Qing Decorative 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.
3
83
to
2
71
10
83
83
83
854
532
485
479
171
151
134
107
90
87
82
75
74
64
46
29
23
19
7
48
28
21
6
3
2
Height
to
Width
to
48
40
22
18
13
82
81
81
1
1
Style: Qing
Pair of Petite Chinese Red Lacquer Butterfly Chests, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These late 19th century miniature tapered cabinets would have been kept in a woman's quarters, likely used as a jewelry box or cosmetics case. The carved door fronts are decorated wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Elm
Qing Dynasty Rattan and Bamboo Nested Lunch Basket with Carved Handle
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period rattan and bamboo two-tier nested lunch basket from the 19th century, with carved handle and calligraphy. This exquisite 19th-century Chinese lunch basket, masterfully crafted from rattan and bamboo, offers a blend of functionality and decorative appeal. Featuring two-tier nesting sections and a circular lid, this antique piece is accentuated by a robust bamboo handle that is gracefully adorned with painted calligraphy, adding an element of cultural artistry.
Originally designed for carrying meals, today this versatile basket serves multiple purposes—it can function as a unique picnic basket, a charming decorative item, or a clever solution for storing and organizing everyday items in your home. Its intricate design and natural materials bring a touch of rustic elegance to any setting, making it a perfect addition to both traditional and contemporary interiors.
Ideal for display in a kitchen, dining room, or living area, this Chinese antique lunch...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Rattan, Bamboo
Qing Dynasty Red Lacquered Scroll Box with Distressed Gold Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty red lacquered lidded scroll box from the 19th century with distressed gold chinoiserie motifs. This exquisite Chinese Qing dynasty red lacquered lidded scroll ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese White Brass Happiness Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this petite 19th-century brass brazier once warmed the hands of a well-to-do person on a cold winter's night in northern China. The brazier is crafted of white brass in a rectangular form, complete with a hinged handle and an intricately pierced lid with a chrysanthemum pattern. The exterior is etched with a pattern of golden coins...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Qing Dynasty Tiered Wedding Box with Nailheads and Dark Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty period wooden tiered wedding box from the 19th century, with carved sides, handle and nailheads. Created in China during the ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Qing Mother of Pearl Inset Wooden Glove Box
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine quality antique Chinese wooden glove box inset with decorative mother of pearl panels dating from the 19th or possibly late 18th century. The rectangular sleeve box has inset ...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl
Chinese Double Handled Brass Brazier, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
On a cold winter’s night in China’s Northern provinces, the well-to-do held their hands over this coal-filled brazier to ward off the chill. Handmade of brass, the exquisitely crafte...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century Chinese Silverwire Wooden Box Mother of Pearl Design
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese silverwire wooden box with mother of pearl design from the Qing Dynasty. Beautiful intricate floral designs all-over.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated all over beautifully with intricate designs and images of ancient C...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
19th Century 14.25‘’ Large Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated beautifully all over with intricate designs and images of ancient C...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
18th Century Burmese Rakhine State Lacquer Bamboo Pillow Box
Located in Brea, CA
18th century Burmese black bamboo pillow box in relief with red Rakhine lacquer. Created with bamboo weaving. Decorated all-over with geometrical shapes and...
Category
Early 18th Century Burmese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Brass Hand Warmer with Phoenix, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this exquisitely crafted 19th century brass brazier once warmed the hands of a wealthy woman on a cold winter's night in northern China. Designed to let he...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century Chinoiserie Gilt Painted Box
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Chinese chinoiserie gilt painted box. Lacquer work box of very high quality.
Beautifully painted.
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Gourd-Form Presentation Box, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This finely lacquered box was once presented as a gift, filled with popular snacks like roasted melon seeds, dried fruit, and cinnamon-toasted soy beans. The lightweight box is formed in the shape of a melon, a traditional symbol of perpetuity. Cloaked in layer upon layer of rich red lacquer, the box is intricately decorated with paintings of ruyi-framed lotus...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Silver Repoussé Box with Warriors, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A fine late Qing or early Republic Period Chinese silver repoussé box featuring a scene possibly from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing dynasty. Colored black and gold all-over beautifully with intricate designs.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Treasure Chest with Reverse Glass Painted Panels. c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
As much an artwork as a piece of furniture, this 19th century treasure chest from northern China is richly decorated with relief carvings and delicate gilt paintings. The doors bear ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Eternal Love Offering Box, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This ornately carved 19th-century offering box would have been presented as a gift filled with popular Chinese snacks, including roasted melon seeds, dried fruit, and soybeans toaste...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer, Paint, Wood
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 Decorative Boxes
Materials
Reed, Elm, Lacquer
Chinese Picnic Box, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
The basic form of this two-tiered box with handle has remained unchanged for 1,000 years. Stacked boxes were commonly used as portable containers for food or ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Finely Woven Lacquered Trunk, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
A work of art in itself, this finely woven Qing-dynasty trunk likely once stored prized painted scrolls. Framed in elmwood, the trunk’s panels are lined with thin reeds that were pai...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Five Blessings Brass Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this exquisitely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the cold hands of a wealthy woman on a winter night in northern China. The brazier is hand-wrough...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative 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 Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bamboo
19th century black lacquered jewellery box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Chinese black lacquered jewellery box circa 1860.
Good quality shaped Chinese jewellery box with overstuffed top cushion. Hand painted in gold leaf on all surfaces, wi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
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 Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Qing decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing decorative 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 decorative 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 decorative 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 decorative 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 $980.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Jewelry Trinket Box
Antique Marble Box
Boxes Of Butterflies
Chinoiserie Box Antique
Middle Eastern Art Objects
Small Trinket Box
Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Gilt Italy Box
Mother Of Pearl Inlaid Box
Antique Tin Lid
Retro Bird Box
Timber Box
Antique French Crystal Box
Hexagonal Box
Micro Mosaic Furniture
Vintage Dresser Box
Vintage Dresser Boxes
Antique Tiffany Box