Qing Scholar's Objects
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.
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Ceramic
2010s Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade, Silver, Copper
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Rose Quartz
Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Glass
1920s Chinese Vintage Qing Scholar's Objects
Lapis Lazuli
Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Glass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
1980s Chinese Vintage Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Milk Glass
1720s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Ceramic
1950s Chinese Vintage Qing Scholar's Objects
Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Silver
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Cut Glass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Cut Glass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Agate
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Glass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Organic Material
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Brass
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Cut Glass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Wood, Coconut
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Milk Glass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Silver
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Milk Glass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Milk Glass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Cut Glass
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Cut Glass
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain