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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
set of 3 Chinese Porcelain Qing Emperor Decorative Figurines
Located in Den Haag, NL
Elevate your collection with this exquisite Chinese porcelain figurines inspired by the illustrious Qing dynasty. Crafted in a stunning wucai style, the figurine depicts a distingui...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th-Century Antique Chinese Carved Low Coffee Table
Located in Pomona, CA
This lovely Chinese antique carved low coffee table was made from solid elm wood with natural finished. It has 2 drawers with antique hardware let you store your stuff in it. There a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Four Panel Coromandel Screen Pastel Beauties
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen featuring a courtyard scene of beauties engaged in leisurely activities. The lacquered panels are incised and painted in soft pas...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 20th C Chinese Seven Drawer Console with Black Paint
Located in Troy, MI
This seven drawer Chinese console cabinet dates from the 1920s. We believe this is made of elm wood. The original black painted finish has significant honest wear / patina and has b...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Iron

Chinese Qing Four Panel Carved Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Chinese late Qing dynasty four panel folding coromandel screen featuring carved soapstone. The lacquered panels are decorated with idyllic scenes of beauties in a pagoda p...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Chinese Export Porcelain Plate Rose Medallion Hand Painted, Qing, circa 1875
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Chinese Export, porcelain, Rose Medallion dish or plate which we date to the 19th century, Qing dynasty, circa 1875. I...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Antique Tibetan Hand Painted Tall Credenza Storage Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique Tibetan Painted Cabinet is 100% hand made and hand painted using mineral painting which last the paint a much longer time. You can see some of the finish has already los...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Rose Medallion Canton Porcelain Punch Bowl w/ Multiple Cartooges
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Enhance your leaving space with this early 19th Century Chinese Export Rose Medallion Famille Rose canton porcelain punch bowl with multiple cartooge panels. The exterior of this go...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Chinese Export Carved Soapstone Foo Dog Scholars Seal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese export carved soapstone foo dog scholars seal, nicely carved, in two color soapstone, with large seal at base. The inscription reads: ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

XIANG TIAN - Relaxing - Vintage Watercolor Painting - Signed - China - 20th C.
Located in Chatham, ON
XIANG TIAN - 'Relaxing' - Vintage watercolor painting on paper - nice quality and composition - signed with a single red chop mark and Chinese characters (upper left) - signed and ti...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint, Paper

Large Porcelain Chinese Export Rose Medallion Bowl
Located in Bradenton, FL
Traditional Chinese Rose Medallion large bowl with social scenes and nature motifs of butterflies, florals, and birds. A very nice larger size bowl! All hand painted with enamel and ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Antique Chinese Qing Carved Coconut Bowl Tea Cup
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Chinese coconut carved shell pewter tea cup, likely from the Qing Dynasty. These cups were considered rare and valuable, with the Chinese believing tha...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Coconut

Antique Tibetan Painted Leather And Iron Chest or Trunk
Located in Bradenton, FL
AntiqueTibetan chest, beautifully aged painted leather with original iron hardware. Chest has a spacious wooden interior, offering a large amount of storage. Outside features polychrome painted dragons and Asian...
Category

18th Century Tibetan Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Pair Chinese Porcelain Jardinieres on Wood Stands
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antque Chinese porcelain red gold pair of jardinieres on carved wood bases.
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Flow Blue Gravy Sauce Boat with Two Handles
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous double handled double spout fliw blue gravy boat. In excellent antique condition with a minor chip at the base.
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Clay, Porcelain

"Bird of Joy" Chinese Pottery Shard Box
Located in Chicago, IL
The lid of this petite trinket box is a shard of glazed porcelain, a remnant of the antique pottery destroyed during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960-70s. Likely dating to the lat...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Grand Chinese Export Eight Panel Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Chinese export eight panel coromandel double sided screen depicting Han Palace on the front side. The screen features heavily lacquered panels incised with color pigments an...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Late 19thC Carved Chinese Rosewood Side End Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Antique hand crafted Chinese rosewood side table with a red marble top. Carved fretwork with rosettes. In excellent antique condition with ...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Marble

Table Top Chinese Folding Screen Hand Painted
Located in Fulton, CA
Unusual table top folding screen. Four hand painted panels featuring birds, fruit and flowers. Partial hand carving to wood frame. Appears to be rosewood but not confirmed. Beautiful...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Pith Painting, Oriental Art, Watercolour, Qing Dynasty, Victorian, 1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique pith painting. An Oriental, framed watercolour figural pair from the Qing dynasty, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. A fine example of Chinese arti...
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Paint, Parchment Paper

Chinese Export Four Panel Lacquered Coromandel Dressing Screen Room Divider
Located in Doylestown, PA
Chinese export smaller scale four-panel lacquered dressing screen room divider with hand-painted decoration on both sides. One side depicts a charming continuous pavilion scene with...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mid-20th Century Chinese Rosewood Open Carved Screen/Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of 4 panels of Chinese antique double sides open carved wooden screen which can be used as the room section panels in ancient China that are put together to make into a screen. Screens have been known to grace the rooms of wealthy Chinese homes since ancient times. In those ancient days, screens were an indispensable item of furniture in all households. They were used to section off a portion of the room to provide additional privacy for the users for dinning, greeting guests, etc. These screens are often made into not only functional articles but are works of art too as with this 4-panels intricately open carved and hand-made wooden screen. These 4 panels are not only a piece of Chinese history but also a work of art! It will be a wonderful collectible item in you room. Look at the pictures, this high end quality of Antiques Chinese screen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Pair, Chinese Export Rose Medallion Porcelain Vases with Gilt Dragon Handles
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined and visually dynamic pair of Chinese export porcelain vases, dating to the mid-19th century Qing Dynasty, executed in the celebrated Rose Medallion palette. Each baluster-f...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid Century Black Cloisonne Ginger Jar
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export Mid Century Black cloisonne ginger jar featuring large scale chrysanthemum flower. Hand Made.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Hand-Painted Chinese Porcelain Floor Vase in Qing Revival Style
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This impressive Chinese porcelain floor vase was crafted in the 20th century in the refined Qing Revival style. Standing at a remarkable 108 cm (42.5 inches), it captivates with its ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Sterling Silver Walking Stick Handle, circa 1900
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Chinese Export sterling silver walking stick handle, circa 1900. Monogram of the famous ichthyologist Dr. Hugh McCormick Smith, "H...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Fine Quality Embroidery on Silk - Qing Dynasty, China, Mid 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique fine quality - Qing Dynasty - forbidden or seed stitch silk embroidery panel - metallic and silk threads - densely packed embroidery on a light weight damask pattern silk - m...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Pair, 19th Century Chinese Famille Rose Medallion Saucers
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite pair of Chinese Rose Medallion porcelain saucer plates exemplifies the elegance and intricate artistry of Qing Dynasty decorative ceramics, likely dating from the mid ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Mid-Century Chinese Coffee Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautifully hand-carved coffee table features a marble inset top with mother-of-pearl inlay decoration. These tables are popular due to their beautiful aesthetic, craftsmanship,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Marble

Stunning Mid-Century Chinese Pair of Verdigris Bronze Lamps, James Mont Style
Located in Bochum, NRW
Monumental Chinese verdigris bronze pair of table lamps, in the spirit of James Mont. Mounted on a solid wood base with a turned wood top. The brass vertical element is adjustable in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Wang Hing Sterling Silver Cherry Blossom Bowl
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare Chinese export sterling silver bowl by Wang Hing & Co. with applied relief cherry blossom flowers on each side of the bowl where it transitions into the feet, casted and styliz...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Antique Chinese Export Rose Mandarin Vases
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of fine antique Chinese porcelain vases In the Rose Medallion style. With 4 gilt handles around the neck in the form of foo dogs and lizards. The mouth/rim of the vase is f...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Famille Rose Enamel Hand-Painted Plate
Located in Lomita, CA
The turquoise and green touches in this famille rose plate with strokes of white and yellow make it irresistible. This fits into the Famille Rose Mandarin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

19th Century Chinese Silk Painting, Framed
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Chinese silk painting. Framed and matted. Features scene of Chinese characters in a ceremony. Beautiful muted colors of green, red, ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood

Antique circa 1900 Hand Carved Chinese Camphor Wood Travelling Trunk
Located in Miami, FL
1900’s Chinese export Camphor wood travelling chest which has been ornately carved throughout A good looking and well made piece, this is a med...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Enameled Floral Offering Dish, c. 1940s
Located in Chicago, IL
This colorful porcelain bowl dates to the early 20th century and was once used for serving food or presenting food offerings on a home altar. Shaped like an eight-petal flower, the d...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

A 1970s Traditional Blue and White Ceramic Chinese Vase
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A blue and white ceramic vase hand-crafted and painted in China in the second part of 20th century, it's in original condition with normal signs of age. Blue and white ceramics have ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

A pair of 1960s Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Chinese Pho Dogs
Located in Catania, Sicilia
This pair of 1960s turquoise glazed ceramic Chinese Pho Dogs (also known as Foo Dogs or Fu Lions) are decorative guardian figures that reflect traditional Chinese symbolism and craft...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Huge Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Painted Rose Medallion Floor Vase With Lid
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Rose Medallion Tall floor vases/Huge Ginger Jar also know as "Export Porcelain" vase was hand made and hand painted in about 1950 - 1960s with gilt foo dog ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Chinese Elmwood Bookcase Open Display Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
Large elmwood display cabinet or bookcase with open shelving and eight lower drawers. Interior shelf dimensions: 67.5"w x 13" deep to front edge x15.5"h. Black background. Restored, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm, Paint

Chinese "Giant" Cloisonné Enamel Egg "Flowers" with Wood Stand #Ja1
Located in Norton, MA
Presenting a very large and beautiful Chinese cloisonné enamel egg with intricated patterns made by hand seating on a wood stand, early 20 century. It's measured about 17" x 10" with...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Hardwood Carved Pedestal Table with Marble Inlaid Top, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Chinese pedestal table. Striking Chinese design from the 1920s. hand carved "Hongmu" wood (Chinese hardwood) base with original multicolored marble inlaid top. T...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage solid brass and jade Chinese export trinket box
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a solid brass ornately decorated Chinese made trinket box. This trinket box has four medallions on each corner of the top with a center medallion that has a carved jade inset...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

20th Sculpture of an Asiatic Man with Birds and Harlequin Motifs, Spain
Located in Miami, FL
This alluring statue will elevate any interior decor. Nimble and flexible yet astute and clever, this statue is here portrayed in the midst of a traditional dance. The masterful de...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Superb Antique Chinese Horseshoe Hongmu Late Qing Occasional Chair
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
An early 20th century Chinese Horseshoe Chair of late Qing / early Republic Era. Superb form with horseshoe back and sweeping arms, single vert...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

China Trade Painting on Paper depicting the Feeding of Silkworms
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade Painting on Paper depicting Feeding of Silkworms, Circa 1780-1800 This painting is a superb example of the artwork created by Chinese artists for the Western market, off...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Medium Blue and White Willow Ware Octagonal Porcelain Platter
By Bo Jia for Middle Kingdom
Located in Manassas Park, VA
This platter is a traditional style from Jingdezhen, a town long distinguished by imperial patronage. The Willow Ware pattern is a beloved traditional Chinese style that was interpre...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid 20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Long Bench, Sofa
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Experience the timeless elegance of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with this exceptional hand-carved rosewood long bench. Created in the mid to late 20th century, this piece embod...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Rosewood

Early 20th Century Chinese Folding Screen/Room Divider with Cloisonne panels
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of 6 panels of Chinese vintage lacquered wooden screen which to be used as the room section panels in ancient China that are put ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Fine Looking Chinese Style Aquarium or Terrarium, 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A fine looking Chinese style aquarium or terrarium 20th century, A parcel gilt and green stained pine, custom built fish tank, in two parts. The upper section enclosing a 20 gallon...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Round Black Lacquer Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, likely 20th Century
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Chinese Round Black Lacquer Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, likely 20th Century Beautiful and useful 20th century. Chinese lacquer box of circular shape, the domed cover with flora...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Speckle Glazed Onion Shape Bottle Shaped Vase
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine quality Chinese onion shape bottle vase decorated in mottled glazes dating from the latter 19th or 20th century. The stoneware vase stands raised on a narrow round foot and ha...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Matching Pair of Chinese Export Elm Wedding Chairs with Wishbone Backs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Pair of Chinese Export Elm Wedding Chairs with Curving Back and Carved Rears Price per chair Would suit a period or modern property. Would g...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese hardwood Long Rectangular Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese (19th Century) hardwood narrow rectangular console table with open apron featuring interlocking circular design.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese export ornately carved marble topped pedestal
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a Chinese export ornately carved marble topped pedestal. This pedestal has four ornately carved legs with beautifully carved botanical elements around the apron and base. The...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

18th Century, Chinese Export Coral and Puce Porcelain Tea Service
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain service spectacularly decorated with a smart coral scale ground with panels of puce flowers. The service com...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Drinks Cabinet Kitchen Cupboard
Located in Cranbrook, Kent
Oriental Drinks Cabinet Kitchen Cupboard A good sized useful part slatted cabinet made in pine timber; set on splay feet and restored to a natural fini...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century Chinese Famille Noire Porcelain Ovoid Ginger Jar with Lid
Located in Doylestown, PA
Early 20th century Chinese Famille Noire porcelain ovoid ginger jar with lid. Wonderful ovoid shape jar with nature themed design hand painted with large birds, flowers, koi fish, l...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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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