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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
Chinese Heavily Carved, Occasional Tables or Pedestals, Teak, Marble, 1920s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Chinese Heavily Carved, Occasional Tables, End Tables Teak, Marble, 1920s Compatible pair of heavily carved large occasional tables or pedestals designed and produced in China in th...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of 19th Century Rose Medallion Ormolu Mounted Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of Chinese Cantonese / rose medallion bellied vases / lamps. Each with wonderful gilded ormolu scrolling foliate mounts top and bottom. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Antique Glazed Terracotta Elephant Garden Seat.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Large Antique Glazed Terracotta Elephant Garden Seat. This beautiful, large antique glazed ceramic elephant garden seat is highly decorative and is useful as a stool, small side tab...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Frame Antique Chinese Embroidered Robe Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A woman's coat made of black silk with wide sleeves from Chinese late Qing Dynasty (mid to late 19th century), mounted and presented on blue linen board and framed as a stunning piec...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Shanxi Province Hand Carved Elm Child Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province hand carved elm child chair. This elm child's chair from the Shanxi Province of China is hand carved and an extremely rare piece. All natural patina.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

1800s - A Chinese Antique Silver Stand / Tazza, Handcrafted, Nanking
Located in Skien, NO
**Rare and Collectible Primitive Chinese Antique Silver Stand / Tazza, 1800s** Elevate your collection with this exquisite and rare Chinese antique silver stand, or tazza, dating ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Large 19th Century Cast Bronze Buddha Hand on Black Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive cast bronze Buddha hand on black steel base. Abhaya Mudra: Gesture of Reassurance, Blessing and Protection. Do not Fear. Would be wonderful displayed on a console or coff...
Category

19th Century Thai Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid-20th Century Chinese Natural Organic Tree Roots Plant Stand, Pedestal
Located in Pomona, CA
A vintage Chinese sculptural pedestal from the Mid-20th Century, made from the tree root with natural finish. Created in China during the Mid-century period, this pedestal attracts o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chinese Export Urn Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally a covered Chinese jar converted to lamp with very fine French dore bronze mounts. Beautiful bronze finial. Custom parchment shade dimension is 15" in diameter x 9.5" high.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Elm Chinese Sideboard
Located in Billingshurst, GB
Mid-19th century elm Chinese sideboard finished in clear matte lacquer over reddish brown well patinated original color. The framed panel construction has relief dragon carving spand...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Export ‘Brighton Pavilion’ Bamboo Adjustable Day Bed
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Chinese Export ‘Brighton Pavilion’ bamboo adjustable day bed, possibly Canton, decorated throughout with pierced geometric and foliate motif...
Category

1810s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Large Ormolu Mounted Chinese Porcelain Jardinière
Located in London, GB
A large ormolu mounted Chinese porcelain jardinière French and Chinese, Late 19th Century Height 102cm, width 80cm, depth 63cm Combining Ch...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Bowl on Stand
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Chinese export silver bowl. Decorated in a bold repoussè dragon motif with two dragons contending for a center flaming pearl of wisdom amongst clouds and chased ground. Marked on the underside KHL. Carved wooden stand...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Rare Antique Shanxi Province Large Elm Calligraphy Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Antique Shanxi Province Large Elm Calligraphy Desk Rare calligraphy table in great antique condition, with original color and patina. Can be used as a large desk, a tall dining table...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Chinese Export Style Porcelain Oval Basin
Located in New York, NY
With applied handles to the sides, painted in blue monochrome with band of swags under the rim, over crown, shield motifs and sparse stylized flowers; the interior with three leaves ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Decorative Wall Plate with Birds
Located in Milano, IT
Round plate made of bronze and cloisonné enamel designed in China in the 20th century. This plate is made of bronze and cloisonné enamel, a goldsmith technique originally applied to...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Chinese Export Silver Vases
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Chinese export silver vases; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. These impress...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Mid Century Chinese Large Cinnabar Vase
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consisderation is this Mid Century Chinese Large Cinnabar Vase. Measures 7" in width, 7" in depth and 13" in height
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Monumental Cracked Chinese Oil Jar with Repairs
Located in Dallas, TX
The Brendan Bass Estate Collection is an homage to the beauty of vintage and antique pieces, each artfully concealing endless stories collected through the generations in which they...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antike Theaterbank Sitzbank Opera Bench Ulmenholz massiv, China 18. Jhd
Located in Reutlingen, DE
Ein wirklich sehr seltenes und traumhaft schönes Möbelstück ist diese antike, chinesische Theatersitzbank aus Ulmenholz. Die Sitzfläche ist aus einem langen Holzbalken gearbeitet und...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Midcentury Italian Terracotta Foo Dog Garden Seats, a Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a facing pair of midcentury Italian glazed terracotta foo dog garden seats in very good condition. They are a rare find! They are unmarked and i...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Majolica, Terracotta

Chinese Famille Verte Hat Stand with Ancient Censers, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the late 19th century, this porcelain hat stand was once used by a Qing-dynasty gentleman to display his cap while it wasn't being worn. The hat stand is decorated in the fa...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Mahogany and Tin Hinged Painted Figural Tea Bins, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Chinese mahogany and tin hinged painted tea bins with gilt figural stenciling and decorative landscape scenes with bird motif, Mid-19th century.
Category

1840s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

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 Furniture

Materials

Silver

Antique Shanxi Province Elm Cabinet with Hand Carved Arpon
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Shanxi province elm cabinet with hand carved arpon. This Elmwood cabinet with original color and patina and hardware is from the Shanxi Province of China. It has carving details at the bottom with original lacquer. The cabinet suitable to be used for an elegant storage for clothing, beddings, china and crystal...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Lamp Table Celadon Vase with Lid Chinese Custom Shade
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Large, vintage, Chinese, Celadon vase with cover, upcycled into table lamp with custom made linen shade, 32” high Celadon ware has been prized for centuries for its beauty because i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Celadon, Porcelain

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

Late 19th Century Central Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Quartz

Chinese Finely Cast 19th Century Bronze Vessel circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
A Chinese Finely Cast 19th century bronze vessel This bold and stylish Chinese shaped hexagonal vessel is heavily cast in solid bronze. It has a very pleasing shape which is enhan...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Pair of Side Cabinets
Located in San Marino, CA
One of a kind elm side cabinets with “key design carving” and calligraphy from Shanshi, circa 18th century.
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Art Deco Spinach-Green Jade Horse, Ca. 1920
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Art Deco Spinach-Green Jade Horse, Ca. 1920 DIMENSIONS: Height: 13.5 inches Length: 11.5 inches Depth: 4.5 inches
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vases
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Mid Century Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vases Measures 5.5" in width, 5.5" in depth and 9" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vases
Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vases
$915 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Carved Stone Buddha Head Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Carved Stone Buddha Head was handcrafted dated back to 1900s and shows very detailed hand carving works on it. You can see from the pictures that It ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

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

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Export Silver Card Case
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Card Case, circa 1885, embossed and chased with figural scenes on one side with a single vacant shield-shaped cartouche, and bamboo on the other side, both set against...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

c. 1900 Chinese Soapstone Figure of Shouxing, God of Longevity
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900 Chinese soapstone figure of Shouxing, God of Longevity. Well carved holding a peach and long staff. On attached soapstone carved outcropping base (old break & repair visib...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

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

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Chinese Peking Rug in Royal Blue and Golden Camel Medallion
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Chinese Peking Rug in Royal Blue and Goldish Camel. Keivan Woven Arts/ rug/ 11-20311, Type/ Pecking, Country of Origin/ China, Circa 1890. Excellent Condition. Measures: 8' x 9'10 Crafted with Zen like simplicity, this beautiful antique Chinese rug from the late 19th century possesses a unique medallion design. The strikingly beautiful golden camel medallion is inhabited by an elegant array of blossoms, fruit and butterflies. The mid blue color field is held in place by a simple border containing a gorgeous display of loosely entwined Asian flowers...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Export Silver Mug
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Mug circa 1850, of double-skin construction and decorated with bamboo leaves and two crickets against a matte background, a simulat...
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Cadogan Foo Dog Teapot, Guangxu Tea / Coffee
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Chinese turquoise and Aubergine glazed Cadogan wine or tea pot A finely molded and glazed "Cadogan" wine or tea pot. The body is glazed in a rich turquoise color. China, Guangxu peri...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chloe Chair by Gordon Gu
Located in hong kong, HK
Nature is always neither dying nor being born, creating and deducing all things in a natural and endless way. Man comes from nature, but he will eventually return to it. Every tree a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Antique 18th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy with Lovebirds
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain tea caddy. Decorated in cobalt with gilt highlights throughout. With a central gilt cartouch of crossed laurels to both sides with a monogra...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Monumental Fish and Flora Blue and White Gooseneck Vase
Located in Chicago, IL
Revered for centuries for its elegant designs and rich cobalt blue and pure white colors, traditional Chinese blue-and-white porcelain lives on in this hand-painted bottleneck vase. Delicately rendered with fish and flora beneath fanciful waves, the vase's whimsical motif draws from these traditional Chinese symbols...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Chinese cloisonné and gilt metal vase circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
This very fine example of Chinese cloisonné art is beautifully hand decorated onto a gilt metal body, which has been intricately worked with fine wire, which is soldered onto the bod...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Goat Figurine in Jade Stone - The Devils Pet
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small hand-carved/tooled figurine or paperweight of a goat. The devils Pet executed in pale light green jade gemstone. Made in Asia during the 1970s or earlier. Measurements: 6.5...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Set of 4 Chinese Export Blue White Canton Porcelain Candlesticks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 4 antique Chinese Export porcelain candlesticks. In the Canton pattern. Each in an inverted trumpet form and decorated in underglaze blue with a mountainous Chinese v...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A fine pair of 19th century Rose Medallion and gilt bronze mounted lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century pair of Rose Medallion porcelain lamps with gilt bronze bases.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Monumental Cracked Chinese Oil Jar with Repairs
Located in Dallas, TX
The Brendan Bass Estate Collection is an homage to the beauty of vintage and antique pieces, each artfully concealing endless stories collected through the generations in which they...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Chinese Art Deco Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
Title of product- Chinese Art Deco Rug Item Details and Description for the rug: The item's dimensions are 106" x 138" which are approximate dimensions. It is a Chinese art deco rug...
Category

1930s Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Thread

Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box, round with a collet foot and profusely decorated with applied prunus. against a smooth plain background. The box has...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Goblet With Dragon Stem
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Goblet with dragon stem, engraved foliage to the bowl, and a gilded interior. The maker is FengzhaoJi (冯朝记), and it was retailed by the firm of Leeching, circ...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Chinese Export Silver Tankards
Located in London, GB
A rare pair of Chinese export silver mugs/tankards, each with figural Court scenes, bamboo, and dragon handles. They have the mark for Hoaching of Canton, circa 1860, and the Chinese...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large 19th Century Chinese Rose Medallion Vase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A large very good quality 19th century Chinese Cantonese (Rose medallion) vase, having the classical green ground with classical scrolling foliate and motif decoration, inset painted...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export, Ebonized Wood, Mother-of-Pearl, Center Table, China, 1900
Located in Manhasset, NY
Chinese Export, Ebonized Wood, Mother-of-Pearl, Center Table, China, 1900 A beautifully crafted black lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlaid Chinese antique tilt-top table, dating from ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Four Antique 19th Century circa 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girls
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four antique circa 1880’s Chinese hand painted Gouache paintings depicting Geisha girls in traditional settings. A very good looking and beautifully painted suite, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Pair Early 20th Century Chinese Shiwan Turquoise Glazed Earthenware Vases
Located in Houston, TX
A large pair of Ming style pottery vases featuring beautiful thick flowing turquoise glaze featuring birds, flowers, foliage and fish. Wood stands included.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Earthenware, Wood

Chinese Provincial Blue and White Tea Leaf Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea has an auspicious beginning—it was purportedly enjoyed by the Buddha himself, and cakes of tea as large as wagon wheels were given to Chinese emperors as tribute. Tea drinking wa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Chinese Urn Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally, a ginger jar converted to a lamp. Fine French dore bronze mounts. Custom parchment shade is 14" in diameter by 9.5" high. The overall body width is 9.5".
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Vintage Chinese Country Style Console Table/Sideboard
Located in Pomona, CA
This beautiful vintage console table has beautiful traditional Ming style simple country design. It features double open doors compartm...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

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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