Qing Asian Art 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.
1980s Chinese Vintage Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Glass, Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Earthenware
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1690s Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood
17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Limestone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Elm
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Elm, Pine
19th Century Asian Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
19th Century Thai Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Elm
17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Rattan, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Elm
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer, Wood
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Stone, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Soapstone
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Silk, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Quartz
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1850s Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Acrylic, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Wood
20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo, Elm
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1880s Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century East Asian Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Milk Glass
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Boxwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Elm, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood