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.
Footed Chinese Stone Water Trough, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 20th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. The footed...
Limestone
Chinese Chiseled Stone Trough, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a Provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 20th century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. hand carved from solid limestone, this shallow rectangular trough exists on a slight tilt, exaggerated by its asymmetrical form. The trough has a rectangular form, carved with a shallow basin, rounded underside, and chiseled surface texture. The rim of the trough curves up and down in a wave-like pattern, softened by the touch of many hands over the years. The surface of the stone has weathered with time, resulting in natural erosion and neutral color variation. A drainage hole is carved into one side, making the large trough...
Limestone
Provincial Chinese Round Stone Trough, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this 19th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. The low trough i...
Stone
Spanish Hand Carved Stone Pile
Located in Marbella, ES
Spanish hand carved stone pile.
Stone
Spanish Hand Carved Stone Pile
Located in Marbella, ES
Spanish hand carved stone pile.
Stone
Vintage Chinese Hand Chiseled Stone Planter
Located in Pomona, CA
This stone planter is retrieved from the village in northern part of China. It is hand chiseled out of solid stone and hand carved by the local stone master. It come with 2 pieces an...
Stone
Large English Rectangular Garden Stone Sink or Trough
Located in Austin, TX
A finely worked English garden sink or trough of cut stone from the Georgian period, featuring a walled rectangular body with a hole in the base to one corner - perfect for use as a ...
Stone
$5,600
H 8.5 in W 78.5 in D 17.25 in
Antique French Double Basin Burgundy Limestone Trough with Iron Rings, C. 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
This charming limestone trough from circa 1850 was used to provide feed and/or water to horses on a French stable in Burgundy. Two iron rings on the front would have been used to tet...
Stone, Limestone, Metal, Iron
19th C. Hand Chiseled French Stone Sink
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand chiseled stone basic with a rustic appearance. The basin is carved from a single piece of marble. The basin has a triangular shape so it fits into a corner of a bathroom. The...
Marble
19th Century Carved Stone Sink with Drainboard
Located in Atlanta, GA
A European large stone sink with side drainboard from the 19th century. This antique sink from Europe has an overall rectangular shape and has been ha...
Stone
Large English Garden Rectangular Stone Sink or Trough
Located in Austin, TX
A rustic English garden sink or trough of composition stone, featuring a walled rectangular body with two holes in the base - perfect for use as a water feature or for planting. Ove...
Stone, Cast Stone
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
Hand Carved Stone Container Jardinière Trough Basin Planter Antique Farm Sink LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Container Jardinière Trough Basin Planter Antique Farm Sink LA . Late 18th Early 19th Century small water fountain Basin Of Hand Ca...
Stone, Limestone
French 18th Century Stone Sink - Trough
Located in Round Top, TX
Wonderful 18th century Sink - Trough from the South of France. Beautifully chiseled from stone with its drainage spout. Perfect for a potting shed or as part of a fountain. Excell...
Stone
Spanish Hand Carved Stone Pile
Located in Marbella, ES
Spanish Hand carved stone pile.
Stone
Antique Marble Basin from an Italian Villa, Early 1900s
Located in Dallas, TX
Salvaged from the garden of an Italian villa, this marble basin was hand-carved in the early 1900’s and most recently used as a planter. The ovate shaped bowl has an exterior width of 31 inches and has a small drainage hole in the bottom. A square, rough-cut block that extends from the backside would be used to affix the basin to a wall. The gray marble is naturally weathered, giving the stone a matte finish with a nice speckled black patina. Not only would this piece be a unique garden planter, the antique basin...
Marble
Chinese Stone Trough, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 19th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. Hand-carve...
Limestone
Full Moon Chinese Stone Trough, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 19th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. Hand-carve...
Limestone
Petite Chinese Stone Trough, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 19th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. The trough...
Limestone
Chinese Half Moon Stone Trough, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 19th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. Hand-carve...
Limestone
Petite Chinese Stone Trough, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 19th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. Hand-carve...
Limestone
Petite Chinese Stone Trough, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 20th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. The trough...
Limestone
Petite Chinese Stone Trough, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 20th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. Hand-carved from solid limestone, the trough has a shallow, rectangular form with slight asymmetry. The surface of the stone still maintains its raw organic...
Limestone
Round Chinese Stone Basin, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 20th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. Hand-carve...
Limestone
Provincial Chinese Limestone Trough, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 20th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. Hand-carved from solid limestone...
Limestone
Chinese Stone Farm Trough, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 20th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. Hand-carve...
Limestone
Chinese Stone Water Trough, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 20th century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. The trough...
Limestone
Chinese Provincial Stone Trough, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Once used on a provincial Chinese farm to hold water or animal feed, this early 20th-century stone trough is celebrated today for its organic form and rustic authenticity. Hand-carve...
Limestone