Qing Urns
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
18th Century Granite Stone Bowl Mortar Planter 6.5 lb
Located in Somis, CA
From Northern China comes a piece of great antiquity. The 18th century bowl of natural granite, hand cut and carved, in conical form with a round base. Of...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Urns
Materials
Granite
18th Century Granite Stone Bowl Mortar Planter 9 lb
Located in Somis, CA
From Northern China comes a piece of great antiquity. The exceptionally large 18th century bowl of natural granite, hand cut and carved, in conical form with a round base. Of gray wh...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Urns
Materials
Granite
Large 18th Century Granite Stone Bowl Mortar Planter 9 lb
Located in Somis, CA
From Northern China comes a piece of great antiquity. The exceptionally large 18th century bowl of natural granite, hand cut and carved, in conical form with a round base. Of warm sa...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Urns
Materials
Granite
Chinese Ceramic Glazed Urn, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
At once ancient and contemporary, this beautiful urn speaks to the timelessness of Chinese ceramic design. Made in northern China in the early 20th century, the urn pays respect to m...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Urns
Materials
Ceramic
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Qing urns for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing urns 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 urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with limestone, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing urns 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 urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $199 and tops out at $1,480 while the average work can sell for $199.