Chinese Export Boxes
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
Box in Lacquered Wood, Vietnam 20th Century, Black and Orange -Red Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Beautiful Lacquered Wooden Box, Vietnam, 20th Century
This exquisite lacquered wooden box from Vietnam, crafted in the 20th century, is a stunning example of traditional Vietnames...
Category
20th Century Vietnamese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Small Chinese Export Cloisonné Lidded Box decorated with peaches, Circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Chinese Export cloisonné lidded box which we date to the 20th century, Circa 1930.
The box has a cylindrical shape, with its original lid and is all beauti...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Small Chinese Cloisonné Lidded Box Two Dragons Chasing Flaming Pearl Circa 1930s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Chinese Export cloisonné lidded box which we date to the mid 20th century.
The box has a cylindrical shape, with its original lid and is all beautifully made with colored enamels set into a black ground.
The main decoration to the body shows two 4-toed dragons chasing a flaming pearl. The lid shows another dragon set amongst clouds. The dragons have a gold colouring and other colours are used to give the detailed scene including red, green, blues, yellow and white. The lid also has lappet border patterns in blue to its edges. The insides of the lid, the box and the base of the box are finished in a turquoise blue, typical of Chinese cloisonné.
Overall a very beautiful small Chinese cloisonne box...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Export Blue and White Porcelain Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage cobalt blue porcelain box decorated with pagodas in a riverscape, interior fitted with two compartments, made in 20th Century
Width 7.5 inches / depth 4 inches / height 3 inc...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Asian Brass Mounted Rosewood and Felt Lined Jewelry Box
Located in Germantown, MD
This is a Chinese jewelry box that is made out of rosewood with beautiful Chinoiserie brass trim. It is a nice heavy box that measures 12”W x 8”L x 6”H. The top layer inside holds 5 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Vintage Bronze Cloisonne Powder Box with Prunus - Unsigned - China - Mid-20th C
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage bronze cloisonne lacquer powder box featuring Prunus blossoms - removeable lid - unsigned - China - mid 20th century.
Excellent vintage condition - no loss - no damage - n...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Chinese Export Rose Wood, Brass Koi Lock Box
Located in New York, NY
Exotic Rose Wood keepsake, document box with a heay brass koi lock with red tasseled key. Box lined in paper with chinese characters.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Mid-Century Inlaid Metal 4-Drawer Jewelry Box / Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Mid-Century small rectangular hardwood box / cabinet features 2 hinged swing doors both carved and inlaid with faux white jade above a bottom drawer with incised metal scroll...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Fabric
Chinese Silversmith, Lidded Jar / Box Richly Decorated in Relief, Approx. 1900
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Chinese silversmith. Lidded jar richly decorated in relief with flowers and ornaments.
China approx. 1900.
Stamped with Chinese characters.
In excellent condition with traces of u...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
19th Century Hand-Carved Mahogany Chinese Export Humidor
Located in Lomita, CA
A "remarkable" hand carved mahogany humidor box according to the appraiser has detailed carving of junk boats and temples, and recalls Victoria Harbor ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Wooden Jewelry Box, Cosmetic Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This beautiful antique Jewelry box was made from solid wood with original mirror and antique hardware on it. The top of the jewelry box c...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
c. 1840-60 Chinese Lacquer on Wood Cartouche Shaped Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1840-60 Chinese lacquer on wood work or letter box. Cartouche shaped. The entire exterior is decorated with each curved & shaped panel decorated with a gilt scene within a cart...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
wonderful antique silver cigarette case from china
Located in Munich, DE
another piece from my personal collection. wonderful handmade cigarette case from china. made by an unknown artist and retailed by the company woshing / shanghai. the stamp dates the...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Canton Chinese Porcelain Box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Canton Chinese porcelain box.
Chinese export.
Circa 1920 origin China.
Rectangular format.
With internal divisions.
Family Rosse style.
Box...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Antique Tibetan Silver Turquoise Ghau Prayer Box
Located in Pomona, CA
Ghau is a small prayer box worn as pendant by Buddhists as portable shrines which can be pray by prayer during their travel. This Ghau prayer box (travel Buddha...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Chinese Round Black Lacquer Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, likely 20th Century
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Chinese Round Black Lacquer Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, likely 20th Century
Beautiful and useful 20th century. Chinese lacquer box of circular shape, the domed cover with flora...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer
Large Jewelry or Decorative Box Brown Red colors Color Japan 19th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Jewelry or Decorative Box Brown Red colors Color Japan 19th
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Tibetan Painted Leather And Iron Chest or Trunk
Located in Bradenton, FL
AntiqueTibetan chest, beautifully aged painted leather with original iron hardware. Chest has a spacious wooden interior, offering a large amount of storage. Outside features polychrome painted dragons and Asian...
Category
18th Century Tibetan Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Rectangular Brass and Bronze Wood Jewelry Box, 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. Wonderful piece to add to existing collection. Marked on the bottom, China
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Chinese Porcelain Altar Fruit Box in the form of a Peach
Located in Downingtown, PA
Chinese Porcelain Altar Fruit Box in the form of a Peach,
19th Century.
The Chinese porcelain oval box in two parts is molded in the form of a large peach. It is naturalistically c...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Carved Cinnabar & Enamelled Box with Imperial Dragon Top
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique decorative box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Export Porcelain oval Lidded Box Hand Painted, circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese Export porcelain Lidded Box, hand painted with a figural decoration, made in China, circa 1920
The box is well potted in an oval shape, the lid having a domed top...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Hand Carved Meal Delivery and Lunch Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique lacquered lunch box from Shan Xi, China has over 140 years history and still maintained very good condition. There are some traditional carving works on the two sides handle and shows the traditional style of Northern China's cultural. This antique lunch box...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Etched Brass Box with Carved Jade Inset Top, Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Sweet little Chinese export brass box with beautiful floral etched designs, looks like peonies to me. With a lovely white jade top carved in fretwork with a vase framed by the flower...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Jade, Brass
Pair of Red Asian Cinnabar Boxes with Lid and Blue Lacquer Interior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of lovely Boxes in the style of Cinnabar. Intricately Carved small boxes with a removable lid, revealing a blue lacquer inside. Perfectly suited for decorative purposes or ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Squared Spinach Jade Snuff Bottle with Unique Design
Located in Lomita, CA
This spinach jade snuff bottle has a geometric appearance with its squared silhouette and ledge that is ergonomically designed to accommodate a finger or a thumb while using the bott...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Jade
English 19th Century Leather Trunk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
We absolutely love this decorative trunk from England! Bound in perfectly worn dark leather and adorned with brass studs in swirling patterns. The lock is in working condition and includes one key. A pair of simple handles on each side make it easy to carry even when filled. The interior is lined with a faded red fabric and is fixed with leather cording to support the lid. Both decorative and functional, this unique petite trunk...
Category
19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Carved Wood, Trees and Birds Decor, China
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
It is a carved wooden box, brown and black. One part is hand carved, the other Painted lacquered. It was made in China during the 1930s and 1940s, so it is from the Republic period.
Category
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Wooden Jewelry Box or Vanity Dresser Chest with Intricate Inlay
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very elaborate jewelry box or vanity dresser makeup chest is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in China in approximately 1850 in the period Chinese Export style. The box ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal
19th Century Chinese Rosewood Octagonal Box With Brass Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Chinese rosewood box with brass hinges, hasp and decorative mounts. Of unusual octagonal form, I've never seen one like it. The edges...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
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 Boxes
Materials
Leather
Antique Cleric's Swing Out Case, Chinese, Travelling Box, Qing, Victorian, 1890
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cleric's swing-out case. A Chinese, hardwood travelling box, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1890.
Charmingly provincial box, presented in original tim...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Chinese Cinnabar Lacquered Rectangular Box and Cover, China, circa 1880,
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Red lacquer box with the lid representing a scholar and children playing in a mountainous garden, the outer sides covered with repeated geometric patterns. This box was made in China...
Category
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Box, with Flower Pattern Decor, Lacquered 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Small lacquered painted box, with floral decorations in yellow, red and green, it was made in China in the 19th century.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Large Chinese Tea Box Black Lacquered Gilt Hand Painted Octagonal Box 1940s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Chinese Export Tea Box Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s.
Antique Chinoiserie black lacquer box with numerous figures and gilt detail.
Asian Chinese blac...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Giltwood, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Canton Export Lacquered Giltwood Tea Caddy on Shishi Feet
Located in Haarlem, NL
Clover or quartreform shaped mid-19th century Chinese canton export tea caddy in gold lacquered wood on a black background.
Decorated with palace scenes...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Pewter
Large Chinese Export Red Lacquer Character Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese Export red lacquer character box, sculptural, well executed Chinese two part lacquer table box.
Decorated with vines, symbols and bats. Unmarked.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
A Shapely 19th Century Chinese Export Black Lacquered Dressing Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
the scalloped top centering an oval medallion radiating coved reserves above a conforming body fitted with brass bale handles; finely decorated with gilded figures in a garden lands...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Asian Wooden Decorative Storage Box
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 19th Century Asian Wooden decorative storage box with lid.
Measures 13.5"W x 11"D x 11.5"H.
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal
Antique Chinese Decorated Lacquer Decorative Box
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Chinese lacquer decorated decorative box. This Stunning Chinese export hand decorated lacquered box is the perfect accessory for a coffee table or dressing table. Could be used for jewelry or important documents.
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Decorated Tea Caddy Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese for the English market, 19th century.
A fine quality antique Chinese export tea caddy decorated with beautiful gilding surfaces, a hinged lid which opens to reveal a tooled ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Pewter
Antique Vietnamese Silver Treasure Box with Guardian Dragons
Located in New York, NY
Vietnamese silver box, late 19th century. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover flat and hinged. Box sides have embossed blossoming branches, bamboo...
Category
Late 19th Century Vietnamese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Cigar Box by Hung Chong & Co.
Located in Savannah, GA
Sterling silver cigar box marked Hung Chong (or Cheong) & Co., silversmiths & retailers, Canton, China, circa 1860-1930. Classic intertwined ...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
1920s Chinese Export Silver Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese Export silver box; an addition to our collection of boxes and cases.
This exceptional an...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Collectible Gilt Metal Tibetan Box with Turquoise 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Collectible Chinese Tibetan Gilt Brass Metal Filigree with Turquoise and Coral beads round Box Handcrafted round Tibetan, Nepalese decorative brass trinket wish box with pull-off lid...
Category
Mid-20th Century Nepalese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Metal, Brass
Chinese Wooden Lacquered Rectangular Chest with Hand Painted Figural Scenes
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Mid-Century rectangular hinged chest with black metal latch and two side ring handles, lacquered and hand painted featuring three women and one girl in two outdoor courtyard ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Vintage Chinese Black and Red Lacquer Floral Painted Lidded Wooden Basket Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Black and Red Lacquer Floral Painted Lidded Wooden Basket Box. Circa Early to Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 11" H x 12" W x 12" D.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Qing Dynasty - 13 Antique Chinese Porcelain Enameled Salt Boxes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese, Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 19th century.
A grouping or instant collection of antique porcelain enameled salt boxes. Each box is decorated with immortal being riding the fabl...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Red and Gold Carved Handled Box
Located in Queens, NY
"Vintage Chinese red and gold painted decorative wooden box with a metal latch and band around the base and an ornately carved handle featuring a ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Black Leather Box On Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular box with brass tacks and hinged lid set in a brass base.
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Pig Head Shaped Porcelain Tureen
Located in Queens, NY
"Antique Chinese (Early 20th Century) export porcelain tureen in the form of an orange and pink pig head divided into lid and base at the mouth, and decorated...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
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 Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Export Silver Dragon Card Case
Located in New York, NY
Chinese export silver card case, ca 1910. Rectangular. Chased ornament on stippled ground. On recto, a blossoming prunus branch with armorial cartouche (vacant). On verso, a fanged a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Fine Antique Collectable Chinese Table Top Cabinet Jewellery Collectors Storage
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage circa 1920's hand painted and lacquered oriental Chinese table chest or jewellery box.
A very good looking and well made pie...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Magical Old Chinese Box in Faded Cinnabar
Located in Hopewell, NJ
If objects could talk, this box would have some interesting stories for all its wonderful aged patina, cracks and character. A faded cinnabar, the entire surface is meticulously hand...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique, Chinese Hand Painted Meal Delivery and Lunch Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This Antique lacquered painted lunch box from China has about 100 years history and still maintained very good condition. There are some traditiona...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Export Silver Box by Wang Hing
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Chinese export silver dragon box; an addition to our collection of boxes and cases
This fine antique C...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Silver
Large Chinese Export Famille Verte Peach Motif Box, Republic Period
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese Export Famille Verte peach motif box, Republic period, exquisite all over decoration with peaches, trees and flowers. Unmarked.
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Export boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinese Export boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with enamel, lacquer and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Export boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $500 and tops out at $840 while the average work can sell for $750.