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Chinese Export Decorative Art

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 Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

19th Century Chinese Six Panel Screen, Mario Buatta/Sotheby's Auction 133" x 75"
Located in New York, NY
An impressive six-panel Chinese wallpaper (hand-painted tempura) decoupage screen, the wallpaper dating to the late 18th or early 19th century. The sc...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Pair Of Chinese 'Famille Rose' Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful Pair Of Chinese Famille Rose hand painted porcelain Plaques Depicting Immortals In Rosewood Frames. Measure 14.5" in width and 14.5" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Rosewood, Paint

Pair of Distressed Antique Chinese Hand Painted Wooden Panels
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning pair of distressed antique Chinese hand painted wooden panels having red backgrounds and figural decoration of warriors on horseback in black, white and green.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Antique Chinese 3d Wood Carving Panel
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this Chinese antique wood carving panel, it has very deep 3D carving works of Chinese folks art - deer and immortal holding a glossy ganoderma- meani...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Chinese Antique Gilt Metal Buddha Head
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a Chinese antique gilt metal Buddha head from Shan Xi, China. This Buddha Head is made from metal with gilt on the face and in very good cond...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Tibetan Pictorial Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A fine-quality antique Tibetan throw-size pictorial rug. Would make for a great wall hanging too Measures: 2'5" x 5'
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

Framed Chinese Qing Dynasty Embroidered Sixth Rank Badge
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel framed in a giltwood frame circa 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese as Buzi which was displayed in the front and back of the official robe to indicate one's rank status. The design is centered by a white egret of spanning open wings, perched on a rock in above the Li-Shui wave pattern. The bird is the symbol of the sixth rank official in the court of Qing Dynasty. The panel has a split in the middle and the bird looks up at a full red sun on his slight upper right, indicating that it belonged to a frontal robe of the spouse of a male official. Diamond-shape trellis on the black silk provides the background for the elaborate design. The bird is surrounded by scrolling clouds, auspicious symbols such as longevity mushrooms and Buddhist...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Thangka Depicting the Mandala of Avalokiteshvara, Tibet, Late 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A thangka depicting the mandala of Avalokiteshvara Tibet, Late 20th century. The central deity, flanked to each side by three Lamas, above a central mandala composed of concent...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Textile

Framed Fine Embroidered Second Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel presented in a giltwood frame circa mid-late 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Framed Fine Embroidered Fifth Rank Badge Chinese Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel presented in a giltwood frame circa mid-late 19th century. The square rank badge is known in Chinese ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Pair of Signed Antique Chinese Watercolour Silk Paintings of Geisha Girl Flowers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of antique circa 1920’s Chinese Export hand painted on silk paintings depicting a Geisha girl and a floral scene with butterfly. A very good looking and beautifully painted pair, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

An extremely rare Chinese export famille rose armorial porcelain charger
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An extremely rare and large Chinese export famille rose armorial porcelain charger with the Amsterdam coat-of-arms Qianlong period, circa 1720-1...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Enamel

Four Antique 19th Century circa 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girls
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of four antique circa 1880’s Chinese hand painted Gouache paintings depicting Geisha girls in traditional settings. A very good looking and beautifully painted suite, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Pair Antique 19th Century 1880 Chinese Gouaches on Rice Paper Geisha Girl & Lord
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of antique circa 1880’s Chinese hand painted Gouache paintings depicting a Geisha girl and Lord A very good looking and beautifully painted pairing, they were made for the export market during the British colonialism...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Framed Chinese Qing Dynasty Embroidered Fifth Rank Badge
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered silk civil rank badge panel matted and framed in an elaborate giltwood frame circa mid-late 19th century. The square rank badge is know...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Set of Six 19th Century Chinese Export Gouache Paintings on Pith Paper
Located in Stamford, CT
A very unusual and intriguing rare set of six 19th century Chinese gouaches depicting scenes of corporal punishment, and in one, execution. Painted...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Vintage Chinese Repouse Framed Copper Panel of a Ceremonial Vignette
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage framed copper repouse panel appears to be signed by an unknown artist and presumed to have originated from China, dating to approximately 19...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Copper

Vintage Reproduction Chinese Tang Dynasty Clay Mural
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Clay Beauty Mural Brick. It was hand made reproduction from Tang Dynasty. This Mural Brick has very detailed handcrafted beauty arts on it wi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Clay

Chinese Chinoiserie Decorated Lacquer Panels, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of stylish Chinoiserie panels in a lacquer finish, painted in gold, red & black with landscapes with village and people. The frame also decorat...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Lacquer

China Trade Watercolor Pictures of Junks & Sampans, Set of Five
Located in Downingtown, PA
China trade watercolor pictures of junks & sampans, Set of Five, Circa 1850 The Chinese watercolor paintings on pith paper each depict a diffe...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Five Antique Carved Asian Style Wall Plaques Birds, Flowers
Located in Toledo, OH
Five antique carved Asian style wall plaques depicting floral designs with birds. A couple edge chunks as shown in photo. Overall general light we...
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Paper and Silk King and Queen Portrait Hanging Scroll
Located in New York, NY
Set of 3 Ming King and Queen scroll wall hangings, shown seated with a paneled wall behind them and a brown rug with dragons underneath against a pale gold silk shantung background w...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood, Silk, Paper

Frame Antique Chinese Embroidered Robe Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A woman's coat made of black silk with wide sleeves from Chinese late Qing Dynasty (mid to late 19th century), mounted and presented on blue linen board and framed as a stunning piec...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Vase and Wood Wall Plaque
Located in New York, NY
Chinese wall plaque framing a bisected famille rose porcelain lidded vase, depicting trees and blooming florals, in wood with a decorative faux ba...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Very Decorative Chinese Champlevé Enamel Plate in a Japanese Style
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very decorative Chinese champlevé enamel plate in a Japanese style, vividly enameled with a peacock amidst flowering prunus branches and endless kno...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Porcelain Foo Dog Split Vase Wooden Wall Plaque
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) wall plaque framing a bisected porcelain lidded jar painted with orange foo dogs and characters in wood with a decorative faux bamboo edge.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Chinese Porcelain and Wood Foo Dog Design Split Vase Wall Plaque
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese (Late 19th Century) wall plaque framing a bisected porcelain lidded jar painted with orange foo dogs and characters in wood with a decorative faux bamboo edge.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Chinese White Gesso Horned Goat Head Wall Plaque
Located in New York, NY
Chinese mid century hand-carved, white gesso wall plaque depicting a horned goat head emerging from an ornamental plaque.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese White Gesso Horned Antelope Head Wall Plaque
Located in New York, NY
Chinese mid-century hand-carved, white gesso-painted wall plaque depicting a horned antelope head emerging from a decorative oval plaque.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese Carved Wood Wall Art from a Hunting Tiger
Located in Antwerp, BE
A large 19th century Chinese carved wall plaque in wood features a hunting tiger on rocks with bamboo trees and the sun in the background. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Framed Antique Chinese Child Tiger-Head Hat
Located in Atlanta, GA
This lovely textile art was from Central-Northern China circa 1900s, known as "Tiger-head" hat, it was a lavishly made cotton with silk hat in form of tiger for baby boys with a wide...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Cotton, Silk, Plexiglass, Wood

Chinese Export Chinoiserie Original Oil Painting on Board
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning, rare, Chinese Export original oil painting on board. Adorned with Chinese dragons and the like. Age appropriate wear. One of a kind. All original including the hooks at to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Carved Wood Panel, China, 20th Century, Interior Decoration
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Carved wood panel, China, 20th century, Interior Decoration Measures: H 48cm, W 66cm, W 3cm.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

China Trade Set of Six Sunqua Still Life of Fruit & Flowers Paintings
By Sunqua
Located in Downingtown, PA
China Trade set of six Gouache Still Life Paintings of Fruit & Flowers on Pith Paper, Each Signed Sunqua, mid-19th century The fine China Trade pith paper painting...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

19th Century, Chinese Hand-Painted Silk Collage of Exotic Birds
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A LOVELY framed 19C Chinese Hand painted Silk Collage of Exotic Birds. Rare collage of Four Chinese hand-painted silk panels of exotic birds and birds of paradise, from circa 1850-70. THE PANELS DEPICT: (1) The first panel features two blue tailed birds of paradise on a tree branch surrounded by orange blossoms. (2) The second panel features a pair of orange tailed birds of paradise on a tree branch surrounded by cherry blossoms. (3) The third panel features a pair of blue chested...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

China Trade Watercolor & Gouache Set of Twelve Paintings of Fruit & Flowers
Located in Downingtown, PA
Superb quality painting! China Trade Watercolor & Gouache on pith paper, Set of twelve paintings of fruit and flowers, Circa 1850-1860 ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

China Trade Watercolors of Exotic Fruit on Pith Paper, Mid-19th Century
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese China trade watercolors of exotic fruit on pith paper, Gilt frames, Mid-19th century The eight Chinese watercolors on pith paper are of fine quality and depict various e...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Chinese Export Glass Picture of a Persian Warrior
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export glass picture of a Persian warrior, The Chinese reverse glass picture depicts a Persian warrior seated on the back of a dappled horse riding at a trot, a shield slu...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Glass

One-of-a-kind Carved Chinese Style Tableaux, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Gorgeous and unusual pair of wood carvings in the Chinese taste, set in beautiful, gold-colored, faux-bamboo frames.
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Chinese Export Decorative Art

Chinese Painted and Lacquered Panel Landscape with Figures, Large Scale
Located in Stamford, CT
Large scale Chinese lacquered panel showing a mountainous landscape in lovely subtle brown and gold tones. Depicting figures in two different structures on either side, both with che...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export decorative art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, asian art and furniture, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export decorative art 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 decorative art, popular names associated with this style include and Sunqua. 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 decorative art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $280 and tops out at $76,572 while the average work can sell for $2,513.

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