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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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
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
Ormolu and Patinated Bronze French Directoire Striking Clock, c1790
Located in valatie, NY
This graceful gilt bronze striking clock is from France’s Directoire period. The clocks white enameled face has black Roman numerals and is framed with ...
Bronze
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
$1,497
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
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Longcase Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
A beautifully proportioned antique Edwardian longcase clock dating from the early 20th century, finely crafted in mahogany with elegant line inlay and a shaped hood. The case feature...
Mahogany
$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
19th Century French musical automaton clock
Located in London, GB
This fine, antique mantel clock is constructed in ebonised wood by the renowned Parisian maker of automata, Xavier Tharin (French, active mid 19th Century). The clock face is set onto a curled, stylized pediment atop the clock case. The face is of white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals and signed 'Tharin a Paris', and is bordered in beaded ormolu. The pediment in which the face is set is decorated with ormolu mounts of stylized acanthus leaf form. The pediment is set onto a rectangular frame of ebonised wood, inside which is set a musical automaton...
Enamel, Ormolu
$12,800
H 97 in W 19 in D 11 in
Fine Inlaid George III Longcase Clock with Automaton Movement, circa 1780
Located in Essex, MA
Exquisitely inlaid Georgian period 18th century longcase or grandfather clock. Original boxwood and satinwood inlay in late Georgian neoclassical...
Boxwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
$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
Antique American Bronze Bracket Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique American bronze bracket clock signed J.E. Caldwell Company of Philadelphia, circa 1890s 8 day movement with hour and half hour chime. French pa...
Bronze, Steel
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in Montreal, QC
Empire period gilt bronze figural clock representing Amour & Psyche.
Bronze
Biedermeier Period Wood and Gilt Clock
Located in Montreal, QC
Austrian Biedermeier period gilt and polychromed wood clock. Chiseled gold Swiss movement, signed: P.Francois a' Nion.
Ormolu
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Mantel Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Edwardian inlaid mahogany mantel clock with a pretty and unusual shaped inlaid case and white enamel dial with eight day movement. In working order with the original key. ...
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