Qing More Asian Art, Objects and 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.
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Iron
1890s Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Reed, Bamboo, Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Lacquer, Paint, Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
1890s Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl
1880s Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Terracotta
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Stone
20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Elm, Pine
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Elm
20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
1880s Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Jade
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Brass
19th Century Asian Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Iron
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Enamel, Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Glass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Elm
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Mirror, Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood, Paint
1880s Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Silk
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bamboo, Rush
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Amethyst, Jade
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Hide
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood, Bone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Glass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Lacquer
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bamboo
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Silver