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.
QING DYNASTY 1790 Export Table Clock In Gilt Bronze, Wood & Inlaid Nacre
Located in Miami, FL
An antique Qing Dynasty table clock for export. This is an amazing antique table clock created during the Qing Dynasty, back in the late 18th century. Masterfully crafted around th...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Antique Chinese Mother of Pearl Inlaid Automaton Figure Enamel Bracket Clock
Located in Danville, CA
Here we are offering a rare Chinese rosewood bracket clock with enamel column on each side. Front case is inlaid with mother of pearl and nearly in perfect condition. 5 brass finials located on the top of the case. This clock has an 8 day fusee chain driven movement with quarterly striking. On the hour strike, the pair of figures above the dial raises their hammers and strikes the bell. The brass movement is engraved and signed. A large window...
Enamel, Brass
Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock
Located in Norwood, NJ
Gilt bronze mounted continental Porcelain clock. Porcelain and gilt bronze mounted continental clock. Loius XVI style. Figural and floral painted scenes. Features open escapement...
Gold Plate, Bronze
French Empire Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in London, GB
French Empire gilt bronze clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 38cm, width 27cm, depth 10cm This fine gilt bronze man...
Ormolu, Bronze
$3,995
H 92 in W 20 in D 10.5 in
Antique 8 Day Tall Case Grandfather Clock Automaton Andrew Rich Bridgewater 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Georgian Regency period tall case 8 day inlaid mahogany grandfather clock with a rocking figure of Old Father Time, by Andrew Rich of Bridgwater Somerset, circa 1820. The clock is made of the finest figured flame mahogany & inlaid with satinwood stringing, the clock hood with twin arched 'swan's neck' pediment with brass rosettes & a central brass urn shaped finial. The hood door is flanked by a pair of turned columns with gilt brass capitals & bases, the door enclosing a painted dial with gilding & floral spandrel panels. The clock having an unsul feature of a winged Old Father Time, holding his scythe he rocks backwards & forwards in unison with the pendulum. The dial with black Roman numerals and having a seconds dial and also a calendar dial, the clock is signed to the center "Rich Bridgwater" (a prosperous historic coastal town & port in the Somerset area of the Southwest of England). The trunk of the case with carved 'ropetwist' pilasters, the door & base inlaid with satinwood stringing, the clock is raised on bracket feet. The clock has an eight day mechanism & strikes the hours on a mellow sounding bell, the clock chime can be silenced by not winding the chime arbor, original pendulum & weights, winding key is present. The clock is in excellent antique condition & has just been professionally cleaned and overhauled by a professional clocksmith, it keeps very good time, this elegant antique tall case clock...
Mahogany, Satinwood
$1,511
H 6 in W 7 in D 3 in
Glasgow School Patinated Brass Clock with Mother-Of-Pearl Inlaid Square Details
Located in London, GB
An Arts and Crafts Glasgow School Patinated Brass Clock with Mother-Of-Pearl Inlaid Square Details and whiplash handles to the sides.
Metal
$940
H 24 in W 19.5 in D 5 in
Antique Napoleon III French 19th C. Ebonized Mother of Pearl Inlaid Wall Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 19th Century Napoleon III Era French wall clock by Sarda Besancon. Features an oviform with serpentine ebonized wood and a glass face. The beautiful clock face is enameled porcel...
Porcelain, Glass, Hardwood
$7,500
H 16.5 in W 11 in D 9.5 in
German Mahogany and Ormolu Figural Bracket Clock. W. & H. Sch., Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
German mahogany and ormolu bracket clock with gilt bronze pineapple finials, flanking figural floral corner mounts, arched floral side screens, hinged astragal shaped glass door with...
Brass, Ormolu, Steel
Rare Gilt Bronze and Parchment Gübelin Swiss Table Clock
By Gubelin
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare gilt bronze and parchment Gübelin Swiss table clock with eglomized figural dial and roman numbers on frame original movement replaced by battery.
Bronze
$9,500
H 40 in W 21 in D 11 in
Large 18th Century French Louis XV Gilt Bronze Boulle inlaid Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Very large (40 inch tall) ormolu bronze mantel clock from the Louis XV period with Boulle style inlaid brass and enamel decorations with original pendulum. By the Paris maker, Denis ...
Bronze, Enamel
Clock in Gilt Bronze, Empire Period
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in chiselled and gilt bronze composed by a rectangular base on which stand the dial-plate and a statuette of Bacchus. Round dial-plate with Roman numbers off-center on the righ...
Bronze
$2,450
H 25.75 in W 11.75 in D 7.375 in
Fine 19th Century Marquetry-Inlaid Satinwood and Gilt-Bronze Portico Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th century marquetry-inlaid satinwood and gilt-bronze portico clock, circa 1840s, features a floral-and-foliate-inlaid frieze over f...
Bronze
Automaton Clock And Music Box House
Located in New Orleans, LA
This artful and unique automaton clock and music box house proudly bears the signature of Geneva, a hallmark of unparalleled horological excellence. For generations, Geneva has seamlessly merged traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, setting the standard for luxury timepieces. Adorned with delicate hand-painted details, this exquisite cottage exudes provincial charm. Intricate floral motifs and ivy vines gracefully ascend its façade, drawing onlookers into this detailed masterpiece. A couple stands in the doorway, meticulously carved to exude the height of style and grace. In the style of the iconic cuckoo clock, a distinguished gentleman, adorned with a pipe and cane, emerges from the balcony doors...
Wood
Clock in Gilt and Patinated Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Clock in gilt and patinated bronze, period Napoleon III, 19th century. Good working condition Contact us before ordering to confirm product ...
Bronze