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 Scholar's Fruit Inkstone, Late 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
A fixture of the Chinese scholars' studio, the inkstone was among the "Four Treasures of the Study" and was used in calligraphy and landscape painting along with paper, ink and brush...
Stone
Chinese Robin's Egg Peach Water Dropper, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This porcelain peach is a traditional Chinese water dropper, a calligraphy accessory that would have been found upon a scholar's painting table a...
Porcelain
Chinese Speckled Green Brush Rest, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush rest was an essential fixture of the Chinese scholars' desk. This early 19th...
Porcelain
Chinese Yellow Glazed Brush Rest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush rest was an essential fixture of the Chinese scholars' desk. This 19th-centu...
Porcelain
$360Sale Price|20% Off
XL Calligraphy Brush Jade Archer's Rings 17" Engraved
Located in Somis, CA
The extra large, extraordinary 17" Chinese calligraphy brush captivates with its fusion of history, symbolism, and artistic finesse. Comprising a collection of seven jade Archer's ri...
Jade
Three Blue and White Miniature Vases, C 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Era
Located in seoul, KR
During Yongzheng era, such miniatures were appreciated for their craftsmanship and aesthetic value. They were also often used in scholars' studios as part of the 'wenfang', or study ...
Ceramic
Chinese Blue & White Soup Spoon, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century porcelain soup spoon is a delicate example of Chinese blue-and-white ceramics. Once used daily as an everyday eating utensil, the spoon's broad form is hand-painted...
Porcelain
Chinese Hardwood Scholar Tray with Brass Mounts, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
A simple and elegant Chinese hardwood and brass mounted scholar tray, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The scholar tray crafted of a solid and heavy densely figured hardwood ...
Brass
$10,500 / set
Pair of Chinese Huanghuali Nesting Trays
Located in Austin, TX
A refined and elegant pair of huanghuali nesting trays. An exotic hardwood, huanghuali (which translate to "yellow flowering pear wood"), has long been prized in China. These trays would originally have graced the desk of a scholar and aided him in his scholarly pursuits. The larger tray features a wonderful golden hue, and a prized "ghost face...
Hardwood
Chinese Green Glazed Brush Rest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush rest was an essential fixture of the Chinese scholars' desk. This 19th-centu...
Porcelain
Petite Chinese Bamboo Brush Pot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot, or bitong, was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. Carved from ...
Bamboo
Chinese Twisted Rootwood Brush Pot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot was a fixture of every traditional scholars' desk. This small wooden bru...
Burl
Reclining Ho Ho Boy Charm Weight, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th century weight originally used its heft domestically to protect a child. A simple yet ingenious concept, the stone anchored the baby’s swaddling cloth to the bed so the chi...
Ceramic
Chinese Flora and Fauna Inkstone, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Scholarly pursuits such as painting, calligraphy, and poetry were a highly respected and revered subculture in ancient China, and demanded their own set of tools that were not only f...
Stone
Provincial Chinese Headrest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Made of Chinese northern elmwood, this smooth block of wood was once used by an upper-class woman as a headrest. The soft curve and height of the block not only supported her head an...
Elm
Antique Chinese Jade Archer's Ring, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This carved jade object is a traditional Chinese archer's ring, worn to protect one's fingers while drawing a bowstring. Over time, what began as practical equipment became a fashion...
Jade
Antique Chinese Green-on-Green Overlay Glass Snuff Bottle
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A Green-on-Green Overlay Glass Snuff Bottle, Qing Dynasty. A clear bubbly glass bottle of flattened teardrop form with a cylindrical neck, and a neatly carved oval foot rim. The tr...
Glass
$4,800
H 18 in Dm 7.5 in
Chinese Powder Blue Gilt Decorated Rouleau Vase, Qing Dynasty, c. 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
An impressive and opulent Chinese powder blue glazed porcelain rouleau vase with gilt painted decoration, very Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The vase glazed in a deep and r...
Porcelain
$1,950
H 17.5 in Dm 9.5 in
Qing Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Jar with Lid and Foo Dog Finial
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty blue and white porcelain lidded jar from the early 20th century with dragon motifs. This blue and white porcelain jar exudes timeless elegance with its intricatel...
Porcelain
Chinese Mustard Jade Archer's Ring, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved of the highest quality jade, this 19th century Archer's ring was likely worn by a gentleman-scholar in Northern China. Traditionally, Chinese archers wore these rings to ...
Jade, Sterling Silver
Malachite Rock on Display Stand Chinese Scholar Stone
Located in Atlanta, GA
A malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand and displayed as a Chinese scholar stone. The gemstone in t...
Stone
New Brush Stand Solid Wenge Wood Small Holds 12
Located in Somis, CA
Our calligraphy brush stands are made of solid wenge wood, a prized, sustainable, exotic wood with beautiful grains. Top of the stands are deco...
Wood, Wenge
Enamel Miniatures Living Room and Piano Set
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Enamel miniatures living room and piano set Origin Vienna, Austria Circa 1900 Enamel and bronze materials The piano is a music box (it works) The general condition is very good. ...
Enamel
$95Sale Price / set|45% Off
H 10 in W 1 in D 1 in
Set of 3 Chinese Calligraphy Brushes with Porcelain Handles
Located in Somis, CA
A set of 3 beautiful porcelain handle Chinese calligraphy brushes. The handles with hand painted round and oval porcelain balls of longevity motifs and basketweave, in classic, timeless blue and white...
Porcelain
$702 / item
H 0.99 in W 7.49 in D 3.15 in
Carl Auböck #3544 Pen or Brush Rest in Brass and Brown Leather, Austria, 2022
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #3544 pen or brush rest in brass and brown leather, Austria 2022.
Brass
$950
H 7.29 in W 4.14 in D 2.96 in
Mid-Century Chinese Drusy Quartz Scholar’s Rock on Carved Hardwood Stand
Located in Richmond, CA
A distinctive mid-20th century Chinese scholar’s rock composed of a natural stalactitic mineral formation covered with fine drusy quartz crystallization, presented on a carved hardwo...
Quartz
$330Sale Price|62% Off
H 4.5 in Dm 8.75 in
Drejar Gruppen's Robin's Egg Blue Ceramic Bowl for Rörstrand
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Swedish ceramic bowl from Rörstrand by artist Drejar Gruppen, circa 1972. Dark Robin's egg blue and chocolate are the dramatic colors on the inside while the outside is a si...
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Blue & White Chrysanthemum Brush Pot, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush pot was a fixture of every traditional Chinese scholars' desk. This petite, ...
Earthenware
Reclaimed Elm Treasure Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic little box is crafted with repurposed wood boards with chiseled texture and golden brown color. Ideal for hiding household clutter, the wooden box has a rectangular form ...
Reclaimed Wood
Chinese Botanical Duan Inkstone, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A fixture of the Chinese scholars' studio, the inkstone was among the "Four Treasures of the Study" and was used in calligraphy and landscape painting along with paper, ink and brush...
Stone
Chinese Pewter Oil Jug, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A squat pewter vessel for pouring oil fuel into a small opium lamp.
Pewter
Chinese Burled Brush Pot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Carefully carved from a cypress tree burl, this late 19th-century burlwood vessel is known as a brush pot, a container traditionally used to hold select calligraphy brushes in a scho...
Burl
Chinese Oxblood Red Document Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century document box once sat amidst the erudite treasures of a Qing-dynasty scholars' studio. The perfect size for a rolled-up scroll, the box would have been used to stor...
Hide, Wood
Chinese Translucent Agate Baluster Snuff Bottle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Agate
Chinese Teal Glazed Brush Rest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush rest was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This early 20th century...
Ceramic
Chinese Blue Glazed Brush Rest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set alongside the four treasures of the study - the calligraphy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone - a brush rest was an essential fixture of the scholars' desk. This early 20th century...
Ceramic
Chinese Rock Crystal Seal, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This small rock crystal carving is a personalized seal once used by a Qing-dynasty scholar-official to sign important documents. Also known as a chop, such stamps were widely used by anyone who regularly signed formal documents, such as scholar-officials, merchants, and doctors. The final addition to any document or calligraphy painting, seal marks conveyed the scholar's authority and affirmed the document's authenticity. Seals were one of the many treasured accessories of the scholars' studio and many were carved from fine materials such as jade or jasper. This crystal seal...
Rock Crystal
Chinese Bronze Rooster Scale Weight, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This small figurine was originally used as a counterweight for a tabletop balance, used to parcel out opium, spices, or other valuable goods. The petite weight is cast in bronze in t...
Bronze
Pair Green Jade Walnuts
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of same size, carved He Tian green jade walnuts. Each walnut is with wrinkled surface, formed with a three-segment shell, divided by tripartite verti...
Jade