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Qing Boxes

QING STYLE

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.

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Style: Qing
Chinese Silver Dragon Snuff Box Hung Chong
Located in Newark, England
Circa 1910 From our Chinese collection, we are pleased to offer this Chinese Silver Dragon Snuff Box. The snuff box of oval form having a hammered decoration to the exterior with a ...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Qing Boxes

Materials

Silver

Chinese Qing 'Pillow' Leather box
Located in Kastrup, DK
An antique Qing dynasty wooden 'pillow box' covered with leather and a burgundy lacquer finish. Features a curved top and a patinated brass lock plate. Originally used as a headrest...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Hardwood Jewelry Box with Mirror, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese jewelry box dates to the mid-19th century and would have been used by a Qing-dynasty woman to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Round Woven Chinese Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
With interlaced reeds that shimmer in the light, this 19th-century Chinese box celebrates the beautiful simplicity of a hand-woven object. The lidded box is crafted of densely woven ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Bamboo

White-glazed Circular Box and Cover, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Era, Circa 1690
Located in seoul, KR
White glazed box from the Qing dynasty Vung Tau cargo. An identical piece is included on page 459 of the Vung Tau catalog titled 'Christies Amsterdam 19...
Category

1690s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Chinese Petite Repoussé Traveling Mirror, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite traveling mirror dates to the early 20th century and is crafted with a metal frame embellished with allover repoussé decoration. Designed after Qing-dynasty vanity boxes,...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Metal

Chinese Lattice Top Incense Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This slender metal container is a 19th-century white brass incense burner, used for storing and burning incense sticks. The small box has a rectangular form and a removable sliding t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Double Happiness Lacquered Snack Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This simple lacquered container was once a portable snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming box would h...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Baitong Stacking Incense Clock, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This three-tiered container is a 19th-century white brass incense clock, once used as a relatively accurate method to mark the passage of time. Incense c...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Cloisonne Jar Box Cannister and Cover Copper Enamel
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique Chinese cloisonne cannister with cover. Decorated with lotus flowers and scrolls in nice detail with great color and blending qualities. Tight fitting cover. Circa mid 19th c...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Painted Rice Measure, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic container was made over a hundred and fifty years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, an ancient Chinese measurement. The rice measure is crafted of northern elmwood (...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Metal

18th Century Chinese Beijing enamel snuff box
Located in Maidstone, GB
An 18th Century Chinese Beijing enamel snuff box finely painted to the lid and sides with typical Chinese scenes, the base painted with a leafy gourd. The lid is mounted in gilt bron...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Qing Dynasty Hinged Box with Brass Hardware and Weathered Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period hinged wooden box from the 19th century with brass hardware and nicely weathered patina. Crafted during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this wooden box ca...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Coconut tea pot - China - late 18th / early 19th - Qing - Asian Art
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty and old tea pot, gourd shaped, in sculpted coconut, chiseled and mounted on pewter. The cap is also made of pewter. The coconut is decorated with imperial motifs. Chinese...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Tin

19th Century Chinese Box Document Box
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Chinese Document Box. Elm wood in Black lacquer with bronze hardware having a pine wood top shelf compartment in red lacquer. Nicely mad...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Elm, Pine

19th Century Chinese Elmwood Box with Canted Corners
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century Chinese elmwood box with brass hardware with canted corners. This unusual long and narrow box was probably custom made to house a musical instrument, it is very decor...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

White Brass Five Blessings Chinese Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this finely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the hands of a wealthy lady on a cold winter's night in northern China. The portable brazier is hand-w...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Footed Cylindrical Chinese Vessel with Bamboo Motif, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This footed vessel captivates attention with stunningly detailed metalwork. Crafted of white brass in a cylindrical form, this vessel is complete with two loop side handles, secured to the face of a lion, and an intricately designed lid topped with a round grip. The exterior is etched with Chinese text and a pattern of lush bamboo fields, a symbol of honesty, humility, and loyalty. This vessel opens to a constricted circular neck shaped with a slit on the side. Reminiscent of Chinese braziers...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Large Chinese Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Chinese Export Octagonal Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1950s. Chinese lacquer box with numerous figures and gilt detail. Large Chin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Large Chinese Export Round Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Chinese black lacquered box with numerous figures and gilt detail. Chinese round black lacquer and gilt painted box, made for the expor...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Lacquered Snack Box, c. 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
This simple lacquered container was once used as a 19th-century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the r...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Antique Chinese Export Black Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning antique Qing Dynasty Chinese export twin canister tea caddy / decorative table box. circa 1860 Hand-crafted in China for the European market when rare and exotic oriental...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Pewter

18th Century Chinese Parchment Covered Box With Bronze Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful and rare 18th century Chinese goatskin parchment covered box with bronze escutcheon and mounts. Love to find a piece like this in original condition. Lined with blue patter...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Canton Enamel Lobed Round Box, Qianlong Mark, Late Qing Dynasty, China
Located in Austin, TX
A well painted Chinese Canton enamel lobed round box and cover featuring the Eight Immortals, with a Qianlong mark to the underside, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China The deligh...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Chinese Studded Lacquer Snack Box, c. 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
This simple lacquered container was once used as a 19th-century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Round red lacquered and gold leaf work box - China 19th Qing Dynasty
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent round box in red lacquer in two parts. Completely decorated by hand. With gilded, gold decoration. There are floral and geometric decorations, handmade interlacing, with gold leaf. The box is placed on 4 feet. The interior is lacquered black. Very nice dimensions. This box shows some wear due to its age and authenticity. This round Chinese box in red and gold lacquered woven bamboo Was probably a wedding box, a work box, a storage box. It can be used as a hat box, sewing box, games box or tea bag box...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Antique Huanghuali Document Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Huanghuali document box with original brass mounts. Features a rectangular lid with ornate cut-out brass corners, brass bound down a...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Shagreen Glasses Case with Tassels, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese spectacle case is carved from wood with a striking shagreen covering. The case dates from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), still in wonderful condition with a rich deep col...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Metal

Small Chinese Cloisonné Lidded Box decorated with peaches, Circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Chinese 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 beautifully m...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Export Hardstone and Gilt Silver Filigree Peacock Box, 1920's, China
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite Chinese export peacock from hardstone and gilt silver filigree canister box, Republic Period, circa 1920's, China. The graceful and elegant hardstone container of cyli...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Stone, Silver, Enamel

Chinese Turquoise Cloisonne Trinket Box, Republic Period, c 1920, China
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely Chinese turquoise cloisonne trinket box with images of the Hundred Antiques, Republic Period, circa 1920, China. The rectangular box de...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Qing Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Chinese Antique Lidded Carrying Box
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Antique Lidded Carrying Box from the early 20th century with lid and carved handle. Unveil a world of timeless elegance with this Chinese late Qi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Yellow Cloisonne Dragon Box, Republic Period, circa 1920, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Chinese yellow cloisonne small trinket box with dragons, Republic Period, circa 1920, China. The small box sets on four bun feet and designed ...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Qing Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Late Qing Dynasty Wood and Brass Lidded Box with Lateral Handles
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty Chinese wooden box from the early 20th century with brass hardware and lateral handles. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural hi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Black Lacquer Presentation Box, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This simple lacquered box is a 19th century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming box would have open...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Pine

Chinese Canton Enamel Round Stacking Boxes and Cover, circa 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
An absolutely lovely Chinese export pink Canton enamel round stacking box and cover, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The circular stacking box consists of a bowl form base, ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Pair of Chinese Longevity Relief Scroll Cases, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Delicately carved of dense hardwood, these 19th-century scroll cases were an essential accessory for the esteemed Qing-dynasty scholar. The perfect size for a rolled-up scroll, the cases were once used to store and protect works of traditional calligraphy and landscape painting. The matching cases are hand-carved in low relief with all-over scrollwork and borders of geometric meanders. Each case is carved with repeated Shou characters, symbols of longevity and a blessing for a long and complete life. Amid the scrollwork flourishes are ribbon-clad objects known as the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, including the eternal knot...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Large Mother of Pearl Mounted Armorial Tea Caddy for MacPherson
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare, incredible and large antique Chinese carved mother of pearl mounted tea caddy with armorial for MacPherson and dating from circa...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Small Chinese Cloisonné Lidded Box Two Dragons Chasing Flaming Pearl Circa 1930s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Chinese 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 Qing Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Qing Period Huanghuali Wood and Bronze Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese Huanghuali wood box decorated with bronze mountings and motifs of bats, fish and moths. The top features a classic Chinese medallion mounted to the centre of the lid. In un...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Antique Qing Blue & White Porcelain Box, Unsigned, China, Late 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique Qing Dynasty Blue & White porcelain box with cover - hand painted with the double happiness symbol to the top and meandering vines ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Mother of Pearl Mounted Box with Four Boxes and Counters, 18th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Chinese mother of pearl mounted games box with four matching interior boxes containing gaming counters and dating from the 18th century. The rectangular shape...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Chinese Black Lacquer Snack Box, c. 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
This simple lacquered box was once used as a 19th-century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming box w...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Document Box with Brass Lock and Carrying Handles
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Late Qing Dynasty period wooden document box from the early 20th century with reddish brown lacquer, brass hardware and carrying handles. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty period in the early years of the 20th century, this wooden document box features a domed lid opening thanks to a traditional brass lock...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Qing Dynasty Early 20th Century Decorative Box with Dovetail Joints
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period decorative box from the early 20th century with dovetail construction and bronze hardware. Created in China during the last part of the Qing Dynasty per...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Red Lacquer Wedding Chest with Hand-Painted Décor, Qing Dynasty
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period dark red lacquer wooden wedding chest from the 19th century with unusual shape, hand-painted floral décor and brass hardware. Created in China ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Black Lacquer Gilt Painted Box, Mid 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A large and highly decorative Chinese black lacquered wooden box with gilt painted decoration, mid 20th century, China. The large box of square quatrefoil form, may originally ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

18th/19th Century Chinese Cinnabar Circular Box with Multiple Cartouches
Located in New York, NY
An 18th/19th Century Chinese cinnabar circular box with multiple cartouches of Families. This is a marvelous piece with very fine details on the main top panel of the box. The top pa...
Category

1790s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Large Chinese Export Round Black Lacquer Gilt Painted Box, Mid 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A very large Chinese round black lacquer and gilt painted box, made for the export market, mid 20th century, China. The round black lacquer box of impressive proportions, and deco...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Provincial Chinese Rice Measure, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic container was made over a hundred years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, an ancient Chinese measurement. The rice measure has a square f...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Iron

Chinese Lao Tian Li Cloisonne Cylindrical Box, Late Qing Dynasty, China
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful antique Chinese cloisonné cylindrical box and cover by Lao Tian Li, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The box of cylindrical form and w...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper, Enamel

Provincial Chinese Rice Measure, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic container was made over a hundred years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, an ancient Chinese measurement. The rice measure has a square f...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Iron

Chinese Hardwood Jewelry Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, this elegant rosewood box was used by a Qing-dynasty lady to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. Th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Provincial Chinese Rice Measure, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic container was made over a hundred years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, an ancient Chinese measurement. The rice measure has a squ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Iron

Chinese Gilt Lacquer Hat Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
No self-respecting man in Qing-dynasty China would leave the house without some kind of hat. In fact, headgear was so central to social status that even the containers used to store ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Hide, Fabric, Wood

Chinese Cloisonne Box with Carved Jade Inset Medallion
Located in Stamford, CT
Circa 1900 Chinese box decorated with green, blue, red and yellow floral design set against a white background. The top with a carved white jade floral medallion. The apple green ena...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Jade, Brass

Chinese Qing Lacquered and Inlaid Handled Sewing Box
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and fine antique Chinese Qing lacquered and inlaid papier mache handled sewing box with decorative panels dating from latter 19th or early 20th century. The sewing box is of round cylindrical shape with a swing carry handle and is inlaid with mother of pearl and abalone. The body is made up of eight oval shaped scenes of typical Chinese style with buildings and people picked out with inset abalone and mother of pearl and highlighted and contained within a gilded border. These are set between bands of patterned abalone and against a blue silk background. A similar band of abalone is applied to the swing handle. The cover sits within a recess and is made up of bands on inset abalone with cut out triangular designs and set over blue silk with a small finely carved mother of pearl handle...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Silk, Lacquer

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red and Brown Lacquer Jewelry Box with Carved Foliage
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty red and dark brown lacquer elmwood jewelry box from the 19th century with carved and gilt motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty era, this j...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Qing boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-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, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing 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 $276 and tops out at $57,280 while the average work can sell for $1,080.

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