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Qing Architectural Elements

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
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Openwork Wall Hanging Giltwood Carvings
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Openwork Wall Hanging Giltwood Carvings

Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Openwork Wall Hanging Giltwood Carvings

Located in Vero Beach, FL

Antique pair of Chinese 18th century Qing dynasty openwork wood carving Gilded screen work wall hanging architectural elements. This pair of Chinese pan...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Giltwood

Chinese Reverse Glass Table Screen with Floral Still Life, c. 1850
Chinese Reverse Glass Table Screen with Floral Still Life, c. 1850

Chinese Reverse Glass Table Screen with Floral Still Life, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

Prevalent in fine Chinese interiors as early as the Tang dynasty (618-906), standing screens with decorative panels served numerous functions as portable architecture. Used to sectio...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century Qing Dynasty Shop Sign Panel with Calligraphy and Distressed Patina
19th Century Qing Dynasty Shop Sign Panel with Calligraphy and Distressed Patina

19th Century Qing Dynasty Shop Sign Panel with Calligraphy and Distressed Patina

Located in Yonkers, NY

A rectangular Qing Dynasty period shop sign panel from the 19th century with calligraphy and distressed dark brown patina. Crafted during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this r...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood

Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Glazed Terracotta Guardian Lion Roof Tile Figures
Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Glazed Terracotta Guardian Lion Roof Tile Figures

Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Glazed Terracotta Guardian Lion Roof Tile Figures

Located in Forney, TX

A remarkable pair of rare antique Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) Chinese terracota architectural roof tile beasts. circa 1900 Hand-crafted in Imperial China around the turn of the late 19...

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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Large 19th Century Lacquered Black Signboard with Red Calligraphy, Qing Dynasty
Large 19th Century Lacquered Black Signboard with Red Calligraphy, Qing Dynasty

Large 19th Century Lacquered Black Signboard with Red Calligraphy, Qing Dynasty

Located in Yonkers, NY

A large Qing Dynasty period black signboard from the 19th century, with red calligraphy. Crafted during the 19th century Qing Dynasty, this large signboard once adorned a temple, gui...

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19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood

Antique Shop Sign with Carved Calligraphy
Antique Shop Sign with Carved Calligraphy

Antique Shop Sign with Carved Calligraphy

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Antique Shop Sign with Carved Calligraphy from the 19th century with dark brown/black lacquer, calligraphy carved in low relief and iro...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Antique Asian Carved Foo Dog Lion Architectural Corbels, a Pair
Antique Asian Carved Foo Dog Lion Architectural Corbels, a Pair

Antique Asian Carved Foo Dog Lion Architectural Corbels, a Pair

Located in Forney, TX

A magnificent pair of Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) antique Chinese architectural elements with beautifully aged patina. circa 1900 Most impressive large scale, likely sculptural corbels from a Buddhist temple or imperial palace, late 19th / early 20th century, each intricately hand carved with very fine detailing, similarly styled pair, modeled as guardian foo lion, depicted with outstretched arched body, mouth ajar, clutching floral ball, having elaborate openwork carvings, with scattered remnants of original polychrome paint remaining. The highly decorative architectural salvaged ornamental building elements presented on custom made hand carved wooden sculpture stands...

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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Architectural Elements

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Wood, Paint

Chinese Qing Dynasty Period Red Lacquer Carved Shop Sign with Calligraphy
Chinese Qing Dynasty Period Red Lacquer Carved Shop Sign with Calligraphy

Chinese Qing Dynasty Period Red Lacquer Carved Shop Sign with Calligraphy

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period red lacquer shop sign from the 19th century with carved and lacquered calligraphy. This Chinese Qing Dynasty period shop sign is a remarkable artifact f...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Carved Wood Architectural Window Panel
Antique Chinese Carved Wood Architectural Window Panel

Antique Chinese Carved Wood Architectural Window Panel

Located in Dallas, TX

An antique Chinese carved wood window panel with piercing and a geometric pattern. This very decorative architectural element is a good size and can be used to hand on the wall or i...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty Chinese 19th Century Stone Temple Pedestal with Hand-Carved Motifs
Qing Dynasty Chinese 19th Century Stone Temple Pedestal with Hand-Carved Motifs

Qing Dynasty Chinese 19th Century Stone Temple Pedestal with Hand-Carved Motifs

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period stone temple pedestal from the 19th century with hand-carved motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this temple pedestal features a linear si...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Stone

Chinese Pearl of Wisdom Valance, c. 1850
Chinese Pearl of Wisdom Valance, c. 1850

Chinese Pearl of Wisdom Valance, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This architectural valance from the 19th century is beautifully carved in multiple dimensions with lotus, flora, and fruits on the vine and centered with a pearl of wisdom. It beauti...

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Elm

Chinese Monumental Mill Wheel, circa 1900
Chinese Monumental Mill Wheel, circa 1900

Chinese Monumental Mill Wheel, circa 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

Hewn from pine and held together with iron hardware, this provincial wooden wheel is a remarkable example of turn-of-the-century craftsmanship. Its monumental scale suggests it was u...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Chinese Iron Courtyard Bell, c. 1850
Chinese Iron Courtyard Bell, c. 1850

Chinese Iron Courtyard Bell, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This rustic, 19th century iron bell once pealed in celebration or gave notice of important events in a town in northern China. The bell's wide mouth and ridged bead lines give this b...

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

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Walnut Entrance Door Carved with Six Panels, 19th Century Italy

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Previously Available Items
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Pair of Chinese Oval Lattice Panel Doors, c. 1800
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Chinese Qing Dynasty Gilt Bronze Lion's Head Pulls
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Chinese Qing dynasty gilt bronze lion's head door knockers, circa 1900, with expressive faces and traces of gilding throughout. In good antique condition with patina, wear consistent...

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Late Qing Dynasty Red Lacquered Shop Sign with Carved Calligraphy
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Chinese Monumental Mill Wheel, circa 1900
Chinese Monumental Mill Wheel, circa 1900

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Chinese Monumental Mill Wheel, circa 1900
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Pair of Antique Chinese Architectural Ornament Fish Roof Tile Figure Statues
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Located in Forney, TX

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Pair Antique Chinese Sancai Architectural Roof Tiles
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Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Carved Screens with Fretwork Motifs

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A pair of Chinese Qing dynasty period carved screens from the 19th century, with fretwork motifs. Created in China during the Qing dynasty, each of this pair of screens features a linear silhouette pierced with fretwork motifs in its center. Boasting a lovely blond patina, this pair of 19th century Qing dynasty screens...

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Chinese Qing Style Relief Carved Window Panel
Chinese Qing Style Relief Carved Window Panel

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Qing architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, asian art and furniture, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing architectural elements 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 architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $480 and tops out at $7,000 while the average work can sell for $2,386.