Skip to main content

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.

to
571
2,960
854
3,942
44
40
199,000
115,039
44,393
33,522
16,595
12,337
10,906
10,838
10,033
8,892
7,385
6,726
6,584
6,455
6,287
6,146
4,952
3,747
222
1,308
2,412
84
864
553
204
81
16
89
34
33
45
24
22
23
5
1,718
1,356
1,212
936
382
3,652
3,522
3,440
110
54
4,026
4,020
4,020
29
14
12
6
6
Style: Chinese Export
Antique Chinese Carved Altar Cabinet, Coffee Table, TV Stand
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique Chinese Altar Cabinet is from the early 20th century, handcrafted from northern China area. The intricate carvings of traditional Chinese design decorate the front of th...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Ruyi Stone Drum
Located in Chicago, IL
Drum-form stools such as this were traditionally used in gardens and outdoor pavilions where upper class scholars read, wrote, gathered for discussion and, in general, developed thei...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Limestone

Large Chinese Silk Embroidery, Framed
Located in Bradenton, FL
This tall Chinese silk embroidery depicts Asian figures and scenes of boats, bridges and Asian landscapes. Features red, green, salmon and whit...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Early 19th Century Chinese earthenware jars containers or Planters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An old glazed stoneware pair of Chinese 'egg post' or planters from Southern China. The pots have a traditional continuous coiling dragon wrapped around the body chasing the eternal ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Vintage Large Chinese Green Glazed Terra Cotta Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout large Chinese bowl handcrafted in terracotta in classic form and decorated in an alluring variegated jade green glaze.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Export Four Panel Coromandel Screen Cranes on Gold Leaf
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dazzling Chinese export lacquered four-panel coromandel screen featuring a flora and fauna waterscape with stylized cranes. The carved lacquer panels...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Rare Hongmu comb-back Chinese Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant pair of late hongmu comb-back armchairs, Late Qing Dynasty Each chair of elegant form with arched humpback top -rail supported on round posts extending to the back legs...
Category

1910s Asian Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Twelve Chinese Gouache Paintings in Bamboo Frames
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set of twelve early 20th century Chinese Gouache paintings depicting everyday life of various craftsmen. Examples are a barber, food vendors, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint

19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Decorated Tea Caddy Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese for the English market, 19th century. A fine quality antique Chinese export tea caddy decorated with beautiful gilding surfaces, a hinged lid which opens to reveal a tooled ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pewter

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

Japanese 19th Century Scalloped Imari Porcelain Dish or Charger
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Japanese Dish or Charger, made in Japan at the beginning of the 19th century. With beautiful colors in red blue and white. The Item is in good condition.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Four Panel Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Celestial Chinese export coromandel four-panel screen depicting figures in colorful robes in a heavenly landscape among the white clouds. Eac...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Chinese Export Four Panel Gilt Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary Chinese export four-panel coromandel screen featuring a pagoda pavilion landscape with a dramatic gold leaf background. The black lacquered panels are incised with vibr...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

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

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

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

Chinese Ming Style Carved Console
Located in Westwood, NJ
Console reflects timeless Eastern design, blending graceful proportions with artisanal detailing. Finished in a warm Husk tone, this piece captures the elegance of Ming-inspired furn...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Matching Red Lacquered Bedside Tables / Cabinets with Drawers
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Pair of 20th century Chinese Red Lacquered Bedside Tables with Drawers Finished With Exquisite Figural Decorative Scenes Extra dimensions Drawer height 5cm Doored cabinet heig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Rosewood Taboret With Mother of Pearl Inlay
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Chinese rosewood taboret with mother of pearl inlay and a marble top, circa 1920's. With an inset marble top bordered by rosewood with mother of pearl inlay, reticulated and carved a...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Marble

Blue and White Chinese Export Large Charger, Late Kangxi Period, circa 1700
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An exquisite Chinese late Kangxi period (1661 - 1722) blue and white porcelain charger of large size made for export to Europe, of circular form with raised convex central roundel pa...
Category

1690s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Export Famille Rose Koi Fish Bowl Jardinieres Planters Stand 28"
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite pair of 20th century Chinese Famille Rose Planters, Jardinières or Cache Pots. Feature ornately decorated hexagonal polychrome porce...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Hardwood

Mid-20th Century Chinese Rosewood Carved Secretary/Writing Desk
Located in Pomona, CA
This beautiful carved secretary/writing desk is in traditional design with 5 drawers and fold up desk top on the front and wonderful simple carving wo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Mandarin Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain plate. In the Rose Mandarin style. Depicting an Imperial court scene. The man on the right is either a servant/government official come to v...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique 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

Pair of Chinese Root Foo Dog Figures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19th Cent) root design foo dog figures on shaped teak bases
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Massive Rose Canton Porcelain Punch Bowl, Edmé Samson et Cie, Paris
Located in Downingtown, PA
Massive Rose Canton Porcelain Punch bowl, Edme Samson et Cie, Paris, circa 1880 The massive beautiful bowl with unusual steep sides is...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

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

Chinese Kangxi period Porcelain Plate Kakiemon-Imari decoration, Qing Ca 1690
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautifully hand painted Chinese Export porcelain Plate from the Qing, Kangxi period, 1662-1722. The plate is finely potted with a carefully cut base rim and a lovely rich...
Category

Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Six-Panel Carved Hardstone Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Magnificent Chinese export six panel folding coromandel screen featuring hand-carved soapstone and hardstone decoration. The lacquered panels have recessed windows showcasing hand-ca...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Antique Tibetan Hand-painted Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
Tibetan hand-painted cabinet, from early 20th century, characterized by its vibrant red lacquer finish and intricate hand-painted designs dragons and floral motifs on a golden yellow...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

A Grouping of Mid-Century Ceramic Polychrome Foo Dogs - A Set of 4
Located in Charleston, SC
Great grouping of four mid-century polychrome glazed ceramic foo dogs, circa 1960s. Great detail and a beautiful color combination of green, brown, cream and blue The largest measu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

South East Asian Hancrafted Bone Marquetry Rosewood Drop Leaf Serving / Tea Cart
Located in Germantown, MD
A South East Asian Hancrafted Bone Inlay Rosewood Drop Leaf two tier rolling Serving Trolley Measures 33" in width, 18.5" in depth closed and 32.5" in depth open. Lower tier cleramce...
Category

Late 20th Century Indonesian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bone, Rosewood

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

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

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

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

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

Chinese Elm Rice Bucket
Located in Baltimore, MD
This is an outstanding Chinese dovetailed Elm bucket, used for carrying and measuring rice. The wedge-shaped slatted box has hammered iron reinforcements on the top corners and halfw...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

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

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

Vintage Chinese Realgar Peking Glass Baluster Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese Peking glass vase. Crafted to imitate realgar (雄黃), a mineral widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. With a polished p...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pair of Rose Medallion Vases
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Fine pair of 19th century rose medallion vases.
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Selfish porcelain jug with floral decoration, Compagnie des Indes, 18th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Elegant and refined, this small porcelain jug is a rare 18th-century piece, made for the European market by Chinese manufacturers working for the East India Company. It is distingui...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Italian A.Santini Faux Ivory Tusk Carving God of Longevity Chinoiserie 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
A huge Italian A.Santini faux ivory resin sculpture in a curved tusk form, standing 25" tall, of a detailed Chinese god of Longevity standing with a child, mounted upon a stand with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Resin

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

Canton Famille Rose Mandarin Pattern Charger, Qing Dynasty, ca. 1890
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Canton Famille Rose 12.75-inch charger, the polychrome enameled surface depicting an active palace scene with a distinguished warrior and attendants being presented to the Emporer, the border with an arrangement of butterflies, flowers, and fruit on a gilded ground with four floral reserves with an alternating butterfly and bird (illustrated in J. Feller, p. 42, #2).* Book references Dr. John Quentin Feller, Chinese Export Porcelain in the 19th century: The Canton Famille Rose Porcelains. Salem...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Taoist Immortal Figures, Eight Immortals and the Leader
Located in Downingtown, PA
Large English Pearlware Oval Dish with Blue and White Chinoiserie and Shell Edge This striking large oval dish, dating from circa 1790, is an excellent example of late 18th-century ...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Tibetan Handcrafted Buddhist Festival Trumpet
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a beautiful antique Handcrafted Tibetan Buddhist trumpet with traditional Tibetan tassel. The trumpet is used for religious ceremonies where it is blown along with other big ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Hongmu Corner Chair, 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chinese Hongmu corner chair, 19th century. The horseshoe-form back with molded crest above a pair of open carved splats with fruiting and fl...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Lidded Temple Jar Converted Lamp
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Large Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Lidded Temple Jar Converted Lamp Striking 19th century Chinese porcelain baluster Temple jar with white background against overglazed Wucai p...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of 19th Century Famille Verte Chinese Export Crackle Ware Vase Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th century Famille Verte Chinese Export porcelain crackle ware vase lamps on carved hardwood square bases. Entirely hand decorated, each slightly different from the other. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Hardwood

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

Antique Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Round Lidded Box 19th Century CO#08
Located in Norton, MA
Antique Chinese cloisonné enamel round box with lid depicting floral patterns. A white base tone and colorful floral all around, from the 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper

Chinese Cloisonné Bowl Carved Gem Stone/ Serpentine Medallion Ring Handles
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Cloisonné Bowl Carved Gem Stone/ Serpentine Medallion & Ring Handles China, Later 20th Century An exquisite Chinese cloisonné bowl from the 20th ce...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

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.