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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 Mid-Century Hieroglyphic Style Cast Metal Table Lamps
Located in Fulton, CA
A unique pair of cast metal table lamps. They are heavy cast metal with a bronze like patina. Each lamp is mounted to an Asian style wood base. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century South East Asian Three-Tier Elmwood Side Table
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Centruy South East Asian, probably Chinese, Three-Tier Elmwood Side Table. Measures 15" in width, 15" in depth and stands 26.75" in height. Lower tier clearence is 10.75" and up...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

19th Century Asian Two-Tier Lacquered And Decorated Handled Basket
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Asian Two-Tier Lacquered And Decorated Handled and covared Basket.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Tall Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Pagoda
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this pair of tall Blue and White porcelain pagoda towers each crafted with six hand decorated separate pieces. These are in separated ...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Bowl Hand Painted Blue and White, 17th Century Ming Export
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand painted Chinese Export porcelain bowl, which we date to the 17th century, Ming Dynasty. The bowl is fairly thickly potted with a fairly high, slightly undercut foot and an everted rim. The bowl is decorated inside and outside, in varying shades of under-glaze cobalt blue with various symbols and designs separated by curvy lined panels...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Blue and White Brush Pot with First Scholar
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Wallpaper Six Panel Screen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese export wallpaper six panel screen, each panel depicting Chinese decor. Screen includes blue and white painted vases, urns and furnishings in colors that include blue, burgund...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Plates with Green Enamel, Set of Twelve
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Plates with Green Enamel, Set of Twelve, Circa 1775 The Chinese Export porcelain plates had a wavy shaped rim which is decorated with a contin...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Chinese Export Eggshell Porcelain Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese Export porcelain vase. In a baluster form. Decorated with a painted scene of two men and two women in traditional Chinese garb. In the background are trees and a roc...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Kangxi Blue Ginger Jar with Phoenix & Birds
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain ginger jar. With a white ground and blue decoration. With a depiction of a Chinese phoenix (Fènghuáng, 鳳凰) amongst the clouds, along with de...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Tibetan Floral Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful late 20th century Tibetan rug with a lovely floral design Measures: 2'11'' x 5'9".
Category

Late 20th Century Tibetan Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Set Of Two Diminutive Carved Chinese Jade Beads
Located in Bradenton, FL
Set Of two diminutive carved jade beads. Beautiful intricate carvings on both. Both have tiny hole in top and at bottom.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Antique Chinese Shanxi Red Lacquer Poplar Floral Painted Bentwood Hat Tea Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese Shanxi Red Lacquer Poplar Hat / Tea Box. Features a floral decorated design over red lacquer finish. Dimensions: 13" x 13" x 12.25"h
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Poplar, Lacquer

Set of 4 Chinese Export Porcelain Celadon Plates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 4 antique Chinese porcelain celadon plates. Each with a raised depictions of birds, bugs, and butterflies surrounded by pink, orange, and green foliage against a celad...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Celadon

Antique Chinese Export Armorial Porcelain Saucer with Doves in a Bird Bath
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine late 18th or early 19th Century Chinese export armorial porcelain saucer. With a white ground and cobalt blue and gilt geometric designs. The center bears an armorial crest ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Cloisonne Elephant Ginger Jar
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual antique Chinese ginger jar handcrafted in a cloisonne technique, decorated with fauna, flora, and tassels on an alluring blue background, featuring a removable head ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Large Antique Chinese Carved Nephrite White Jade Belt Buckle
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century hand-carved nephrite white jade waist buckle. Features a mythical bird with possible chilong creature on front. Unique Asian jade piece. Very fine and detailed carving.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Jade

Lacquered Asian Trays from Vietnam, with circles Decor Pattern Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This tray is an Asian tray. It has been made in Vietnam in the 1980's. It is made in black lacquered painted wood. Oranges fishes are the decor pattern.
Category

1970s Vietnamese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

MId-20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Siver Chest Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional Mid-20th Century Chinese Carved Rosewood Siver Chest and Cabinet in great vintage condition. Features a flip top that open to reveal two flatware storage trays all fel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Felt, Rosewood

Antique Chinese Tea Caddy Cloisonne Enamels on Copper 19th century
Located in Sweden, SE
Handcrafted using the Cloisonné technique, this tea caddy has an original shape, decorated with stylized bats and flowers, and signed at the bottom. Perfect for tea enthusiasts, it w...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Vintage Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Umbrella Stand or Vase
Located in Doylestown, PA
Chinese Famille Verte porcelain cylinder vase or umbrella holder, c. 1960s. This cheerful vase or cane/umbrella holder has great vibrant colors with flowers and ribbon swag detail. ...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Cherrywood Occasional Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Chinese Cherrywood occasional table featuring a carved water lily design to apron. With rounded edges, carved divet to top and three delicate stretchers.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Pair Chinese Export Porcelain Vases and Covers, c. 1775
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine pair of Chinese Export porcelain vases and covers. Dating from the third quarter of the 1700s, and originating in the Jingdezhen region of China, near the important China Trad...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Blue and White Brush Pot with Koi & Lotus
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Terra Cotta Garden Seats with Elephants and Flowers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of vintage Chinese garden seats with rare decorative appeal hand decorated with elephants on an alluring red background and f...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Blue and White Brush Pot with Fish & Flora
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This stonewa...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Hand Painted and Carved Tall Mirror, China circa 1770-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
The attractive carving found in the frame of this mirror includes dramatic flourishes on top, balanced at the base while narrow sides contain figures, birds and more. Notice the ori...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

Chinese Wicker Elephant Box from the Shanghai Collection
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Chinese elephant sculpture ambitiously hand crafted in woven wicker with rattan and wood highlights, having a removable head as a lid. From the famed Shanghai collection.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wicker

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Manchurian Robe Panel Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Manchurian Robe Panel. Embellishe...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Early 20th-C. Chinese Warrior Terracotta Roof Tile Mounted On Lucite
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an antique Chinese warrior roof tile that has been mounted on lucite. The composition appears to be glazed terracotta. The piece coul...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta, Lucite

Mid-Century Chinese Export Style Famille Rose Garden Seat / Side Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese Export style colorful famille rose garden seat or side table. It depicts Chinese pastoral scenes on each panel. The top is 10.5” in diameter.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Four Elm Folding Screen Room Dividers, China circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
A set of four large natural elm wood interior folding screen panels with vertical fretwork that allows light to pass through the upper section. Solid, stable and all hinges in place....
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Early 20 Century Antique Carved Bronze 3 Generations of Buddha Statues
Located in Pomona, CA
Three generations of Buddha represents Past, Present and Future three generations of Buddha. They are Dipamkara Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha and Maitreya Buddha. They wer hand made from ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Child's Bib, Cat Motif Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Child's Bib, Cat Motif. Embellish...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Chinese Export Four Panel Carved Soapstone Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export four panel coromandel screen featuring beauties in a pagoda pavilion landscape. Beautifully crafted from intricately carved soapstone in vivid colors and fasci...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

Vintage Burl Wood & Brass Tansu Chest
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring home a sense of timeless adventure with this fantastic Asiatic burl wood tansu style chest. Upper double doors open to reveal a tidy cubby with two felt-lined, dovetailed drawe...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Large 20th Century Famille Verte Porcelain Decorative Piece
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of traditional Chinese artistry to your space with this large 20th Century Famille Verte Porcelain Decorative Piece. This striking piece features a classic bottle shape a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Rose Medallion Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain In the Rose Medallion (Famille Rose) style. The central cartouche of the bowl depicts a flor...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Silk Brocade Object W/ Carved Turquoise Beads Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk EmbroideryBrocade Object W/ Carved Turquoise...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Silk Figural Embroidered Purse Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidered purse...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Brocade Child's Bib Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Child's Bib. Embellished with a f...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Export Silver Battle Mug with Dragon Handle
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver mug, ca 1880. Straight and upward tapering sides with allover low-relief battle frieze depicting soldiers—spearmen, lancers, and swordsmen—with a few hapless me...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Blue and White Brush Pot with Birds and Peonies
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Manchurian Robe Panel Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese silk embroidery Manchurian robe panel. Embellishe...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Brocade Collar Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery Brocade Collar Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century. Step into the lavish world of the Qing Dynasty with this exquisite antique Chinese Silk Embroidery...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Large Chinese Double Gourd Ceramic Lamp
Located in London, GB
Large Chinese Double Gourd Ceramic Lamp on wooden base 20th Century. In good condition commensurate of age. Shade not included
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export Porcelain Tea Caddy Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Export hand-painted porcelain tea caddy jar. Pictures of a boy and his dog adorn both sides of jar in rich colors of dark blue, gold, red and turquoise. Greek key border fram...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Bai Tea Leaf Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Rendered in a striking cool white glaze, this contemporary porcelain jar offers a modern take on a classic form. Lidded jars like these were used in tea shops in China, where tea dri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th Century Petite French Bamboo Three-Shelf Étagère
Located in Houston, TX
Late 19th century petite French bamboo three-shelf étagère. Shelves' surfaces are woven sisal.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wood, Grasscloth

Antique Chinese Square Bench Or Ottoman
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Chinese Square Bench or Ottoman. This versatile antique Chinese Rosewood bench or ottoman is in good condition and perfect for extra sea...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Pair of Wang Hing Chinese Export Silver Dragon Moon Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese export silver vases, ca 1910. Each: Flat and round moon body on domed foot; animal-head handles mounted to shoulder. On front and back is chased dragon—a horned and t...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Vintage Chinese Terracotta Garden Seats
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Mid Century Chinese garden seats handcrafted in terracotta in classic form with a unique two tone drip and speckle glaze.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Mongolia Cabinet Credenza
Located in Buffalo, NY
Interesting Chinese Export Cabinet,,,,four doors.. two top opening compartments.. Origin: Mongolia, China Circa: 1880 - 1900 Material: Wood Condition: Distressed, Original finished,...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Chinese Black Lacquered Wood Pedestal
Located in Doylestown, PA
Chinese black lacquered cylindrical wood pedestal, 1960s. Exquisite pedestal with a scene depicting elegant ladies in a pavilion garden with birds, architecture and trees. A picture...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Export Watercolor Exotic Bird Paintings on Paper
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade watercolor paintings of exotic birds on branches are in watercolor and gouache on Chinese paper. One picture depicts a pigeon perched on a tree branch with a landscape background. Chinese calligraphy can be seen in the top right corner. The second picture depicts two courting birds in shades of brown, both perched on a branch, also in a landscape background. Both paintings framed with a green silk mat and contemporary gilt and dark wood frame. Reference: Chinese Export...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquered Three Piece Nesting Tables
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Transform your space with these exquisite 19th-century Chinoiserie lacquered nesting tables, crafted specifically for the discerning export market. Each table boasts intricate exteri...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

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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