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.
Antique Chinese Brown Lacquered Dressing Case Jewelry Box with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Chinese dressing case features a warm brown lacquer finish over softwood, with a rich grain pattern and a compact, rectangular form. Likely from the early 20th century, ...
Brass
Chinese Burgundy Lacquer Table Chest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century lock box is minimal and elegant, crafted of pine with dovetail corners and a brushed finish of burgundy lacquer. Unlike Chinese tabletop chests used for seals...
Pine
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...
Brass
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red and Brown Lacquer Jewelry Box with Carved Foliage
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty red and dark brown lacquer elmwood jewelry box from the 19th century with carved and gilt motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty era, this j...
Wood
Chinese Miniature Noodle Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A treasure of a chest, this charming miniature cabinet is named for the narrow, rounded molding that surrounds the frame and resembles noodles. Lacquered rich red, the small cabinet exhibits the same high level of craftsmanship found in larger such cabinets made in the Qing dynasty with exquisitely painted floral decorations and handcrafted hardware. The cabinet opens to a single shelf, making it just the place to stow jewelry...
Brass
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...
Elm
$800
H 11 in W 17 in D 14 in
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red Lacquered Treasure Chest Box with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period red lacquered treasure chest box from the 19th century, with brass hardware. Born during the 19th century, this exquisite Qing Dynasty red lacquered treasure ch...
Brass
$850
H 12 in W 63.5 in D 2 in
19th Century Asian Architectural Transom Panel with Pierced Carved Foliage
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Asian Architectural transom panel with pierced carved foliage.
Wood
Jewelry Box Brass Swan Bird Red Lacquer
Located in New York, NY
A '70 modern red lacquer or high-gloss 'demi-lune' box with inlayed brass swan bird design, circa 1970s. A chic decorative box for jewelry (as demonstrated)...
Brass
Petite Chinese Brass Opium Box with Dragon Etching
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite metal canister was once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Providing an airtight seal, the small box is formed of brass with an etched and stamped d...
Brass
$1,950
H 11 in W 14 in D 11 in
19th Century Indian Malabar Dowry Jewelry Box in Lacquered Teak with Handcrafted
By Rajhastani
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique South Indian Malabar Dowry Jewelry Box, 19th Century Teak with Brass – Kerala, India A rare and collectible South Indian dowry box from Kerala...
Brass
$7,232
H 1.97 in W 7.17 in D 5.4 in
Chinese Mother of Pearl Mounted Box with Four Boxes and Counters, 18th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Chinese mother of pearl mounted games box with four matching interior boxes containing gaming counters and dating from the 18th century. The rectangular shape...
Mother-of-Pearl
Pair of Lacquered Wood Boxes, China, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Lacquered wood boxes, China, 20th century" 6 cups each inside, perfect condition. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Wood
Miniature 19th Century Victorian Figured Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c. Charming antique miniature chest of drawers. The chest has a marble top. The case is figured mahogany, with four stacked drawers, the ...
Marble, Brass
$1,025
H 10 in W 11.75 in D 6 in
Japanese Lacquer Box with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay and Parquetry Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A finely crafted Japanese tabletop cabinet from the early 20th century, this compact storage piece is richly detailed with traditional decorative techniques and export-era flourishes...
Wood
$10,195
H 4.85 in W 10.4 in D 7.68 in
Colonial Islamic Arabian Market Jewelry Box, 18th Century, India/Malabar Coast
Located in Amsterdam, NL
AN INDIAN ROSEWOOD AND EBONY BRASS MOUNTED BOX FOR THE ISLAMIC MARKET Malabar Coast, 18th century With a large drawer with several compartm...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Silver Box with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay, Mexico, 1960
By Taxco
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mexican silver box with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay. Lid opens to a wood lined interior. Very nicely done and a really beautiful object!
Silver
$4,500
H 3.75 in W 11 in D 9 in
Korean Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Inlay "Longevity" Box, 1930s, Korea
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and elegant Korean black lacquer and abalone mother of pearl inlay "longevity" box, circa 1930s, Korea. The box, most likely used to sto...
Wood, Lacquer, Abalone
19th Century Chinese Black Lacquer and Hardstone Jewelry Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinese black lacquer box with carved stone decoration with a bird on a blossoming tree branch. Silk lined interior with quatrefoil mirror.
Precious Stone, Lacquer
Chinese Red Lacquer Treasure Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century Chinese lock box beautifully displays its age with a richly worn lacquer finish and faded gilt decoration. The box was originally lavish...
Brass
Chinese Phoenix and Peony Painted Treasure Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A finish of bright red lacquer and hand-painted decoration transform this simple wooden box into a fitting container for treasured objects. Dated to the early 20th century, the recta...
Wood
Mid-19th Century, Qing Dynasty Brass Bound Travel Case
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A fine Qing Dynasty, mid-19th century, brass bound travel case box with lift-top & doors revealing four drawers. Brass carrying handles. Now with removable interior for jewelry - sev...
Brass
Sold
H 14 in W 18 in D 13.5 in
Qing Dynasty Chinese 19th Century Jewelry Chest with Drawers and Bronze Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty wooden jewelry chest from the 19th century, with bronze teardrop hardware. Created in China during the 19th century, this w...
Bronze
19th Century Black Lacquered Jewellery Box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Chinese black lacquered jewellery box circa 1860. Good quality shaped Chinese jewellery box with overstuffed top cushion. Han...
Metal
Chinese Black Lacquer Vanity Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant table chest was once used in the intimate quarters of a Qing-dynasty woman to store her cosmetics, jewelry, and other personal treasures. The wooden box is cloaked in la...
Brass
Chinese Crackled Lacquer Autumn Altar Box, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite 19th century chest of drawers is a fantastic example of the multifunctional boxes used tabletop in lieu of a larger cabinets. Such boxes were used to store cosmetics, jew...
Brass
Sold
H 8 in W 13.5 in D 8.5 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty Carved Wooden Jewelry Chest with Lidded Top and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty carved wooden jewelry chest from the 19th century, with lidded top, drawers and scrolling foliage. Crafted in China during ...
Wood
Chinese Qing Jewelry Box in Carved Ironwood
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Qing Dynasty carved ironwood and wood treasure or jewelry box, with carved characters on the doors and internal drawers. The piece has an attac...
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Tabletop Scholars' Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted of fine rosewood, this early 20th century scholars' chest is an example of the multifunctional boxes used tabletop in lieu of a chest of drawers. While some were used to store cosmetics, jewelry, documents, and other accessories, the small scale and narrow drawers of this box suggest it was used to store incense. The fine box likely belonged in a scholars' studio, displaying precious objects such as censers, vases, or scholars' stones behind the subtly carved railing...
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Eight Sided Parquetry Snack Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This turn-of-the-century Chinese snack box is an exquisite example of Qing-dynasty artistry. Using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery techniques, ...
Walnut, Burl, Fruitwood