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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
Chinese Porcelain Framed Famille Rose Plaque of Long Tailed Hawk on a Rose Tree
Located in Downingtown, PA
20th Century Chinese Porcelain Plaque This 20th-century Chinese porcelain plaque features a long-tailed hawk perched on a flowering rose branch. The scene is rendered in the Famille...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Late Qing Dynasty Rosewood Export Side Table Carved With Floral Bamboo Theme
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Elegant hand carved late Qing Dynasty Chinese Rosewood table with delicate carving and slender bamboo theme legs. Some chips in relief carving as seen otherwise in good original cond...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

18th French Walnut Console Table in Chinese Style
Located in Houston, TX
18th century French walnut console table in Chinese style, constructed circa 1780. Hand-carved in walnut wood with mortise and tenon construction. Two drawers and a single two-door c...
Category

Late 18th Century French Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Steel, Iron

1960s Chinese Cloisonné Vase Turquoise Enamel Inlay Chrysanthemum & Butterflies
Located in Andernach, DE
Expressive and intricately detailed Cloisonné bowl of medium size in turquoise, lapis blue, yellow & green. The metal filigree in brass beautifully detailed with butterflies, chrysan...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Copper

Vintage Chinese Cloisonné - Vase, Beaker and Owl Ornament - Blue Toned
Located in Glasgow, GB
This vintage Chinese cloisonné collection features a trio of miniature blue ornaments, with each exuding its own unique charm and delicate design....
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose-Verte Plates Painted with A Flower Basket
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Plates Painted with Flower Baskets, Yongzheng (1723-1735) The pair of Chinese Export Yongzheng period "Rose-Verte" porcelain plates depict an o...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Traditional Chinese Painting on Silk, 2 Women. Unusual Carved and Gilt Frame
Located in Buffalo, NY
Traditional Chinese Painting on Silk, depicting 2 Women. Unusual oversized shell motif to carved and gilt frame.
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

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

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

Late 19th Century Elmwood Console China Export
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant elmwood console is handcrafted and so the beautiful details under the top and to the corners, both the sides. This is a piece of glamorous timeless The top is in solid...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Export Immortal Figures Mounted on the Back of Animals
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Immortal Figures Mounted on the Back of Animals, Circa 1780 The rare Chinese Export porcelain figures depict two immortals riding on the backs of a mythical...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage leather clad hand painted Chinese dresser box.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage hand painted leather clad dresser box. This dresser box was handmade in Canton China. This box has two small drawers at the front and a lid that opens up and presen...
Category

1990s Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Leather

A Pair of Vintage Chinese Buffalo Horn Carved Eagle Sculptures
Located in Pomona, CA
This pair of vintage Chinese Buffalo horn carved eagle sculptures are 100 percent hand made and hand carved from Buffalo horn. In ancient China, The eagle represent bravery and Wisdo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Horn

Chinese Antique De Hua Porcelain Kwan Yin Statuary
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a Chinese hand carved De Huang Porcelain Kwan Yin Bodhisattva statuary in off-white ivory color. It is all hand made and hand carved Kwan Yin seating on the lotus Seat with t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid 20th Century Chrysanthemum Cloisonne Table Lamps - a Pair
Located in Canton, MA
Mid 20th Century chrysanthemum cloisonne table lamps, a pair. Brick red background with orange and pink chrysanthemums, an orange and black butterfly, and magnolia blossoms on the ba...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Pair of Vintage Chinese Blue Glazed Garden Seats
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of mid century Chinese garden seats handcrafted in terracotta in a hexagon form with a bamboo and floral motif under an alluring cobalt blue glaze.
Category

Mid-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

Vintage Watercolor Painting on Paper - Signed - Unframed - China - 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage watercolor painting on paper - good quality and composition - signed with a multi character stamp in red - mounted with adhesive tape to a two color/double bevel edged matte ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint, Paper

Antique Oriental Porcelain Vase Lamp Off White and Blue Perched Bird
Located in New Orleans, LA
This charming Chinese export crackled porcelain vase dates to 1905 but was been newly rewired. In good condition, with some wear to the vase itself, consistent with age and use. Vase...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Fabric, Wood

XIANG TIAN - 'Relaxing' - Vintage Watercolor Painting - Signed - China - 20th C.
Located in Chatham, ON
XIANG TIAN - 'Relaxing' - Vintage watercolor painting on paper - nice quality and composition - signed with a single red chop mark and Chinese characters (upper left) - signed and ti...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint, Paper

Pair of Rose Medallion Vases
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Fine pair of 19th century rose medallion vases.
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Export Silver Fruit Dish
Located in London, GB
A Chinese export silver fruit dish of shaped oval form. The dish has applied chrysanthemum on engraved basket weave piercing, and the base is a skirt of pierced chrysanthemum. Made b...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

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

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood, Pine

Large Italian A.Santini Faux Ivory Tusk Carving God of Longevity Chinoiserie 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
A huge Italian A.Santini faux ivory resin sculpture in a curved tusk form, standing 25" tall, of a detailed Chinese god of Longevity standing with a child, mounted upon a stand with ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Resin

Mid-19th Century Chinese Blue & White Vase Lamp
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid 19th century Chinese blue & white vase lamp. Top of baluster form porcelain vase with minor chips and restored area, likely the reason it was made into a lamp. Decorated with clo...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

China Trade Framed Pith Paper Set of Pictures of Butterflies and Plants
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Watercolours of Flowers and Butterflies on Pith Paper, Set of Eight, Circa 1840-60. The superb set of Chinese watercolours of flowers and insects are painted on pith paper a...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paper

Vintage solid brass and enamel Chinese export trinket box.
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a vintage Chinese export solid brass and enamel trinket box. This solid brass box has four medallions on the top and medallions on each side of the box. The top of the box fe...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Amazing Red Background Antique Chinese Tiger Rug 6'4" x 5'4"
Located in New York, NY
Amazing Red Background Antique Chinese Tiger Rug, Country of origin: China, Circa date: 1920
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Ceramic Han Dynasty Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Ceramic Han Dynasty Lamp. Please note certificate of authenticity is available. The Height to top of bulb fitting is 16". The Height of the Vase itsel...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Chinese Export Black Lacquer And Gilt Decorated Tilt Top Table
Located in Free Union, VA
A fine early Chinese lacquer tilt top table decorated with stunning painted and gilded vignettes. There are all manner of elegantly executed sacred objects and musical instruments ar...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint

Late 19th Century Covered Ginger Jar Lamp, Chinese
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century covered ginger jar lamp, Chinese. Blue & white porcelain. Likely made into a lamp in the mid 20th century. Attractive baluster form, well decorated with large potte...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century, Chinese Export Gilt Black Lacquer Melon Form Tea Caddy Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th century. Chinese lacquer and gilt decorated melon form tea caddy chest or box. The piece is heavily decorated with chinoiserie windows and supported by three giltwood ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Vintage Asian Gouache Painting on Paper - Unsigned - China - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage gouache painting on paper - good quality and composition - mounted with adhesive tape to a two color/double beveled matte board - unsigned - China - late 20th century. Excel...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Paint, Paper

Chinese Export Eight Panel Coromandel Screen Lotus Blossoms
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand Chinese export post republic period eight panel coromandel screen featuring a waterscape decorated with blossoming lotus and birds....
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Chinese Floral Kilim Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
77814 vintage Chinese Floral Kilim rug 04'02 x 06'03. This hand-woven wool vintage Chinese kilim rug features a color blocked field and border festoon...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Chinese Coral Red Lions Foo Dog Calligraphy Hat Stand Vase Qing c.1911
Located in Richmond, CA
Antique Chinese late Qing dynasty early 20th century porcelain hat stand vase, reticulated with quatrefoils to the round cylindrical body, hand painted with a pair of large and small...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Qingbai Bowl with carving of crane, Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The crane, a traditional symbol of longevity and auspiciousness, is prominently placed at the center, creating a harmonious and aesthetically balanced effect. The border of the dish ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

20th C. Century Furniture Chin Hua Collection Ebonized Mahogany Bedside Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 20th Century Century Furniture Chin Hua Collection Ebonized Mahogany Bedside Table in great vintage condition. Measures 25...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Official Wooden Rice Grain Bucket
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this primitive Antique Chinese Official Wooden Rice Measurement Bucket "Dou". It is 100 percent hand made and has about 140 years history. You can see that all the joints are...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Matching Pair of Chinese Export Elm Wedding Chairs with Wishbone Backs
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Pair of Chinese Export Elm Wedding Chairs with Curving Back and Carved Rears Price per chair Would suit a period or modern property. Would g...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

19th century Chinese bronze cencer with Buddhist lion decoration circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This large Chinese bronze censer dates to circa 1860. It is made in three parts, stand, vessel, and lid. The lid has pierced decorative panels with pine trees and a bold Buddhist lion finial for lifting. The censer has lifting handles in the shape of bamboo to each side and again also has panels with pine forests with mythical beasts and side mounts in the form of Buddhist lion mastheads. It is raised on four shaped legs with a beast mask head at the top and sits on the raised and pierced stand. The decoration on this piece is all hand finished with chasing and engraving giving good detail. The censer has a green/brown patina. Circa 1860 Censers are a type of vessel for burning incense. In many cultures burning incense has spiritual and religious connotations which influence the design and decoration of the censer. The lion is one of Buddhism’s most potent symbols. Traditionally the lion is associated with regality, strength and power. It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Buddha who, tradition has it, was a regal prince. As Buddhist priests and monks from India, they brought with them stories of stone Asiatic lions...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair Of Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Butterfly Serving / Shrimp Dishes
Located in Bradenton, FL
Rare pair of antique Chinese export porcelain butterfly serving/shrimp dish. Unique pair of dishes that include large gilt rim and trim on plates decorated with butterflies in green,...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Famille Rose Porcelain Dancing Court Lady - China - Circa 1930
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage famille rose porcelain dancing court lady - hand painted - indistinct impressed marks to the interior of the base - China - circa 1930. Excel...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Blue&White Porcelain Double Happiness Ginger Jar Vase c.1900
Located in Richmond, CA
Antique Chinese Qing dynasty blue and white ginger jar, hand painted with two double happiness characters on scrolling foliage background with large peony blossoms in cobalt blue. ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Porcelain Foo Dog - Hand Painted - Unsigned - China - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage hand painted porcelain foo dog - unsigned - mid 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - no loss - no damage - no restoration - minor signs of age and use. Size - 2 3/8...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Early 20th century oriental bamboo 2 seat child carriage
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Unusual possibly chinese bamboo 2 seater children's carriage circa 1900. Made from shaped bamboo, bound in the traditional way with additional iron work supports. Backs of seats fli...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

19th C., Qing Dynasty Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Pink Ground Warrior Vase
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, 19th century, A fantastic quality antique Chinese porcelain vase. The vase is decorated in the Famille rose pattern with pink enamel ground, foo dog handles, carving to ena...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Six Panels Lacquered Screen
Located in Madrid, ES
Chinese screen for export with 6 panels decorated on both sides. The front side with various scenes of daily palatial life with relief figures, buildings and landscapes made of pain...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Chinese Painting on Silk
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century Chinese painting on silk. For the export market. A vase with a crane in the reserve is filled with flowering b...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk

Large Antique Etched Brass Bowl
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Large Antique Etched Brass Bowl with dragon Detail. China, circa early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood

American Market Chinese Export Eagle Armorial Porcelain Oval Reticulated Tray
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American Market Chinese Export Eagle Armorial Porcelain Oval Reticulated Tray China, 19th Century  This exquisite 19th-century Chinese Export Eagle Armorial Porcelain Oval Reticulat...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 2 Vintage Handwoven & Crafted Chinoiserie Rattan Cane & Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Set of Two Cane, Bamboo and Wicker armchairs. These are handcrafted chairs with cane seats feature bamboo frames and Chinese inspired bamboo patterns. The backrests are desig...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Natural Fiber

Pair of Vintage Michael Taylor for Baker 'Far East' Collection Lounge Chairs
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Chinese Style lounge chairs by Baker Furniture and designed by Michael Taylor. Dark Brown wood with brass accents. Labeled on bottom. Horseshoe design.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Large Chinese Woven Wicker Wedding Basket
Located in West Hartford, CT
Three tiered Asian Chinese wedding basket was certainly make a statement! Woven reeds split bamboo throughout. Dragon head metal brass handles...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th Century Chinese Silver Cherry Blossom Box, Wang Hing 1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th Century Chinese export solid silver box, of elongated rectangular form, decorated with stunning repousse decoration cherry blossom pattern. Hallmarked Chinese Export sil...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

Vibrant Antique Bold Colors Chinese Tiger Rug 3'1" x 6'
Located in New York, NY
Vibrant Antique Bold Colors Chinese Tiger Rug, Country of origin: China, Circa date: 1920’s
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pair of Chinese hand painted blue and white vases, Circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
Pair of Chinese Hand Painted Blue and White Vases, Circa 1930 An impressive and unusual pair of Chinese porcelain vases made to a traditional shape with a raised foot and bulbous shaped body narrowing to a flared neck. The vases have four panels of different decoration separated by three pairs of circular raised mouldings which run around their circumference. The blue and white hand painted decoration has been very well done. Around the neck there is a continuous painted leaf boarder, below the two central panels have a trailing leaf and flower design and around the lower section there is a water and...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Chinese Solid Silver Cherry Blossom Tea Set, Wang Hing c.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late 19th Century Chinese export solid silver exquisite three piece tea set, comprising of a teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug, each spherical body applied with blooming cherry...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Silver

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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