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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
Antique Chinese Bonzai Styled Flowering Fruit Tree Sculpture with Cloisonne Pot
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This sizable sculpture is unsigned with respect to the artist, but presumed to have originated from China and date to the Early Republic Period in approximately 1920. The sculpture i...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Stone, Metal

Pair of Soapstone Chinese Scholar Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A fabulous vintage pair of soapstone Chinese scholar bookends, circa 1980s. The bookends depict two Chinese scholars and are beautifully sculpted;. the set is in very good vintage co...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Qing Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain Vase in French Gilt Bronze Mount
Located in Dallas, TX
Qing Dynasty Blue And White Porcelain Vase In French Gilt Bronze Mount, Formerly Drilled as Lamp, Square Shape Square Shape. 20...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Geo III Chinese Export Occasional Table
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
 A rare C18th Chinese export occasional table, of elegant design and constructed of exotic hardwoods including Padouk. The oval tilt top with blonde wood crossbanded edge and repeat...
Category

1780s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Padouk

Chinese Silver Repousse Dragon Handle Sauce Boat by Luen Wo
Located in Gainesville, FL
Chinese Export silver repousse sauce boat with dragon handles. Marked for Luen Wo.. Very fine decoration. 7 1/4" long, 4 " tall, 3 1/2", 7 oz weight.
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Silver Beaker, circ 1890's
Located in Gainesville, FL
Chinese export repousse beaker, circ 1890. Wieght 3.3 oz., 4 3/8" tall
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

BATTLE SCENE AND HUNTING SCENE Late 18th Century Chinese
Located in Madrid, ES
BATTLE SCENE AND HUNTING SCENE Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese paintings, from the 18th century, on paper. Framed. Small defects. Dim.: 177 x 162 cm
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Mid-20th Century Chinese Raised Carved Glazed Ceramic Jar with lid.
Located in Pomona, CA
With detailed raised hand carved Feng Shui Pattern all over, this peacock green glazed ceramic jar is very unique. It is a perfect decorative element in any house. The pictures say...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair, Sampson French Porcelain Famille Rose Medallion Pallet Porcelain Urns
Located in Atlanta, GA
Samson & Cie was operated by four generations in Paris and Montreauil-sous-Bois from 1845 to 1979/1980. It was first established by Edme Samson (Paris 1810 – 1891) at 7, Rue Vendôme ...
Category

20th Century French Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Antique pair of Chinese reverse painted pictures, the Emperor and Empress C 1920
Located in Central England, GB
A very decorative rich and colourful pair of pictures are hand painted in reverse on panes of glass. This is a very difficult and highly skilled process where the finest detailing has to be painted first unlike traditional artwork. Both pictures show very similar images, one of the Emperor and the other of the Empress both wearing fabulous elaborately decorated silk gowns. They are seated on an impressive throne chair with white marble carved elephants on blue stands in the background standing on a detailed tiled floor. These superb paintings are displayed in their original carved hardwood frames with a black lacquered finish. The backs are panelled and held in place with neat rectangular wooden pegs. On the back, there appears to be old chalked detail from an auction or saleroom, Hinkley, lot 37 library. The frames have decorative cast brass hanging plates...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Glass

Brass Buddha with child Incense 1940s China
Located in Den Haag, NL
Chinese Buddha with child . The child is a insert ,can be removed . The holes are for incense ,i think . strange combination .Do you now more than me . Solid Brass .
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Peking Blue Chinese Carpet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Peking blue Chinese textile floor covering. Great addition to your interiors and rooms. Perfect size for a bathroom!
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Attr. to Gabriel Viardot - Japanese Vitrine / Cabinet
Located in Beaune, FR
Lovely little Japanese-style vitrine in carved wood in the style of Gabriel VIARDOT. Vitrine in the upper part and shelves in the lower part. This small piece of furniture is in good...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century, Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Planter or Fish Bowl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th century. This exceptional 19th-century Chinese export porcelain fish bowl or planter. Crafted with unparalleled skill and adorned with intricate geometric borders, its...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Pair, Chinese Export Figural Blue & White Hongxian Porcelain Vases C. 1915
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, Hongxian period circa 1915. A pair of Chinese export porcelain vases in a blue and white floral motif surrounding two figural emperor windows. Marked with wax seal and Hon...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Imari Pavilion Pattern Blue and White Tea Set c 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Re
Located in seoul, KR
The "Imari Pavilion pattern" refers to a decoration pattern found on porcelains made during this period, influenced by Japanese Imari ware. Imari porcelain, produced in the Arita reg...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Ceramic

Chinese Elmwood and Brass Credenza or Sideboard, Mid 20th Century
Located in Hamburg, PA
A handsome Chinese credenza or cabinet made of elmwood with brass hardware. This Asian sideboard has beautiful amber tones with mortise and tenon joints. The cabinet is functional wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood Drum Stools or Drink Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of Chinese export ming style drum tabouret form stools or drink tables. Hand-crafted from rich Hongnmu hardwood with a dark finish that showcases the lovely woodgrains....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Export Four Panel Lacquered Coromandel Dressing Screen Room Divider
Located in Doylestown, PA
Chinese export smaller scale four-panel lacquered dressing screen room divider with hand-painted decoration on both sides. One side depicts a charming continuous pavilion scene wi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

Burgundy Glazed Chinese Pottery Jardiniere with Ram's Horns
Located in Chicago, IL
Burgundy Glazed Chinese Pottery Jardiniere with Ram's Horns, 20th Century. opening 14 3/4" diam
Category

20th Century Asian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Camphor wood Hope Chest
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a traditional style of Chinese antique raise carved/relief Camphor chest/trunk from China. It was sailor's hope chest with all the sailor's best wishes and hopes in it. This chest has detailed carving works of Phoenix and Peonies on the front and raised relief carving of fairy and crane, and old man boating on the front. It is opened on top and has a antique latch...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Two Famille Rose Cosmetic Boxes, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period
Located in seoul, KR
Circular form with flattened doomed covers, the covers with a medallion of flower with full bloom, the bowls with two round borders. Period : Qing Dynasty, Kangxi-Yongzheng Period P...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Pair of Blue and White Double Happiness Ginger Jars
Located in Chicago, IL
The symbol for double happiness adorns this pair of ginger jars with best wishes for love, companionship and marital bliss. Glazed in the classic blue and white manner, each porcelai...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Album Of Chinese Gouache Paintings On Paper
Located in Bradenton, FL
Rare Chinese Export School. 24 miniatures in watercolor and bodycolor on pith paper. Album of pith paintings depicting trades and professions. 19th century Chinese, bound with silk t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Mid-20th Century Chinese Carved Collector's Display Shelf/Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
This unique piece is a classical Chinese art deco display/room divider in the original condition, all hand carved and free standing shelving unite in dark mahogany finished. It fea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th Century Chinese Red Cinnabar Lacquer Floral Pedestal c.1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An exquisite 19th Century Chinese red lacquer pedestal table. Crafted in a square shape with gracefully curved legs that merge seamlessly with the base, it captivates all who encount...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Antique Art Deco Tan and Purple Wool Rug with Classic Chinese Motif 4 X 7
Located in Norwalk, CT
This antique art deco Chinese wool rug showcases a tan field with a decorative purple frame and multi-colored accents in an all-over Chinese classic motif. This rug measures 4'1" x ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Other

Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wood Trunk on Stand Early 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th Century Chinese Hand Painted Wood Trunk on Paint Decorated Stand. Overall Dimensions: 18" x 32" x 24" (45.7 x 81.3 x 61 cm.) Provenance: From the Estate of Baroness Adel...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Four Diminutive Chinese Export Hardwood Nesting Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive miniature set of four diminutive stacking or nesting tables crafted from hardwood. The Chinese export tables feature gracefully carved aprons in an open geometric fretwork...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Red Leather, Brass and Camphor Wood Chinese Export Trunk
Located in Centennial, CO
A beautiful, antique (mid 1800s) Chinese red leather and brass over camphor wood export trade trunk offers ample storage and could be used as a coffee table or accent piece. It is a ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Sauce Tureens, Covers & Stands
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Sauce Tureens, Covers & Stands, A Pair, Circa 1775 The pair of Chinese Export porcelain sauce tureens are of a shaped rectangular form and are ...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

20th Century Antique Chinese Hand Carved 4 Panels Wooden Screen/Room Divider
Located in Pomona, CA
A set of four Chinese large carved wooden screen, with fretwork design, Created in China during mid 20th century, each of this set of four of large panels captures our attention with...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair, Chinese Famille Rose Enamel Decorated Porcelain Garden Stool
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, early to mid 20th century. A pair of likely mid century Chinese porcelain garden stools. Each stool features enamel decorated surfaces of figural windows, landscapes and pr...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

1920s Vintage Peking Wool Rug Handmade In Light Pink with Classic Chinese Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This elegant antique Peking Chinese wool rug showcases a pink-rose field with a decorative frame and multi-colored accents in a stunning all-over Chinese classic motif. This rug mea...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Other

Handmade Square Blue Antique Wool Rug Designed Art Deco Fl
Located in Norwalk, CT
This beautiful hand-knotted wool rug showcases a navy blue center framed by a multicolored border in a stunning Chinese floral pattern. This rug measures 7' x 7'2".  
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique large circular Chinese Republican period hand painted framed panel
Located in Central England, GB
This superb very large Chinese Republican period porcelain panel depicts a detailed underwater aquatic scene which is illuminated with golden sunlight. It shows numerous shubunkin go...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Ceramic Handmade Chinese Garden Stool
Located in Vienna, AT
Midcentury chinese porcelain garden seat, partly pierced and decorated in colours and transfer printing with dragon,
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Kangxi Mark Porcelain Ginger Jars, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Lidded Ginger Jars, with mystical creature motif, cobalt blue overglaze Kangxi six character mark in double circle to underside, on carved wo...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

19th C. Chinese Hand Painted Silk 6-Panel Wallpaper Floor Screen Mounted As A Pr
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th or possibly late 18th century. An oversized Chinese 6 panel wallpaper screen mounted as a PAIR of 3 panel screens. Each nearly 8 foot tall panel has stunning hand laid...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Paint

Circa 1800-1830 Group of 6 Blue Canton Porcelain Low Bowls, Chinese Export
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1800-1830 group of 6 Blue Canton porcelain low bowls, Chinese export. Ideal for fruits & desserts. Fine, thin potting. Rim nick or nicks to all but one; two with hairlines. 5 3...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Birds with Prunus and Cherry
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Pair of Plaques of Birds with Prunus and Cherry Trees, 20th Century The beautiful large plaque, in a horizontal format, depicts a pair of birds...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Silk Rug, Beijing, Qing Dynasty, Circa 1930
Located in RÉDING, FR
"Chinese Silk Rug, Beijing, Qing Dynasty, Circa 1930" Even after the fall of the Celestial Empire, carpets were woven according to very precise rules, as in this quality product, wh...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

White Ware Moulded Baluster Form, Yuan Dynasty, 14th century
Located in seoul, KR
This vase is made from a type of low-fired, porous clay and features a crackled glaze. It bears resemblance to the renowned funerary vases and covers adorned with applied decorations...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Golden Pheasant on a Tree Branch
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Golden Pheasant on a Flowering Tree Branch, 20th Century, The large porcelain plaque, in an upright format, depicts a large Golden Ph...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Chinese Turquoise Glazed Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Chinese Turquoise Glazed Porcelain Foo Dogs. A large pair of Chinese turquoise glazed foo dogs dating from the first half of the 20th c...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Blue and White Teapot Circa 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Reign
Located in seoul, KR
This teapot is intricately decorated with patterns of flowers, leaves, and scroll-like designs. Period : Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period Production Date : C 1725 Made in : Jingdezhen...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Porcelain Qing Emperor Decorative Figure
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your collection with this exquisite Chinese porcelain figurine inspired by the illustrious Qing dynasty. Crafted in a stunning wucai style, the figurine depicts a distinguish...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Framed Silk Embroidery Panel
Located in Pomona, CA
An antique Chinese silk embroidery in 3D framed. The museum quality display wall decor. There are numerous auspicious symbols and Bir...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Blue and White Tea Set c 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Reign
Located in seoul, KR
The saucer set depicts botanical garden, motifs rich in symbolism within east asian culture. Each teabowl depicts scenes, characters and situations are richly depicted inside the sma...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Blue and White Double Happiness Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
The symbol for double happiness adorns this slender ginger jar with best wishes for love, companionship and marital bliss. Glazed in the classic blue and white manner, the porcelain ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Flow Blue and White Transferware Ironstone Platter Dish w Chinese Dragon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Flow Blue and White Transferware Ironstone Large Platter Dish with Chinese Dragon. Circa 1800s. Measurements: 2" H x 20" W x 16" D..
Category

Early 1800s Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Blue and White Peony Brush Pot
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

A Pair of Late 20th Century Blue and White Ceramic Chinese Ginger Jars
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A pair of blue and white ceramic ginger jars hand-crafted and painted in China in the second part of 20th century, They are in original condition with normal signs of age. Blue and w...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Ceramic Vase with Blue China Decorations from the 1950s
Located in Milano, MI
Chinese ceramic vase with China blue decorations, made in the 1950s Ø 18 cm h 18 cm Chinese ceramics are some of the most renowned and admired works of art in the world, with a his...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Library Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century Chinese bamboo library table. Amazing Chinese export center or library table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

White Ware with two dragons, Yuan Dynasty, 13-14th century
Located in seoul, KR
This vase is made from a type of low-fired, porous clay and features a crackled glaze. It bears resemblance to the renowned funerary vases and covers adorned with applied decorations...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Antique Chinese Shiwan/Shekwan Mud Man Figurine Scholar c.1900
Located in Richmond, CA
Antique Chinese hand made mud man figurine, finely crafted and hand painted, of a standing elderly scholar dressed in a blue robe, holding a large lo...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Clay

Chinese Export Six Panel Coromandel Screen Exotic Bird Landscape
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylized 20th century Chinese export coromandel screen depicting an exotic bird landscape. The front side of the six panel screen is centered by a large mythical bird with colorful p...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Metal

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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