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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
Pair of High Back Chinese Chairs Ming Style
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of Yoke high back Chinese chairs in Ming style. Could be used as side chairs or dining chairs. There is no structural damages on the chair...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Silver filigree and enamel butterfly brooch, Chinese circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
This very fine example of Chinese silver filigree artwork has been beautifully hand-made with intricate detail in the form of a large four-winged butterfly with curly antennae. The ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Massive Solid Alabaster Antique Hand Carved Asian Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful solid alabaster antique Asian large sculpture hand carved, circa 1950s, great condition no chips or cracks or chips came out of a state i...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Alabaster

Pair Antique 19c Chinese Gilt Cloisonne Covered Prunus Ginger Jar Table Lamps
Located in Richmond, CA
A matching pair of antique Chinese 19c azure blue ground cloisonne covered ginger jars, on gilt bronze body finely decorated with prunus blossoms in a rocky garden scene, with ruyi h...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Bronze

Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Butterfly Gourd Containers, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
Used to store loose leaf tea, these small porcelain jars are decorated in a style of overglaze enameling known as "famille rose." Sometimes referred to as "yangcai" or "foreign color...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Tea or Coffee Service by ZeeSung
Located in Atlanta, GA
A three-piece set of Chinese export sterling silver tea or coffee service circa early 20th century. The service consists of a lidded tea or coffee pot, a creamer and a sugar bowl. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Ancestral Portrait, Gouache on Paper
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Ancestral Portrait of a man and woman. Portrait shows a man and a woman, each in patterned and richly colored robes. This Chinese portraitur...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Elegant Elmwood Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Low Coffee Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sophisticated and elegant elm Chinese coffee table having handsome carvings on all sides and beautiful Asian style legs that turn in at the ends.
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Yi Feng Studio Blue and White Porcelain Tea Cups Nautical Hand Painted Theme
Located in Lomita, CA
This little mid-century trio of tea cups is collectible and full of charm. There is a beautiful glaze over the blue and white ceramic hand painted design. The cups are in excellent condition. The three Chinese or Japanese export blue and white porcelain tea cups...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Carved Jadeite flourite Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
The stone bodies of this type of interior illuminated lamp are often referred to as quartz, jadeite or even jade but are in fact of the fluorite family, a softer sone more easily car...
Category

1930s Southeast Asian Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Quartz

Large Antique Chinese Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Oriental Chinese Export Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s. Large Asian Chinese black lacquered tea box with nume...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Pink Green Antique Chinese Peking Enamel Cups and Dishes w. Floral Decoration
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th/20th c., Chinese enamelware, includes (2) cups and (2) small scalloped edge dishes, each with enameled floral design on a copper ground, unmarked. This type of enamelling is known by several names, including Beijing, Canton and Peking enamel...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Framed Chinese Figural Carved and Painted Panels
Located in Norwood, NJ
Nicely carved and framed pair of high relief carved and painted panels. Subtle colors with age appropriate worn finish carved depicting cranes (birds) amongst flowers standing in wat...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Elm

Asian Blue and White Porcelain Flower Drum Vase
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Asian Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Flower Drum Vase. Decorated with a Chinoiserie blue and white landscape, river, mountains, foliages and architectural Chinese Pagodas. Transitional Gu-form beaker vase with spreading base and flaring trumpet rim, painted in shades of underglaze cobalt blue. Offering a trumpet shape and extra-wide mouth, it is a great size to add to any blue and white Chinese porcelain collection or to display your favorite flowers. Marked with number 13. Made in China circa 1950. Dimensions: 10 inches tall x 5.5 opening mouth diameter. In the style of the Meissen Blue and white...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Porcelain

Vase and Egg in Chinese Porcelain
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful Chinese porcelain set in Chinese art from the early 1900s. The set consists of a porcelain vase and egg and are beautifully hand painted, depi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vase and Egg in Chinese Porcelain
Vase and Egg in Chinese Porcelain
$238 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Blue Chinese Peking Rug, Yellow Field, Blue and Orange Border and Tones
Located in New York, NY
The straw field display a rounded central medallion with four paeony projections, surrounded by four bonsai trees, paeony corners and further tree paeonies with stems. Three-dimensio...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Incense Burner Censer
Located in Pomona, CA
UP for you consideration is a beautiful antique Meiji period Japanese gold gilt satsuma incense burner marked/signed by Kinkozan. Very fine hand...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinoiserie Style Figural Pottery Attendant Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinoiserie Style Figural Pottery Attendant Lamp 1960s Height: 26 in Width: 8 in Depth: 8 in Revel in the exotic allure of this Chinoiserie style figu...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery, Hardwood

Chinese Blue and White Fu Lion Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
This square ceramic block is actually a form of Chinese headrest or neck pillow. Popular during the Qing dynasty, rigid headrests such as this were used by upper-class women to prote...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White and Floral Column Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese white porcelain table lamp made from a column-shaped vase painted with a crane alongside a blooming pink peony, a wooden base, and brass hardware. Ships without a shade."
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Chinese Hardwood Bar Cabinet with Shou Carvings
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese hardwood bar cabinet with a paneled exterior and brass-hinged top and doors that open to reveal ample storage for glassware, slide-out bottle trays, two drawers and S...
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Chinese Hardwood Pedestal Stands
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Asian Chinese (18/19th Cent) hardwood pedestal stands with celadon jade bats inserted into a carved apron under top with a box form stretcher.
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

ViNTAGE CHINESE SILK EMBROIDERED TAPESTRY DEPICTING PANDAS HAVING FUN IN FOREST
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely super decorative vintage Chinese Silk Tapestry Depicting Pandas having fun in the forest A very...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Qianlong Floral Porcelain Tureen and Platter, Portuguese India Company, 18th C
Located in Lisbon, PT
An 18th-century white porcelain tureen and platter from the Portuguese India Company, crafted during the reign of Qianlong — sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty. These pieces belong to...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Asian Modern Far East Collection Round Table Michael Taylor Baker Furniture Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Asian Modern round Baker Far East Collection walnut coffee tables. Fully restored and ready for use. One table is without foot glides and the height is 0.25 inches lower. F...
Category

1960s American Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Guanyin in Carved Wood and Polichrome, China, Early 20th Century, Asian Art
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guanyin in carved wood and polichrome, China, early 20th century, Asian art Measures: H 56cm, W 16cm, W 15cm.
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Black Painted Faux Bamboo and Gold Florals Fireplace Screen
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese painted black fireplace screen with a faux bamboo frame, accented in gold botanical designs centered on each side of the panel.    
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century, Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Medallion Chestnut Basket
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th century. An antique Chinese export porcelain chestnut basket. The basket features traditional famille rose medallion decoration with figural window to the central wind...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Candelabrum Dish
Located in London, GB
Chinese Centrepiece circa 1895, formed as a 2-light candelabrum with a central dish supported by two flying dragons. The underside of the candle holders and the dish are fluted, and...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Antique Chinese Elmwood Basket Rice Measure
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large antique Chinese 19th century Elmwood rice measure with iron decoration and handles. A rustic antique handcrafted Chinese rice measure storage basket...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Antique Asian Wagon Wheel Hub
Located in East Freetown, MA
Antique Asian wagon wheel hub made of dense heavy wood that has been carved with spoke holes. Wood is patinated and as hard as metal.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Asian Wagon Wheel Hub
Antique Asian Wagon Wheel Hub
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
Young Elegant Asian Woman Oil on Canvas, circa 1940s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Young elegant Asian woman oil on canvas, circa 1940s This is one of our favorite paintings. A young Asian woman out on a warm afternoon. The quality of this painting cannot be ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Pair of Samson Plates with Solid Silver Rim French
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of Samson Plates with Solid Silver Rim – 19th Century French Elegance This exquisite pair of Samson porcelain plates originates from France and dates back to the 19th century. C...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Pair of Polished Brass Asian Candlesticks
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of polished cast gold brass candlesticks. Mid-Century Modern vintage Chinese export candle holders. Dimensions: 4.75 in. D x 18 in. Height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Blue and White Four Flowers Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round, blue-and-white storage jar is underglazed with lush garden scenery featuring the flowering plants of the four seasons. Tree peo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-20th Century Vintage Chinese Hand-Painted Porcelain Jar Table Lamp
Located in Pomona, CA
A vintage famille rose porcelain table lamp from the mid-20th century with kids playing design and Buddhist floral pattern. Born in China during the mid-20th century, this vintage fa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Celadon Vase
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Celadon Porcelain Vase. Vase features a ceramic glaze of pale green color with a white floral and fauna motif embossed throughout. Vase has slightly elongated neck with wide ...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Famille Verte Vases with Ancient Censers, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
During the 18th century, Europeans provided an eager market for Chinese export porcelain, especially the colorful and fanciful ware known as “famille verte.” Named for a palette of o...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s[A]
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie decorated Standard lamp circa 1930s Black background with gold Chinoiserie Decoration, Depicting: Figure, Houses, Trees & foliage Circular base with 3 bun shaped gilt fe...
Category

1930s British Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Export Porcelain Large Bowl Cobalt and Gilt
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Export Porcelain Large Bowl with Blue & Gilt Ground, Circa late 18th Century The large Chinese Export punch bowl is finely painted on...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century, Chinese Export Stormy Maritime JunkBoat Painting
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Chinese Export gouache painting depicts a sailing vessel navigating turbulent seas, executed in the refined style characteristic of Cantonese (Guangzhou) workshops ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

15" Chinese Monk Stone Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a stone sculpture depicting a pious Monk. The base is formed out of stone also.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone

Unique Pair of Teak Asian Carved Dragon Canoe Form Etagere Bookcases
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This unique pair of teak Asian carved dragon canoe-form étagere bookcases is a striking blend of artistry, cultural symbolism, and functionality. ...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Teak

20th Century Bas Relief Chinese Carved Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19/20th century) stripped and carved wall plaque of figures with bull and cart.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Silver Vinaigrette by Canton Retailer Cutshing
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver vinaigrette. Rectangular with hinged cover. Scenes of indigenous life in low relief. Interior gilt with hinged grill; engraved presentation on cover: “E. E. W. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Mid-20th Century Black Wood Foot Rest or Low Side Table with Turned Ming Feet
Located in Lomita, CA
This Chinese foot rest is special. It is hand carved from heavy wood, possibly Ironwood with a cylindrical roller, and raised on four stout legs. It is from the Mid-20th Century. The ironwood provides the stool with a stunning texture. Our appraiser says it originated in China's Hebei province. This is the same province as the great wall of China...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gold Coated Foo Lion with Paw on Red Ball
Located in Pasadena, TX
This Foo lion was crafted in China and is gold coated.. Its made of porcelain and is finely detailed. The Foo Lion's paw rest on a red ball. It has red accents.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Chinese Black Ebonised Bamboo Chairs, Mid 19Th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Great looking Pair Chinese Black Ebonized Bamboo Chairs, Mid 19Th Century. These are straight back chairs made for the countryside of China. the...
Category

1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Watercolor Children Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Cent) watercolor portrait on paper of fat seated figure surrounded by 6 children in a gilt frame
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint

Pair Chinese Famille Verte Vases
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very decorative pair of 18.5" high Chinese Famille Noire porcelain vases. The vases are beautifully decorated with green dragons and intertwined florals. Both vases are in ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint, Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Floral Kilim Rug with English Country Cottage Style
Located in Dallas, TX
78026 vintage Chinese Floral Kilim rug with English Country Cottage style 04'01 x 06'03?. Cleverly composed and distinctively well-balanced, this hand-woven wool vintage Chinse flora...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Celadon Glazed Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese glazed porcelain vase in a celadon color with a bulbous form (date mark on bottom, see photos).    
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Famille Rose Bird Design Porcelain Vase Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese table lamp made from an 18th century porcelain vase mounted with wood and brass hardware as a lamp, with a multi-colored fam...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chinese Pale Gray Glazed Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of similar Chinese porcelain vases with globular forms in pale gray hues with glazed finishes (vases vary slightly in shape) (PRICED AS PAIR).  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Embroidery Textile 8" x 8"
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese Embroidery, Origin: China, Circa: Late 19th Century
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Chinese Rose Quartz Rooster
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese rose quartz small carved figure of a rooster (as is-repair to base) (20th Cent)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rose Quartz

Beautiful Fine Georgian Era Tray W/ Chinese Gold Thread Embroidery
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite Georgian-era tray features a stunning panel of intricate Chinese gold thread embroidery, creating a luxurious and captivating centerpiece. The rich, finely woven embro...
Category

18th Century British Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Chinese Hand Carved Bamboo Fish Man Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this beautiful vintage Chinese hand carved bamboo fish man. It is 100 percent hand made from bamboo shoot. You can see the pictures ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Carved Soapstone Lamp
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A carved soapstone lamp base, unusual because of the color of the stone; reddish, brown and black. The carving is in the shape of a vase which i...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Sandstone

20th century Chinese Export Porcelain Garden Seat
Located in Savannah, GA
Hexagonal shaped Chinese Nanking Style Export blue and white glazed porcelain garden seat. Features include a pierced top and sides, molded relief dots...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese 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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