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
Lacquered Wood Cabinet with Chinese Seenes
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful two doors cabinet is made of black and red lacquered wood presenting Chinese sceens and decorations in gold tones. This is a French work. Circa 1940
Category
1940s French Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Pair of Early 20thc Antique Bone Carved Elephant Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, CA
Pair of Early 20thc Oriental Antique Bone Carved Elephant sculpture.47w x 16w x 30h
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bone
Antique Chinese Chinoiserie 4 Panel Carved Elm Room Divider Privacy Screen
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese Chinoiserie four panel room divider or dressing screen. Made of Elm featuring inset silk screen, reticulated floral design, and four carved high relief panels - one ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silk, Elm
RARE Antique Tibetan Brass Temple Bell
Located in Pomona, CA
This is handcrafted Tibetan Brass Dharma Instrument Tibetan Temple Bell. It is all hand made and used in practice Tibetan religious law in local Temple. Look at the pictures, fine cr...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Elephant Candlestick 1860
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique Chinese Qing dynasty famille rose porcelain candleholder, circa 1860.
This very attractive antique Chinese porcelain elephant is hand-painted in the Canton famille ro...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Samson Chinese Export Style Porcelain Bianco Sopra Bianco Plate
By Samson & Cie
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique French porcelain plate.
Attributed to Samson.
In the Chinese Export porcelain style.
With a painted floral motif to the center and both the center and the rim of t...
Category
Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique French Faience Chinoiserie Decorated Pierced Platters C.1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, circa 1880.
Delve into the elegance of the late 19th century with these stunning antique French faience Chinoiserie decorated pierced platters, crafted circa 1880. Each plat...
Category
19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Export Blue and White Porcelain Cachepots
By Mario Buatta
Located in New York, NY
Each of hexagonal form; decorated with blue borders and roundels.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rose medallion bowl, 19th Century, 15" diameter
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th Century Chinese Canton / Rose Medallion porcelain bowl, having the classical green ground, gilded decoration to the floral boarders with hand painted scenes ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique South East Asian 40-Drawer Apothecary Cabinet, Circa 1920s
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique Chinese 40-Drawer Apothecary Cabinet, Circa 1920s. All drawers are divided in two. Drawers measure 2.75" W x 5.75" D or 11" without the divider x 2.5" H
Category
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Export Black Leather Box On Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular box with brass tacks and hinged lid set in a brass base.
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Antique Blue & White Canton Pattern Chinese Export Porcelain Serving Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain serving tray.
In the Canton pattern.
Decorated in underglaze blue depicting a mountainous Chinese village. The background has houses, a moun...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Three Framed Chinese Export Watercolors
Located in Essex, MA
Nicely framed with water gilt and lacquer. Scenes depicting Chinese domestic life.
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paper, Paint, Giltwood
Chinese "Seikai Karakusa" Handmade 40cm plate
By Arita
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. The kiln name Jingdezhen refers to the top ceramic producing city in northeast Jiangxi Province, China.
The Seikai karausa (Qinghai tangcao), a motif featuring a creepin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 19th Century Chinese Celadon vase/lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality early 19th Century Chinese Celedon porcelain vase / lamp. Having a wonderful bellied form with classical embossed motif decoration around, shell like handles to e...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ormolu
Chinese Blue and White Jar with Birds and Flowers
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round blue-and-white storage jar is adorned with a ribbon-tailed bird perched on a cluster of rocks, a symbol for a long and happy lif...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Sino Floral All Over Persian Medallion Area Rug Carpet 5' x 8'
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese Sino area rug or carpet. Made of 100% wool featuring a field of red with central medallion surrounded by flowers. Reds, beige, white, cream, tan, blues, pinks, gree...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wool
Old Round Blue & White Canton Chinese Export Porcelain Covered Tureen/Vegetable
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese export porcelain covered tureen or vegetable dish.
In the Canton pattern.
Decorated in underglaze blue.
Depicting a mountainous Chinese village to the top o...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Blue and White Jar with Birds and Flowers
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round blue-and-white storage jar is adorned with a ribbon-tailed bird perched on a cluster of rocks, a symbol for a long and happy lif...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century, Blanc de gene figure of Guanyin / lamp
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A Classical Chinese Blanc de gene porcelain figure of Guanyin, in the 17th century style. Mounted on a carved hardwood stand and gilded ormolu base. Also included this classical pago...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Blue and White Chinese Export Large Charger, Late Kangxi Period, circa 1700
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An exquisite Chinese late Kangxi period (1661 - 1722) blue and white porcelain charger of large size made for export to Europe, of circular form with raised convex central roundel pa...
Category
1690s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
LOVELY CHiNESE ELM STORAGE TRUNK OR CHEST OF LINEN & CLOTHES, TOYS OR FOR A BIN
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Chinese Elm with brass strap work storage trunk or little chest
Please note the delivery fee l...
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Chinese Jin Zhai Mountain River Landscape Silk Watercolor Painting 60"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese watercolor painting on silk showing a sweeping mountain landscape with cottages along a river. Wood frame with beveled grooved detail; off white mat.
1 煙雲出沒有無間 misty...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Silk, Paint
Set of Four Framed Chinese T’ang Horse Paintings
Located in Bradenton, FL
Beautiful set of four watercolor Chinese T’ang style horses. Gilt framing on all four. Very good condition with minor wear on frames.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paint
EXQUISITE CIRCA 1880 QING DYNASTY CARVED HARDWOOD CHINESE DRAGON ARMCHAiR
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Chinese Export circa 1880-1900 hand carved Rosewood armchair with oversized curled Dr...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
SUITE OF RARE COLLECTABLE ANTiQUE CHINESE MOTHER OF PEARL GAMES COUNTERS CHIPS
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of antique Chinese circa 1900 mother of pearl games counters
A truly lovely early suite, ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Round Mahogany Pedestal Table, 20th C
Located in New York, NY
Round Mahogany Pedestal Table, 20th century, with geometric motif on frieze over four spider legs.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese 汪永嘉 Misty Mountain Landscape Watercolor Painting 42"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese landscape watercolor painting on paper showing a lone figure walking among the trees towards a small cottage on the misty mountains at dusk. Beveled giltwood frame; l...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper
Pair of Mid-20th Century Chinese Blue and White Dragon Porcelain Vases with Lid
Located in Pomona, CA
An exquisite pair of Chinese porcelain lidded vases, in baluster form and beautifully hand-painted with a traditional decoration of Foo Dog and flower on the lid and Dragon, Flora...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
ANTIQUE SHENG YUAN SIGNED STERLING SILVER HAND HAMMERED CHiNESE COCKTAIL SHAKER
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, circa 1930 Chinese Sterling Silver Cocktail shaker made in Shanghai by He Ji and retailed thr...
Category
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Pair of Antique Chinese 19th cent Turquoise Enameled Ceramic pot holder
Located in Miami, FL
A turquoise glazed pair of jardiniere with incised five clawed dragons design,
China 19th century.
Small chips to the mouth rim.
Category
Mid-19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
NEST OF THREE ANTIQUE CIRCA 1920 CHINESE CHINOISERIE SiDE TABLES HAND PAINTED
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely nest of three original Chinese Chinoiserie green lacquered and hand painted nested tables
Pleas...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Blue and White Four Flowers Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Loosely brushed with cobalt blue pigments, this round, blue-and-white storage jar is underglazed with lush garden scenery featuring the flowering plants of the four seasons. Tree peo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
LOVELY CHiNESE ELM STORAGE TRUNK OR CHEST OF LINEN & CLOTHES, TOYS PART OF A SET
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Chinese Elm with brass strap work storage trunk
Please note the delivery fee listed is just a ...
Category
20th Century English Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Chinese Ancestor Empress Portrait Watercolor Scroll Painting 57"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique watercolor on paper Chinese ancestor portrait, depicting a woman on a throne chair wearing intricate robes with cranes and dragons, and jeweled crown of an Empress. Distresse...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Paint, Paper
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Pine
Chinese Blue and White Jar with Scholars' Objects
Located in Chicago, IL
This porcelain storage jar has a rounded, tapered form and is brightly glazed in the classic blue-and-white manner. The jar is decorated on three sides with cartouches enclosing stil...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese 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 Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Pine
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. And b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Famille Rose Sweetmeat Dishes set with Wooden
Located in Pomona, CA
A set of antique Chinese famille rose porcelain nine-piece combined square dishes for sweetmeats or nuts, each dish decorated with floral patterns, smooth glazed bases, late Qing Dyn...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Green Glazed Lotus Motif Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese green glazed lotus motif vase, with three handles.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Pair Asian Pottery Floor Jardinieres Birds
By Dona & Co.
Located in Fulton, CA
A pair of ceramic floor jars by Dona, Vietman. Circa. 1970. Bird and branch design. (notice one has painted rim, one does not)
Height 24 in.
Category
Mid-20th Century Vietnamese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Pottery
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 pieces to facilitated shipping.
Very g...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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. The design appears to be similar to a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chinese Export Bud Vase Famille Rose Porcelain Hand Painted, Qing, Circa 1850
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good, decorative Chinese export, Imperial Canton, porcelain, Famille Rose, Small or Bud Vase which we date to the mid-19th century, Qing dynasty, circa 1850.
The vase ha...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Antique Apple Green Chinese Crackle Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Antique Apple Green Chinese Crackle Vase.
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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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