Qing Altar Table

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Antique Fine Carved Chinese Hong Mu or Mahogany three Drawer Qing Altar Table

Located in Casteren, NL

. This altar table was originally used in a Qing dynasty household as a domestic altar for ancestor

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Fine Carved Chinese Hong Mu or Mahogany three Drawer Qing Altar Table

$5,156 Sale Price

20% Off

H 35.44 in W 70.08 in D 14.18 in

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Dark Elm Altar Console Table with Carved Spandrels

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese elmwood altar console table from the Qing dynasty, 19th century, with dark patina

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Elm

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Dark Elm Altar Console Table with Carved Spandrels

$5,900

H 38 in W 79 in D 21 in

Chinese Qing Dynasty Altar Table, 19th Century

Located in Savannah, GA

A Chinese altar table with four drawers, 19th century. 85 inches wide by 19 inches deep by 35

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty Altar Table, 19th Century

$9,000

H 35.25 in W 85 in D 19 in

Chinese Hardwood Altar Table, Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900

Located in San Francisco, CA

Chinese hardwood , altar table, late Qing dynasty, circa 1900. Faded evenly to a warm honey color

Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Sofa Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Hardwood Altar Table, Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900

$3,250

H 32 in W 55 in D 17.5 in

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Altar Console Table with Original Lacquer

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden altar console table from the 19th century with original

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Altar Console Table with Original Lacquer

$6,500

H 35.5 in W 91 in D 17 in

19th Century Qing Dynasty Altar Console Table with Distressed Lacquer

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, with carved apron

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Qing Dynasty Altar Console Table with Distressed Lacquer

$2,600

H 32.5 in W 40 in D 25.5 in

Qing Dynasty Tall Altar Console Table with Carved Scrolling Spandrels

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Qing Dynasty period tall altar console table from the 19th century, with everted flanges, carved

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty Tall Altar Console Table with Carved Scrolling Spandrels

$4,900

H 43 in W 71.5 in D 15.75 in

19th Century Qing Dynasty Altar Console Table with Reddish Brown Patina

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, with dark reddish brown

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Qing Dynasty Altar Console Table with Reddish Brown Patina

$5,500

H 35.5 in W 95 in D 20.25 in

Late Qing Dynasty Altar Console Table with Lateral Pierced Tree Motifs

Located in Yonkers, NY

A long Chinese late Qing Dynasty period carved wooden altar console table from the early 20th

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Late Qing Dynasty Altar Console Table with Lateral Pierced Tree Motifs

$3,700

H 39.5 in W 77.75 in D 13.5 in

Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Altar Console Table with Humpback Stretchers

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period small altar console table from the 19th century with carved apron and

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Altar Console Table with Humpback Stretchers

$1,800

H 27.25 in W 39 in D 18.35 in

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Altar Console Table with Carved Apron

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, with carved apron and side

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Altar Console Table with Carved Apron

$2,500

H 34 in W 42 in D 28 in

Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Altar Console Table with Carved Spandrels

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Qing Dynasty period altar table from the 19th century, with carved spandrels, everted flanges and

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Altar Console Table with Carved Spandrels

$5,500

H 37.25 in W 64.5 in D 15.75 in

Chinese Qing Dynasty Wooden Altar Console Table with Cloudy Scroll Motifs

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden altar console table from the 19th century with everted flanges

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty Wooden Altar Console Table with Cloudy Scroll Motifs

$5,500

H 34.5 in W 86 in D 19 in

19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Period Red Lacquer Console Altar Table

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elmwood altar console table from the 19th century, with red lacquer

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Elm

19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Period Red Lacquer Console Altar Table

$2,500

H 32 in W 45.5 in D 12.5 in

Chinese Qing Dynasty Shandong Altar Console Table with Carved Scrolling Motifs

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the Shandong province, with carved apron and

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty Shandong Altar Console Table with Carved Scrolling Motifs

$4,800

H 29.5 in W 83 in D 18.75 in

Qing Dynasty Altar Table with Bamboo Accents, Fretwork and Everted Flanges

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing dynasty period altar console table from the early 20th century, with everted flanges

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty Altar Table with Bamboo Accents, Fretwork and Everted Flanges

$5,500

H 39.5 in W 94 in D 16 in

Qing Dynasty Elmwood Altar Console Table with Carved Apron and Fretwork Panels

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, featuring a long

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Elm

Qing Dynasty Elmwood Altar Console Table with Carved Apron and Fretwork Panels

$5,900

H 37 in W 76 in D 13 in

Large Chinese Qing Dynasty Everted Flange Altar Console Table with Carved Apron

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing dynasty period large altar console table from the 19th century, with everted flanges

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Large Chinese Qing Dynasty Everted Flange Altar Console Table with Carved Apron

$6,500

H 50 in W 79.5 in D 21.5 in

Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Period Altar Console Table with Open Fretwork

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, with everted flanges and

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Period Altar Console Table with Open Fretwork

$4,500

H 34 in W 86 in D 11.5 in

19th Century Qing Dynasty Elmwood Altar Table with Cloud Motifs and Vivid Patina

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Qing Dynasty period elmwood altar table from the 19th century with unusual patina and scrolling

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Elm

19th Century Qing Dynasty Elmwood Altar Table with Cloud Motifs and Vivid Patina

$4,500

H 37 in W 80 in D 18 in

Long Antique Altar Table, Oriental Elm, Display, Hall, Qing Dynasty, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

altar table with Qing dynasty influence, ideal for grand interiors Crafted from select Asian elm

Category

Antique 1850s Chinese Chinese Export Console Tables

Materials

Elm

Long Antique Altar Table, Oriental Elm, Display, Hall, Qing Dynasty, Victorian

$9,505 / item

H 38.39 in W 89.38 in D 15.56 in

Chinese Altar Table

Located in Woodbury, CT

Chinese Alter

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Elm

Chinese Altar Table

$4,950

H 33 in W 67.75 in D 21 in

Chinese Dynasty Altar Table

Located in New York, NY

Chinese Dynasty Altar table. Monumental Chinese Zen Altar table. Qing Dynasty Zen Altar Table

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Elm

Chinese Dynasty Altar Table

$15,000 Sale Price

37% Off

H 31 in W 106 in D 21 in

Vintage Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Hand-Carved Console or Altar Table w/ Foo Dog

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Dynasty This Chinese Qing Dynasty Table, dating from circa 1950’s, showcases masterful craftsmanship

Category

Vintage 1950s Chinese Other Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Hand-Carved Console or Altar Table w/ Foo Dog

$1,050

H 32.25 in W 44.25 in D 22 in

19th Century Chinese Elm Altar Table

Located in Doylestown, PA

Antique late Qing period Chinese elm altar table. It features mitered mortise and tenon joinery

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Iron

19th Century Chinese Elm Altar Table

$1,450

H 32.5 in W 41 in D 17 in

Minimalist Chinese Altar Table, 19th Century

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Elegant and chicly minimalist Chinese altar table, with upturned pagoda-style tabletop ends, and

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Minimalist Chinese Altar Table, 19th Century

$5,783

H 34.65 in W 88.98 in D 15.36 in

Chinese Two-Drawer Carved Altar Table, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

of this beautifully proportioned altar table. Expressive scrollwork articulates the table’s graceful

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Side Tables

Materials

Pine

Chinese Two-Drawer Carved Altar Table, c. 1850

$1,880

H 33.5 in W 43.25 in D 19.5 in

Elm Small Altar Table, China, Mid-19th Century

Located in New York, NY

A small Chinese altar display table, hand-crafted in Elm wood, circa 1860-1880. Soft, supple elm

Category

Antique 1860s Chinese Qing Tray Tables

Materials

Elm

Elm Small Altar Table, China, Mid-19th Century

$1,950

H 5.5 in W 17.5 in D 8.25 in

Carved Altar Style Red Mahogany Console Table

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Diminutive Asian console table with elaborate carved openwork apron in panels with rippling and

Category

20th Century Asian Qing Console Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Carved Altar Style Red Mahogany Console Table

$2,100

H 30 in W 39.25 in D 14 in

Mid 19th Century Chinese Altar Table Qing Dynasty

Located in Hudson, NY

A large elm-wood altar or console table with everted flanges or 'qiaotou' (commonly called "birds

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

Mid 19th Century Chinese Altar Table Qing Dynasty

$9,500

H 41 in W 94 in D 17 in

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Distressed Brown Lacquer Console Table

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period brown lacquer altar console table from the 19th century with original

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Distressed Brown Lacquer Console Table

$2,400

H 32 in W 44 in D 15 in

Large Chinese Hand Carved Dragon Altar Table or Rosewood Entry Table

Located in Miami, FL

auspicious emblem of longevity and immortality. Possibly once used as an altar table for honouring one's

Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Large Chinese Hand Carved Dragon Altar Table or Rosewood Entry Table

$1,595 Sale Price

54% Off

H 38.5 in W 61 in D 18 in

Chinese Altar Console Table with Cloud Carved Apron and Everted Flanges

Located in Yonkers, NY

An early 20th century Chinese altar console table, late Qing to Republic period, featuring a long

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Altar Console Table with Cloud Carved Apron and Everted Flanges

$6,750

H 35.5 in W 104 in D 14.5 in

Large Chinese Qing Dynasty Console

Located in Kent, Dover

A large Chinese Qing Dynasty console (or Altar table) of good quality. Beautifully carved hongmu

Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Large Chinese Qing Dynasty Console

$4,313

H 39.38 in W 60.24 in D 16.93 in

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Lacquered Console Table with Carved Mythical Animals

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Qing Dynasty carved altar console table from the 19th century, with everted flanges, mythical

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Lacquered Console Table with Carved Mythical Animals

$6,500

H 38.5 in W 89.25 in D 20.5 in

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Console Table with Cloud-Carved Apron, Scrolling Feet

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, with cloudy carved apron and

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Console Table with Cloud-Carved Apron, Scrolling Feet

$3,500

H 31 in W 78.5 in D 23.5 in

Large 19th Century Qing Dynasty Console Table with Dragon and Fretwork Motifs

Located in Yonkers, NY

A large Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, with fretwork and dragon

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Large 19th Century Qing Dynasty Console Table with Dragon and Fretwork Motifs

$7,800

H 34.5 in W 115.5 in D 13.75 in

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Black Console Table with Carved Dragon Motifs

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period black lacquer altar console table from the early 19th century, with

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Black Console Table with Carved Dragon Motifs

$7,800

H 38 in W 89 in D 16.5 in

Chinese Plank Top Longevity Altar with Everted Ends, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

A prime example of Qing-dynasty furniture design, this 19th century table from China's Shanxi

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Walnut

Chinese Plank Top Longevity Altar with Everted Ends, c. 1850

$13,800

H 33.75 in W 77.25 in D 16.5 in

Wood Altar Tray with Mother-of- Pearl Inlays, Late 19 Century

Located in New York, NY

A small altar tray, hand-crafted in teak with mother-of-pearl inlays. China, late 19th Century

Category

Antique 1880s Chinese Qing Tray Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Teak

Wood Altar Tray with Mother-of- Pearl Inlays, Late 19 Century

$1,300

H 4 in W 13.5 in D 7.5 in

Wood Altar Tray with Mother-of- Pearl Inlays, Late 19th Century

Located in New York, NY

A small altar tray, hand-crafted in teak with mother-of-pearl inlays. China, late 19th Century

Category

Antique 1890s Chinese Qing Tray Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Teak

Wood Altar Tray with Mother-of- Pearl Inlays, Late 19th Century

$1,300

H 4 in W 15 in D 9 in

Chinese Carved Wood Altar Table

Located in Astoria, NY

Chinese Carved Wood Altar Table. 38" H x 89" W x 13" D. Provenance: From a Chelsea, New York City

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Carved Wood Altar Table

$2,350

H 38 in W 89 in D 13 in

Chinese wooden console table - Altar table antique

By Ebanista

Located in Brescia, IT

A large elm altar or console with , supported by trestle legs. Shanxi Province, China, 18th century

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese wooden console table - Altar table antique

$10,241

H 35.04 in W 94.49 in D 18.9 in

Chinese Four Seasons Altar Table, circa 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This grand table from China's Shanxi province was originally used in a Qing-dynasty household as an

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Four Seasons Altar Table, circa 1850

$6,880

H 33.5 in W 76.5 in D 19.75 in

Chinese Cinnabar Red Altar Table, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

instruments, flowers, or vases. Often referred to as altar tables, this narrow table form is also used as a

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Lacquer, Elm

Chinese Cinnabar Red Altar Table, c. 1850

$9,800

H 34 in W 112.25 in D 18.25 in

19th century Chinese Console Table

Located in New York, NY

19th Century Qing Dynasty Altar Console Table with rustic patina. Original 19th century Qing

Category

Antique Early 1800s Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Elm

19th century Chinese Console Table

$6,400

H 34 in W 83 in D 11.3 in

Petite Chinese Red Lacquer Altar Table, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

tables, these slender tables are also used as a domestic altars for familial ancestor worship, laden with

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

Petite Chinese Red Lacquer Altar Table, c. 1850

$1,880

H 16.5 in W 35.5 in D 6.5 in

Chinese Altar Table with Rare Silver Wire Inlays

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Chinese wood altar table or console table circa late 19th to early 20th century (late Qing

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Silver

Chinese Altar Table with Rare Silver Wire Inlays

$7,800

H 31 in W 58.5 in D 17 in

Chinese Plank Top Ruyi Altar Table, circa 1800

Located in Chicago, IL

This monumental early 19th century flanked top altar table from China's Shanxi province is notable

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Plank Top Ruyi Altar Table, circa 1800

$14,980

H 32.75 in W 81.75 in D 21 in

Antique Console Table with Two Drawers and Lower Shelf

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period altar side console table from the 19th century with two drawers

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Bronze

Antique Console Table with Two Drawers and Lower Shelf

$2,900

H 34.5 in W 32 in D 19 in

Antique Chinese Altar Console Table with Overhang Top and Open Fretwork Scrolls

Located in Yonkers, NY

A late Qing Dynasty period antique altar console table with overhang top and open fretwork on

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Altar Console Table with Overhang Top and Open Fretwork Scrolls

$4,200

H 31 in W 63 in D 20 in

Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Altar Carved Console Table

Located in Chicago, IL

Antique Shanxi Province elmwood altar carved ornate console table. Gorgeous Chinese Qing dynasty

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Antique Shanxi Province Elmwood Altar Carved Console Table

$3,500

H 32 in W 38 in D 18.5 in

Mid-Century Penshell Pagoda Console or Hall Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Palm Beach, FL

The iconic form of the Qing hall table or altar table is represented here as a modern clean version

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Shell

Mid-Century Penshell Pagoda Console or Hall Table

$6,950

H 34 in W 71 in D 18 in

Altar Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay, China, 19th Century

Located in Toronto, CA

This is a gorgeous late Qing Dynasty Chinese altar table made of Rosewood. Scroll ends carved with

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

Altar Table with Mother of Pearl Inlay, China, 19th Century

$2,200

H 33.3 in W 59.9 in D 16.3 in

Chinese Early 20th Century Console with Cloud-Carved Apron and Scrolling Feet

Located in Yonkers, NY

, this early 20th century Qing Dynasty Chinese wooden altar console table will bring a touch of elegance

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Early 20th Century Console with Cloud-Carved Apron and Scrolling Feet

$2,800

H 31.25 in W 63 in D 17.75 in

19th Century Altar Table

Located in New York, NY

example of Qing dynasty Altar table.

Category

Antique 1850s Chinese Qing Console Tables

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Altar Table

$7,000 Sale Price

28% Off

H 34 in W 80 in D 14 in

Qing Dynasty Huanghuali Altar Table

Located in Edinburgh, GB

Qing dynasty huanghuali altar table, circa 1900. With a floating panel top, carved apron with

Category

20th Century Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Qing Dynasty Huanghuali Altar Table

$5,209

H 38.59 in W 59.85 in D 16.15 in

Qing Dynasty Chinese Altar Table

Located in Washington, DC

Flat top, square cornered side table with minimal apron, humpback stretchers and legs ending in the

Category

Antique 19th Century Console Tables

Qing Dynasty Chinese Altar Table

$3,800

H 33 in W 71 in D 13 in

Tables Under $2,000

Antique and Vintage Tables

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Qing Altar Table For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal qing altar table for your home. Each qing altar table for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, hardwood and elm. There are many kinds of the qing altar table you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. A qing altar table, designed in the style, is generally a popular piece of furniture.

How Much is a Qing Altar Table?

Prices for a qing altar table can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $250 and can go as high as $34,200, while the average can fetch as much as $5,580.

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 Console-tables for You

Few pieces of furniture are celebrated for their functionality as much as their decorative attributes in the way that console tables are. While these furnishings are not as common in today’s interiors as their coffee-table and side-table counterparts, console tables are stylish home accents and have become more prevalent over the years.

The popularity of wood console tables took shape during the 17th and 18th centuries in French and Italian culture, and were exclusively featured in the palatial homes of the upper class. The era’s outwardly sculptural examples of these small structures were paired with mirrors or matching stools and had tabletops of marble. They were most often half-moon-shaped and stood on two scrolled giltwood legs, and because they weren’t wholly supported on their two legs rather than the traditional four, their flat-backed supports were intended to hug the wall behind them and were commonly joined by an ornate stretcher. The legs were affixed or bolted to the wall with architectural brackets called console brackets — hence, the name we know them by today — which gave the impression that they were freestanding furnishings. While console tables introduced a dose of drama in the foyer of any given aristocrat — an embodiment of Rococo-style furniture — the table actually occupied minimal floor space (an attractive feature in home furniture). As demand grew and console tables made their way to other countries, they gained recognition as versatile additions to any home.

Contemporary console tables comprise many different materials and are characterized today by varying shapes and design styles. It is typical to find them made of marble, walnut or oak and metal. While modern console tables commonly feature four legs, you can still find the two-legged variety, which is ideal for nestling behind the sofa. A narrow console table is a practical option if you need to save space — having outgrown their origins as purely ornamental, today’s console tables are home to treasured decorative objects, help fill empty foyers and, outfitted with drawers or a shelf, can provide a modest amount of storage as needed.

The rich collection of antique, new and vintage console tables on 1stDibs includes everything from 19th-century gems designed in the Empire style to unique rattan pieces and more.