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Chinese Export Furniture

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
Antique Chinese Porcelain Mallet Form Vase in Aubergine or Eggplant
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese porcelain vase. In a mallet or handbell shaped form (摇铃尊, yaolingzun) and decorated with a lovely aubergine or eggplant colored glaze throughout. The glaze t...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Chinese Compound Wedding Armoire/Wardrobe Description
Located in Pomona, CA
Of rectangular form, the well-figured, matched door panels fitted flush within the solidly constructed frame, simple flat door panels with natural wood grain on the front. This weddi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Rose Medallion Cider Pitcher with Foo Dog Finial
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century rose medallion cider pitcher with foo dog finial, Nicely decorated in a diminutive size, twisted gilt handles, complete with original cover....
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Tea Bowl Canton Rose Medallion Porcelain and Stand, circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fairly small Chinese Export Tea Bowl, all hand decorated in the Canton Famille Rose Medallion pattern and comes complete wit a carved...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Black Lacquer Game Box
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular hinged shaped top enclosing small trays. Conforming case with gilded feet.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Antique Blue White Canton Chinese Export Porcelain Butter Dish with Lid
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain lidded butter dish. In the Canton pattern. With a figural strawberry finial to the lid. Decorated in underglaze blue depicting a mountainou...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Blue and White Qilin Vases, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A parade of Qilin, Chinese mythical creatures symbolizing magnificence, joy, and benevolence, march around these hand-painted contemporary porcelain fantail vases. These particular f...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Republic Period Rosewood and Pewter Chinese Dragon / Bat Motif Serving Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Republic period rosewood hand-carved serving tray with pewter dragon and bat appliques, circa 1930s. The tray is in good vintage condition and measures 10"Wx18"Lx1.5"D. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Dragon Camphor wood Hope Chest
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a traditional style of Chinese antique massive carved Camphor chest/trunk from China. It was sailor's hope chest with all the sailor's best wishes and hopes in it. This chest has detailed carving works of Dragons on the front corner and intricate carving on front and top. It is opened on top and has a antique latch...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Album Of Chinese Gouache Paintings On Paper
Located in Bradenton, FL
Rare Chinese Export School. 24 miniatures in watercolor and bodycolor on pith paper. Album of pith paintings depicting trades and professions. 19th century Chinese, bound with silk t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

China Trade Watercolor Pictures of Junks Sampans, Set of Five
Located in Downingtown, PA
China trade watercolor pictures of junks & sampans, Set of Five, Circa 1850 The Chinese watercolor paintings on pith paper each depict a diffe...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair Chinese Porcelain Ginger Jar Lamps with Iron Red Decoration
Located in San Francisco, CA
each hand painted ginger jar with domed lid above a bulbous tapering body raised on a stained wooden base; painted with various figures in a landscape setting divided by cloud scroll...
Category

Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Vintage Chinese Handcrafted Stone Frog
Located in Pomona, CA
This vintage Chinese stone frog sculpture is hand Craft with exquisite detail which was very common in stone sculptures. This sculpture is handcrafted from Mid-20th century using sol...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

New Mystic Sunset Enchantment Modern Chinese Art Deco Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
31097 New Modern Orange Chinese Art Deco Rug, 07'11 x 10'02. A vision of opulence and mythic allure, this hand-knotted wool Chinese Art De...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Blue and White Four Flowers Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round, blue-and-white storage jar is underglazed with lush garden scenery featuring the flowering plants of the four seasons. Tree peo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Twelve Panel Coromandel Screen Spring in Han Palace
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental Chinese export twelve-panel lacquered coromandel screen depicting the 17th century ming dynasty motif "Spring Morning in the Han Palace". The panels are intricately incise...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Chinese Hand Chiseled Stone Planter
Located in Pomona, CA
This stone planter is retrieved from the village in northern part of China. It is hand chiseled out of solid stone and hand carved by the local stone master. It come with 2 pieces an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Large Antique Chinese Landscape Watercolor Painting
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Large impressive antique Chinese landscape painting, signed and framed under glass. Mixed media on paper, watercolor, ink and gouache.
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Vintage Chinese Export Porcelain Celadon Glazed Ducks, Set of 3, 1970 s, China
Located in Austin, TX
An absolutely delightful vintage set of three Chinese export porcelain celadon glazed models of ducks, circa 1970's, China. The three ducks all portrayed in a similar fashion, stan...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Navy Glazed Porcelain Parrot Statue
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese glazed porcelain statue of a navy blue parrot with a brown beak and talons perched atop green grasses.       
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Collection, Two Pair of Turquoise Chinese Export Foo Dogs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Collection of Two Pairs of Turquoise Chinese Export Foo Dogs China, 20th century  An instant collection of two pairs of Chinese export porcelain f...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Painted Lacquered Parcel Gilt Chinoiserie Pedestals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this wonderful Pair of Chinese Painted & Lacquered Parcel Gilt Chinoiserie Large Pedestals. Unusual by the shape, the color and the fact that there is a drawer that opens t...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Export Sewing Table with Removable Trays and Bone Sewing Tools/Spools
Located in Richmond, VA
Very good Chinese export sewing table with removable trays and bone sewing tools/spools. Remarkable condition original lacquer work chinoiserie table with...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bone, Lacquer

Chinese Silverware Cabinet Collectors Chest Relief Carved Chinoiserie
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A nicely carved Chinese storage or silverware cabinet, circa 1960s. It features beautiful Chinese wood relief carved scenes throughout. The hinged top lifts to reveal a green velvet ...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair Chinese Plant Stands Lacquered Painted Pedestal Table 1920
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous pair of Chinese hardwood stools or pot stands With floral decorations all over Circa 1920 Offered in great shape ready for home use right away We ship to every corner of the...
Category

1920s Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Antique Chinese Wooden Jewelry Box or Vanity Dresser Chest with Intricate Inlay
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very elaborate jewelry box or vanity dresser makeup chest is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in China in approximately 1850 in the period Chinese Export style. The box ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Chinese Famille Verte Foo Dogs on Stands
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fierce pair of ceramic Chinese Foo dogs on stands depicted sitting. Made in a beautiful famille verte green with bright yellow accents. Large ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Early 20th Century Chinese Vintage Carved Stone Horse Statue/Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
This vintage Chinese noble steed horse sculpture is hand craft with exquisite detail which was very common in horse sculptures crafted during the Tang Dynasty. Especially for imperia...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Early 20th C Chinese Don Yang Elmwood Bench
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1900 Chinese elmwood bench from Don Yang City, China with carved details on stretcher and side supports. Great color and patina. Sturdy.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Frederick Cooper Bronze Chinese Warrior Horse Table Lamp
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1970s cast bronze Chinese warrior on horseback table lamp by Frederick Cooper. It is such a handsome piece! The lamp is in working order...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Botanical Teapot Stand
Located in Downingtown, PA
Teatime Elegance: Chinese Export Famille Rose Teapot Stand ________________________________________ This charming Chinese Export Porcelain Teapot Stand i...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Camphor Wood Hope Chest
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a traditional style of Chinese antique raise carved Camphor chest/trunk from China. It was sailor's hope chest with all the sailor's best wishes and hopes in it. This chest h...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Sage Porcelain Man Statue Wall Hanging
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th century Chinese sage made of heavy Porcelain. Man draped in traditional robe holding a large walking stick in one hand and a lotus flower in the other. Features superb col...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Set of Graduated Famille Rose Tankards
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain set of graduated famille rose mugs or tankards, Circa 1780 The Chinese Export porcelain tankards or mugs are...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Motif Knife or Letter Opener
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese Export silver dinner knife. Overall motif on the handle of dragons with clouds. Single knife could also be used as a letter opener. Stamped markings on the blade.
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Export Maritime Painting of the Steam Yacht Empress of China 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Export Maritime Painting of the Steam Yacht Empress of China Oil on canvas laid to board, in original black lacquered and giltwood frame China Trade, likely Hong Kong or Cant...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

Monumental Asian Palace Jars with Foo Dog Finials and Ebonized Stands
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Impressively large intricately painted porcelain lidded urns having striking black background and decorated with cranes, birds, and other flowers. Foo dog finials adorn the lids. La...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of 19th Century Armorial Cachepots in the Chinese Export Style
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of large-scale armorial cachepots in the Chinese export style on bronze bases.
Category

Mid-19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of 20C Chinese Soapstone Carved Bookends
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely pair of 20C Chinese Soapstone carved bookends. Made in China in the early 20th Century circa 1930. This is a matching and reverse facing pair of mottled bro...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Wooden Carved Altar/Buddha House/Shrine
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique Chinese Carved Altar/Buddha Shine is 100% hand made and hand carved from Cypress wood. It has over 100 years history and made in imitation of a real Buddhist temple, eve...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Modern Chinese Abacus Table Lamp, circa 1960
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Chinese abacus table lamp in hardwood with an ebonized counting frame and brass accents. Used for centuries in the Near East. This particular lamp is...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Chinese Kun Scholar Stone on Display Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
This sublime Chinese scholar stone was collected from the Jade Peaks in the Kun Mountains, Jiangsu Province. Known sometimes as "the magic stone" in China due to its unique formation...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Chinese Blue White Jar with Mythical Fu Lions
Located in Chicago, IL
This round, porcelain storage jar is brightly glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner. A combination of stenciled linework and hand-brushed shading, the sides of the jar are deco...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Lowestoft Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Make-Do Teapot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese export porcelain teapot. With pink painted floral decoration throughout. The original spout has been replaced with a ma...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinoiserie Horseshoe Yoke Back Black Lacquer Chair Ming Style Legs Made China
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage Chinoiserie style horseshoe Yoke back black chair with Ming style legs and champaign colored Damask fabric with floral pattern on the seat cushion. Beautiful conditi...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Matching Pair of Antique Khotan Rugs
Located in New York, NY
Very rare matching pair of antique khotans with one measuring 2'8" x 3'8" and the other measuring 2'8" x 3'9".
Category

Early 20th Century Turkmen Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Chinese Export Silver Cigarette Case
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver cigarette case, ca 1910. Curved and rectangular with push tab. On cover engraved tail-chasing dragon—all talons and horns and scaly serpentine body. Back plain....
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Two Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers and Birds" with Wood Stands #8
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg depicting flowers and birds with wood stands, early 20 century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Hardwood Armoires
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese (Qing Dynasty) hardwood cupboard cabinets with carved relief on 2 front doors over 2 drawers with a carved apron on base (Priced as pair).    
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

A Diminutive Pair of Chinese Sancai Glazed Phoenix Birds, on Hardwood Stands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Diminutive Pair of Chinese Sancai Glazed Phoenix Birds, on Hardwood Stands China, 20th Century A Diminutive pair of Chinese sancai glazed phoenix ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Hardwood

19th Century, Chinese Export Famille Rose Medallion Centerpiece Bowl 15.75"
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th century. A fine quality antique Chinese famille rose medallion wash basin or centerpiece bowl. The center has a vivid immortal courtyard scene surrounded by a greek key border and 4 matching windows to the interior edge. The border adorned with butterflies, bird and floral motifs all enameled over a celadon base...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Export Porcelain Bacchus Mug After Derby Porcelain
Located in Downingtown, PA
Cross-Cultural Masterpiece: Rare Chinese Export Porcelain Bacchus Mug. After Derby, Circa 1785 An exceptional and rare Chinese Export porcelain mug, modeled in the form of the head...
Category

1780s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Two Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Eggs "Flowers" with Wood Stands #10
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting two beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel eggs depicting flowers with wood stands, early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Blue White Miniature Cabinet Sized Ginger Jar
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique-cabinet sized Chinese porcelain ginger jar. With a creamy blue-white ground and blue painted decoration. With a landscape scene to the body and a blue stylized diape...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Antique Chinese Handcraft 5 Panels Wooden Screen / Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 115 1/2"H x 19 1/2"W x 2"D each All together: 97 in W Origin: Shan Xi, China Circa: 1850 Material: Elm wood Condition: Original finished, very good condition. hand made, hand ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose-Verte Plates Painted with A Flower Basket
Located in Downingtown, PA
Elegant Pair: Yongzheng Flower Basket Plates This exquisite pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Plates dates to the highly regarded Yongzheng Period (1723–1735). The decoration uses a ...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th-C. Asian Bronze Food Dogs or Lions Figurines, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are a pair of early 20th century Chinese bronze foo dogs. They are a heavy casting and in very good condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Kuancai Ten Panel Coromandel Screen Mythical Landscape
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export Kuancai ten-panel coromandel screen featuring a mythical flora and fauna landscape. Made in the 17th century style that was so loved and collected by Coco Chan...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Goblet, with prunus decoration. The goblet weighs 258g and dates from around 1885. Marked WH for Wang Hing '宏兴‘ whi...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Framed Antique Chinese Embroidery Panel Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique Chinese embroidery panel, originally the sleeve band of a robe from Qing Dynasty, circa 19th century. Nicely presented as a...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood

Chinese Export furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, 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 furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Wang Hing Co., Luen Wo, and Hung Chong Co.. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $40 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,998.

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