Qing Garden Ornaments
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
Chinese Path Marker, c. 1908
Located in Chicago, IL
Happening upon an intersection, a traveler in Qing-dynasty China would have been grateful for the guidance of this limestone path marker. Still bearing traces of its original pigmentation, each side of this marker is inscribed with directions. One side directs towards the Zhen De Teng household, another towards the Liang family, and a third towards the North East Road. The fourth inscription announces the year of its construction, the 33rd year of Emperor Guangxu (1908). This second-to-the-last emperor...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
China Rare Antique Double Dragon Stone, 19thc
Located in South Burlington, VT
Here's one of the most beautiful Chinese antiques we have ever found in our travels in China over the past three decades.
This is a one-of-a-kind antique sandstone lintel which when installed and displayed could be a handsome addition to your decor. It dates to the 18th century of the Qing dynasty.
It still retains remnants of its original poly chrome surfaces. The carving and detail is deep and very fine.
Depicted are a pair of writhing dragons competing for the fabled -wish granting jewel- and possibly water waves beneath- all auspicious signs.
Dimensions:
13 inches high and 71 inches wide and 14 inches deep
Photographs taken in natural light in our garden.
Rare work of art.
Provenance: originally found in Chengdu Province and has been part of family collection since its acquisition in 2004.
Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Sandstone
Chinese Old Fantastic Sculpture Contorted Face
Located in South Burlington, VT
One of a kind.
From western China and collected some 20 years ago, comes this large hand carved red sandstone Lohan or Monk sculpture dating to circa...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Sandstone
Antique Large Hand-Carved Garden Stone, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
An ideal garden ornament, sturdy weather proof planter display base or a rock solid all weather stone base for a special sculpture.
From China, comes this large 20.5 inch rectangu...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Green Glass Fisherman’s Float, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautiful green sphere is an early 20th century glass float used by fishermen to keep their fishing nets or droplines afloat in the ocean. The hollow float would have been encased by a rope netting and used just like a modern buoy. Because these floats were commonly produced from recycled bottles, most antique glass floats...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Blown Glass
Chinese Antique Hand Carved Mythical Winged Guardian Sculpture
Located in South Burlington, VT
Powerful Hand Carved Sculptoral Work of Art, "Chimera"
This powerful old mythical winged sculpture could be installed in your favorite home, office, or ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Antique Hand-Carved Cash Coin Garden Stone, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
Unique garden accents
This delightful round hand-carved stone in the form of an old "cash coin" with its square hole and dates to the 19th century. This was likely a mill stone for ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
China Rare Antique Double Dragon Stone, 19thc
Located in South Burlington, VT
Here's one of the most beautiful Chinese antiques we have ever found in our travels in China over the past three decades.
This is a one-of-a-kind antique sandstone lintel which when installed and displayed could be a handsome addition to your decor. It dates to the 18th century of the Qing dynasty.
It still retains remnants of its original poly chrome surfaces. The carving and detail is deep and very fine.
Depicted are a pair of writhing dragons competing for the fabled -wish granting jewel- and possibly water waves beneath- all auspicious signs.
Dimensions:
13 inches high and 71 inches wide and 14 inches deep
Photographs taken in natural light in our garden.
Rare work of art.
Provenance: originally found in Chengdu Province and has been part of family collection since its acquisition in 2004.
Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We are members of NAJGA- North American Japanese Garden...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Sandstone
19th Century Chinese Iron Bell
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. Marked with holes to affix the...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Iron
Chinese Old Fantastic Sculpture Contorted Face
Located in South Burlington, VT
One of a kind.
From western China and collected some 20 years ago, comes this large hand carved red sandstone Lohan or Monk sculpture dating to circa...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Sandstone
China Important Carved Stone "Penjing" Garden Table, Qing Dynasty ‘1644-1911’
Located in South Burlington, VT
China, a carved antique stone Penjing or painting form garden table, late ming to middle Qing dynasty (1500-1900), limestone, three pieces
Dimensions: 34 inches high and 55 inches l...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Pair of Chinese Stone Fu Lion Guardians, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of limestone fu lion-dogs once protected a grand courtyard home in 19th-century China. Skillfully carved in attentive postures, the mythical lions are known as “shizi,” pow...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
China Two Antique Fantastic Stone Garden Monk Sculptures
Located in South Burlington, VT
Instant display and collection, one of a kind.
From western China and collected some 20 years ago, comes this group of two (2) large hand carved red sandstone Lohans or Monks datin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Sandstone
Chinese Ishi Sashi Ingot Weight, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Today known by the Japanese name “ishi-sashi,” meaning “awesome stone padlock,” this type of stone weight was used as part of intensive martial arts training. Hand-carved from solid ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Chinese Abstract Stone Garden Ornament, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This curious carving dates to the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), chiseled from solid limestone to an abstract, zoomorphic form. Possibly originating as an architectural finial, the s...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Chinese Abstract Stone Garden Ornament, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This curious carving dates to the late Qing dynasty (1644 to 1911), chiseled from solid limestone to an abstract, zoomorphic form. Possibly originating as an architectural finial, th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Stone Fu Lion Guardians
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of 19th century carved limestone Fu dogs with sinister smiles and furled brows once guarded the entrance to one of provincial China's grand homes. One peers up and the othe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Chinese Journey to the West Hitching Post, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Created in the mid-19th century, this charming limestone post likely once stood outside a building in China's Shanxi province as a spot to hitch livestock. Carved in reference to the Ming dynasty novel "Journey to the West," the monkey atop the post depicts Sun Wukong, the Monkey King...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Chinese Round Hitching Stone, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Unlike many objects of its kind, this limestone hitching stone was carved into a simple rounded shape without any figural references. Used to secure a horse by rope or reins, the sto...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
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 Garden Ornaments
Materials
Iron
Chinese Path Marker, c. 1908
Located in Chicago, IL
Happening upon an intersection, a traveler in Qing-dynasty China would have been grateful for the guidance of this limestone path marker. Still bearing traces of its original pigmentation, each side of this marker is inscribed with directions. One side directs towards the Zhen De Teng household, another towards the Liang family, and a third towards the North East Road. The fourth inscription announces the year of its construction, the 33rd year of Emperor Guangxu (1908). This second-to-the-last emperor...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Petite Stone Drum Pedestal, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Look closely and you can just make out the hand-carved details that once made this small stone stool resemble a drum. A ring of circles along the top and bottom imitates bosshead nai...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
Grand Chinese Qing Dynasty Village Bell, circa 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This lovely Qing-dynasty bell once pealed in a Chinese village, sounding out in celebration or giving notice of important events. Expertly forged, the cast-iron bell is detailed with characters in intricate relief, and its exaggerated scallop rim is traced with oversized rivets. Frosted with snow or lit from within by flickering candles, this sculptural bell takes on a magical presence in the winter...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Iron
Chinese Immortal Peach Finial, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This carved limestone charm promises longevity in the form of the immortal peach. According to Chinese mythology, the Jade Emperor’s palace was surrounded by peach trees that provided ripe fruit every three thousand years. A single bite of this charmed fruit...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Garden Ornaments
Materials
Limestone
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This stone pagoda is a monumental work of art seldom seen in the west. Pagodas evolved from Indian stupas which were originally designed to hold the Buddha’s relics and textual paper sutras. This tiered tower composition became popular all over Asia and its architectural form differed from region to region. In China, its origins date to Buddhist missionaries who traveled the Silk Road. Early examples were built in temples but by the 13th century they were found outside the temple complex. Oldest examples had simple round or square bases and then later octagonal or more stylistic forms like the “censer” type of base on this pagoda. The 18 Arhats (lohans) portray Buddha’s messengers and each Lohan cylindrical tier is unique.
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Antique Hand-Carved Garden Stone, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
An ideal garden ornament, sturdy weather proof planter display base or a rock solid all weather stone base for a special sculpture.
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Qing garden ornaments for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing garden ornaments 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 garden ornaments created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, asian art and furniture, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, limestone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing garden ornaments 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 garden ornaments differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $128 and tops out at $100,000 while the average work can sell for $2,680.