Skip to main content

Chinese Export Wall Decorations

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
15
141
24
170
1
Height
to
Width
to
7,797
6,905
2,149
1,489
927
889
746
566
531
305
291
286
245
196
194
176
157
145
6
78
86
1
16
21
6
2
3
2
2
1
1
84
52
42
37
23
154
152
143
4
3
171
171
171
1
1
1
1
Style: Chinese Export
Chinese Ladies Silk Jacket, c. 1890
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese navy blue Silk Short Jacket with Floral Embroidery. The jacket is front buttoned with black piping and buttons and wide sleeves. The applied round collar band is black silk e...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Wood

Vintage Set Of Wall Panels, Chinese, Lacquer, Mother of Pearl, Oriental Display
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage set of decorative wall panels. A Chinese, lacquer and Mother of Pearl inlaid Oriental display panel, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Striking colour ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Japonaise Painting in a Wood Frame, Representing a Woman, Japan, XX Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is an genuine painting, of a woman, with green and orange colors. It has been made in Japan, during the XX Century. It is signed.
Category

20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of Chinese Patriarch Matriarch Ancestral Portraits
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stately pair of Chinese export ancestor portraits depicting a patriarch and matriarch of high ranking official status. Both depicted sitting and wearing decorated robes and hats. Mou...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Plexiglass, Wood, Paper

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Vintage Embroidered Wall Display Panel, Chinese, Silk Cotton, Art Deco, C.1930
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a striking vintage Art Deco period embroidered panel, showcasing exquisite Chinese craftsmanship, circa 1930. This decorative silk cotton wall piece offers delicate detailing...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Cotton, Glass

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 Wall Decorations

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 Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Wood

Late 19th-C. Hand Painted Chinese Ancestral Portraits Un Water Gilt Frames - S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of late 19th century hand painted ancestral portraits depicting a wealthy couple in fabulous robes. I love the muted tones of the paint. The water gilt frames highlight...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Giltwood, Paper

Set of Four 20th Century Asian Style Watercolor Painted Wall Panels
Located in Germantown, MD
Set of Four 20th Century Asian Style Water Color Painted Wall Panels, Faux Bamboo frame. Each panel measures 15" in width and stands 41" tall.
Category

20th Century American Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Faux Bamboo, Paint, Paper

Pair of Distressed Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wooden Panels
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning pair of distressed antique Chinese hand painted wooden panels having red backgrounds and figural decoration of warriors on horseback in black, white and green.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Verre Eglomise Chinese Export Reverse Glass Painting
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique Verre Eglomise Chinese Export reverse glass painting. Beautiful Chinese reverse glass painting of two women in a Chinese garden with a scroll. This painting is particularly vibrant and exquisite in color and detail. The wood frame painting...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century China Trade Ship Portrait of the American Clipper Ship ORIENTAL
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century China Trade Ship Portrait of the American Clipper Ship ORIENTAL, under full sail on starboard tack leaving Hong Kong Harbor for Bost...
Category

1850s Hong Kong Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Monumental Extra Large Asian Chinese Gilt Hand Painted Folding Fan Art
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a large, vintage Chinese wall fan, typically used for decorative purposes. These hand-painted fans often feature tradit...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Bamboo, Paper

19th Century Chinese Gilt Inkwash Painted Screen
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a singular piece, a framed vintage Chinese gilt and inkwash miniature six-fold paper screen, that was possibly a salesman's sample, and it is beautiful. This is from the la...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Giltwood

Framed Chinese Embroidered Silk Tapestry Of Children At Play
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mid-century Chinese Silk Embroidered Tapestry of Children Playing, which symbolizes innocence and joy. Tapestry features multiple ch...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

Original Japanese Woodblock Print by Japanese Artist 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rare, original 19th century woodblock print. Beautiful Edo period print from the original publisher. Quality framed with conservation glass in an black painted frame. Red Blue Gree...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Chinese Study of Pomegranate Branch Signed Watercolour Painting
Located in New York, NY
Painting measures 16.75" height x 15" width, framed. 0.5" height x 9.3" width within mat. Introduced to China during the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), the pomegranate (Chinese: ?...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Set of Six 19th Century Chinese Export Gouache Paintings on Pith Paper
Located in Stamford, CT
A very unusual and intriguing rare set of six 19th century Chinese gouaches depicting scenes of corporal punishment, and in one, execution. Painted...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Blanc de Chine Chinese Export Style Chinoiserie Ancestral Wall Brackets - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Blanc de Chines style ancestral form wall brackets. They are cast plaster and most likely date to the 1970s. They are in very good condition.
Category

1970s American Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Plaster

Chinese Paintings in Rosewood Frames, Set of Four
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Chinese Paintings in Rosewood Frames, Set of Four. Paintings depict scenes of courtly life and marital valor during the Qing...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Chinese Panel Art Depicting Birds and Branches in Raised Mother of Pearl Pieces
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese panel art featuring a raised bird perched on a flowering tree branch detailed in pieces of mother of pearl against a burgundy and brown floral bordered background in a carved...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Framed Fine Embroidered Second Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel presented in a giltwood frame circa mid-late 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

Large Asian Oil on Silk Paintings by Chelsea House, Floral, Bird, Botanical S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love the vibrant colors! This is a set of large scale oil paintings hand done on silk by Chelsea House. They are Asian inspired with their birds on branches surrounded by fruit and...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Giltwood, Paint

Japanese Framed Prints Reproduction 20th Gilt Frame 20 Century Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Very Decorative set of 2 reproductions of Japanese Print . Gilt Frame. Japan 20th Century.
Category

20th Century Japanese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper, Wood

Chinese Export Reverse Glass Paintings, Set of Four, circa 1825
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A set of four circa 1825 Chinese Export polychrome reverse glass paintings comprised of figural court views and battle scenes in original 'Chinese Chippendale' parcel-gilt aubergine lacquer frames and reverse backboards. A remarkable and exceptionally rare set of good size and condition. Provenance: Legendary fine English antiques...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint

20th-Century Chinese Carved 8 Immortal Figures Wooden Panels -Wall Hanging set
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a set of 4 panels of Chinese open carved wooden panels. They were made from Camphor wood which has its unique fragrant and keep the bugs away, solid and sturdy. It features beautiful detailed open carved Chinese traditional...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Framed Fine Embroidered Fifth Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel presented in a giltwood frame circa mid-late 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk

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

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Framed Antique Chinese Embroidery Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese antique embroidery presented in a museum quality frame, originally purchased from Galerie Du Monde in Hongkong. Originally, the te...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Linen, Silk, Wood

Exhibited Framed Fine Chinese Embroidery Silk Panel Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine embroidered silk panel in giltwood frame originally from the Annette Martin Collection and exhibited at the Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco February 8th - Mar...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

China Trade Watercolor Pictures of Junks Sampans, Set of Five
Located in Downingtown, PA
China trade watercolor pictures of junks & sampans, Set of Five, Circa 1850 The Chinese watercolor paintings on pith paper each depict a diffe...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

A Highly Decorative Chinese Deep-Relief Gilt Lacquer Wood Panel 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A CHINESE DEEP-RELIEF GILT & LACQUER WOOD PANEL 19th Century. Depicting a court scene carved in deep relief, red and black lacquer highlighted with gold later framed. Extremely col...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Set Of Twelve Chinese Framed Pith Paper Watercolors
Located in Essex, MA
Set of twelve with cream colored faux bamboo frames. Each depicting Chinese furniture and interiors.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Original Japanese Woodblock Print by Totoya Hokkei 19th Century
By Totoya Hokkei
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rare, original Utagawa Hiroshige 19th century woodblock print. Beautiful Edo period print from the original publisher. Museum quality framed with con...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Chinese Export Watercolor Exotic Bird Paintings on Paper
Located in Downingtown, PA
Natural History of the East: Pair of Fine Chinese Export Bird Watercolors (c. 1800–1820) A superb pair of early 19th-century Chinese Export ...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Thangka Depicting the Mandala of Avalokiteshvara, Tibet, Late 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A thangka depicting the mandala of Avalokiteshvara Tibet, Late 20th century. The central deity, flanked to each side by three Lamas, above a central mandala composed of concent...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Textile

Chinese Carved and Lacquered Wood Framed Mirrored-Back Etagere
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare Chinese Carved and Lacquered Wood Framed Mirrored-Back Etagere. Measures 37.25" in width, 5" in depth and 27.25" in heigth.
Category

20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Set of 4 Chinese Black Lacquer Geisha Screen Panels
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Asian Chinese style (20th Century) black lacquer screen panels depicting geishas, intaglio etched with painting (PRICED AS SET).
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Five wallpaper panels, China, 18th century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
These five wallpaper panels are hung on canvas stretched over wooden frames. Against a plain beige background, a hilly landscape unfolds across the lower quarter of the panels. Each ...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

S. Bradshaw 1810-1880 English Engravings Set of Four Framed of Chinese Subjects
Located in Savannah, GA
This lovely set of four framed prints are by famed English engraver, illustrator and painter Samuel Bradshaw 1810-1880. His worked can be vi...
Category

1840s English Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Giltwood, Paper

Chinese Export Maritime Painting of the Steam Yacht Empress of China 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Export Maritime Painting of the Steam Yacht Empress of China Oil on canvas laid to board, in original black lacquered and giltwood frame China Trade, likely Hong Kong or Cant...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

Framed Antique Chinese Embroidery Panel Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique Chinese embroidery panel, originally the sleeve band of a robe from Qing Dynasty, circa 19th century. Nicely presented as a...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Wood

Set of Six Chinese Watercolors of Song Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of six Chinese watercolors on paper of song birds in trees executed in a distinctive delicate style with bold colors. Presented in wood...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Chinese Carved Wood Wall Art from a Hunting Tiger
Located in Antwerp, BE
A large 19th century Chinese carved wall plaque in wood features a hunting tiger on rocks with bamboo trees and the sun in the background. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Framed Antique Embroidery Chinese Textile Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A piece of beautiful antique textile fragments from China, circa 19th century Qing dynasty, artistically displayed in a giltwood frame with co...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Large Antique Chinese Landscape Watercolor Painting
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Large impressive antique Chinese landscape painting, signed and framed under glass. Mixed media on paper, watercolor, ink and gouache.
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Chinese Framed Acrylic and Gold Leaf Painted Panel of a Flowering Tree
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century Chinese acrylic still life painting in white, brown and beige on a gold leaf background depicting a flowering tree growing from a rocky base with a bird and dragon fly al...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Acrylic, Giltwood

Set of Eight Chinese Watercolors of Working Women
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare antique set of eight Chinese watercolors depicting women in various occupations executed in a traditional delicate style on pith. Presented in a gilt carved wood Asian style fra...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Set of Five Antique Chinese Watercolors on Silk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing set of five Chinese watercolor paintings on silk depicting men occupied in their trades, executed in a soft delicate technique and presented under glass in four wood frame...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silver Leaf

(4) Chinese Export Oil on Canvas Exterior Scenes C. 1840 National Gallery Prov.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Export, mid 19th century. An exceptional and original 4 piece set of Chinese Export oil paintings on canvas depicting exterior ga...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Gold Leaf

Large Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wallpaper Section in Carved Hardwood Frame
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderfully charming large and colorful Chinese hand painted wallpaper section in a carved and shaped hardwood frame. The wallpaper dates to the first half of the 20th century or e...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Hardwood, Paper

Pair of Antique Chinese Pith Paintings of Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Exceptional pair of 19th century Chinese gouache paintings on pith paper depicting birds and flowers executed in the traditional gongbi technique. Presented under glass with french m...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper

Antique Chinese School Ink, Watercolor and Gouache on Paper - Framed Under Glass
Located in Morristown, NJ
Chinese School (likely 19th c.), ink, watercolor and gouache on laid paper, apparently mounted on backing sheet, no signature or mark detected, framed under glass. A traditional Chi...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper

Framed Chinese Antique Textile Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A spectacular antique Chinese embroidery panel dated from Qing dynasty (circa 19th century), professionally framed with linen mat, pur...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silk, Wood

Framed Chinese Pen and Ink Family Ancestor Portrait
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage (20th Century) Chinese pen and ink family ancestor portrait capturing nine honorees seated in front of scrolls bearing text framed by curta...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paper, Glass, Walnut

Chinese Embroidered Floral Wall Hangings
Located in Queens, NY
3 Asian Chinese style embroidered wall hangings with gilt faux bamboo frame and floral and bird design with pink border (PRICED EACH)
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Bamboo

CHINA EXPORT 1875 Antique Tall Compote With Mythological Dragon-Fish In Sterling
Located in Miami, FL
Chinese export tall tazza in silver by Hung Chong (circa 1830-1925). This is an impressive Chinese Export tall compote tazza created in the 19th Century, circa 1875. Masterfully cra...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

19th Century China Trade Seascape with the Ship Avon at Anchor by Lai Fong
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century China Trade Seascape with the Ship Avon at Anchor, by Lai Fong (active: 1875 - 1905), circa 1890, an oil on canvas starboard side view of a square-rigged ship at anchor under furled sails, on placid water with low coastline visible in the background, unsigned. This is one of a series of three paintings by Lai Fong of the Avon offered here. The painting is finely painted in a thin coat on a thin canvas, as is typical with China Port paintings...
Category

1890s Hong Kong Antique Chinese Export Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Chinese Export wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wall decorations created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export wall decorations 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 wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Chelsea House, Sunqua, and Totoya Hokkei. 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 wall decorations differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $76,572 while the average work can sell for $2,550.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed