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.
Pair of Chinese Export Porcelain Court Lady Candle Holders, Mid-20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely pair of Chinese export porcelain candle holders in the form of court ladies holding lotus blossoms, mid 20th century, circa 1960's, China. Modeled after 18th century Qianlo...
Porcelain
Exceptional Pair of 19th Century Canton Enamel Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and quite rare pair of antique 19th century canton enameled single light candle/ pricket sticks, on a pair of fine original carved hardwood stands. Canton China, 19th ...
Copper, Enamel
Pair Chinese Cloisonne Tapir Candlesticks, Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful pair of Chinese cloisonne candlesticks in the form of tapirs, Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The charming pair of candlesticks each crafted as a tapir seated upo...
Copper, Enamel
19th Century Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Candle Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century Chinese blue and white porcelain candle stand.
$1,610 / set
Green Ceramic Chinese Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
These green ceramic Chinese candlestick holders come in a pair. They are glazed and include several interesting handmade designs and patterns...
Ceramic
Set of two 19th Century Chinese porcelain vases
Located in London, GB
Set of two 19th Century Chinese porcelain vases Chinese, 19th Century Height 57cm, diameter 32cm The vases feature bodies of cylindrical form with retracted bases and stepped retrac...
Porcelain
Pair of French 19th Century Brass Candlesticks
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire style brass candlesticks from the 1800’s with a beautiful silhouette and nice heft in the patinated metal to add intrigue to a mantel or dining table. Subtle,...
Brass
$400Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in Dm 9.06 in
Chinese Shiwan Green Glazed Ceramic Jar / Planter, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderful green glaze typical of Chinese "Shiwan" pottery adorns this early 20th Century Chinese storage jar. The jar likely occupied a private home to store grains or other househ...
Ceramic
Pair of 19th Century Open Twist Candlesticks
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century oak candlesticks from England with open barley twist stems. This pair of candlesticks has hand cast brass bobeches over hand turned ...
Brass
$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
$1,330Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 21 in W 8.5 in D 12.5 in
Pair of Chinese Bronze Deity Figures, 20th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of Chinese bronze figures of deities standing on dragons. The two sculptures were made in the 20th century. They represent the Tao gods Lu Xing and Fu Xin...
Bronze
$565Sale Price / set|67% Off
H 14 in Dm 10.25 in
A 20th Century Chinese Porcelain Table Lantern (SINGLE ITEM)
Located in San Francisco, CA
THIS IS FOR ONE LANTERN ONLY<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< In the tradition of marriage lanterns. Composed of four parts each. Finely enameled decorated borders with butterflies on a pr...
Enamel
Mid 20th Century Bronze Pair of Foo Dogs
Located in Stamford, CT
This is a nice pair of bronze Foo Dogs with a male and female with baby. They would look great in a garden or entrance to your home or garden. Foo Dogs also known as Guardian Lions s...
Bronze
Large Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Bowl, Qing Dynasty
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Large Chinese Cloisonne enamel bowl, Qing Dynasty Exceptional and finely decorated Chinese cloisonne punch bowl with gilt metal foot and rim. The bowl has slightly flaring sides ...
Copper, Enamel
$436
H 7.09 in Dm 6.7 in
19th Century Chinese Canton Blue and White Porcelain Ginger Jar with Hardwood Li
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Canton export ginger jar (bojan) made of white porcelain, richly decorated with blue floral and foliate motifs in classic Chinese style. The jar retains its original profiled...
Porcelain
$424
H 7.09 in Dm 7.29 in
19th Century Chinese Canton Blue and White Porcelain Ginger Jar with Hardwood Li
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Canton export ginger jar (bojan) made of white porcelain, richly decorated with blue floral and foliate motifs in classic Chinese style. The jar retains its original profiled...
Porcelain
Pair 19th Century brass candlesticks
Located in Martlesham, GB
A pair of 19th Century brass candlesticks, having turned and shaped columns raised on a square platform base. Circa 1860.
Brass
Pair of Chinese Brass Lotus Leaf Candle Stands, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These brass candlesticks were cast with a fantastic sculptural form and are a beautiful example of Chinese metalwork. The scalloped candle dish is shaped like a delicate lotus leaf, ...
Brass
Sold
H 8.27 in Dm 4.43 in
Pair of Chinese Canton Export Porcelain Famille Rose Candlesticks, 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual pair antique Chinese Canton export famille rose porcelain candlestick decorated in colored enamels with panels containing figures and birds am...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Chinese Pewter Marked Candle Sticks "Double-Happiness" Qing Dynasty, 1890s
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual and rare pair Antique Chinese Pewter marked candle sticks "double-happiness" Qing Dynasty, circa 1890s,, finely crafted and heavy in str...
Pewter