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.
Antique 19th Century Chinese Blue Porcelain Foo Dog Candlesticks Pair
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese style (19/20th Century) decorative blue-painted porcelain Foo Dog figures with brown floral decoration having silver candlesticks over their heads and seated on...
Paint
Cranes as Candlestick Prickets
Located in New York, NY
Pair Chinese Cloisonne Cranes as Candlestick Prickets This darling pair of cloisonné crane pricket candlesticks would be the perfect addition ...
Enamel
Antique 19th C Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Footed Incense Burner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th C Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Footed Incense Burner. Item features blue and white scenes with birds and trees, scrolling handles, footed tripod base, pierced lid, v...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Chinese Export Brass Candlesticks, 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of polished cast gold brass candlesticks. Mid-Century Modern vintage Chinese export candle holders. Dimensions: 4.75 in. D x 18 in. Height.
Brass
Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Caparisoned Elephant Candlestick
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Caparisoned Elephant Candlestick Circa 1860 This Chinese export porcelain elephant is modeled as a figural candlestick, a form made at C...
Porcelain
$1,875Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of 24 Inches Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Candlesticks
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare pair of antique Chinese porcelain candlesticks, featuring a combination of famille verte and famille rose hand-painted floral motifs. The design, referred to as Chinoiserie, ...
Porcelain, Paint
Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Iron-Red Elephant Candlestick
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Famille Rose Iron-Red Elephant Candlestick Circa 1860 This Chinese export porcelain elephant is modeled as a figural candlestick, a form made at Cant...
Porcelain
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Large Chinese Han Dynasty Style Pottery Stylized Foo Dog Joss/ Candlestick
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese Han Dynasty Style Pottery Stylized Foo Dog Joss/ Candlestick China, 20th Century An impressive piece of Chinese artistry—a large, 20th-century copy of the Han Dynast...
Pottery
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Export Famille Verte & Blanc de Chine Elephant Joss Stick
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Export Famille Verte & Blanc de Chine Elephant Joss Stick, of typical form, good size, nicely decorated. Unmarked.
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Style Imari Porcelain Candlesticks
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese-style (19/20th Century) blue and orange Imari porcelain candlesticks (PRICED AS PAIR)
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Figural Candlesticks
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Asian Chinese-style (19/20th Century) blue and white porcelain reclining figures holding candlesticks (PRICED AS PAIR)
Early 20th Century Chinese Pair of Bronze Happy Buddha Candle Holders
Located in Pomona, CA
These early 20th century candlesticks are cast of bronze in the form of two Happy Buddhas standing on rectangle pedestal bases. Each Buddha holds a dish for taper candles overhead w...
Bronze
$12,000
H 15.75 in W 5.5 in D 5.25 in
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Maiden Candlesticks with Gu Vases, Pair
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Maiden Candlesticks with Gu Vases, Pair Circa 1760–1775 This large pair of Chinese export porcelain candlesti...
Porcelain
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Turned Brass Candlesticks after Jarvie
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury brass turned candlesticks, each with bulbous bobeche and cylindrical stem on circular base. Nice, polished condition with only minor wear consistent with age and history.
Brass
$1,828
H 1.97 in W 2.17 in D 4.93 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass Candlestick by Werkstätte Carl Auböck, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck candlestick, Austria 1960s.
Brass
$1,850 / set
H 24 in Dm 9 in
Pair of Vintage Brass Barley Twist Candlesticks with Spiral Columns, 24 Inches
By Brasscrafter Co. 1
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An elegant and substantial pair of vintage brass candlesticks featuring tall, intricately twisted openwork columns and beautifully detailed, fluted circular bases. Standing an impres...
Brass
$1,300 / set
H 14.25 in W 6 in D 6 in
Mid-Century Chinese Export Porcelain Parrot Candlesticks on Gilt Bronze Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
This whimsical pair of mid-century candlesticks was crafted circa 1950, likely for the Chinese export market, and features vividly painted porcelain parrots perched atop floral-cover...
Bronze
19th Century Famille Rose Chinese Export Punch Bowl, Koi Decorated
Located in Stamford, CT
Fine Ch'ing dynasty export Famille Rose large punch bowl, hand-painted porcelain, in very colorful everyday scenes of the upper socioeconomic level of Chinese society during the peri...
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Continental Porcelain and Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Tarzana, CA
Pair of antique continental porcelain and bronze candlesticks. circa 1890. Height 9" width: 9". Height measured without the lighting fixture.
Chinese Export Qing Qianlong Famille Rose Medallion Porcelain Bowl
Located in Long Island City, NY
This finely decorated Qing-period rose medallion or rose mandarin bowl is beautifully hand-painted with four vignettes depicting courtly scenes.
Porcelain
Large Pair of Antique Brass Candlesticks.English, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great pair of brass candlesticks Original patina Good condition Free UK shipping
Brass
Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Square Form Vases
Located in Bradenton, FL
Fine Pair of Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose "Wu Shuang Pu" Rectangular Vases, each with an inscription. Rectangular vases were less common and were considered an elegant variation fr...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Sweetmeat Dishes
Located in Forney, TX
An antique Qing Dynasty Chinese sweetmeat (confectionery or sweet food) box, dating to the early 20th century, featuring a lacquered and parcel gilt painted box decorated in a stylized naturalistic scene, opening to reveal five-piece polychrome famille rose porcelain sweetmeat dishes...
Porcelain
$1,000 / set
H 8 in W 4 in D 4 in
Tommi Parzinger Brass Candlesticks, Mid-Century Modern, Polished, USA
Located in New York, NY
Pair of midcentury classically styled candlesticks with a square base stylized column and engraved drip plate. Designed by Tommi Parzinger, signature stamp on bottom. Polished.
Brass
Contemporary Mayan Stone Incense Burners by ACOOCOORO —COPALERA N.° 5
By ACOOCOORO
Located in Mexico City, MX
Part of ACOOCOORO’s Ceremonia special series, Copaleras (incense burners) create a play between their soft appearance, their ceremonial function and natural material: Yucatán Peninsula's Crema Maya...
Stone
$3,325 / set
H 11.03 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
Pair of Decorative Antique Canton Enamel Candlesticks, China
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of decorative candlesticks from Canton, China, circa 1800. Crafted in copper with intricate Canton enamel detailing, these candlesticks feature floral motifs and vine pattern...
Copper, Enamel
$1,200 / item
H 7.09 in Dm 12.21 in
Contemporary Mayan Stone Incense Burners by ACOOCOORO —COPALERA N.° 4
By ACOOCOORO
Located in Mexico City, MX
Part of ACOOCOORO’s Ceremonia special series, Copaleras (incense burners) create a play between their soft appearance, their ceremonial function and natural material: Yucatán Peninsula's Crema Maya...
Stone
Chinese Export Porcelain Rococo Underglaze Blue and White Tall Candlestick
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Porcelain Underglaze Blue Rococo Candlestick, Circa 1750 The underglaze blue candlestick has a square shaped domed base with canted corners and a recessed bowl at the base o...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Maiden Lotus Candlesticks, A Pair
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain Maiden Lotus Candlesticks, A Pair, Circa 1765 The pair of Chinese maiden candlesticks are each in the form of a Chinese m...
Porcelain
Sold
H 4.5 in W 7.5 in D 3.5 in
19th Century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick 'Candlestick'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick (Candlestick) China, circa 1850 A stunning 19th-century Chinese Export Famille Verte Foo Dog Joss Stick, also known as a ...
Porcelain
Vintage Pair of Brass Asian Modern Candlesticks 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Probably from the 1960s, Brass Candle Prickets inspired by the altar candleholders used on shrines throughout Asia. Workmanship is very good in the manufacturing of the items, thus p...
Brass
Antique Chinese Export Incense Holder in Form of a Mythical Male Figure
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Incense Holder in form of a Mythical Male Figure, Circa 1810-35. The Chinese Export famille rose porcelain incense-holder is in the form of a male figure depicting a Northern male standing on a rectangular base. He wears ornate clothes with the clasp of his belt in the form of a mythological beast. The figure holds above his head the incense holder which is a flat base with a ridged holder for the incense stick...
Porcelain
Sold
H 7.5 in W 6.5 in D 5.25 in
Pair Chinese Export Famille Rose Enameled Elephant Candle Holders, Early 20th C
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful pair of Chinese export famille rose enameled porcelain candle holders, late Qing Dynasty or early Republic Period, early 20th century, China. The whimsical pair of ca...
Porcelain
Chinese Bronze Dragons Candlesticks Imperial Style
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Very decorative Chinese contemporary large bronze "Dragons" candlesticks; with relief design of dragons chasing pearls. With a straight foot supporting a bell-shaped base surmounted...
Bronze
19th Century Pair of Bronze Candlesticks in Chinese Taste
Located in Peyraud, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Late 19th century candlesticks crafted of patinated bronze, the stem decorated with Chinese. The man and the woman, elegantly dressed, rest on a tripod base. The base and the nozzle are ornamented with intricately detailed scrolls and foliage. Circa :1880 Dim: W: 4,3 in - D: 4,3in - H: 10,8in. Dim: L:11cm, P:11cm, H:27,5cm. Literature From the late16th century until the 18th century, Europe multiplied its trade with the Far East, importing tea, spices and porcelain, upon which the fortune of China and the various European East India Companies was built. The 1878 Paris World's Fair was the first time China officially participated at the Expositions universelles. Chinese architecture and interiors were presented, as well as the best of the nation's output in all artistic fields, including ceramics with crackle glazes, cornets vases...
Bronze
Chinese Export Porcelain Foo Dog Candlesticks
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain foo dog candlesticks Circa 1860 The Chinese Export porcelain foo dog candlesticks or joss sticks are modeled with the ...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Porcelain Canton Pair of Foo Dog Candlesticks
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese export porcelain pair of foo dog candlesticks, Circa 1840-1860 The Chinese Export porcelain foo dog candlesticks are modeled with the dogs...
Porcelain
19th Century Pair of Rare Chinese Rose Medallion Porcelain Candlesticks
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Rare pair of Chinese export rose medallion pattern porcelain candlesticks, 19th century Pair of Chinese export rose medallion pattern porcelain candlesticks, late 19th century, with...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Lamps
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of substantial 20th century Chinese blue and white glazed and hand painted porcelain oil lamps each decorated with the eight auspicious Buddhist symbols including endless knots, double fish, lotus, treasure vases...
Porcelain
Freestanding Handcarved Chinese Candlestick Holder, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A pair of freestanding wooden Chinese candleholders with detailed carved accents finished in red, black and gilt gold. The center holder is r...
Wood
Pair of Chinese Faience Candlesticks
Located in Chireno, TX
Pair of Chinese faience candlesticks dating to the 19th century. Nice, large size with naive blue color decoration. Used for burning tallow (mutton fat) candles.
Faience
18th-Century Chinese Export Porcelain Blue and White Dragon Chamberstick
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Export Porcelain blue and white porcelain chamberstick, Circa 1780. The underglaze blue and white Chinese Export po...
Porcelain