Qing Dynasty Hair Pin
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Jewelry Boxes
Brass
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Antique 1850s Chinese Qing Lacquer
Lacquer
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Jewelry Boxes
Wood
Antique 1890s Chinese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Pine, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Jewelry Boxes
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Jewelry Boxes
Copper
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Jewelry Boxes
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Other Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Jewelry Boxes
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Lacquer
Lacquer
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Jewelry Boxes
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Velvet
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Jewelry Boxes
Jade, Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
24k Gold
Early 20th Century Chinese Jewelry Boxes
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Lacquer
Lacquer
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Tables
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing End Tables
Brass, Steel
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Tables
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Tables
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Tables
Brass, Steel
A Close Look at 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.