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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
Framed Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Embroidery 24LP121
Located in Pomona, CA
Originally purchased from Hong Kong, this Chinese antique embroidery presented in a museum quality. This textile was a roundel design likely from the center front of a noble woman's...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
A rare Chinese Export Silver Goblet depicting the story of the Three Kingdoms. The goblet embossed and chased with characters of army of General Dian Wei (典韦) and General Lü Bu (吕布)....
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Fine Chinese Export Porcelain Plate
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a plate from China, it has been made late 19th century, very nice colors, black, brown blue. It is a canton plate.  
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Anglo-Indian Market Elephant Mahout Chargers, Pair, circa 1760
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A very fine and exceptionally rare pair of circa 1760 Qianlong period Chinese export for the Anglo-Indian market chargers of large size, the molded and scallop-shaped bodies painted with delicately enameled 'bianco-sopra-bianco' floral borders with polychrome lotus flowers and buds surrounding central cusped cartouches painted...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Covered Teacups, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
Treat yourself and your guests to a cup of tea in the the traditional Chinese way, a teacup with a lid so your tea will not get cold. The 4 antique Chiense-export blue and white porcelain tea cups...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Chinese Silk Embroidery Baizi Playing in Spring
Located in Pomona, CA
This silk embroidery of Baizi (Hundreds of Children) playing in Spring is hand stitched on the silk fabric. The allusion of Baizi first came from the "Book of Songs" which praised the numerous princes and descendants of the King, Zhou Wen. The pictures often use homonyms and meanings implying many blessings and longevity, many children and grandchildren, prosperous descendants and continuation of generations. In this picture, there are a lot of children playing with kite, dragon and fire cracker...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Chinese Bronze Porcelain Pedestal Bowl Centerpiece
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Bronze Porcelain Pedestal Bowl Centerpiece. It depicts a heavy porcelain bowl cup hand painted cranberry color in the background an...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful Antique Blue White Chinese Planter on Wooden Stand
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic elegant Chinese blue and white planter on ebonized stand with foo dog handles. Could be matched with a round glass top to use as drinks table. 16.5” Diameter 17” H with stan...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Type Porcelain Two Handled Foot Basin on Wood Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A mid Century Chinese Export Porcelain Two Handled and painted Foot Basin on Wood Stand in great vintage c9 edition. No cracks, repair, whatsoever. Measures 18" in width, 10" in dept...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood, Paint

19th Century, Chinese Rose Medallion Porcelain Platter 13.5"
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 19th-century Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain platter exemplifies the fine craftsmanship and vibrant artistry characteristic of Qing dynasty export porcelain. Measurin...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Majestic Chinese Ding Vessel Hand Carved Decorative Ritual Tripod
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Ancient Chinese Vessel Hand Carved Decorative Ritual Tripod Style Ding pot decorative vase vessel 11.63 w x 7.75 h x 4.25 d Preowned original vintage unrestored Refer to images listed.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Tall Chinese Bridal Cabinet with rural motivs
Located in MIJDRECHT, NL
This tall, antique Chinese bridal cabinet is an impressive piece of furniture that exudes a rich Chinese culture. The earthy orange images against a black lacquered background makes ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Yoke Back Official s Hat Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic pair of Chinese yoke back official's hat chairs featuring a Shuangxi emblem on the backsplat. These carved chairs have a lacquer finish with...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Large Chinese Natural Untreated Jadeite Foo Dog Lion Seal Stone Carving w Stand
Located in Richmond, CA
This modern Chinese jadeite seal stone, standing at an impressive 8 inches on its stand, is a remarkable piece of artistry, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship associated with contemporary Chinese jade carving...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

19th-Century Chinese Export Black and Gilt Lacquer Wood Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
There are small, decorative wood boxes from many cultures. Some are ideal for holding hand sewing tools. Others, equipped with a lock, like this example, might hold those bulky bangl...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Vase in Porcelaine, Hand Painted, China, circa 1920
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vase, table in porcelain. It has been made in china, circa 1920. The decorative pattern are characters in orange and blue colors.
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Vietnamese Hand-Carved Asian Coffee Low Table with Elephant Scene
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Inset glass top deep relief carved Vietnamese low table. Heavily carved throughout depicting elephants working in a forest. Very nicely done with figural carved legs/feet and floral ...
Category

Late 20th Century Vietnamese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Teak

Pair of Chinese Decorated Lacquered Cabinets
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese (19th Century) decorated lacquered small 2 door cabinets with scenes and figures on rectangular stands with filigree corners and shelf (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

20th Chinese Export Platter
Located in Miami, FL
20th Chinese Export platter.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Gilt Bronze Mounted Rose Quartz Lamp, circa 1890
Located in Norwood, NJ
19th century antique Chinese hand-carved and polished translucent rose quartz carving of a standing Guanyin with phoenix bird, mounted on a open work bronze plinth. Mounted as a lamp...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Tankard, Mosey with Pulleyne in Prentice Arms
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Armorial Tankard, Mosey with Pulleyne in Prentice, Circa 1755. This Chinese Export armorial tankard is a fascinating piece of social and ceramic history, sp...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Pair of Antique Chinese Export Famille Rose Canton Orange Ground Vases or Urns
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Chinese export porcelain vases. In the Rose Canton or Famille Rose style. Decorated throughout with numerous cartouches of flowers and birds in a variety of ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Vintage Jewelry Storage Mahogany Tansu Chest with Original Lock
Located in Lomita, CA
This is slightly larger than many so-called "tansu" chests, which were originally traditional Japanese mobile storage units, often made of wood, featuring intricate joinery and iron ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Chinese Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of two beautiful asian style large vases/urns.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Tigers
Located in Houston, TX
A stunning pair of late 20th century life-size Chinese cloisonné tigers from the Baron Estate. In Chinese symbolism, these tigers represents the ma...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Set 3 Chinese Export Gilded Lacquer Dragon Feet Nest of Tables 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A fine set of three japanned & gilt Chinese export tables, circa 1890. The table are japanned in black lacquer and hand-decorated with gilt designs. The lead table is painted with a ...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Asia Modern Mandarin Lacquer Sideboard in the Chinese Style by Willett
Located in New York, NY
Large and impressive sideboard made by the Willett Furniture Company in the Chinese style, circa 1950/1960’s. The credenza is in an intriguing mandarin orange color lacquer finish and has ( later ) faux bamboo drawer pulls...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Carved Green White Quartz Vase Cover
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Carved Green and White Quartz Vase and Cover, China, 20th century  A beautifully carved Chinese green and white quartz vase with cover, dating from the 20th century. This va...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Quartz

Chinese Camphor Wood Secrétaire Campaign Chest
Located in Cheshire, GB
19th century Chinese camphor wood secrétaire Campaign chest in two sections, the secrétaire frieze drawer with fall-front writing surface and vari...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Canton Vintage Enamel Gilt Dark-Green-Ground Jardinières
Located in Lomita, CA
The gilt design and gold trim details as well as the deep green ground make this set of Canton Chinese jardinieres unique. This lovely pair of estate sale jardinieres has scenes on b...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Porcelaine De Paris French Limoges Tobacco Leaf Table Lamps by Paul Hanson
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of vintage French Porcelain de Paris table lamps by Paul Hanson circa Mid 20th Century. These large and heavy pair of lamps are done with a French Chinoiserie design known as Fl...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Antique Chinese Red Lacquer Wedding Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique Chinese Red Lacquer Cabinet dating from the 19th century is crafted from wood and features a red lacquer finish, which is achieved by applying multiple layers of lacquer (made from the sap of the Chinese lacquer tree...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Guan Type Celadon Yuhuchunging Vase, Late 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese guan type celadon Yuhuchunping vase, Late 20th century. Covered overall with a soft, bluish-green glaze with broad crackles, shading to brown at the rim, unglazed...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Celadon

Chinese Export Watercolor Exotic Bird Paintings on Paper
Located in Downingtown, PA
Natural History of the East: Pair of Fine Chinese Export Bird Watercolors (c. 1800–1820) A superb pair of early 19th-century Chinese Export ...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Large Blue and White Jardinière Planter with Dragon and Phoenix Bird
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Classic Chinese blue and white porcelain jardinière with hand painted cobalt decoration. The white porcelain with painted Dragon a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Sterling Silver Chinese Cigarette 420 Business Card Holder with Repoussé Dragon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful hand crafted Sterling Silver Cigarette Box, that can also double as a 420 or business card holder. The silver is in great condition and is so brilliant it's difficult to...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Antique Chinese Nichols Wool Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
A beautiful oversize Chinese Nichols hand knotted wool rug with a tan field red and green frame, and multi-color accents in all-over Chinese botanical de...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Export Imari Porcelain Decorative Vase / Urn
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Presenting a magnificent pair of 19th century Chinese Export Imari porcelain decorative vases, perfect for collectors and admirers of fine Asian art. Each vase showcases the exquisit...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Blue White Chinese Export Canton Porcelain Wine Beaker or Cup
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese export porcelain wine cup. In the Canton pattern. With a white ground decorated in underglaze blue. The exterior of the cup depicts Chinese buildings and plants. ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Chinese famille rose floral and bird porcelain lamp. Pink, green and teal colors on a white background. Lamp sits on a carved wooden ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Embroidered Textile Custom Pillow
Located in Stamford, CT
Antique Chinese embroidered textile made into a custom pillow. Antique pillow is made of Claremont champagne silk with bronze colored flat trim. Sewn sh...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain American* Market Landscape Vases Covers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain American* Market Landscape Vases & Covers China, Circa 1800 * American/ European Market, considered to the Chinese to be the same market, by many. it's been suggested the front and back vignettes of houses in landscape on this model, were painted from a European print the Chinese porcelain workshops acquired. A extraordinary find, a pair of Chinese Export Porcelain American/ European Market painted in sepia, colors and gilt vases & covers, with twelve (12) placed American/ European and Chinese motif vignettes. Each vase complete with its original cover/ lid with gilt recumbent foo-dog, with two front and back oval vignettes of a Chinese tree in landscape. Each of the baluster vases, exquisitely hand-painted front and back with a similar American/ European topographical view of country houses with trees landscape. (The Chinese porcelain workshops probably copied these scenes from a European print) Surrounded by an elaborate painted and enameled trellis with vines and leaves. Some traces worn, additional gilt decoration is evident. Both sides of the vases are decorated with an upper elongated cartouche painted...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Chinese Rosewood Carved Writing Desk
Located in Pomona, CA
This beautiful carved writing desk is in traditional design with four drawers on left hand side, one big drawer in the center and two small drawers with one big trunk drawer undernea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

18th-century Chinese Export Pseudo Tobacco Leaf Oval Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Verdant Splendor: Chinese Export "Pseudo Tobacco Leaf" Oval Dish This vibrant Chinese Export porcelain oval dish, dating from circa 1765, presents a magnificent and early variation ...
Category

1760s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Modernist Red Cloisonné Ginger Jars and Stands, Circa 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Modernist Red Cloisonné Ginger Jars and Stands, Circa 1960s China, 20th Century A stunning pair of Chinese Modernist red cloi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Antique Chinese Hardwood Altar Table with Cloisonne inlay on top and legs
Located in Pomona, CA
This Museum Quality of Antique Chinese Hand carved Hardwood Alter Table was made in about 1900s from hardwood and have very detailed carving works of Chinese traditional artworks all...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum-Style Terracotta Warrior
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese terracotta warrior figure modeled after one of the 7,000 warriors that form the Terracotta Army in the Mausoleum of the Fir...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

18th C Chinese Export Famille Rose Tea Pot, in the French Taste
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
18th C Chinese Export Famille rose tea pot, in the French taste, of typical form the drum shape with twisted strap handles, and straight angled s...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Ginger Jar, Satsuma, 1970 s.
Located in Praha, CZ
The jar is decorated with colorful decorations, Satsuma technique, motifs of people in traditional kimonos, densely decorated surface - flowers, ornaments Original Conditon
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Cloisonne "Bamboo" Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice Chinese export cloisonne bamboo shaped vase with floral motif, circa 1970s. The vase is in very good condition with no dings or dents and measure 5.5"D x 12"H. Unique Piece! ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Large Scale Archaic Chinese Style Bronze Finish Lamp Great Verdigris Patina 24"W
Located in Atlanta, GA
Archaic Chinese Style Sculptural Bronze Finish Lamp, probably Chinese, circa 1980s. The lamp has a very sculptural form and a wonderful verdigris antiqued patina. The lamp measures a...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Enameled Ceramic Garden Stool
Located in Germantown, MD
A Chinese Enameled Ceramic Garden Stool for your consideration. Measures 10.5" in diameter and stands 16" in height.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Blue White Crab Plate, c. 1940s
Located in Chicago, IL
An everyday example of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, this vintage porcelain plate charms with expressive cobalt-blue decoration, loosely brushed against a blue-grey field. The pl...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Ceramic Boudoir Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Diminutive Chinese vases mounted as lamps on decorative cast bronze bases. Both are in good working condition, one on off switch has been replac...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Nest Of Four Chinese Export Lacquer Nesting Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Each table of rectangular form with rounded corners. Trestle bases with paw feet.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Export Silver Repousse Dragon and Landscape Box
Located in Sarasota, FL
Chinese silver box with repousse, chasing and cast applied dragons. Very fine period work. Marked with French import hallmarks.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

20th Century Tall Chinese Export Chinoiserie Table Lamp / Hand-Painted Details
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This impressive 20th-century Chinese export table lamp features a beautifully hand-painted Chinoiserie scene, showcasing fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. The lamp’s striki...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Inscribed Pewter Encased Yixing Stoneware Teapot, Qing Dynasty
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese inscribed pewter-encased Yixing stoneware teapot Qing dynasty, 19th century Measures, 3 3/8 in.,(8.5 cm.) high base: 3 1/8 x 3 1/4 in.,(8 x 8.4 cm.) Of square sect...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Mid-20th Century Chinese Blue and White Dragon Vase
Located in San Marino, CA
Fine porcelain Chinese mid-20th century blue and white traditional gourd shaped vase, featuring a large four-clawed dragon. Beautiful cloud motif ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

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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