Chinese Porcelain Statue Chinese Ceramic Figure
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Ceramics
Porcelain
Vintage 1920s Chinese Qing Ceramics
Porcelain
People Also Browsed
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Vases
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Chinese Decorative Bowls
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century Chinese Ceramics
Porcelain
Antique 18th Century Chinese Export Decorative Bowls
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Ceramic, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Vases
Ceramic
Vintage 1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vases
Porcelain
Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Bowls
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Bowls
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century Japanese Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Porcelain
Vintage 1940s Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Vases
Ceramic
Antique 19th Century Chinese Decorative Bowls
Porcelain
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Antiquities
Porcelain
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.
Finding the Right ceramics for You
With their rich and diverse history, antique, new and vintage Asian ceramics offer colorful and sophisticated ways to add flair to any space.
Japanese pottery dates back at least 13,000 years to the Jōmon period. Pieces from the Late Jōmon era display a rope-cord pattern encircling a pot or jug. During the Muromachi period, potters created simple bowls and utensils frequently used in tea ceremonies and were made as both functional and aesthetic objects.
Ceramics made during Japan’s Meiji period, from 1868 to 1912, reflected an explosion of artistic expression propelled by new access to international trade. Details became more intricate and refined, and colors were enhanced with new glazing practices.
Chinese porcelain, meanwhile, is often identified by its shape. Each reign and dynasty had specific shapes and styles that were encouraged by the imperial ruler. During the Song dynasty, for instance, there were four dominant types of ceramic vase shapes: plum-shaped, pear-shaped, cong-shaped (tall and square) and double-gourd.
Chinese ceramics that were made during the Qing dynasty were demonstrative of an expanded artistic expression, with more delicate shapes and a focus on intricate detailing. The shapes of ceramics from this era are thinner, taller and have subtle features like a gentle flare, such as on the mallet-shaped vase.
Later, the 17th- and 18th-century interior design trend of chinoiserie brought Asian paintings and screens, textiles and other art and furniture from the continent into many European homes.
Explore an extensive range of antique, new and vintage Asian ceramics on 1stDibs to find the perfect piece for your home.