Elisabeth Douglas founded the China Coast in 1979 in Bangkok, Thailand, exporting Southeast Asian antiques to the United States. Later we expanded to Palo Alto, California, where we began importing Chinese, Japanese and Korean antiques. In 1979, the China Coast Gallery opened in Washington, D.C.'s historic Georgetown district, and continued to serve an international clientele. Since 1986, we are in Austin, Texas, serving clients in Texas and beyond.

The China Coast has established a reputation from years of offering educational seminars on Asian art, working with two generations of Asian art buyers and sellers, and organizing Asian art-related benefits.

Elizabeth was born and brought up in Vienna, Austria where she obtained a law degree. She has completed all required ASA, ISA, and USP AP appraisal courses with re-certification every five years. Her hobbies include gardening and music.