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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
Large Pair of Antique Rose Medallion / Cantonese Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of bulbous shaped 19th century Chinese rose medallion/ vases / lamps. Having wonderful bold colours, the scenes depicting classical interior scenes, gilded ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Teal Nine-Peach Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese (Mid-20th Century) teal porcelain vases depicting a playful figurative scene of children at play in and around a peach tree and nine ripe peaches in total, symbolizin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid 20th Century Vintage Chinese Carved Rosewood Living Room Chairs Set
Located in Pomona, CA
This set of gorgeous Chinese Rosewood Carved Living room Chairs have about 70 years history and still maintained its original condition, very smooth to touch, full of patina. They w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

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 Furniture

Materials

Enamel

EXQUISiTE ANTIQUE 18TH CENTURY CHINESE BUTTERFLY CINNABAR LACQUER BOWL COVER
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this rather exceptional Chinese cinnabar lacquer box and cover circa 18th century with a top depicting Butte...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

(4) Chinese Export Oil on Canvas Exterior Scenes C. 1840 National Gallery Prov.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Export, mid 19th century. An exceptional and original 4 piece set of Chinese Export oil paintings on canvas depicting exterior ga...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Gold Leaf

Pair Of Vintage Chinese Porcelain Celadon Vases As Lamps
Located in Norwood, NJ
Custom lamps made from vintage Chinese celadon vases. Two elephant handles with rings. Octagonal shape with ornamented panels.. All patinated brass hardware and mounted on wooden bas...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Chinese Export Silver Card Case
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Card Case, circa 1900, embossed and chased with a dragon on both sides and a vacant shield-shaped cartouche. Retailed by Kwong Man Shing, and made by Zhuo (卓). ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Export Silver Tray
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver pen tray; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection This exceptional antiq...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

19th Century China Trade Seascape with the Ship Avon at Anchor by Lai Fong
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century China Trade Seascape with the Ship Avon at Anchor, by Lai Fong (active: 1875 - 1905), circa 1890, an oil on canvas starboard side view of a square-rigged ship at anchor under furled sails, on placid water with low coastline visible in the background, unsigned. This is one of a series of three paintings by Lai Fong of the Avon offered here. The painting is finely painted in a thin coat on a thin canvas, as is typical with China Port paintings...
Category

1890s Hong Kong Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Chinese Squared Famille Rose Ginger Jar with Ritual Vessels, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully commemorated on this squared ginger jar, tripod censers and bronze ritual vessels have been used for thousands of years in Chinese cultur...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Chinese famille Rose vases / lamps, C19th.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite pair of 19th-century Chinese Famille Rose porcelain vases have been elegantly transformed into lamps. Characterized by vibrant, multicolored floral motifs and intricat...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese 19th Century Famille Rose Fish Bowl
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Very good quality 19th century Chinese Famille Rose fish bowl. Having a wonderful selection of raised, hand-painted vases, lanterns, furniture, ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Cast Bronze Buddha Head
Located in Branford, CT
Cast bronze Buddha head. On a carved wooden pedestal. Circa 1890. H 13-3/4" W 4-1/8" D 3-1/2" including base.
Category

Late 19th Century Thai Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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 Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Ceramic

Antique Chinese Urn Shaped Orange Foo Dog Design Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain vase with an urn-shaped form and swirling orange foo dog designs on a grayish-beige background. (Previously broken and repaired. Matching in-tact vase: NWL2688) Co...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Pair of Decorative Foo Dogs Sculptures Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking pair of Chinese Guardian lions, also known as Food Dogs, beautifully rendered in a rich, deep oxblood red lacquered finish. The pair is finely detailed with traditional sty...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Resin

Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest, Jewellery Casket
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental carved camphor wood chest, jewellery casket. This beautiful carved chest is made from camphor wood, for those of you who...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Black and Gold Tole Lake Scene Oval Tray
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese tole serving tray with a painted gold design of a lake scene on a black background with a shallow lip with two cut out handles.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Export Black Leather Box On Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular box with brass tacks and hinged lid set in a brass base.
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

CHINA EXPORT 1875 Antique Tall Compote With Mythological Dragon-Fish In Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
Chinese export tall tazza in silver by Hung Chong (circa 1830-1925). This is an impressive Chinese Export tall compote tazza created in the 19th Century, circa 1875. Masterfully cra...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Large Antique Oriental Bronze Table Lamp
Located in London, GB
An impressive and beautifully made large antique oriental bronze table lamp, made in the far East and dating from around the 1930’s. This is of superb quality, it is large and very ...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of Samson Porcelain Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Baluster form finely painted in the Chinese style. Bronze bases. Two light sockets. From the A.B Dick Estate. Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Converted from vases to lamps.
Category

1750s French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Gold and Red Decorative Box
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese circular wooden box with carved top character design and carved geometric foot, painted in gold and red with a fitted lid and fine black painted border pattern.    
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Red and White Porcelain Jars or Vases
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Enchanting pair of Chinese porcelain jars handcrafted in classic form and hand decorated in red and white floral designs.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Blue and White Celestial Ball Vase with Fu Dogs
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully rendered with expressive brushwork, the painted decoration on this monumental globular jar demonstrates the exceptional artistry of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain. Guar...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

RARE AND IMPORTANT ENGLISH STATIONERY GEORGE III 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
RARE AND IMPORTANT ENGLISH STATIONERY GEORGE III 18th Century in lacquered wood in shades of red. Decoration with gold chinoiseries representing birds, fantastic animals and pagodas...
Category

18th Century English Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Yuan Style White and Blue Dragon Motif Porcelain Pot
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese bulbous, white porcelain pot crafted in the Yuan Dynasty style, wrapped in a large scaled blue dragon on the body and decorative symbols ar...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Off-White and Light Blue Vine Pattern Lidded Porcelain Ginger Jars
Located in Queens, NY
"4 Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) lidded porcelain ginger jars with a swirling light blue dense vines and spaced floral motifs against off-white back...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Bronze Asian Lamps Style of James Mont Pair
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite pair of bronze Asian lamps. These lamps are well designed, heavy and would look extra special in an Asian inspired room. James Mont styl...
Category

1940s Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Qing Dynasty Carved Giltwood Plaque W/ Mirrored Back
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, framed in the mid 20th century, carving is earlier. An antique Chinese carved and gilt wood bonsai planter with floral arrangement stemming from ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Chinese Red Black Lacquer Altar Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking black and red laquered Chinese vintage altar table having beautiful brass and copper accents and wonderful shape with one drawer, Makes a fabulous accent table.
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Five Antique Chinese Watercolors on Silk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing set of five Chinese watercolor paintings on silk depicting men occupied in their trades, executed in a soft delicate technique and presented under glass in four wood frame...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf

Chinese Monumental Imari-Style Lidded Light Orange Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese monumental, lidded porcelain floor vase celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, featuring natural scenes of birds and flowering trees set against a light-...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Spectacular Hand-Embroidered Silk Japanese Kimono
Located in Brea, CA
This highly collectable spectacular rare kimono has detailed hand-embroidery throughout accented . This ceremonial Japanese kimono is hand sewn and hand-quilted throughout.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Antique Chinese Hand Carved circa 1880 Compound Cabinet Cupboard Campaign Handle
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine circa 1880 Antique Chinese hand carved stackable compound cupboard with military campaign style side handles A very rare, important and collectable piece of antique Chinese furniture...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Chinese Late 20th Century Carved Green Serpentine Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Chinese late 20th century finely carved green serpentine center table. The six-legged pedestal table entirely carved of green serpentine, with a pierced apron in a Cantonese design...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Serpentine

Mid 19th Century Hand Crafted Flow Blue Ironstone set 6 Deep Lunch Plates Nankin
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic set of six Flow Blue deep lunch plates. 8.5 x 1,75 deep. Excellent antique condition except for one plate which has a chip and crack on edge, see pic. Beautifully decorated...
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paste, Ironstone

Rectangular Brass and Bronze Wood Jewelry Box, 1950 s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. Wonderful piece to add to existing collection. Marked on the bottom, China
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

Vintage Chinese Carved Rosewood Altar Table, Console, Sofa Table
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 39 1/2in H x 80 1/2in W x 20in D Origin: China Circa: 1960 Material: Rosewood Condition: Original finish, solid wood construction, hand carved, very heavy and sturdy, norma...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Antique Chinese Red Leather Trunk on Stand
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique Chinese red lacquered leather trunk mounted on a custom iron base. Trunk show evidence of were and there is color loss.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid 20th Century Chinese Famille Noire Porcelain Fish Bawl/Planter
Located in Pomona, CA
This gorgeous vintage Chinese porcelain fish bowl having striking black background on the exterior decorated with elaborate floral,lotus and lotus pods as well as dragon flies and bu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Tole and Iron Potted Flower Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Chinese tole and iron decorative potted flower sculpture with white flowers connected to a green multi-leaf stalk, mounted in a square yellow and blue metal base pot with sca...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of Asian Night Stands
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of Asian Inspired end Tables
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Asian Night Stands
Pair of Asian Night Stands
$2,056 Sale Price / set
39% Off
Circa 1900 Antique Chinese Carved Altar Table / Entry Console
Located in Pomona, CA
Size: 42in H x 88in W x 18in D Drawer: 5.5in H x 8in W x 29in D each Origin: Zhejiang, China circa: 1890 - 1910 Material: Wood Condition: Solid wood construction, very heavy and sturdy, deep carved spandrels. Minor blemishes due to age Look at this Antique long Altar table...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese White and Blue Floral Porcelain Pots
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese white porcelain pots painted with large blue floral motifs and patterned bands at the tops and bases (PRICED AS PAIR). Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Blue and White Porcelain After Maria Sybille Merian
Located in Downingtown, PA
Pair of Chinese Export 'Pronk' Blue and White Plates after Maria Sibylla Merian For the Dutch Market, Qianlong Period, Circa 1740-1745 This rare and historically significant pair o...
Category

Mid-18th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Two Chinese Kangxi 18th C. Porcelain Fruit Stands, Buddhas Hand Pomegranates
Located in New York, NY
Two fantastic and rare Chinese Kangxi Period porcelain fruit stands, Representing Buddhas Hand & Pomegranates. Each of these is beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted with the fine...
Category

1710s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Cup Saucer Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain cup & saucer pair. In a Famille Rose pattern. Decorated through with birds, butterflies, and flowers. Gilt to the rims of both and to the footrim of the cup. With a gilt 'EES' monogram to each. Simply a wonderful Chinese porcelain cup...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Chinese Branches Birds Patterned Porcelain Rouleau Form Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (late 19th-early 20th Century) porcelain rouleau-form vases with a pattern featuring sprawling tree branches and foliage in greens, pinks, and browns, and bir...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Celadon Revolving Pattern Porcelain Urns
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese celadon porcelain urns with continuous raised swirling motifs flowing up the slender, fluted necks. (PRICED AS PAIR). Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Art Deco Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Art Deco Oriental Carved camphor wood chest This Beautiful Carved Chest is made from Camphor Wood, for those of you who do not ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Chinese White and Blue Nature Motif Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) large white, porcelain urn with a scene of blue flora and fauna, and two dark blue scrolled handles along the neck. Light wear with some damage ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Han Dynasty Style Bronze Ritual Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style verdigis bronze ritual urn with raised archaistic patterns wrapping its form and accented with small rings on two sides beneath the opening. Charact...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Chinese Black Lacquered Coromandel Cabinets
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19th Century) black lacquered and decorated coromandel cabinets with 4 doors with carved panels (PRICED AS PAIR). Antique condition, minor losses and cr...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

20th Century Chinese Carved Cabinet with Carved doors
Located in Pomona, CA
This Chinese vintage display cabinet from the early 20th century, with carved upper doors and four drawers. Created in China during the early 20th-century period, this display cabinet features a linear silhouette perfectly complimented by a beautiful honey brown patina. Two see through upper doors open in the front to reveal inner shelves, while the ensemble is adorned with slightly raised panels on the four drawers in the middle section. on the lower section, there are two panel doors with one shelf inside for your storage. This vintage Chinese display cabinet...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Beech

19th Century Chinese Powder Blue Vase / Lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A striking 19th century Chinese power blue vase / lamp with French gilded ormolu mounts to the top and plinth base.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Square Center Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export center table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. The top of the square table has a black lacquered piece of wood supported by round bamboo ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Wood

RARE COLLECTABLE 2.4 METER HIGH ANTiQUE CIRCA 1860 CHINESE ANCESTRAL PORTRAIT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite, extra large, circa 1860-1880 Chinese Ancestral Portrait Please note the delivery...
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

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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