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Qing Stools

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 Square Stool with Hoofed Legs and Hand-Painted Calligraphy, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Chinese stool was crafted from Ironwood, which is more unique than its more abundant elmwood counterparts. The ironwood provides the stool with a stunning texture. Originating f...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

Chinese Hardwood Drum Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
The stool is a central fixture of Chinese furniture culture. Found in a variety of materials and forms, the stool transcends class lines, as much at home in the provincial courtyard ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Hardwood Drum Stools
Located in Chicago, IL
The stool is a central fixture of Chinese furniture culture. Found in a variety of materials and forms, the stool transcends class lines, as much at home in the provincial courtyard ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Round Leg Courtyard Stool, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese courtyard stool dates to the mid-19th century and has a classic splayed leg design with round legs and a rectangular seat. The stool is crafted of northern elmwood (yumu...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Hardwood Drum Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
The stool is a central fixture of Chinese furniture culture. Found in a variety of materials and forms, the stool transcends class lines, as much at home in the provincial courtyard ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

Antique Qing Style Chinese Barber Stool - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Qing Style Chinese Barber Stool/Bench - Pair A pair of 19th Century barber stool/benches from Shanxi province, China. Each stool has 2 small dr...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Brass

Chinese Red Lacquer Drum Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This low drum stool was hand-carved from solid wood by Qing dynasty artisans over two centuries ago. Drum-form stools such as this were traditionally used in gardens and outdoor pavilions where upper class scholars read, wrote, discussed antiques and art...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

19th Century Stool
Located in New York, NY
19th century Chinese Stool. This is an antique Barber stool. Natural wood stool of Elm wood & Poplar. The stool has one small drawer in the front, and...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Poplar

Antique Stool Woven Hyde Top
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Elm Wood Hide Woven Seat Stool. The top of this stool is woven with incredible detail creating a pattern of stars. The hide is cut into thick strands, incredibly str...
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Elm, Hide

Chinese Limestone Drum
Located in Chicago, IL
This narrow drum stool was carved from a solid block of limestone with a minimalist tapered design. The stool is subtly etched with thin grooves around the top, suggestive of the lin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Double Coin Garden Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually proportioned ceramic table is a modern interpretation of the classic Chinese drum-form garden stool. Cloaked in a pristine, monochrome white glaze, the wide stool is d...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Double Coin Garden Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually proportioned ceramic table is a modern interpretation of the classic Chinese drum-form garden stool. Cloaked in a pristine, monochrome white glaze, the wide stool is d...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Ceramic

19th century Chinese Qing hardwood stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rustic traditional Chinese elm stool circa 1890. Made using naive mortise and tenon joints, provide great character for this stool.  Expected age splits and surface marks, structura...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Hardwood

Small Rectangular Antique Low Side Table
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period stool from the early 20th century with narrow waisted top, natural finish, horse hoof feet and carved apron. A testam...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

Two-Tone Brown Square Antique End Table
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood stool or side table from the 19th century, with open apron, carved spandrels, pillar strut motifs and distressed patina. Discover the allure of historical craftsmanship with this Qing Dynasty period Chinese elm wood stool or side table. This 19th-century artifact is a testament to time-honored Chinese furniture design, featuring an open apron accented with pillar strut motifs on all sides, and adorned with finely carved spandrels showcasing delicate scrolling foliage. Constructed of sturdy elm wood, this piece features a square top with a central board and rounded corners. The stool or side table is supported by four straight cylindrical legs, indicative of traditional Chinese design. The piece is further enhanced by a distressed patina that lends an appealing antique character to the ensemble. This multi-functional piece can serve as either a stool or a side table, and its compact size and square form make it a versatile choice for any space. The beautiful elm wood grain and discreetly carved details add an aesthetic of refined elegance, making it a noteworthy addition to any collection of antique Asian furniture...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red Lacquered Stool with Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period A Frame red lacquered wooden stool from the 19th century, with carved apron, side stretchers and weathered patina. Created in China during the Qing Dyna...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

Antique End Table with Rattan Top and Box Design
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period stool circa 1900 with rattan inset, straight legs and low stretchers. Delight in the simplicity and utility of this Chinese late Qing Dynasty period stool, crafted circa 1900. A quintessential representation of form meeting function, this piece embodies the essence of Chinese antique furniture...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Chinese 1900s Qing Dynasty Red Lacquer Stool or Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period side table or stool from the early 20th century, with red lacquer, humpback stretchers and straight cylindrical legs. This Chinese late Qing Dynast...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

19th Century Rustic Chinese Hardwood Stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century rustic Chinese hardwood stool circa 1890. Shaped hardwood seat, made with character wood showing the knots and splits. Standing on 4 legs united by stretchers. Exp...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Chinese Woven Top Fang Deng Stools, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These 19th-century square stools from Shanxi province are elegantly crafted in the classical Chinese style with simple lines and balanced proportions. This form of square stool, or f...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Rattan, Elm, Lacquer

Chinese Threshing Stone Drum, C. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This low stone pedestal is an early 19th-century mill stone or roller stone, used for threshing grain on a farm in China's Shanxi province. The heavy stone would have been would have...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Side Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period side table from the 19th century, with dark brown finish, humpbacked stretcher and horse hoof feet. Created in China during Qing Dynasty period in the 1...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

Chinese Studded Limestone Drum
Located in Chicago, IL
This slender stone drum stool was carved from a solid block of limestone with simple form and minimal decoration. The top and bottom are ringed with raised studs, a design meant to i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Mill Stone, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusual stone pedestal is actually a late 19th-century cylindrical mill stone. Hand-carved of solid limestone with a textured and ribbed surface, the stone was used for threshing wheat and other grains on a farm in China's Shanxi province. The heavy stone roller...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Mill Stone, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusual stone pedestal is actually a late 19th-century cylindrical mill stone. Hand-carved of solid limestone with a textured and ribbed surface, the stone was used for threshing wheat and other grains on a farm in China's Shanxi province. The heavy stone roller...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Limestone

Provincial Chinese Splayed Leg Stool, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This Provincial stool dates to the turn of the century and would have been used throughout a courtyard home as versatile everyday seating. Crafted of pine using mortise-and-tenon joinery, the tapered...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Pine

Chinese Mill Stone, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusual stone pedestal is actually a late 19th-century cylindrical mill stone. Hand-carved of solid limestone with a textured and ribbed surface, the stone was used for threshing wheat and other grains on a farm in China's Shanxi province. The heavy stone roller...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Late Qing Dynasty 1900s Stool with Cloud-Carved Apron and Lower Shelf
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Late Qing Dynasty period dark stool from the early 20th century with carved apron and lower shelf. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty p...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Stool or Drinks Table with Woven Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
Small antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood stool from the 19th century with carved scrolling spandrels, woven rattan top and horse hoof feet, that could be used as a drinks t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Rattan, Elm

1 Q'ing Dynasty Style Garden Stool
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Charming Q'ing Dynasty Style Garden Stool Hand carved in fir. 3 available see last photo. Please specify color when ordering. Measures: 19'' H x 16'' W x 16'' D.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Qing Stools

Materials

Fir

Chinese Famille Rose Garden Stool c. 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Famille Rose garden seat, of handpainted porcelain, its traditional studded drum shape is intricately decorated in a pastel palette of blues, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Fang Deng Stool with Hoof Feet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Much more portable than heavier chairs, stools would be pulled up for use at mealtimes or used in an outside courtyard or garden. Crafted in the classical Chinese style of simple lin...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Stacked Stretcher Square Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This form of square stool, or fang deng, was a versatile seating option and was pulled up for use at mealtimes or used outdoors in a courtyard or garden. The pair is expertly crafted...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Elm Stools with Hump Back Rail, 1780-1820
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of square Chinese elm wood "bamboo" stools in the Ming taste. The turned legs have exposed tenons which extend through the two board table top. The tops have a bull nose edge and rounded corners. The turned legs are joined by mortice & tenon hump back...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Pair of Chinese Woven Top Square Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Lightweight and portable, stools were popular in Qing-dynasty homes for their simplicity and convenience. These elegant 19th-century square stools have beautifully worked frames featuring rounded edges, humpback stretchers, and ruyi-form fretwork finished with dark lacquer. Each top is inset with a hand-woven seat, providing textural contrast to the graceful elmwood frame. Used as seats or low side tables, this pair of square stools...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Reed, Elm

Chinese Qing Dynasty Rosewood Carved Stool with Rose Marble Inlaid Seat
Located in Wells, ME
Chinese Qing dynasty rosewood carved stool with rose marble inlaid seat. The intricate carving contrasts beautifully with the round rose marble i...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Marble

Late Qing Dynasty Pair Chinese Hongmu Rosewood Drum Stools, circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
A matched pair of antique Asian carved perfectly symmetrical barrel stools, late 19th-early 20th century. Made of precious hongmu, a type of rosewood, eac...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Rosewood

Chinese Qing Dynasty Scholar's Rootwood Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible 18th/19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty Scholar's rootwood stool of wabi-sabi form with naturally formed legs, and a patina only hundreds o...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Lotus Stools, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Deceptively simple, these early 20th century stools from Hebei province show off the ingenious joinery methods traditionally used by Chinese carpenters. The stool's three splayed leg...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Generous Square Stool with Cane Seat, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Lightweight and portable, stools were popular in Qing dynasty homes for their simplicity and convenience. This elegantly proportioned stool features an inset handwoven seat, providin...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Cane, Elm

Chinese Floral Melon Shape Limestone Drum, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This drum form was hand carved from a solid piece of limestone in China’s Shanxi Province. Its melon shape is an ancient Chinese symbol of fertility and...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Dragon Scale Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century stool from Beijing, China was crafted from a fine hardwood with beautiful warm coloring and tight grain. Intricate carvings cover the stool's frame, patternin...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Chinese Jia Zhen and Beech Half Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Pushed together, this pair of rectangular stools forms a square, hence the name “half stools.” Crafted of Jia Zhen and beech wood and finished with many coats of hand-applied lacquer...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Wood, Beech

19th Century, Chinese Provincial Fan Shaped Stool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chinese carved wooden stool with a fan shaped seat. Features splayed legs with stretchers on each side and a carved apron on the front. Constructed with old world mortise and tenon j...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Wood

Chinese Woven Top Fang Deng Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
The fang deng, or square stool, form was popular for its simplicity and utility in the home. The simple legs, stacked edging, sinuous braces, and rattan top make this a particularly ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Rattan, Elm

Chinese Turn Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
It is unusual to see an early 20th-century Chinese round stool designed to be adjustable. The artisan who created this inventive stool hand-carved the cylindrical center post for eas...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Pair of Chinese Rattan Top Black Lacquer Stools
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of 19th century black lacquer stools was created by an artisan from northern China using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery techniques...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Rattan, Elm

Low Chinese Stool with Woven Hide Top, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
The top of this stool was woven with incredible care by a skilled artisan who used thin strips of hide to create multiple patterns in the seat, including stars. The hand-hewn stool w...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Elm, Hide

Chinese Turn Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
It is unusual to see an early 20th century Chinese round stool with adjustable height. The artisan who created this inventive stool hand-carved the cylindrical center post for easy a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Prosperity Drum Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century ceramic garden stool from China's Zhejiang province keeps with tradition with its simple drum-form shape, cloaked in a dark brown-black glaze. Ringing both th...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools

Materials

Ceramic

Provincial Chinese Fan Stool, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th century stool from China's Hebei province charms with its simple form and smoothed texture. The fan-shaped seat is supported by splayed legs bolstered by simple stretc...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Chinese Black Lacquer Square Stool, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Paying tribute to the humble virtues of bamboo, ribbed woodwork wraps the legs and creates a stepped apron for this square stool, known as a fang deng. Ex...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools

Materials

Elm

Qing stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing stools 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 stools created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing stools 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 stools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $490 and tops out at $8,500 while the average work can sell for $1,940.

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