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
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
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 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
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
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
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 circa 1900 Chinese Very Large Earthenware Dragon Planter Plant Egg Pot
By Satsuma
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Antique Chinese glazed ceramic egg cup. This brown glazed stoneware urn displays vibrant turquoise tones within. Large egg planter currently being used as ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
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
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
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
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
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
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
Very Good Quality Large Chinese Lidded Jars / PAIR
Located in Dallas, TX
a large pair of Chinese vases, very good quality, each with female figures as finials, seated next to garden seats, and foo lion mask hand...
Category
19th Century Chinese 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
Pair Of Chinese Glazed Ceramic Foo Dogs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Chinese Glazed Ceramic Foo Dogs.
This unusual pair of Chinese export glazed ceramic foo dogs are of cream and black
color with illegible...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Porcelain Charger
Located in Fulton, CA
Large 18 inch diameter Famille Rose Chinese porcelain charger . Chop mark on base.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
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 Chinese Boar's Tusk with Carved Peaches on a Carved Hardwood Stand
Located in Nantucket, MA
Chinese carved boar's tusk on carved hardwood stand. The tusk carved along the inner curve with conforming openwork peach branches with leaves and peaches and extending to two men re...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Block Print Blue and White Bowl c 1822, Tek Sing Cargo
Located in seoul, KR
This impressive, large-sized circular bowl, featuring hues of blue and white, showcases decoration through a block print technique. It is adorned with two horizontal bands of shou ch...
Category
1820s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Two Polychrome Roosters
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of Chinese export glazed ceramic roosters with polychrome plumage in pinks, greens and orange with and striking red crowns and wattles, perched on weathered green striated tre...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Chinese Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Oval Nesting Coffee Table Set 6 Stools - A
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Oval Nesting Coffee Table Set - 6 Stools - A. Item features a custom oval glass top, black lacq...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Frederick Cooper Bronze Chinese Warrior & Horse Table Lamp
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1970s cast bronze Chinese warrior on horseback table lamp by Frederick Cooper. It is such a handsome piece! The lamp is in working order...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Display Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
Very well constructed with two removable open doors cabinet and have coordinated antiqued hardware.
This beautiful carved Display Cabinet/dresser has lot of detailed open carving w...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Mid-19th Century Set of 6 Blue Canton Porcelain Rice or Soup bowls, Chinese
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-19th century group of 6 Blue Canton porcelain rice or soup bowls, Chinese export. Some hairlines & nicks. Fine, thin potting. 1 with hairline & chip; 2 with minor rim nick; 1 wit...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Collectible Gilt Metal Tibetan Box with Turquoise 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Collectible Chinese Tibetan Gilt Brass Metal Filigree with Turquoise and Coral beads round Box Handcrafted round Tibetan, Nepalese decorative brass trinket wish box with pull-off lid...
Category
Mid-20th Century Nepalese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair Antique Emperor & Empress Figure Figurine Statue Hand Painted Qing Dynasty
Located in Wayne, NJ
Sold as a Pair. Antique emperor and empress figure figurine statue hand \painted 12.5" Qing Dynasty. This is an old pair of Asian Figurines. They are heavy, so believe they must be s...
Category
Early 1900s 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
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
Antique Korean Coin Chest
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Charming antique coin box. From the Joseon Dynasty period. Chest is made from hardwood with dovetail joinery.
Has heavy patina and shows it’s age ve...
Category
19th Century Korean Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Circa 1800-1830 Pair of Chinese Export Blue Canton Soup Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1800-1830 pair of porcelain soup plates, Blue Canton, Chinese export. Octagonal form. One with minor rim chip, the other with a few chips; both with hairlines.
9" dia.
Whiteha...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
A Chinese famille rose plate Yongzheng period
Located in Dallas, TX
A Chinese famille rose plate. Yongzheng period
Decorated in the famille rose palette with peonies and other flowers.
Country: China
Period : Yongzh...
Category
1730s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vase chinois en émail cloisonné sur cuivre décor floral 1950/60
Located in AIX-LES-BAINS, FR
Grand vase des années 1950/60 provenant de Chine, en émaux cloisonnés sur cuivre avec un beau décor de fleurs.
Le cerclage au col est en laiton doré , permet un beau contraste avec l...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Other, Brass
Horse and Rider Figurine c1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Reign
Located in seoul, KR
A rider wearing an green gown. He is seated side saddle on a yellow painted horse with riding crop in hand. It was worn away on the sea floor.
Period : Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Perio...
Category
1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Pair Of Samson Chinese Export Style Table Lamps
Located in Essex, MA
Interesting lamps with a central porcelain ginger jar with prunus decoration with cover with a carved and painted wood base to match and blend with the porcelain. An extender between...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
Chinese Low Chairs With Carved Back Panel, Late 19Th C., A-Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Classical 19th C. Low Chairs Backed with a carved back panel with armrest, in Burma Rosewood. These are called Opium chairs or meditation c...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Imperial Yellow Bowl Egg Shell Porcelain 5 clawed Dragons 20th Century
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Presenting an exquisite piece of Chinese craftsmanship: the Imperial Yellow Bowl, crafted from delicate eggshell porcelain in the 20th century. Adorned with intricate depictions of e...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Tulipiere Towers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Enchanting pair of Chinese blue and white crafted in four pieces each with sixteen openings and hand decorated with floral and landscape designs.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Nanking Blue and White Porcelain Vintage 23 Piece Tea and Meal Service
Located in Lomita, CA
Dessert will appear extra delicious on this set of Nanking blue and white porcelain Chinese export assembled set with teapot and cups circa 1940. There is a wonderful mix of pieces for presentation: a raised circular pedestal plate...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Brass Accented Wood Jewelry Box Chest
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage George Zee Chinese jewelry storage box. This beautifully crafted chest is constructed of wood and adorned with brass accents including a Chinese 'blessing'' character on to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Four Panel Chinese Coromandel Folding Lacquered Screen
Located in Highland, IN
This screen has four panels with brass feet. The front features a tranquil nature scene with a variety of birds bordered by a pattern flowering vine with four different antique vases with flowers...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Brass
Circa 1830 Chinese Export Porcelain Blue Canton Gravy Boat
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830 Blue Canton gravy boat, Chinese export porcelain. Helmet form; loop handle. Light blue color. Interesting glaze & kiln flaws.
7" x 4.5" x 4" h.
Whitehall Antiques is a fa...
Category
1830s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Green Sancai Glazed Parrots
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Green Sancai Glazed Parrots
China, Early 20th Century
A Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Green Sancai Glazed Parrots, originating from China in the...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Assembled Set of 10 Porcelain Salt Dishes, Chinese Export
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th century assembled set of 10 porcelain salt dishes, Chinese export. Blue Canton, blue & white. Chips on a few.
2 3/4" avg. dia., 7/8" h.
Whitehall Antiques is a family business ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Apothecary Cabinet with Drawers
Located in Pasadena, CA
A remarkable 19th century Chinese apothecary cabinet. With 24 drawers and 2 larger lower drawers. Each smaller drawer with Chinese script and brass pull handles.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
A large Chinese famille noire porcelain vase and original hardwood stand.
Located in Central England, GB
This most decorative large Chinese famille noire vase or possibly a walking stick stand dates to circa 1930 and it is richly decorated over a black enamel background (noire) with thi...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Pair of Antique Chinese Export Famille Rose Canton Orange Ground Vases or Urns
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Chinese export porcelain vases.
In the Rose Canton or Famille Rose style.
Decorated throughout with numerous cartouches of flowers and birds in a variety of ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Very large carved and gilt wood Buddha, Burma 19th century
Located in PARIS, FR
Very large statue of Buddha (1.22 m), on its pedestal, seated in Bhumisparsa mùdra, or gesture of taking the earth as witness.
Buddha calls upon the goddess of the earth to bear witn...
Category
Late 19th Century Burmese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Scale Antique Chinese Carved Cork Diorama in Ebonised Glass Display Case
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A large scale Chinese carved cork diorama in its original glass display case, early 20th Century piece, Circa 1910.
The scene is of a Chinese villa...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Cork
Chinese Export Rosewood Carved Altar Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional Chinese Huali rosewood table with remarkably straight wood grain patterns and distinctive carving. The aprons are carved in an intricate lattice work of blossoms and bird...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
19th Century Assembled set of 6 Blue Canton Small Rice or Soup Bowls, Chinese
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th century assembled set of 6 Blue Canton small rice or soup bowls, Chinese export. Porcelain. 3 hairlines; minute chips & firing flaws.
3 3/4" dia., 2" h.
Whitehall Antiques is a...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, 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
Circa 1830s Blue Canton Associated Covered Vegetable Dish, Chinese Export
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830s Blue Canton associated covered vegetable dish, Chinese export. Porcelain. Rectangular. 1/2" chip in corner of cover.
9" x 8.25" x 5.25" h.
Whitehall Antiques is a family...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Asian Carved Composite Stone Buddha Head
Located in New York, NY
Asian Carved Composite Stone Buddha Head, Buddha with closed eyes, mounted on wood base. Sculpture: 12.75" H x .75" W x 8.5" D; with base: 3" H x 8.25" W x 6" D.
Category
20th Century Chinese Export Furniture
Materials
Stone
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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