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.
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...
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...
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...
Ceramic
$15,000 / set
H 28 in W 48 in D 31 in
Pair of American Identical Large & Smaller Cast Iron Garden Planters, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Large & Smaller cast iron garden planters with foliage molded edges, scrolled dragon handles, and resting on raised decorative foliage circular squared plinths, Earl...
Iron
Extra Large Vintage Concrete Planter
Located in San Francisco, CA
The extra large concrete planter has endured the test of time and remains solid. Beautiful aging that appears to be more of an antiquity than a ...
Stone, Concrete
1960s Willy Guhl Concrete Urn Planter
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Concrete urn by Willy Guhl. Rare model. Excellent cream, pastel yellow and grey patina. Urn has a delicate cement ridge around the mouth giving it a beautiful minimalist design with ...
Concrete
Large Vintage Mediterranean Mosaic Planter
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a wonderful 20th Century large mosaic urn-shaped planter from the Mediterranean region. It is handcrafted from ceramic tiles set into concrete having a black and white floral...
Concrete
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 8 in Dm 29 in
19th Century Cast Bronze Vessel Planter Sink with Handles & Original Patina
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Large cast bronze vessel originally used as a ceremonial cooking urn. This specific piece was beautifully cast with turned rings and moulded handles...
Bronze
A "Grand Tour" Cast Iron Etruscan Vase/Urn
Located in Sheffield, MA
A “Grand Tour” Cast Iron Etruscan Vase 19th Century Depicting classical Greek figures, with ring handles with a leaf motif on each side. Height 20 in. Vas INV. 9
Iron
$2,800
H 17 in Dm 13 in
Chinese Barrel-Form Brass Urn with Traditional Archaistic Ornamentation and Lid
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A Chinese four-legged barrel-form brass urn cast and engraved with archaistic decoration from the 20th century. The gently rounded sides are cast with the dispersed elements of two taotie masks, Archaistic auspicious beasts formed by a pair of stylized and confronted dragons which constitutes the features of this mythical creature, abstractly rendered in low-relief hooked curls. Two bands of kui or passing dragons flank the taotie ornamentation on the belly, all upon an engraved and very finely delineated white leiwen ground symbolizing thunder. Raised on four atlantes with a few anatomical engraved details, the urn possesses a flat circular lid decorated with stylized birds and topped with a phoenix-shaped knob with a ring, a propitious symbol in Chinese art. The white engraved ground nicely contrasting with the dark patina along with the Archaistic traditional low relief decoration echoes Chinese archaic ritual bronzes used in ceremonies or buried in the tombs of the elites for use in the afterlife. This Chinese barrel...
Brass
Urn Vase Marble Gray, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Urn marble gray, Sweden. An urn or vase made in marble in Sweden, 20th century.
Marble
Very Good 19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Urn
Located in Hudson, NY
A finely cast and patinated bronze urn decorated in high relief with classical figures and reeded handles attached with bearded mask.
Bronze
19th C Large French White Cast Iron Jardiniere
Located in Hastings, GB
Dove Grey large scale Jardiniere, dating to circa 1890-1900, deep and heavy, decorative cast iron construction, historically overpainted in an aged dove grey paint which has resulted...
Iron
Terracotta Planter, Texas Star, 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a double molded top edge and three stars symbolizing the great state of Texas.
Large Italian Glazed Terracotta Urn with Stylized Horse
By Urbino Workshop
Located in Houston, TX
Large Italian Glazed Terracotta Urn with stylized Horse. Italian glazed terracotta Urbino Maiolica style urn or vessel in muted colors with wel...
Terracotta
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...
Granite
18th Century Stone Bowl Blue Granite Mortar Planter 5 lb
Located in Somis, CA
From Northern China a piece of great antiquity. The 18th century bowl of blue granite, hand cut and carved, in conical form with spiral cuts ending on a roun...
Limestone
18th Century Limestone Stone Bowl Mortar Planter 7 lb
Located in Somis, CA
From Northern China a piece of great antiquity. The 18th century bowl of limestone, hand cut and carved, in conical form with a round base. Of white grey sto...
Limestone
18th Century Granite Bowl Mortar Planter 6 Lb
Located in Somis, CA
From Northern China a piece of great antiquity. The 18th century bowl of granite stone, hand cut and carved, in conical form with a gently sloped, waisted base. Of white grey stone d...
Granite
18th Century Granite Bowl Mortar Planter 8 Lb
Located in Somis, CA
From Northern China a piece of great antiquity. The antique bowl of granite stone, hand cut and crafted, in conical form with a waisted base. Of white grey stone displaying natural p...
Granite
18th Century Granite Bowl Mortar Planter 10 Lb
Located in Somis, CA
From Northern China an antique bowl of granite stone, hand cut and crafted, in conical form with a waisted base. Of white grey granite displaying natural patina. 18th Century. Bowl w...
Granite
18th Century Granite Bowl Mortar Planter 12 Lb
Located in Somis, CA
From Northern China an antique bowl of granite stone, hand cut and crafted, in conical form on a round socle. Of white grey granite displaying natural patina. 18th Century. Bowl weig...
Granite
Two 18th Century Granite Bowls Mortars Planters
Located in Somis, CA
Two antique bowls of granite stone, hand cut and crafted, both in conical form on a round socle. The larger bowl with vertical exterior cuts and the othe...
Granite
Two 18th Century Granite Bowls Planters
Located in Somis, CA
Two antique bowls of granite stone, hand cut and crafted, one in conical form on a round socle, the other hemispherical with a waisted base. The larger b...
Granite