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.
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Milk Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Organic Material
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Agate, Jade
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Malachite
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Soapstone
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Bamboo
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Bamboo
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Bamboo
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade, Sterling Silver
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Elm
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Bronze
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Bronze
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Bronze
1850s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
1870s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Glass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Pottery
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Elm
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Soapstone
17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Copper, Enamel
19th Century Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Wood
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
Early 1900s Asian Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Soapstone
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
1790s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Plastic, Walnut
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Other
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Hardwood
1880s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Bamboo
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Stone
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Jade
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Zitan
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Hardwood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Limestone
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Walnut
Early 20th Century Indonesian Qing Scholar's Objects
Bamboo, Hardwood, Lacquer
1940s Chinese Vintage Qing Scholar's Objects
Hardwood, Burl
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Zitan
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Hardwood, Mirror
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Rosewood