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Qing Armchairs

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
19th Century Chinese Official Hat Chair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 19th century Chinese Officials Hat Chairs. Dramatic details include yoke back splat, carved spandrels to upper backrest corners and armre...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Pair of 19th Century Qing Elmwood Horseshoe-Back Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Pair Of Chinese Elmwood Horseshoe-Back Armchairs in good antique condition. Measure 25" in width, 25" in depth and 39" in height. Seat height is 21" and arm height is 31...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Pair of Antique Qing Era Chinese Yoke Back Armchairs
Located in Glasgow, GB
A pair of 'Captain's Hat' yoke back armchairs, handcrafted at the very beginning of the 20th century during the Qing Dynasty in China. These chairs are made from an exotic and uniq...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of 19th century bamboo canework Chinese chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of Chinese export cane work chairs circa 1890. Good elegant examples of this Chinese craft. Made from thin cane which has been multi layered for...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Cane

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Qing Period Bamboo Arm Chairs with Burgundy Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Chinese Qing period bamboo arm chairs with plain flat elm wood seat. Backrest with typical Chinese geometrical fretwork patterns. Both chairs has a nice burgundy lacquer with...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

"The Lava Chair", Yoke Back Armchairs with Custom Deep Orange Lacquer, a Pair
Located in Yonkers, NY
"The Lava Chair", a pair of Qing Dynasty period Yoke back armchairs from the 19th century, boldly re-lacquered in a burnt orange color. "The Lava Chair" is a captivating pair of Qing...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of mid 19th century carved elm Chinese yoke back armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality pair of chinese yoke back armchairs circa 1860. These chairs would have been originally lacquered and have since been stripped back to the bare woodwork, sealed with a ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Hardwood

Qing Dynasty Yoke Back Official Hat Armchair
Located in Mjöhult, SE
fine and unusually large single Qing dynasty (1644-1912) Yoke back official hat armchair. circa 1850 China.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Qing Dynasty Rosewood Scholar Chairs
Located in Middletown, MD
A stately pair of Qing dynasty inspired rosewood scholar armchairs hand-crafted circa 1920s with traditional joinery. Ruyi motif, stylized aprons, square-sectioned legs terminating i...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Bamboo Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Chinese bamboo chairs each with wooden inset rectangular panel and seat. Original condition with minor losses to the burgundy lacquer. Finished with a transparent lacquer wh...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

Stamped Japanese circa 1880 Qing Dynasty Carved Hardwood Dragon Corner Armchair
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Japanese Export circa 1880 hand carved Hardwood corner chair with oversized curled Dragon back rest A very good looking w...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Hardwood

19th C. Chinese Qing Dynasty Hardwood Official's Cap Armchairs
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of Chinese Qing dynasty hardwood elm yoke back armchairs ( officials hat chairs ) in beautifully aged original old surface color patina w/ well figured ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Hardwood, Elm

Chinese Plantation Chair
Located in Kastrup, DK
Plantation chair made of linden wood, seat/back in bamboo. Original condition, nice patina.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Lamp Hanger Chair with Natural Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period lamp hanger chair from the late 19th century, with serpentine arms, wooden seat and natural patina. Created in China du...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Armchairs with Floral Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty period armchairs from the 19th century, with open backs, scrolling arms, carved aprons and low stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty per...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Two 18th Century Lacquered Wood Chinese Yoke-Back Chairs, Chinoiserie Chique
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A pair of lacquered wood northern Chinese yoke-back chairs, Guan mao shi Hebei Province, Qing Dynasty, early 18th century Measures: H. 99.5 x W. 61 x D. 49 cm ?The back spla...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Painted and Lacquered Chinese Yoke Back Armchairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of lacquered and painted Chinese yoke back armchairs. Chinese, 19th century. Measures: Height 108cm, width 56cm, depth 43cm. Featu...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elmwood Armchair with Hand-Carved Medallion
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood armchair from the 19th century, with open back, carved splat, serpentine arms, wooden seat and meander-carved apron. Created in China during th...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Elmwood Armchair with Hand-Carved Medallion
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period elmwood armchair from the early 20th century, with pierced splat, sinuous arms, rattan seat and carved apron. Created in China during the late Qing...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm, Rattan

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Curved Stickback Dark Brown Lacquered Armchair
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period dark brown lacquered armchair from the 19th century with out-curving stickback and low stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period in th...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Carved and Lacquered Elmwood Armchairs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty period lacquered elmwood armchairs from the 19th century, with carved splats, serpentine arms and stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Chinese Lacquered Roundback Chair, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Prior to the 10th century, Chinese society eschewed raised seats in favor of mats. The rising popularity of chairs and other forms of elevated seating led craftsmen to adapt traditio...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Yoke Back Armchair with Carved Medallions
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period yoke back armchair from the 19th century with original finish and carved splat. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this armchair features a recta...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Elmwood Armchair with Hand-Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood armchair from the 19th century with stick back, carved medallion and apron. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period in the 19th century...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Chinese Qing Dynasty Period Scholar's Lamp Hanger Armchair with Carved Splat
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden scholar's lamp-hanger armchair from the 19th century, with carved splat, curving arms and brown patina. Created in China during the Qing dynasty, this scholar's lamp-hanger chair...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elmwood Armchair with Hand-Carved Medallion
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood armchair from the 19th century, with open back, carved splat, serpentine arms, wooden seat and carved apron. Created in China during the Qing D...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Armchair with Carved Medallion, Sold Each
Located in Yonkers, NY
Two Chinese Qing Dynasty period carved wooden armchairs from the 19th century with hand-carved medallion, priced and sold each. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, each chair features a carved splat adorned with a hand-carved oval medallion depicting a peony and a bird, perhaps a crane, among openwork foliages. These auspicious patterns are surmounted by a jewelry-like motif. The chairs follow the Chinese tradition with a carved wooden base and a woven rattan seat and are strengthened with side stretchers. Thanks to their elegant carvings, these two Chinese 19th century antique chairs with hand-carved medallions...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elmwood Chair with Character Carved Medallion
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elmwood horseshoe back chair from the 19th century, with hand-carved medallion and natural patina. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this elmwood chair...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Elm Armchair with Carved Traditional Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period carved wooden lacquered elmwood armchair from the 19th century, with traditional auspicious motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this elm armchair features a straight, slightly in-curving back showcasing a splat carved with traditional motifs such as calligraphy, scholar's objects and foliage. Two curving arms come to rest on the wooden seat with recessed panel while the ensemble is raised on four straight legs connected to one another through aprons carved on three sides. Boasting a nice patina, this 19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty elm...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Chinese Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Elmwood Armchair with Hand-Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood armchair from the 19th century with hand-carved apron and floral motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this elm...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Lamp Hanger Chairs with Natural Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty period lamp hanger armchairs from the 19th century with serpentine arms, wooden seats and natural honey patina. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, each of this pair of armchairs features a rectangular seat with recessed panel, supporting two delicate serpentine arms. Raised on straight legs with carved aprons and side stretchers, this pair of 19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty lamp...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Yoke Back Armchairs with Rattan Seats
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty period yoke-back chairs from the 19th century, made from natural wood with carved splats. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, each of this pair o...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Bamboo Arm Chairs in Original Condition
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Chinese bamboo arm chairs with plain flat linden wood seat (linden wood is also called lime tree). Black and burgundy lacquer with beautiful natural age-related patina highl...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese 19th Century Qing Chair with Open Arms and Hand-Carved Floral Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden armchair from the 19th century, with hand-carved motifs, serpentine open arms and straight legs with stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this chair features an open wooden back, adorned with a curving splat accented with a hand-carved floral motif, responding beautifully to the carved décor connecting the upper rail to the side supports. Two serpentine open arms with swan neck frontal supports rest on the rectangular seat presenting a central recessed panel. The chair is raised on four traditional legs, connected to one another through side stretchers or varying heights. With its clean lines, lovely light brown lacquer finish and delicate décor, this 19th century Qing Dynasty Chinese chair...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Elm Armchair with Carved Traditional Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period carved wooden lacquered elmwood armchair from the 19th century, with traditional auspicious motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this elm armchair features a straight, slightly in-curving back showcasing a splat carved with traditional motifs such as calligraphy, scholar's objects and foliage. Two curving arms come to rest on the wooden seat with recessed panel while the ensemble is raised on four straight legs connected to one another through aprons carved on three sides. Boasting a nice patina, this 19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty elm...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Chinese Qing Dynasty Rosewood Armchair with Carved Splat and Arm Supports
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period rosewood armchair from the 19th century, with hand carved splat and arm supports. Created in China during the 19th century, this rosewood chair attracts our attention with its stunning back, adorned with grapes carved in low relief on a scrolling cartouche. Two open arms, decorated with carved motifs, flank the sides and rest on a rectangular wooden seat. The chair is raised on four straight legs, connected to one another through side stretchers. With its nice patina and exquisite carved decor, this 19th century Qing Dynasty Chinese rosewood armchair...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Rosewood

Chinese Horseshoe Back Armchair
Located in New York, NY
Chinese antique horseshoe back armchair in carved wood. Jian Ding export seal on back of seat.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Chinese Horseshoe Back Armchair
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A primitive 19th century elm horseshoe back armchair. This classical Chinese armchair has good proportions and a nice patina. The original black lacquer is softly faded and crackled....
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

19th Century Chinese Bamboo Armchair
Located in Kastrup, DK
19th century Chinese bamboo armchair with a plain flat wooden seat. China, circa 1840. Good quality and craftsmanship.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Official's Hat Armchair, Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A classic Minister's hat armchair from Henan, China. Northern elm wood, original finish, circa 1890. Open hand-carving of "Good Fortune" on back-splat. Tw...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Chinese Stainless Steel Armchairs, Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
A stainless steel armchair, hand-crafted in China. Contemporary. Forged in the classic Qing style, and reinvented in modern fashion. Unique and eye-catching. Pristine condition. Th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Armchairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Bamboo Chairs with Calligraphy
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Chinese bamboo chairs each with inset rectangular panel with calligraphy lettering, China, 1860-1880. Original condition with a rich, wa...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

Pair of Antique Chinese Chippendale Rosewood Armchairs, Qing Dynasty, circa 1900
Located in Portland, OR
Pair of antique Chinese Chippendale rosewood armchairs, Qing Dynasty, circa 1900. The chairs having splat backs that are pierced and carved, the arms supported by a single rail. The ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Rosewood

Chinese Qing Dynasty Rosewood and Marble Armchair, 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very fine 19th century Chinese Qing dynasty solid rosewood armchair or lounge chair with marble seat. Distinguished by a hand-carved pierced back ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Marble

Pair of Chinese Architetural Armchairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of architectural armchairs in original untouched condition. These chairs have a distinctive profile with wonderful lines. Original burgundy lacquer. From Jiangsu Province, Chin...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Chinese 19th Century Dengguayi Scholar's Lamp-Hanger Armchair with Sinuous Splat
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese antique Qing dynasty scholar's lamp-hanger armchair from the late 19th century, with sinuous pierced splat, dark patina, curving arms and side stretchers. This exquisite Ch...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Qing Dynasty Lacquered Horseshoe Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Striking pair of black lacquered horseshoe armchairs from the late Qing dynasty period Shandong province China. Decorative carvings on backsplat and apron with a beautiful worn lacqu...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Bamboo Armchair
Located in Pasadena, CA
19th century Chinese bamboo chair with a black seat.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Bamboo

Pair of Chinese Rosewood Qing Style Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional pair of Chinese carved rosewood chairs made in the Qing style featuring fantastic radiant grain rosewood free of carved deco...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Yoke Back Armchairs with Rattan Seats
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty yoke back armchairs from the 19th century, with carved splats, brown patina, serpentine arms and side stretchers. Born in China during the Qing Dynasty...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Official's Hat Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
19th century Chinese Official chair. Elmwood, original red and black lacquer. Back splat with vague remains of decorations (natural wear and tea...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Low Back Armchairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These exquisitely carved, low-back armchairs are utterly unique in silhouette and decoration. Constructed in the Taishiyi style, an ancient design intended for imperial palaces, the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Elm

Important Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Huang Huali Armchairs
Located in London, by appointment only
A rare pair of late 18th century Chinese Huang Huali armchairs with yoke backs terminating in scrolls and supported by splats and columns, centered around ...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Chinese Merchant's Armchairs with Burlwood Inlay, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of unusual 19th century armchairs likely once belonged to a prosperous merchant, as evidenced by the brass coin slot on each seat. Presiding over valuables stored in the tw...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Burl, Elm

Pair of Chinese Rose Chairs with Quatrefoil Cutouts, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
For many years, rose chairs were thought to have been exclusively used by women due to their floral name. However, they were a universal form of seating, typically used for writing d...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Qing Dynasty Hongmu Armchairs
Located in London, GB
This pair of carved Chinese hongmu or rosewood armchairs date from the late Qing Dynasty, and combine extravagance and opulence with style and refinement. They are adorned with mytho...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Qing Dynasty Chinese Carved Walnut Armchairs 'Fushouyi'
Located in Austin, TX
A good pair of Chinese carved walnut wood (hetao mu) armchairs. The back features two facing stylized dragons around a central shou (longevity) medallion below a scrolled crest r...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Qing armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing armchairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing armchairs made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $877 and tops out at $136,268 while the average work can sell for $2,253.

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