Qing Furniture
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 Petite Round Leg Wine Table, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Straight lines and subtle curves flow together seamlessly in this elegant mid-19th century table made in Shanxi province. We love the way its humpback curves and rounded aprons sweep into simple stretcher bars and round legs, invoking the classic style and aesthetic restraint of Ming-dynasty design. Made for sharing and offering wine and spirits...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
China Finest Antique Dream Stone And Mother Pearl Inlaid Chair
Located in South Burlington, VT
Finest Quality Dreamstone Inlaid Chair
China- an extraordinary prolifically crafted example of an antique hand carved hardwood chair inlaid with multiple natural dream stone "paintings" plus "butterfly and mother of pearl" inlays in its hardwood arms and seat, late 19th century.
This type of old Chinese furniture art form with marble inlay is centuries of years old dating as far back as the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Fine round and rectangular dream stones depicting mountains and the natural outdoor scenery are inlaid in the seat, back and interior sides of this finest furniture example. Thin marble inlaid stone "paintings" are approximately 1/4" thick and are cut from a large slab of rough material revealing incredible patterns in soft white and gray colors. The hardwood (elmwood) frame is tenon joined. The natural stone "paintings" were hand especially for fine export chairs as in this example.
Chair dimensions:
Height 38.75 inches
Width 25.75 inches
Depth 19 inches
Period : late Qing period, 19th century
Provenance: Private American Chinese collection
Reference: Dreaming of Dreamstones China’s Extraordinary Natural Stone Paintings, Schneible Fine Arts. Dreaming of Dreamstones – World’s first comprehensive English text publication covers China’s extraordinary natural Stone Paintings, by author and dream stone lecturer Douglas Schneible, 35 pages, softcover, ISBN 978-0-578. See photos.
We have been dealing in authentic Chinese natural stone paintings...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Marble
Chinese Qing Dynasty Elmwood Cabinet with Bronze Medallion and Inner Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty elmwood cabinet from the 19th century, with bronze medallion hardware and inner drawers. Crafted in China during the Qing Dynasty, this elm cabinet features two large doors marked in their center with a large bronze medallion...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Coffer Sideboard with Everted Ends
Located in Singapore, SG
An elmwood coffer sideboard with everted ends from Beijing, China. Finished with a clear matte lacquer over its original reddish brown color, the crackled finish on the lacquer adds ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm, Pine
19th Century Chinese Spirit Screen with Duan Stone
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th century spirit screen from northern China is inset with a duan stone, similar to stones used to create many inkstones for calligraphy. The stand i...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Stone
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elm Bookcase with Open Shelves and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty elmwood bookcase from the 19th century, with three open shelves and four drawers. Born in China during the Qing dynasty period, this elm bookcase features thre...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Maroon Lacquered Demilunes
Located in Pasadena, CA
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty demilune tables made in the 19th century. Covered in deep maroon lacquer and featuring delicate relief-carved scrolls along the apron, intricate pierced ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Black Lacquer and Gilt Painted Console, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A sumptuously elegant Chinese gilt and red lacquer painted black lacquer console or painting table, Qing Dynasty, late 19th century.
The top of this gorgeous table painted in red la...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Early 19th Century Chinese Large Sideboard with Everted Ends
Located in Singapore, SG
A very impressive large sideboard with everted ends from Shanxi province, China. The through carvings across the front has very lively and protruding carvings of lions (12 in total) ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm, Pine
Chinese Four Drawer Inlaid Altar, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This shallow console table was crafted over 150 years ago in China's Fujian province, and was originally used as an altar table storing incense a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Vintage Qing Style Side Table with Dark Patina and Carved Medallions
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage Qing dynasty style side table from the mid-20th century, with carved medallions and dark patina. Born in China during the mid-century period, this charming side tab...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Black Lacquer Square Stool, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-19th century fang deng (square stool) was made in Hebei province and crafted of elm foraged from the forests of northern China. The stretchers encircling the outer edges of the rounded legs highlight the masterful carpentry employed to create this very pure and simple form in the most elegant Ming fashion. This detail gives the design a natural flow and references bent bamboo. Chinese carpenters during the Qing dynasty held simplicity and craftsmanship in equal regard. In this spirit they emulated the simpler forms of bamboo furniture making that were popular in earlier times...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Finely Woven Lacquered Trunk, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This finely woven circa 1800 trunk is a work of art in itself and was possibly used to store prized painted scrolls. A skilled artisan painstakingly wove thin-as-hair reeds to cover ...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Reed, Elm, Lacquer
Pair of Chinese Yokeback Chairs, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
In the West, this type of chair is commonly called a "yokeback" chair because its top rail looks like a yoke for an ox. However, in China, the name translates to "lamp hanger" chair, describing how the form as a whole looks like an ancient oil lamp stand...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Dragon Scale Tea Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century tea table is crafted from a fine hardwood, revered by collectors for its rarity and unusual grain pattern. The detailed carvings on the legs and apron create ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Antique Side Table with Open Fretwork Design and Dark Wood Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period side table from the 19th century, with open fretwork design, dark wood patina and cylindrical legs. This exquisite Chinese side table features ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Low Kang Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant 19th century low table would have traditionally been placed atop a platform kang bed and used as a convenient working surface for painting, writi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Quatrefoil Doors
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of doors is over a century old and originally decorated a Qing dynasty home in China’s Fujian Province. The thin cedar slats mimic bamboo and overlap the quatrefoil windows...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Cedar
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 Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Qing Cinnabar Red Cabinet with Carved Peonies, circa 1800
Located in Miami, FL
A very beautiful Chinese cabinet in elm with original cinnabar (red/brown) lacquer with carved peonies on the side spandrels. Offers two storage...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
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 Furniture
Materials
Burl, Elm
Chinese Ruyi Wine Table, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 19th century Chinese inset leg wine table is characterized by the lightness of its proportions, its finely executed detailing and the lustrous...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Qing Chinese Bamboo & Elm Coffee Table/ Daybed, circa 1850
Located in Miami, FL
From the Shanxi region, a beautiful Qing Dynasty bed with elm frame. The top is composed of bamboo slats, with spandrels that have pierced, carved mot...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Elm
Chinese Writing Table with Cloud Spandrels, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Carefully selecting the perfect piece of timber, the craftsman who made this exceptional walnut table made the most of the wood's expressive, open-grained texture and warm golden-bro...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Chinese Walnut Spindleback Chairs, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of early 20th century walnut chairs owes its graceful design to the styles and techniques that emerged during the Ming dynasty, the golden age of Chinese furniture design. The clean lines of the spindleback form are interrupted by carved aprons on each chair's front, ornately cusped to resemble Ming-dynasty waisted stools. With a low back and gently tapered legs, these versatile, lightweight...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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 Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Chinese Cabinet in Elm with Carved Scenes of Four Seasons & Ebonizing
Located in Miami, FL
A lovely Chinese cabinet in elm with four doors whose panels show a carved scene of vegetation representing each of the four seasons in relief. ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Ruyi Altar Coffer, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Chinese artisans often weave stories and symbolism into their furniture designs. In Mandarin, the words for "eight" and "luck" share a pronunciation, making this coffer a powerful sy...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Cypress
Grand Chinese Two-Door Cabinet, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This austere 19th century Chinese cabinet from China's Shanxi province was constructed with grand proportions. The expressive grain of northern elmwood (yumu) patterns the doors with...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chinese Lacquered Bench with Splayed Legs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
In most Qing dynasty homes, stools and chairs were the only form of elevated seating, and a bench such as this would have been found at a temple or public theater. This 19th century walnut bench has splayed legs linked by straight double stretchers and topped by finely beaded carved spandrels. Sourced from China’s Shanxi region, walnut was a prized material for Qing dynasty furniture...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Chinese Red Lacquer Book Cabinet, c. 1700
Located in Chicago, IL
Traces of the original gilt floral painting remain on the doors of this early 18th century red-lacquered chest from Shanxi province. Countless coats of hand-applied red lacquer give ...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chinese Lacquered Square Coffee Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
The restrained silhouette of this Ming-inspired low table beautifully showcases the even texture and rich, dark color of its hardwood construction. Made in the early 20th century in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beech
Chinese Wine Table with Crossed Stretchers, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Crossed stretcher bars and apron curves animate the square profile of this elmwood table. Made in Hebei province circa 1850, the beautifully preserved table was used for sharing wine and spirits...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Late 19th Century Door Panels with Latticework and Carvings
Located in Singapore, SG
Late 19th century door panels with lattice patterns and carvings from Jiangxi province, China.
This set of doors have a very beautiful and highly unusual lattice pattern. Besides th...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Pine
Low Chinese Bentwood Chair, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This bentwood chair was created over a century ago in northern China by moistening, bending, and heating willow to form its desired shape. It is beautifully carved with auspicious flowers and is considerably smaller than most roundback chairs. As the height and size of chairs were traditionally marks of status in Chinese culture, it is likely that this artful chair...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Scholarly Lacquered Offering Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-19th century console table was likely used as an offering table bearing incense. Appealing to the rarified taste of China’s literati, this Qing-dynasty table depicts auspici...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Luohan Bed with Stepped Railing, 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 traditional cabinetry techniques to create the versatile luohan bed...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair of Chinese Red Lacquer Cabinets with Birds in Flight, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of early 19th century red lacquer cabinets is an extraordinary find. When placed beside each other, what remains of the finely-painted decoration comes together to form a s...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Large Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Wooden Cabinet with Paneled Doors and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty style wooden cabinet from the late 19th century, with paneled doors, drawers and butterfly iron hardware. Born in China during th...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Two-Door Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Classic Chinese furniture design is characterized by the flawless construction, purity of line, and dedication to detail you see here in this two-door cabinet. This beautiful elmwood...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Southern Administrator's Chairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of 19th century elmwood administrator's chairs are from northern China and feature arching back splats hand carved with traditional motifs including peonies, sparrows, and ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Finely Lacquered Chinese Chest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This stunning, ornate chest was masterfully constructed over 150 years by artisans in northern China. Although the design follows classic forms, vibrant d...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Elm
19th Century Chinese Bent Bamboo Daybed
Located in Chicago, IL
Made of bent bamboo, this southern Chinese daybed was likely the most popular piece of furniture in house. Lightweight and portable, the platform bed trave...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Late 19th Century Door Panels with Carving and Latticework
Located in Singapore, SG
Late 19th century double-width door panels from Zhejiang province, China. The framework and plain bottom panels are made of fir wood, while the latticework portion is made of Elm woo...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm, Fir
Chinese Painted Drum Stool with Blessings, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th century drum-form stool is assembled with traditional stave and hoop construction, with two bands of decorative nailheads. Painted in red and gold, two colors thought to br...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Late 19th Century Canopy Bed from Shanxi, China
Located in Singapore, SG
An antique canopy bed from Shanxi province made of Elm wood. This bed has all the attention focused on the front carvings while keeping a very simpl...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Elm
Chest with Thick Red Original Lacquer, Late 18th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chest with thick red original lacquer and very charming patina.
"Shanxi" China 1780-1820.
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Elm Coffee Table with Reversible Top and Strut Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage Qing dynasty style elmwood coffee table from the mid-20th century, with reversible top, pierced apron and pillar-shaped strut motifs. Born in China during the midcentury period, this exquisite coffee table...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Elm
Chinese Low Painted Lacquer Table with Fish Chimes, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
During winter in the colder provinces of China, life revolved around the kang, a heated brick platform that household members would sit or recline upon. Placed on top of the kang, lo...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair of Chinese Low Inset Leg Tables, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of low tables would have once flanked a platform bed in the intimate living space of a traditional Qing-dynasty home. Perfectly proportioned, they are quintessential exampl...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair of Chinese Spindleback Armchairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These 19th century spindleback armchairs owe their graceful design to the styles and techniques that emerged during the Ming dynasty, the golden a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of Three Chinese Lotus Blossom Stacked Nesting Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large set of three carved Chinese nesting tables or stacking tables featuring a lotus blossom decoration on the apron and humpback stretc...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
Wood
Petite Chinese Seven-Drawer Desk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite elmwood desk charms with its unusual blend of east and west styles. Made in Northern China, the desk dates to the late 19th century, a period that saw great cultural exch...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture
Materials
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 Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Altar Table with Everted Ends, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant console table was made 150 years ago in China’s Shanxi province and likely served as a family’s altar where they paid respects to revered ancestors. The altar table is crafted of fine hardwood with carved spandrels, everted ends...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
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 Furniture
Materials
Elm, Hide
Qing furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing furniture 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $165 and tops out at $53,800 while the average work can sell for $3,539.
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