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 Snuff Bottle Lapis Lazuli Gemstone Carved Late Qing Dynasty Blue
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A rare carved antique Chinese lapis lazuli stone snuff bottle of the late Qing Dynasty. Finely carved from a solid piece of genuine lapis lazuli exhibiting rich and vibrant blue tone...
Lapis Lazuli
Chinese Hand Carved Peking Glass Snuff Bottle Reverse Painted Dragon Pearl Gourd
Located in Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite Chinese Hand Carved Peking Glass Snuff Bottle. Hand painted on the reverse with a dragon chasing the pearl design. This beautiful Chinese snuff bottle is hand made of th...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass
Asian Chinese Snuff Bottle Fluorite Gemstone Oriental Tobacco Box Qing Carved
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare beautiful asian chinese snuff bottle hand carved from purple fluorite gemstone. Truly a unique oriental snuff tobacco box from the late Qing Dynasty. Gemstone snuff bottles ar...
Multi-gemstone
Glass Chinese Snuff Bottle Qing Dynasty Qianlong Famille Rose Imperial Yellow
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A very rare and exquisite asian glass Chinese snuff bottle from the late Qing Dynasty. This exceptional snuff bottle bears a later Qianlong mark and is designed in the iconic famille...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Milk Glass, Paint
Petite Etched Chinese Opium Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite 19th-century canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box is formed of brass with a copper interior and...
Brass, Copper
18th Century Beijing Enamel Snuff Box with Gilt Bronze Mounts
Located in Basildon, GB
An 18th Century Chinese Beijing enamel snuff box finely painted to the lid and sides with typical Chinese scenes, the base painted with a leafy gourd. The lid is mounted in gilt bron...
Bronze, Enamel
Chinese Copper Coin Opium Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite 19th century canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box is formed of antique coins and copper and pro...
Copper
Chinese Bronze Opium Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite bronze canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box dates to the early 20th century and provided an air...
Bronze
Chinese Bronze Opium Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite bronze canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box dates to the early 20th century and provided an air...
Bronze
Snuff Bottles Four Zodiac Animals Reverse Painted
Located in Somis, CA
Our snuff bottles are topped with gemstone grade agate lids and 100% hand painted from within. The Chinese art of églomisé uses a very thin bamboo brush with a few strands of hair to...
Agate
$3,840Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 26.5 in Dm 13 in
Monumental Pair Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Porcelain Vases 1900
Located in Portland, OR
A fine pair of Monumental antique Chinese late Qing dynasty period Famille Rose Porcelain vases. The vases of baluster form with applied handles modeled as dragons, each vase is very finely a hand-painted with polychrome scenes of immortal figures in a garden setting. Each vase having a red Qianlong six character mark to the base. Excellent condition, no damage or retoration. This monumental pair of antique...
Porcelain
$6,500
H 14 in Dm 9.5 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty Flambé Glazed Bottle Vase, Tianqiuping, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A gorgeous Chinese monochrome red flambé glazed bottle vase, called a tianqiuping, Qing Dynasty, late 19th century. The voluptuous body o...
Porcelain
French Carved Snuff Box, Mid-19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The elaborately carved snuff box with a scene of two mermaids on the cover and deeply carved shell on the reverse.
Boxwood
Chinese Reverse Glass Treasure Chest. c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
As much an artwork as a piece of furniture, this 19th-century treasure chest from northern China is richly decorated with relief carvings and delicate gilt paintings. The doors bear ...
Glass, Elm
$389
H 0.85 in Dm 4.7 in
Chinese Porcelain Saucer Dish Hand Painted Famille Rose, Qing Qianlong, Ca 1750
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a finely hand painted Chinese Export porcelain saucer dish from the 18th century, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1736-1795, probably closer to 1750. The dish is beautifully ...
Porcelain
English 18th Century Gold-Mounted Agate Snuff-Box
Located in Paris, FR
Agate box or snuff-box in of circular form with gently bombé sides, the gold mounted lid is chased with scrollwork. Probably Georges II period. Unmarked gold...
Agate, Gold
$240Sale Price|53% Off
H 1.57 in Dm 3 in
Chinese Porcelain Tea Bowl Hand Painted Famille Rose, Qing Qianlong circa 1760
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a finely hand painted Chinese porcelain tea bowl from the 18th century, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, 1736-1795. The bowl is well decorated, continuously around the body ...
Porcelain
Continental Baroque Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Enamel Box Late 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Continental Baroque style gilt bronze mounted enamel box, Late 19th century The square hinged top decorated overall with mythical figures. Measures: Height 3.5 in., 11.4cm (4 1/2"...
Enamel
Antique Chinese Carved Cinnabar & Enamelled Box with Imperial Dragon Top
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique decorative box is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from China, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a period Chinese...
Brass
$975 / item
H 16 in W 10 in D 12.5 in
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
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated all over beautifully with intricate designs and images of ancient C...
Lacquer
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
Etched Chinese Opium Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A small brass canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box dates to the 19th century and is decorated with etchi...
Brass, Copper
Chinese Openwork Brass Dross Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
By the 18th century, opium use had become as central to Chinese social life as taking tea or smoking tobacco, fostering a subculture rich with its own customs, traditions, and exquis...
Brass
Petite Chinese Opium Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite 19th century canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box is formed of brass and provided an airtight s...
Brass
Erotic Chinese Baitong Opium Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite white brass (baitong) canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Dated to the 19th-century, the box is an example of Qing-dynasty erotica, incorp...
Brass
Chinese White Brass Dross Box Toggle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A small pocket toggle of white brass and copper designed as a portable dross box, a container used to collect spent opium ash (dross). The toggle has a perforated design of interlock...
Brass, Copper
Chinese Repoussé Lotus Opium Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite 19th-century canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Providing an airtight seal, the small box is formed of brass with a copper lining and is ...
Brass
Chinese Bronze Opium Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite bronze canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box dates to the early 20th century and provided an air...
Bronze
Fine Chinese Cloisonné Opium Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite cloisonné box is a pocket-sized canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Providing an airtight seal, the box is finely decorated with an abs...
Copper, Enamel
Chinese Silver Dragon Snuff Box Hung Chong
Located in Newark, England
Circa 1910 From our Chinese collection, we are pleased to offer this Chinese Silver Dragon Snuff Box. The snuff box of oval form having a hammered decoration to the exterior with a ...
Silver