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
Chinese Canton Enamel Round Stacking Boxes and Cover, circa 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
An absolutely lovely Chinese export pink Canton enamel round stacking box and cover, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China.
The circular stacking box consists of a bowl form base, ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Large Chinese Export Round Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1950s
Located in Moreno Valley, 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
19th Century Chinoiserie Gilt Painted Box
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Chinese chinoiserie gilt painted box. Lacquer work box of very high quality.
Beautifully painted.
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
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
Late 19th Century Large Chinese Pigskin Storage Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century large pigskin storage box, Chinese. Late Qing dynasty. Burnt red color & silvered brass or paktong fittings; the handles & their back plates of good quality. Label ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
$396 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Hardwood Jewelry Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, this elegant rosewood box was used by a Qing-dynasty lady to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. Th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Chinese Petite Repoussé Traveling Mirror, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite traveling mirror dates to the early 20th century and is crafted with a metal frame embellished with allover repoussé decoration. Designed after Qing-dynasty vanity boxes,...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Chinese Finely Woven Lacquered Trunk, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This finely woven circa 1800 trunk is a work of art in itself and was possibly used to store prized painted scrolls. A skilled artisan painstakingly wove thin-as-hair reeds to cover ...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Elm, Lacquer, Reed
Qing Dynasty Red Lacquered Scroll Box with Distressed Gold Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty red lacquered lidded scroll box from the 19th century with distressed gold chinoiserie motifs. This exquisite Chinese Qing dynasty red lacquered lidded scroll ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
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
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 Picnic Box, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
The basic form of this two-tiered box with handle has remained unchanged for 1,000 years. Stacked boxes were commonly used as portable containers for food or ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Hardwood
$57,280
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 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
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
White Brass Five Blessings Chinese Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this finely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the hands of a wealthy lady on a cold winter's night in northern China. The portable brazier is hand-w...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
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
Chinese Finely Woven Lacquered Trunk, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
A work of art in itself, this finely woven Qing-dynasty trunk likely once stored prized painted scrolls. Framed in elmwood, the trunk’s panels are lined with thin reeds that were pai...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
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
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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