Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
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.
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Teak
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood, Elm
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Gold
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bamboo, Mahogany
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bamboo, Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood, Bamboo
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bamboo, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Resin, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Mirror, Hardwood
1950s American Vintage Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Concrete, Iron
1920s Japanese Vintage Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Soapstone, Brass
Early 20th Century French Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Plaster
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Soapstone, Brass
20th Century Central Asian Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Soapstone, Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Bone
19th Century Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Fruitwood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Jade
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Gold
19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Porcelain, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
1820s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Wall-mounted Sculptures
Stone, Brass