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.
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Carved Stone Foo Dog Guardian Lion Sculpture
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period carved stone foo dog guardian lion from the 19th century, on square base. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this st...
Stone
Tranquil Chinese Stone Bodhisattva Head
Located in Chicago, IL
Exuding an energy of calm and tranquility, this larger-than-life stone bust depicts a Buddhist bodhisattva in serene meditation. A disciple of the Buddha, a bodhisattva is a compassi...
Limestone
$13,880 / set
Pair of Chinese Guardian Lion Dogs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of monumental Fu-Lions, also known as shizi, once would have flanked the entrance to a Qing-dynasty home in China’s Shanxi province. One has a pearl under its foot, and the...
Limestone
$750Sale Price|37% Off
Silver Bronze Guan Yin Statue 7 Lb Avalokiteshvara Compassion
Located in Somis, CA
A large 7.15 lb Republic era silver bronze statue of the Goddess of Compassion Guan Yin. Seated on lotus throne, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is depicted in the most traditional fashi...
Bronze
$76,000Sale Price / item|39% Off
China Pair Monumental Antique Stone Spirit Pathway Tigers, Qing period 1750-1850
Located in South Burlington, VT
China Monumental Pair (2) Antique Stone “Spirit Pathway” Tigers, middle Qing period 1750-1850. Please view our video. Dimensions: 115cm, 46” high and 60cm, 24” in width. Likely utilized as spirit pathway tomb markers, these powerful, benign carved sitting effigies perched on haunches and front paws with round heads and faces exposing defined eye sockets, ears and two fangs a top bases that feature curled tails on side each whole atop a block shaped base and hand-carved from limestone whose surfaces show considerable weatherization from exposure and good age. Reference: 35 Years Collecting 35 Treasures, Schneible Fine Arts catalog Number 30, p. 66. Provenance: originally found in Fujian Province. Fujian has the distinction of being home to China’s last remaining wild tigers and famous “tiger” mountain. No wonder then that these early stone works...
Limestone
Pair of Monumental Chinese Stone Spirit Way Tigers, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These monumental stone tiger sculptures offer protection to all those who stand before them. Hand-carved from solid limestone with terrific scale and careful detail, the majestic tig...
Limestone
18th Century Chinese Stone Guardian Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
This ancient stone guardian lion shizi was carved by hand out of a single block of limestone. The artisan beckoned the guardian out from the stone, manipulating the unyielding materi...
Limestone
Price Upon Request
Antique Chinese Soapstone Statue on foot figure Wise Men
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Condition: 1 chip close to right feet. Also the alter he is standing on was broken in 2 and restored. Dimension: 25.5cm height
Soapstone
$395
H 8.5 in W 4 in D 2.75 in
Tibetan Buddhist Deity Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva Cast Bronze Sculpture
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A metal cast bronze finish on brass in beautiful posture figure of Tibetan Buddhist Padmapani Deity Avalokiteshvara Beautiful Asian sculpture after the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Padmapani, bearer of the lotus) Dimensions: Height : 8.5 inches Width : 4 inches Depth : 2.75.inches. Asia, Nepal circa 1950's. "The bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is the Buddhist embodiment of compassion. He is often portrayed as an elegant and gracious youth. The cult of Avalokiteshvara worship originated in India and spread across Asia, along with other Buddhist philosophies and practices. In some places Avalokiteshvara eclipses the Buddha in importance. Buddhist rulers, such as Prince Shotoku in Japan and the Dalai Lama in Tibet, have been seen as incarnations of this saviour. In Nepal, Buddhism flourished alongside Hinduism long after the religion had lost favour in India. Although the kings of the Early Malla period who ruled the Kathmandu Valley were Hindu, some of the greatest artistic achievements of the age were Buddhist. This gilt copper figure...
Bronze
$12,000Sale Price|35% Off
H 30 in W 18 in D 18 in
American Large Bronze Sensual Beauty By Important Midcentury Sculptor
Located in South Burlington, VT
An important large scale hand cast bronze sculpture of a sensual nude woman signed Benson and dated 1939 by mid century American sculptor Stuart Benson (...
Bronze
$3,961
H 14.57 in W 19.3 in D 13 in
Large Carved Stone Sculpture, Agra Style, India, Circa 1500, 200 lbs
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
M/222 - Museal stone high relief Gandhara from India (actual Nord Pakistan): a very rare piece , mounted on a robust iron base. Ask Your architect where ...
Stone
Chinese Stone Garden Sculpture of Welcoming, Happy Buddha
Located in Hudson, NY
Chinese carved garden sculpture of welcoming, happy Buddha. Carved white marble.
Marble
Pair of Cast Plaster Recumbent Entrance Way Garden Lions
Located in New York, NY
Attractive pair of garden statuary, entrance way lions, of heavy cast material (plaster). Both are in very good, original condition, showing only the expe...
Plaster
Elegant Pair of Stone Lions
Located in Madrid, ES
Add a touch of grandeur and elegance to your space with our stunning Pair of Stone Lions from the 20th Century. These magnificent statues are in ex...
Stone
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in W 16 in D 16 in
Chinese Antique Large Qing Hand Carved Square Stone Stool Display Pedestal, 19c.
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare and Hard To Find 19th Century From China's Qing dynasty (1644-1912) a hard to find solid limestone finely carved square footed pedestal - perfect for displaying your indoor or ...
Stone, Limestone
Pair of Stone Greyhound Garden Statues
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant and timeless pair of stone greyhound garden statues, sculpted with elongated lines and a refined, watchful stance that captures the noble character of the breed. With thei...
Stone
$2,250Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 16.5 in Dm 20 in
Monumental Pair of Antique Cast Stone Fruit and Flower Baskets
Located in Redding, CT
Monumental pair of antique cast stone fruit and flower baskets. Lovely aged patina to these beautiful detailed bouquets. These incredible garden ornam...
Stone, Cement
Chinese Gilt Guan Yin Buddha Bronze Sculpture
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Gilt Guan Yin Buddha Bronze Sculpture. This piece features delicate facial features, serene expression, and flowing robes, embodying the peaceful and compassionate nature of ...
Bronze
Japan Large Antique Bronze Seated Kanon Beautiful Face
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan, a large 49" tall antique early 20th century elegant cast bronze seated Kanon Maitreya, Guan Yin in a pensive pose. This example is the oldest and largest version of this bro...
Bronze
$19,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 41 in W 15 in D 22.5 in
2 Rare Chinese Marble Foo Dog Guardian Fu Lion Temple Garden Statues 41"
Located in Dayton, OH
Two monumental antique Chinese Foo Dogs, circa mid 20th century. Made of white marble featuring meticulously carved detail. Each Guardian is set over a large plinth base with invert...
Marble
Pair of Chinese Kneeling Stone Rams, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These impressive stone garden statues are hand-carved of solid limestone to the form of two reclining rams. As motifs in Chinese art, rams and sheep represent the breath of light and...
Limestone
19th Century Stone Buddha Shakyamuni Statue
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful antique stone Buddha Shakyamuni. Seated in dhyana asana on a double lotus throne, hands in dhyana mudra, wearing a sanghati pleated end draped over his left shoulder and ...
Stone
White Marble Buddha Statue
Located in Somis, CA
A hand carved solid marble Buddha statue. Seated dhyana asana with hands in namaskar mudra, Buddha has smiling countenance with broad face and lar...
Marble
Chinese Antique Stone Buddha/Stone Plate/Nyorai Statue/1800-1900
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
I think this is probably a stone Buddha from China around the 19th century. The style with a Tathagata sitting in the center and two Bodhisattvas on either side is common in China, K...
Stone
Carved Granite Guanyin in Repose
Located in Katonah, NY
A carved granite figure of Guanyin, one of the most sacred Bodhisattvas in Mahayana Buddhism, shown in traditional robe and headdress and depicted at a ...
Granite
Chinese Antique Pair Hand-Carved Stone Figures of Buddhas Attendants
Located in South Burlington, VT
China, an authentic antique matching pair (2) hand-carved and hand-painted limestone temple figures of the venerable lohans, Kasyapa and Ananda. These beautiful Buddhist sculptures will bring serenity and timeless style to your home, office, sacred space, or garden Handmade and hand-carved, solid limestone with weathered remnants of older temple paint as applied by the temple from where it originally came, Chengdu, China. Head and hands are likely later replacements. Stone statues like these were regularly - refreshed- by the temple monks...
Limestone
China Three Antique Fantastic Stone Garden Monks
Located in South Burlington, VT
Instant display and collection, one of a kind #2 From western China and collected some 20 years ago, comes this group of three (3) large hand carved red sandstone Lohans or Monks da...
Sandstone
Antique Joyful Buddha Sculpture Brings Hope for Our World
Located in South Burlington, VT
For indoors or out of doors, his laugh will make you laugh One of our finer antique sculptures From a fifty year old Buddhist collection comes this pleasant Laughing Buddha, 15...
Iron
Sold
H 16.54 in W 6.5 in L 16.54 in
Very Rare Pair of 18th Century Chinese Marble Temple Lion Guardians Foo Dogs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare pair of white marble 18th century Imperial Temple Lion Guardians or Foo dogs A truly exquisite pair, the patina is a...
Marble
China Important Hand Carved Stone Effigy of Attendant, Qing Dynasty
Located in South Burlington, VT
China, a large hand carved effigy of a seated attendant, limestone, Qing dynasty 1644-1912. Dimensions: 15.5 inches tall and 7.5 inches wide and 5.5 inches deep The hand carve...
Limestone
Chinese Antique Hand Carved Marble "Lokapala" Guardian Sculpture
Located in South Burlington, VT
Powerful Hand Carved Marble Work of Art This powerful old guardian marble sculpture for your home, office, sacred space, or garden China monumental hand carved marble Lokapala Guardian Figure, head and torso. Hand carved marble, 35 inches high and 15 inches wide and 11 inches deep Notice the fine hand carved details front and verso, arms, mid section, and back all showcased by an old patina . Complimentary custom display base included. Provenance: old Beijing collection, ex Henan Province comes from a 50 year old Chinese antique stone...
Marble
19th Century Chinese Fu Lion Dog Protector
Located in Chicago, IL
This limestone Shizi dog (or Fu-Lion) was probably once one of a pair and may have flanked the entrance of a Qing dynasty home in northern China. The dogs were believed to be powerful protectors. This 200-year-old statue...
Limestone