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
6
617
154
775
3
24,066
16,201
7,170
2,695
2,546
1,622
1,143
986
811
623
561
477
432
341
284
273
265
65
75
244
456
3
76
17
1
19
1
5
3
1
1
402
363
246
141
124
694
685
683
8
6
778
778
778
25
10
8
6
3
Style: Chinese Export
Recognized Seller Listings
Chinese Floral Cloisonné Enamel and Ormolu Vase for Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese floral Cloisonné enamel and ormolu vase for Islamic Market. Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 20cm, diameter 23cm This beaut...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Antique Chinese Ormolu Bowl Produced for Export to Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Antique Chinese ormolu bowl produced for export to Islamic Market Chinese, early 20th century Measures: Height 13cm, width 31cm, depth 22cm This ch...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Chinese White, Green, and Pink Floral and Rooster Design Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th century) white porcelain urn incised and painted with decorations of roosters amid blooming floral branches mixed with geometric patterned bands at the bo...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Traditional Figures
Located in Queens, NY
7 Asian Chinese (20th Cent) porcelain figures in blue and white patterns in traditional dress (PRICED EACH).
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Cloisonne Figures of Stags
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Cloisonne figures of stags, Early 20th century, Wonderful, expressive pair of small cloisonne models of stags with gilt horns and ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Set of Three Nested Chinese Ebonized Trunks
Located in Downingtown, PA
🌸 Gilded Flights of Fancy: A Trio of Chinese Export Lacquer Trunks ________________________________________ This remarkable Set of Three Nested Chinese Export Trunks is a testament ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Other

Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Dish, Arms of Pole, circa 1745
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export armorial porcelain dish, Arms of Pole, circa 1745 The Chinese export armorial porcelain dish is painted with pane...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Canton Famille Rose Large Baluster Vase, Qing Dynasty, Ca. 1840
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A large Canton Famille rose baluster vase, of baluster form, with a tall waisted neck, an everted scalloped rim, the neck and shoulders with applied paired confronting Foo lions and ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique 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

Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Elephant Modeled as a Candlestick
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export porcelain canton famille rose elephant modeled as a candlestick, Circa 1860 The standing Chinese Export porcelain elephant with its trunk up is painted in an iron-red with gilt decoration and caparisoned. On its back is a gu-form vase candle holder rising from the raised saddle. Below the urn is a long saddle cloth hanging down painted with famille rose birds...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and Orange Fish Design Round Lidded Porcelain Jars
Located in Queens, NY
4 antique Chinese (Mid 20th Century) similar porcelain vases with orange fish swimming around blue backgrounds - some displaying sponged effects - inspired...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Birds with Prunus and Cherry
Located in Downingtown, PA
Lovebirds in Blossom: A Famille Rose Porcelain Plaque This beautiful Chinese Porcelain Plaque, dating to the 20th Century, captures a classic and auspicious natural scene in a horiz...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Pink Floral and Bird Design Table Lamp
Located in Queens, NY
"Chinese pink ceramic table lamp made from a baluster-shaped vase decorated with colorful birds, florals and koi on a wooden base with brass hardware. Vase is cracked near the socke...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Federal Elegance: Chinese Export Soup Tureen for the American Market
Located in Downingtown, PA
Federal Elegance: Chinese Export Soup Tureen for the American Market This impressive Chinese Export Porcelain Soup Tureen with Cover and Stand dates to Circa 1780, a period marking ...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Chinese Black Glazed Phoenix-Tail Form Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (late 19th-early 20th Century) porcelain phoenix tail-form vases with black glazed exteriors and white interiors (PRICED AS PAIR) Condition: Good; Wear consi...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Blue Fitzhugh Oval Platter and Mazarin
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export Blue Fitzhugh very large porcelain blue Fitzhugh oval platter and Mazarin, Late 18th-early 19th century. The remarkably large serving di...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Celadon and Blue Peacock Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) celadon, round porcelain vase with a small mouth opening, painted with a blue peacock and floral blossoms.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Three Chinese Export Porcelain Plates Famille Rose Qianlong Dynasty 1760
Located in Katonah, NY
This trio of beautiful Chinese export dishes is decorated in the Famille Rose style. It features purple peonies, orange lilies, and a variety of other flowers. In Chinese culture, pe...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Oxblood and White Natural Motif Meiping Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese porcelain Meiping vase in a red oxblood hue decorated with a white natural motif capturing the silhouettes of birds, vines and leaves.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Emperor of Qin Mausoleum-Style Terracotta Warrior Statue
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese terracotta warrior figure modeled after one of the 7,000 warriors that form the Terracotta Army in the Mausoleum of the Fir...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Golden Pheasant on a Tree Branch
Located in Downingtown, PA
Symbol of Splendor: Famille Rose Golden Pheasant Plaque This striking Chinese Porcelain Plaque, dating to the 20th Century, captures a dramatic natural scene executed in the vibrant...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Ming Dynasty Porcelain Shou Lau Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese (Ming Dynasty-Circa 1500) blue & green porcelain Shou Lau seated figure with oversize head (symbolism of longevity & luck) on a base suppo...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Asian Chinese Style Carved Mahogany Dragon Design Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style (19th Century) mahogany and bevelled glass wall mirror with a carved frame with scroll design and filigree pediment top with carved dragons.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pair of Chinese Red Lacquered Foo Dogs
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19th Cent) red lacquered carved figures of squatting foo dogs
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Maroon Lacquered Wall Shelf
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19th Cent) maroon lacquered and gilt carved wall shelf with mirror back and 3 shelves
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Asian Chinese style Metal Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style metal square funnel shape design vase with an antique patina and having an etched design
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Wax Candle Figure Depicting an Emperor
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese wax figure molded in a reddish-brown shade with gilt highlights depicts a robed emperor leaning slightly back, his left hand stroking his beard, right arm grasping a sheathed...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ash

Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Lidded Bronze Ritual Wine Vessel
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style verdigis bronze ritual wine vessel with raised archaistic patterns, accented with two rings and topped with a lid bearing three bird-form finials.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Mid-18th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese White, Blue and Orange Floral Moon Flask Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) white moon flask vase decorated with a central botanical design surrounded by blue and orange flowers, and topped with two blue handles. Conditi...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Antique Vietnamese Silver Treasure Box with Guardian Dragons
Located in New York, NY
Vietnamese silver box, late 19th century. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Box sides have embossed blossoming branches, bamboo...
Category

Late 19th Century Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Chinese Monumental Imari-Style Monumental Orange Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese monumental porcelain floor vases celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, featuring white, blue, orange and gold floral motifs on rust-colored grou...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Dish and Two Plates
Located in Downingtown, PA
Floral Symmetry: Chinese Export Famille Rose Dinnerware: A Trio of Treasures: Porcelain from the Qianlong Period, Circa 1740 This striking trio of Chinese Export porcelain pieces—a ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Glass Picture of a Persian Warrior
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export glass picture of a Persian warrior, The Chinese reverse glass picture depicts a Persian warrior seated on the back of a dappled horse riding at a trot, a shield slu...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Pair of Chinese Pink and White Porcelain Double Gourd Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese (late 19th Century) white porcelain vases with pink pastoral scenes sweeping around the double gourd forms, and red and gold patterned bands at the bottoms, centers a...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Chinese Export Reverse Painting on Glass
Located in San Francisco, CA
A well-executed Chinese export reverse painting on glass depicting an elaborate interior scene with many figures engaged in various domestic activities. This is a finely drawn compos...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass, Paint

Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Longgui Dragon Turtle Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese carved wooden sculpture of a Longgui or (dragon turtle) holding a coin in its mouth on an ornately carved wooden base.       
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Chinese Wooden Scenic Design Carved Hinge Top Box
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century Chinese carved wooden box featuring an elaborate scenic design with a hinged top and brass closure hardware. (Stamped HUNG HOP CHEST CO. HONG...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Chinese Han Dynasty-Style Green Patinated Bronze Lidded Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Han Dynasty-style copy of a bronze lidded jar decorated with the highs and lows of its green patina, carved with raised geometric patterns and topped with a domed, fi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese White and Blue Dragon Design Porcelain Meiping Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (early 20th Century) white porcelain Meiping vase decorated in a dynamic blue dragon motif. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Sage and Tonal Botanical Motif Porcelain Jar
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese sage-colored, lidded porcelain jar crafted in the style of the Song Dynasty with a round form decorated in a raised, tonal botanical pattern. Condition: Good; Wear consisten...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

China Trade Framed Pith Paper Set of Pictures of Butterflies and Plants
Located in Downingtown, PA
Fluttering Exotica: Eight China Trade Watercolors on Pith Paper This superb Set of Eight Chinese Watercolors, dating from Circa 1840–1860, offers a delicate and vibrant collection of...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Chinese Off-White and Blue Vine Character Porcelain Urn Vases
Located in Queens, NY
"4 Similar antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) off-white ceramic vases with urn forms decorated in light blue, delicate vine and floral motifs and bold characters on 4 sides (jars v...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 19cm, diameter 23cm Crafted in China...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

18th-century Chinese Export Pseudo Tobacco Leaf Oval Dish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Opulent Botanicals: Chinese Export "Pseudo Tobacco Leaf" Oval Dish, Circa 1765 This magnificent Chinese Export porcelain oval dish, dating from circa 1765, represents a bold and hig...
Category

1760s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Long Tailed Hawk on a Rose Tree
Located in Downingtown, PA
Feathered Elegance: Famille Rose Hawk on a Rose Branch This exquisite Chinese Porcelain Plaque, dating to the Mid-20th Century, is a vibrant example of traditional Chinese panel pai...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Style Monumental Porcelain Floor Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese style (19/20th Cent) monumental porcelain floor vase with orange, blue & white colors and floral decoration with scalloped top. Condition: Good; Wear consistent with a...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique 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

Chinese Yellow and Blue Floral Meiping Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese (19th Century) yellow porcelain Meiping vase decorated with blue florals and geometric bands around the top and the base (mark on bottom, see photos). Condition: Goo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Yellow Garlic-Mouthed Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) yellow porcelain vases with garlic-mouth forms (mark on bottom, see photos) (PRICED AS PAIR).
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Terra Cotta Rider and Horse Tomb Figure
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Tang Dynasty-style terracotta tomb figure of a girl in a red garment holding an object riding a dark brown horse, standing on a textured base.  
Category

20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Jeune Footed Dish, ca. 1870
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Jeune (Yellow-Ground) Footed Dish, Qing Dynasty, Tongzhi Era (1862-1874). The five-lobed dish decorated with a male foo lion glazed in rose among a s...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box
Located in London, GB
Chinese Export Silver Biscuit Box, circa 1895, with British import marks for Glasgow 1902, and a later blue-glass liner. The box is pierced with two pairs of opposing dragons, and th...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere with Dragons and Figures
Located in London, GB
A Chinese Export Silver Jardiniere circa 1890, of rectangular form and variously pierced to all four sides. The side with the vacant cartouche has two opposing dragons separated by a...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Two Polychrome Roosters
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of Chinese export glazed ceramic roosters with polychrome plumage in pinks, greens and orange with and striking red crowns and wattles, perched on weathered green striated tre...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Tall Black Glazed Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese black glazed porcelain vase with a tall, slim shape and a white interior.   
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Black and White Porcelain Pot
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese-style (19/20th Century) black & white jardiniere (fishbowl) with 4 scenes with figures and decorated on inside.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique 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.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed