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 20th-Century Antique Chinese Erotic Porcelain Figurine
Located in Pomona, CA
These "spring palace paintings" (春宫畫), Chinese erotic porcelain figurine were historically given to brides and young couples, sometimes as a form of "sex education" in a culture wher...
Porcelain
$4,800
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...
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Brown Stoneware Studio Ceramic Vase, Modern Design
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A distinctive studio ceramic vase has a tall narrow shape, brown, with an outer glossy glaze and speckled white detailing. The cylindrical form contains an unglazed area at the neck ...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Turkish Ottoman Scene Polychrome Hand Painted Ceramic Vase Kutahya
By Iznik Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A small Kütahya style polychrome hand painted and handcrafted glazed ceramic decorative vase with an Ottoman scene. This is an intricately, hand painted vase that was made in Marmara, Turkey: Kütahya is famous for its kiln products, such as tiles and pottery, which are glazed and multicolored. It has a beautifully hand painted scene with Ottomans princes enjoying the outdoors, surrounded by flowers in burgundy, turquoise, light and dark blue and green foliage. An Islamic ceramic...
Ceramic
Mata Ortiz Polychrome Pottery Vessel by Pilo Mora, 1990
By Pilo Mora
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mata Ortiz polychrome pottery vessel Pilo Mora, Master Potter (1961 - ) 1990 Hand coiled low fire clay Pueblo Quezada, Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico Measures: 7 inches Height. x...
Clay
Mata Ortiz Polychrome Effigy Pot by Mauro Quezada, 1989
By Mauro Quezada
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Polychrome effigy pot Mauro Quezada Hand coiled low fired clay 1989 Pueblo Quezada, Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico Measures: 4.75 inches height x 5.5 inches...
Clay, Paint
$8,000 / set
H 4 in Dm 3.75 in
Two Polychrome Southwestern Indian Acoma Vessels in Brown, Black Orange, a Pair
By Acoma
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of round Acoma pueblo pottery vessels. Each is decorated with intricate geometric designs and natural pigment paints of black, brown, and orange on white clay. They are handmade from native Acoma clay, and pit fired in the traditional fashion. The Acoma Pueblo is a Native American pueblo approximately 60 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Four communities make up the village of Acoma Pueblo: Sky City, Acomita, Anzac, and McCartys. Maker: Reyes Pino of the Zia Pueblo...
Ceramic, Paint
Ceramic Nemadji Vase in Turquoise Brown and Orange, 20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful ceramic nemadji vase. Marbled in unglazed turquoise, brown, and orange, this will be a beautiful piece to add to a current collection. Dim...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Drip Glaze Studio Ceramic Pottery Table Lamp
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic piece, beautifully colored and designed. Caught our eye right away. Would stand out in about any setting, modern or otherwise. Comes as shown. Needs lamp shade. ...
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,050
H 9.06 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
La Borne Brown Stoneware Ceramic Table Lamp 20th Century Design 1970
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne Unique handmade piece, stoneware ceramic table lamp Brown stoneware ceramic color Original perfect condition Circa 1970 Measures: Height 23 cm Height with el...
Ceramic
Hungarian Red Ware Folk Art Rooster - Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs
Located in Morristown, NJ
A Hungarian Folk Art Red Ware Rooster Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs. A black/brown based rooster decorated with white dots and green, yellow and red painted elements. The spout is...
Pottery
Pre-Columbian Central Mexico Pottery Man
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Pre-Columbian central Mexico pottey man. Probably Tlatilco. Seated man figure vessel. 4” x 3” x 4 ¼”. 100 BCE - 250 CE. Ex. Hank Johnson Collection. Hank Johnson was a geologist, and...
Clay
20th Century Ransbottom Cookie Jar
By Robinson Ransbottom Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th century Robinson Ransbottom cookie jar. 2qt canister. Beautiful condition.
Pottery
$350Sale Price|30% Off
H 1.63 in Dm 10 in
Vintage Continental Terracotta Slipware Decorated Dish, Signed, 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage - Continental - clear glazed terracotta slipware baking dish - the terracotta ground decorated with a stylized flat fish in yellow slip - indistinc...
Terracotta
Petite Neolithic Chinese Terracotta Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic jar is believed to be a later example of Neolithic Chinese redware pottery of the Yangshao culture. Although its exact age is unkn...
Terracotta