Qing Furniture
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.
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Rattan, Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Elm
1720s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
1720s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Pine
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Limestone
20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Fabric, Raffia, Hardwood
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Hardwood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Jade
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Elm
20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Jade
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Jade, Silver, Copper
1720s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Jade, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
1860s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Porcelain
1770s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Fabric
1690s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Stone
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Hardwood
1860s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Limestone
20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Brocade, Silk, Giltwood
1720s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
1940s Chinese Vintage Qing Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Stone
1690s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Stone
1690s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Serpentine
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Linen, Silk
1720s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Glass, Wood
1720s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Enamel
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Jade
1840s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Brass
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Tin
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Fruitwood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Glass, Wood
1720s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Jade
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Silk
1940s Chinese Vintage Qing Furniture
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Jade
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Agate
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Terracotta