Qing Scholar's Objects
QING STYLE
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.
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Style: Qing
Antique Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Tray/Stand with Dragon Design
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Tray/Stand with Dragon Design, Guangxu Period (1875-1908).
A dark vermillion red carved cinnabar lacquered Scholar’s tray on raised and footed supports. The top and sides of the tray carved in tight geometric diminishing square hatch ground with blossom centers. The aprons carved in deep relief on each side with two opposing auspicious five-clawed dragons chasing the flaming pearl amongst the clouds. The four corners with square curved feet supports. The underside lacquered black and unmarked.
4.75 in. high x 15 in. wide x 12.75 in. deep (12 x 38 x 32.5 cm).
4 lbs. 6 oz. (1983g.)
Guangxu Period (1875-1908)
Provenance:
Property removed from a residence at the Pierre Hotel, New York, 2021.
U.S.A. art market.
For similar cinnabar dragon...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Chinese Goldstone Carved Cranes Ibis Snuff Bottle Early 20c ROC
Located in Richmond, CA
Discover this rare and exquisite shimmering goldstone snuff bottle from the Republic of China period (1910-1940), a representation of the era's refined craftsmanship. Made from the distinctive goldstone, the bottle captivates with its natural sparkle, resembling a night sky strewn with stars.
Each side features a pair of gracefully carved cranes...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Glass
Pair of Chinese Longevity Relief Scroll Cases, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Delicately carved of dense hardwood, these 19th-century scroll cases were an essential accessory for the esteemed Qing-dynasty scholar. The perfect size for a rolled-up scroll, the cases were once used to store and protect works of traditional calligraphy and landscape painting.
The matching cases are hand-carved in low relief with all-over scrollwork and borders of geometric meanders. Each case is carved with repeated Shou characters, symbols of longevity and a blessing for a long and complete life. Amid the scrollwork flourishes are ribbon-clad objects known as the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, including the eternal knot...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage Chinese Porcelain Snuff Bottle Fencai Dog in Courtyard Jade Stopper 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
A vintage Chinese porcelain snuff bottle, decorated in fencai with a dog in a garden court yard scene to each side, a three character re...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$245 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Chinese Decorative Lacquered Wood Jardiniere
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Chinese Decorative Lacquered Wood Jardiniere, small, elegant form carved from a single segment of wood, raised high on four cabriole curving legs, top consisting of a rectangular ope...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
Qing Dynasty Burl Scroll Pot 'Scholars Pot', China
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Qing dynasty (1644-1911) burl scroll pot (Scholars Pot), China.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
Chinese Lingbi Scholar Stone Arched Form on Display Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small desk top Chinese scholar stones (also known as Gong Shi, meditation stone and spirit rock) fitted on a hand-carved wood stand circa late 19th century. The specimen is of a black Lingbi type stone in an arch form mimicking a horizontal mountain range. The wrinkles and folds on the black surface were perfectly weathered by elements for millenniums. Smooth and rugged at the same time, the mountain range shows a poetic formation that was often depicted in the ink scroll...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone
Chinese Burled Brush Pot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Carefully carved from a cypress tree burl, this late 19th-century burlwood vessel is known as a brush pot, a container traditionally used to hold select calligraphy brushes in a scho...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Burl
Chinese Qing Dynasty Porcelain Spotted Deer Brush Washer, Mid-19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A charming and elegant Chinese brush washer in the form of a recumbent spotted deer, Qing dynasty, circa 1850.
The graceful animal modeled with ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Bronze Chilong Garlic Head Scholar's Vase, Qing Dynasty, 17th C, China
Located in Austin, TX
A small and lovely Chinese cast bronze garlic head scholar's "chilong" vase, early Qing Dynasty, Kangxi period, late 17th century, China.
The elegant vase of beautiful proportion...
Category
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Bronze Scholar Vase with Taotie, Ming/Qing Dynasty, 17th century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A small and interesting cast bronze archaistic scholar vase with loose ring handles and taotie mask design, late Ming or early Qing Dynasty, mid 17th century, China.
The small vase of archaistic hu form, and cast with archaistic designs. Sitting on a tall splayed ring foot, the round body is cast with a large band featuring a ferocious taotie (ogre) mask. The taotie mask in this case id decidedly feline, with a ruyi shaped snout above a whiskered mouth. Two flanges stick out to either side of the mask, reminiscent of ears.
A wide, tall neck rises from the body, terminating in a slightly everted mouth. The archaistic cast design on the neck is not as clear, but most likely represents Fusang, a mythical island in the Eastern Sea where the legendary Fusang tree grows. The Fusang tree, home to the mythical Sun Bird...
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Stone Dali Panels
Located in Sherborne, GB
This is a set of four antique Chinese Dali stone panels which depict wonderful landscape images. The stone is set in an ebonized panel frame. They look wo...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Marble, Brass
$2,532 Sale Price / set
61% Off
Pair of Chinese Huanghuali Nesting Trays
Located in Austin, TX
A refined and elegant pair of huanghuali nesting trays. An exotic hardwood, huanghuali (which translate to "yellow flowering pear wood"), has long been prized in China.
These trays would originally have graced the desk of a scholar and aided him in his scholarly pursuits.
The larger tray features a wonderful golden hue, and a prized "ghost face...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Hardwood
$10,500 / set
Chinese Ho Ho Boy Water Dropper, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This curious object is a late 19th-century Chinese water dropper, a calligraphy accessory that would have been found upon a scholar's painting ta...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Porcelain
China, Brush holder in agate (carnelian) carved with relief decoration, 20th C.
Located in Bilzen, BE
China Brush rinse washer in agate (carnelian) carved with relief decoration with flowers
Early 20th century
natural structure in the agate
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Agate
Jiulongbi Mountain Meditation Stone
Located in Chicago, IL
A well-chosen stone is a focal point of both a traditional Chinese garden and a scholar's studio, evoking the complexities of nature and inspiring creative thought. Polished to bring...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone
$2,624 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Dengguayi Scholar's Lamp-Hanger Armchair with Sinuous Splat
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese antique Qing dynasty scholar's lamp-hanger armchair from the late 19th century, with sinuous pierced splat, dark patina, curving arms and side stretchers. This exquisite Ch...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
Chinese Burled Hardwood Scholar Rock, Republic Period, 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
An unusual and striking Chinese scholar rock, gongshi, of polished and lacquered burled hardwood, set into a hardwood base, mid-20th century.
The hardwood scholar "stone" meant to i...
Category
1940s Chinese Vintage Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Hardwood, Burl
Chinese Literati Tea Tray, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite 19th century tray reflects the Qing-dynasty literati's taste for fine materials and balanced proportions. Once used to serve tea or hold scholarly implements, the tray is...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Carved Hardwood "Chrysanthemum" Stand, 20th century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A large and impressive Chinese carved and stained hardwood display stand in the form of a stylized chrysanthemum, mid 20th century or earlier, China.
The large display stand...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Eighteen Luohan Walnut Shell Snuff Bottle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Plastic, Walnut
Chinese Calligraphy Brush, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Along with paper, ink, and inkstone, the brush was part of the four treasures found in a scholar’s studio. Arguably the most important tool, the brush served as a direct link to the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
Chinese Seal Carved In Steatite, 19th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
A late 19th century Chinese stamp carved in steatite.
Old traces of use and patina.
The seal is also fully engraved and has a text on it. 大地回春 披锦绣.
It is a poetic expression celebrat...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone, Soapstone
Blue And White Porcelain Calligraphy Brush Washer, Late Qing Period
Located in seoul, KR
In the late Qing Dynasty, it was popular to incorporate calligraphy and poetry into ceramics. The piece has a flat, oval shape and was likely used as an inkstone, one of the essentia...
Category
20th Century East Asian Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Fine Chinese Bamboo Root Carved Brush Pot
Located in Hampstead, QC
This antique hand carved Chinese bamboo root brush pot is in excellent condition. No cracks in the wood and all carving is in great condition with no chips or missing pieces.
The w...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bamboo
Chinese Double Gourd "Root" Amber Snuff Bottle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Other
Antique Chinese Carved Bamboo Brush Pot
Located in Hampstead, QC
This antique hand carved Chinese bamboo root brush pot is in excellent condition. No cracks in the wood and all carving is in great condition with no chips or missing pieces.
The w...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bamboo
A Finely Cast Standing Bronze Figure of Guanyin, 17th / 18th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The finely cast bronze figure of Guanyin - Bodhisattva Goddess of Compassion, Kindness & Mercy.
Shown wearing an outer robe finely modelled with cascading folds tied at her waist, h...
Category
1690s Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bronze
Rare Traditional Chinese Bamboo Hand-carved Brush Pot
Located in Hampstead, QC
This antique hand carved Chinese bamboo root brush pot is in excellent condition. No cracks in the wood and all carving is in great condition with no chips or missing pieces.
The w...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bamboo
Qing scholar's objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing scholar's objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage scholar's objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing scholar's objects made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for scholar's objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $98 and tops out at $29,500 while the average work can sell for $1,315.
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