorative objects and other furniture were often more ornately adorned than they would be for a local audience, such as with mother-of-pearl overlays or surfaces featuring lavish pictorial scenes or gold on black motifs. Some were even commissioned by wealthy European families to be adorned with their coat of arms.
Because lacquer furniture was especially prized, and the resin used to create it was difficult to import as it would harden during the long voyage, artisans in China and Japan exported numerous lacquer pieces. Long before lacquer made its way to Japan, the Chinese treated the material differently. They used it to create smooth, glossy surfaces, but also for carving, an art that began in the 12th century and is exclusively Chinese. These pieces are called cinnabar lacquer after the powdered mercury sulfide (cinnabar) employed to produce their characteristic red hue. A popular form for export was a compact cabinet with drawers, usually displayed on a small table. Undecorated furniture built in Europe was also shipped to China to be lacquered. The international exchange of design would influence furniture into the 19th century and later, informing styles such as Art Deco and Art Nouveau.
Find a collection of antique Chinese Export tables, beds, cupboards, table lamps and more furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Chinese Export
Chinese Export Silver Cocktail Shaker
By Tu Mao Xing
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Cocktail Shaker, made by Tu Mao Xing (涂茂興) in Jiujiang (九江), circa 1930. Finely embossed and chased in high relief with two opposing dragons chasing a pearl on ...
Category
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box circa 1890, of quatrefoil form. The front and back panels are embossed and chased with court and battle scenes, and the two side panels with bamboo....
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Sterling Silver Creamer and Sugar by Cutshing
Located in Atlanta, GA
A two-piece set sterling silver creamer and sugar signed "CUT" and "TienXing" in Chinese, circa second half of 19th century. Cutshing...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl circa 1895, finely decorated with chrysanthemums on a matte ground, interspersed with six butterflies in flight. It has a single vacant shield-shaped cart...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver
Enamel Bowl
Located in London, GB
A rare and exquisite Chinese Export silver & enamel bowl, made in Shanghai around 1895 by Huang Qui Ji, and retailed by the firm of Woshing.
The bowl feat...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Table Box circa 1890 of long rectangular form, embossed and chased with prunus branches and blossom against a matte background.
The box is marked with WH, for ...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Candelabrum
Dish
Located in London, GB
Chinese Centrepiece circa 1895, formed as a 2-light candelabrum with a central dish supported by two flying dragons.
The underside of the candle holders and the dish are fluted, and...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box, circa 1895, with British import marks for Glasgow 1902, and a later blue-glass liner.
The box is pierced with two pairs of opposing dragons, and th...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Serving Tray
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elaborately decorated silver serving dish or butler's tray, likely dated to the turn of the 20th century, made in China for the export market. The round tray has a solid center in...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Card Case
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Card Case, circa 1835, embossed and chased with a scene of figures in battle, while the other side depicts scenes of farming, horse riding, and studying. The ed...
Category
1830s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Sugar Tongs by Luen Wo, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful pair of Chinese export silver small sugar tongs in a bamboo pattern by Luen Wo, late 19th or early 20th century, Shanghai, China.
The small silver tongs wonderfully cr...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Round Chinese Silver Bowl, of segmented form, variously decorated with chrysanthemum, prunus, dragons and birds, all beautifully detailed. Retailed by the firm of Wang Hing which was...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$12,337
Small Chinese Export Silver Dessert Fork, Marked KH, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming, small Chinese export silver dessert fork marked KH and Bai Xi, early 20th century, China.
The small dessert fork with three tines. The ha...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Two Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
Two Chinese silver vases of cornucopia form, both decorated with applied bamboo and chrysanthemum and on a circular base. The vases are similar yet were made by different silversmith...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$3,427 / set
Antique Chinese Export Silver and Cherry Wood Vases
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Chinese export silver and cherry wood based vases; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection
These impressive antique Chinese export silver vases have a tapering cylindrical rounded form with a waisted neck.
The surface of each vase is embellished with fine and impressive applied bamboo stalk ornamentation, all on a matte background.
The plain waisted upper portion of each vase is fitted with a pair of tiered fingerpieces.
Each Chinese silver vase is fitted to the original cherry wood base; the vases are fitted with an internal silver dowel pin which provides a concealed attachment to the plinth, securing to the underside with a screw fitment.
The hallmarks struck to the underside of these impressive antique vases include:
Maker's mark: GW (Gem Wo)
Character mark: Untraced
These exceptional vases have been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as sterling silver (925, 925/1000).
Condition:
These antique Chinese vases are an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition.
The applied decoration is all very sharp.
The Chinese hallmarks struck to the underside of each base are all very clear.
Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of these fine examples of antique Chinese silverware...
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chinese Export Silver Card Case
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Card Case, circa 1885, embossed and chased with figural scenes on one side, and crythusanmum, a butterfly and two flydragons surrounding a single vacant shield-shaped ...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Flower Vases of trumpet form, each with circular base and rising to a flared, shaped top. The vases, which are decorated with applied prunus, were ret...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$3,427 / set
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese silver bowl of lobed round form with applied decoration depicting various flowers and birds. It has the mark of TS for the shop of Tien Shing or T...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl, profusely decorated with dragons among clouds on a matte background. The bowl has a vacant cartouche, and is fro...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver bowl, circa 1895, with applied decoration of two peacocks on each side of the globular body, and four butterflies flying among peonies and plum blossoms. The bo...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$10,281
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver bowl with blue glass liner.
The bowl is pierced and has wonderfully detailed chrysanthemum decoration.
The bowl has ...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Antique Chinese Export Silver Bamboo Mug
By Khe Cheong
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver mug, ca 1850. Straight and upward tapering sides applied with leafing bamboo on stippled ground. Branch-form handle and rims. Applied rondel engraved with single-letter monogram in buckled belt. On underside is engraved “H. J. T. / 1855”. Interior gilt washed. Chinese mark...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Beaker
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Beaker, circa 1900, embossed and chased with prunus flower against a matte background, with a single round vacant cartouche. The barrel-shaped beaker marked wit...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Bowls
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Bowls on original wood stands, circa 1880. Both bowls composed of six lotus-shaped panels, sit on a stand with openwork cloud carving...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box circa 1890, of barrel shape with plain pull-off lid. This extremely unusual box, which could equally be used for ice as well as biscuits (but not at...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks on original wood stands, Shanghai circa 1885.
The candlesticks are applied with heavily detailed chrysanthemum decoration around the body ...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Antique Chinese Silver Bamboo Tea Caddy by Hung Chong
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver tea caddy, circa 1900. Baluster with drum-form neck and cover. Chased and repousse bamboo and blossoming prunus branches on stippled ground. Plain band at shoulder. Also plain are foot rim, neck, and cover sides. Cover top has circular frame (vacant). Fully marked with Chinese characters and letters HC for Hung Chong...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Rare Chinese Export Sterling Silver Tea Set with Dragon Design Tianjing Wuhua
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese export sterling silver tea set comprised of 13 pieces including tea pot, sugar, creamer, four tea bowls and six tea spoons, circa 1910s-1920s. Featuring matching chased rel...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
Chinese Export Silver Cocktail Shaker, Tray
Beakers
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Cocktail Shaker, Tray and 6 Beakers, Hong Kong circa 1920. The cocktail shaker and shot size beakers have applied dragon decoration and a round vacant cartouche...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Dragon Candelabra
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Silver Dragon Candelabra, circa 1890. Each finely detailed dragon is coiled on an original wood stand, carved with cloud pat...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$10,967 / set
Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Bowl, circa 1890, round and sitting on a plain collet foot. The bowl is applied with bamboo and prunus emerging from r...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Mug with Bamboo Decoration
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export silver mug with a bamboo handle, and decorated with a bird and moth amongst profuse bamboo decoration on a matte background. T...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese silver vases with all-over bamboo decoration and each with a wavy-edge flared rim. They were made by 涂茂兴, TuMaoXing, a retailer in JiuJiang (九江), next to the Yangtze ...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$2,741 / set
Chinese Export Silver Fruit Dish
By Luen Wo
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver fruit dish of shaped oval form. The dish has applied chrysanthemum on engraved basket weave piercing, and the base is a skirt of...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Salver
Located in London, GB
An exquisite Chinese Export Silver Salver embossed and chased with a captivating scene of graceful egrets wading in the pond, accompanied by the elegant ...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$10,281
Chinese Export Silver Teaset
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver 3-piece Teaset, circa 1920, of pumpkin form, decorated with pumpkin vine and leaves on each piece, and a large impressive cicada on the teapot. The finial on th...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$13,023
Pair of Chinese Export Silver Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of Chinese Export silver candlesticks, marked with TC, for Tuck Chang, 德祥 公记(DeXiangGongJi), a Shanghai retailer from 1901-1934, and with the maker's mark of 培记 (PeiJi).
230gm...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
$3,015 / set
Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Tea Caddy of shaped oval form, with applied prunus and chrysanthemum decoration and a plain, pull-off lid. The retailer is sho...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Sterling Silver
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sterling silver created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export sterling silver 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 sterling silver, popular names associated with this style include Wang Hing
Co., Luen Wo, Hung Chong
Co., and Leeching. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sterling silver differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $145 and tops out at $34,500 while the average work can sell for $4,142.
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