Qing Beds and Bed Frames
The last imperial dynasty from 1644 to 1912 was a time of change in China, beginning with the invasion by Manchurian forces that ended the Ming dynasty and established the Shunzhi Emperor. The expansion of exportation and trade that had bolstered the arts during the Ming era continued, as Qing dynasty furniture involved the same attention to craftsmanship with expert construction techniques in hardwood pieces that were assembled with mortise and tenon joints rather than nails or glue. Together, these eras comprise a golden age of Chinese furniture design.
Ming-style furniture is simple and elegant with clean lines. Chairs of the period and other Ming furniture made an impression on Scandinavian modernist Hans Wegner and his streamlined seating, for example. Whereas Qing-style furniture is elaborate, with an increasing influence from the West leading to lavish carving inspired by the European Baroque and Rococo styles. And while many of the forms that define examples of the latter are common within classical Chinese furniture, such as curving and folding chairs as well as large screens, Qing designs are laden with ornamentation. Frequently, the carved motifs and inlaid designs in mother-of-pearl were auspicious, such as peonies for wealth or dragons for luck. Bats were symbols of happiness in the design of Qing furniture, with one of the characters in the word for bat, bianfu, being a homophone for fu, or “fortune.”
While several types of wood were used in the construction of Qing beds, tables, storage pieces and seating, today’s collectors know that the most prized were the rare rosewoods zitan and huanghuali. They were both sourced from Hainan, China’s largest island, and are marked by a rich luster that occurs naturally, without the application of lacquer or other decorative materials. Many of the most popular woods were imported from southeast Asia, adding to their value. Red sandalwood was also sought after for its durability and connection with Chinese medicine, with some chairs being made for health benefits.
Find a collection of antique Qing tea tables, stools, benches, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Rattan, Elm
1950s French Vintage Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary American Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Ash
1860s French Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Rosewood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Lacquer, Wood
1780s Italian Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Gold Leaf
20th Century American Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Metal
Early 20th Century French Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Ash
1870s French Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Ash
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Fir, Giltwood, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Elm
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Beds and Bed Frames
Bamboo, Elm
