Qing Decorative Boxes
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
Antique Huanghuali Document Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Huanghuali document box with original brass mounts.
Features a rectangular lid with ornate cut-out brass corners, brass bound down a...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Provincial Chinese Wooden Box with Bone Chopstick Handles
Located in Chicago, IL
A narrow wooden box with a sliding lid and a pair of carved bone chopstick handles with contrasting dark inlay at the ends. The bone handles were likely originally affixed to chopsti...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Bone
Chinese Studded Nanmu Lock Box, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
A special place for storing jewelry and other treasures, this early 19th-century lock box was created by a skilled artisan in China's Jiangsu province. The box is minimally decorated to showcase the rich, swirling grain of the nanmu wood, an esteemed softwood found throughout China. The interior contains a small lidded compartment and a removable dividing tray...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Lacquered Snack Box, c. 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
This simple lacquered container was once used as a 19th-century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Pair of Chinese Longevity Relief Scroll Cases, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Delicately carved of dense hardwood, these 19th-century scroll cases were an essential accessory for the esteemed Qing-dynasty scholar. The perfect size for a rolled-up scroll, the cases were once used to store and protect works of traditional calligraphy and landscape painting.
The matching cases are hand-carved in low relief with all-over scrollwork and borders of geometric meanders. Each case is carved with repeated Shou characters, symbols of longevity and a blessing for a long and complete life. Amid the scrollwork flourishes are ribbon-clad objects known as the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, including the eternal knot...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Long Wooden Scroll Box with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A long Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden scroll box from the 19th century, with brass hardware. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, this un...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Late Qing Dynasty Document Box with Brass Lock and Carrying Handles
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Late Qing Dynasty period wooden document box from the early 20th century with reddish brown lacquer, brass hardware and carrying handles. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty period in the early years of the 20th century, this wooden document box features a domed lid opening thanks to a traditional brass lock...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Late Qing Dynasty Rattan Tiered Lunch Box with Carved Handle and Calligraphy
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique late Qing Dynasty period rattan two-tiered nested lunch box from the early 20th century, with calligraphy and carved handle. Born during the early years of the 20th centur...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Chinese Five Blessings Brass Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this exquisitely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the cold hands of a wealthy woman on a winter night in northern China. The brazier is hand-wrough...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Qing Dynasty Hinged Box with Brass Hardware and Weathered Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period hinged wooden box from the 19th century with brass hardware and nicely weathered patina. Crafted during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this wooden box ca...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Export Hardstone and Gilt Silver Filigree Peacock Box, 1920's, China
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite Chinese export peacock from hardstone and gilt silver filigree canister box, Republic Period, circa 1920's, China.
The graceful and elegant hardstone container of cyli...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Silver, Enamel
Large Chinese Export Round Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Chinese black lacquered box with numerous figures and gilt detail.
Chinese round black lacquer and gilt painted box, made for the expor...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Late Qing Dynasty Wood and Brass Lidded Box with Lateral Handles
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty Chinese wooden box from the early 20th century with brass hardware and lateral handles. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural hi...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Qing Dynasty Square Box with Brass Lock and Distressed Lacquer Interior
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period square shaped box from the 19th century with brass lock, metal hardware and distressed lacquer interior. Born during the 19th century, this exquisite Qi...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Double Handled Brass Brazier, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
On a cold winter’s night in China’s Northern provinces, the well-to-do held their hands over this coal-filled brazier to ward off the chill. Handmade of brass, the exquisitely crafte...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Gourd-Form Presentation Box, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This finely lacquered box was once presented as a gift, filled with popular snacks like roasted melon seeds, dried fruit, and cinnamon-toasted soy beans. The lightweight box is formed in the shape of a melon, a traditional symbol of perpetuity. Cloaked in layer upon layer of rich red lacquer, the box is intricately decorated with paintings of ruyi-framed lotus...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
18th Century Burmese Rakhine State Lacquer Bamboo Pillow Box
Located in Brea, CA
18th century Burmese black bamboo pillow box in relief with red Rakhine lacquer. Created with bamboo weaving. Decorated all-over with geometrical shapes and...
Category
Early 18th Century Burmese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
19th Century 14.25‘’ Large Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated beautifully all over with intricate designs and images of ancient C...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Elmwood Box with Canted Corners
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century Chinese elmwood box with brass hardware with canted corners. This unusual long and narrow box was probably custom made to house a musical instrument, it is very decor...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Silver Repoussé Box with Warriors, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A fine late Qing or early Republic Period Chinese silver repoussé box featuring a scene possibly from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
White-glazed Circular Box and Cover, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Era, Circa 1690
Located in seoul, KR
White glazed box from the Qing dynasty Vung Tau cargo. An identical piece is included on page 459 of the Vung Tau catalog titled 'Christies Amsterdam 19...
Category
1690s Vietnamese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Pair of Petite Chinese Red Lacquer Butterfly Chests, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These late 19th century miniature tapered cabinets would have been kept in a woman's quarters, likely used as a jewelry box or cosmetics case. The carved door fronts are decorated wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Elm
Qing decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing decorative boxes 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $276 and tops out at $57,280 while the average work can sell for $980.
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