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Qing Animal Sculptures

QING STYLE

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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Style: Qing
Color:  Brown
Chinese Foo Dog Hardwood Hand Carved and Signed, Qing circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Chinese hardwood foo dog, sometimes called a temple lion that we date to the late Qing period, circa 1900. The piece is hand carved as a fierce dog or lion sat on a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

Monumental Pair of Chinese Carved Wood Brush Pots, Late 18th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
Monumental pair of Chinese carved wood brush pots adorned with mother of pearl and white bone details. Late 18th century. Brush pots were used by Chines...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

19 c Pair Chinese Hand Painted Black Gold and Silver Lacquered Fold Up Wall Shel
Located in North Miami, FL
This beautiful Chinese export black lacquered pair of shelves is decorated with silver and gold leave images of the story of a Chinese warrior battle....
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Pair of Chinese Sancai Fu Dog Incense Burners, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These petite ceramic fu dog figurines likely once stood upon a home altar as incense burners to accompany ritual ancestor worship. Also known as shizi, pairs of fu dog lions are beli...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Qing Dynasty Hand-Carved Wooden Temple Corbels with Deer Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty hand-carved wooden temple corbels from the 18th or 19th century with deer and their young. Originally part of a temple wa...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

18th Century Wooden Phoenix Bird
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative 18th century wooden Phoenix bird with polychrome lacquer. From Henan Province, China. Untouched original condition. Measures: Height bird 21...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

18th Century Wooden Phoenix Bird
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative 18th century wooden phoenix bird with polychrome lacquer. From Henan Province, China. Untouched original condition. Measures: Height bird 22....
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Chinese Qing Dynasty Porcelain Spotted Deer Brush Washer, Mid-19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A charming and elegant Chinese brush washer in the form of a recumbent spotted deer, Qing dynasty, circa 1850. The graceful animal modeled with ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Antique Green Chinese Stone Cast Lions Sculptures Garden Ornaments
Located in Munich, DE
This wonderful pair of green stone cast lions has been crafted in China around 1900. The stone cast makes them suitable for out-and indoors. Measurements ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Cast Stone

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Late 19th Century Large Chinese Daybed
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Late 19th Century Large Chinese Daybed
Late 19th Century Large Chinese Daybed
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18th Century Hand-Carved Jichi Wood Guanyin Figure
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Antique, Rare & Decorative Pair of Hand Carved and Hand Painted Horse Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and unique pair of matching horse sculptures. With a combined experience of almost 30 years in the antiques trade, we were thrilled to once again find beautifully hand-crafted and decorative antiques that we had never seen before. From the density and the weight we can see and feel that these highly decorative horse sculptures are made of a tropical hardwood. Like, for example, with antique mirror frames or church sculptures these horses too were first covered with a mixture of chalk and glue so that the paint would hold longer. And, as so often is the case with antiques, the colors that were used for painting these horses are so much more beautiful than anything you find in this day and age that they truly are an absolute joy to look at. From the colors, the wear, the materials and the techniques that were used to create these horses we can see that these are 19th century antiques. However and unfortunately we lack the knowledge to be able to tell you from which country these highly decorative and sizeable works of art originate. We just can't find matching style horse sculptures anywhere on the worldwide web. They could be Chinese or Nepalese, but they could also be Persian or Arabian. We just have not been able to find out. What we do know is that they are definitely antique, they are in beautiful condition (with some wear, consistent with their age), they are highly decorative, probably unique and they have a look and feel that will instantly change the atmosphere of the room they are in. Mind you, our sharp price for this wonderful pair of horse sculptures...
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Soapstone Hand-Carved Bust of Brahma with Four Faces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This bust is a beautiful representation of lord Brahma. Brahma is a part of the holy trinity of Hinduism along with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the destroyer. He is depicted in Hi...
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Qing Dynasty Hand-Painted Glazed Pickling Jar, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Pickling Jar was once used to pickle eggs and features a wonderful array of hand-painted motifs which include birds, foliage and other subtle symbols and patterning. The hand-pa...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Ceramic, Paint

Chinese Qing Dynasty Carved Bamboo HeHe ErXian Group, 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful Chinese bamboo figural carving featuring the Taoist immortal twins of eternal youth, known as the HeHe ErXian, Qing dynasty, 19th century. F...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Bamboo

Chinese Carved Boxwood Figure of Guanyin, Mid-Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
A sublime Chinese carved boxwood figure of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara, called Guanyin in Chinese, mid-Qing dynasty. The an...
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Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Boxwood

Large Late Qing Dynasty Chinese Cast Bronze Buddhistic Foo Lion Censer
Located in Austin, TX
A large and powerfully cast Chinese bronze censer in the form of two Buddhistic lions, Qing dynasty, late 19th century. The censer is well cast with a strong sense of movement, featuring a pair of fierce Buddhistic lions playfully antagonizing each other. Locked in a mock battle, the smaller lion...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mini Pair of Vintage Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Foo Dogs, China, circa 1980's
Located in Chatham, ON
Miniature pair of vintage turquoise glazed ceramic Foo Dogs - molded forms - hand painted glossy glaze - unsigned - China - circa 1980's. Excellent vintage condition - minor glaze...
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Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Sancai Roof Tiles
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of Qing dynasty (1636–1912) Sancai glazed ceramic figural roof tiles with rich beautifully aged patina! Dating to the 19th century, wonderfully hand-crafted and painted, sculptural form depicting stylized fish, rising on terracotta clay arched imbrex barrel roof tile. Dimensions: (approx) Each; 13" High, 4.5" Wide, 9" Deep; 8.6lbs total Condition: Great original antique condition with heavy patina over the whole. Significant crazing - craquelure throughout that can only be acquired over long periods of time. Wear consistent with age. We have not cleaned them, leaving them as original, and retaining as much antique character as possible. If you would like them cleaned and polished please let us know after ordering them. History: The Fish, ? (yú) figure is believed to be a symbol of good fortune and longevity. The Fish is one of the several natural or mythical creatures such as Foo Dogs - Guardian Lions that adorn roof edges of Chinese religious temples, official buildings and important structures. Brightly hand painted and glazed ceramic roof tiles...
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19th Century Asian Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Ceramic, Clay, Paint

Qing Lidded Foo Dog Cache Pot
Located in Asheville, NC
Stylized with intervening vines and florals this stunning pot is in fantastic shape. The removable lidded top completes this piece with its symbolic Chinese Foo Dog also known as Gua...
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20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

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Wire

Qing Lidded Foo Dog Cache Pot
Qing Lidded Foo Dog Cache Pot
H 5.5 in W 6.5 in D 6 in
Blanc-de Chinese Figure Porcelain of Guanyin, Qing Dinasty
Located in Rome, IT
A Blanc-de Chine Figure of Guanyin Qing Dinasty seating on a the waves, the arms lifted to the waist, dressed in loose fitting robes opening at the ches...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Porcelain

Previously Available Items
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Located in Wilton, CT
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Pair of Antique Green Chinese Stone Cast Lions Sculptures Garden Ornaments
Located in Munich, DE
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Cast Stone

Ceramic Horse Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Ceramic horse sculpture in the style of tang dynasty pottery. Late 20th century Chinese ceramic horse sculpture. Off white crackle glaze over pottery. V...
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1990s Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

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Ceramic

Ceramic Horse Sculpture
Ceramic Horse Sculpture
H 21.5 in W 22 in D 7.5 in
Chinese Cloisonne Lion Censer, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming and quirky Chinese cloisonné censer in the form of a lion, Republic Period, early 20th century, circa 1920s or 1930's, China. T...
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1930s Chinese Vintage Qing Animal Sculptures

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Copper, Enamel

Chinese Qing Dynasty Mid 19th Century Hand-Carved Foo Dog Temple Decoration
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty period hand-carved stone foo dog temple sculpture from the mid 19th century mounted on custom base. Created in China during the 1...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Stone

Pair of 18th Century Stone Temple Lion Sculptures
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Chinese carved stone guardian lions (foo dogs). Originates from Shanxi Province, 18th century. The pair are in original condition and in very good vintage condition (with t...
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18th Century Asian Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Stone

Chinese Carved Rose Quartz Foo Lion, Republic Period, China
Located in Austin, TX
Chinese Republic Period carved rose quartz foo lion with tiger eye eyes, circa 1930s, China. The foo lion, also known as a foo dog, is well carved from a single large piece of mot...
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1930s Chinese Vintage Qing Animal Sculptures

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Rose Quartz, Hardwood

Chinese Mythical Protectors Architectural Finial
Located in Chicago, IL
This cast iron sculpture is an architectural finial that originally topped a Qing dynasty building in northern China. The decorative fragment depicts two auspicious qilin, mythical C...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

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Iron

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Blue and White Qilin Figurines
Located in Chicago, IL
Each of these petite ceramic figurines depicts the auspicious qilin, a mythical Chinese creature thought to bring luck and protection. Qilin are often depicted with lion-like feature...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Terracotta

Pair of Large Chinese Qing Dynasty-Style Brass Cloisonné Falcons, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very impressive pair of 1950s Chinese life size brass cloisonné falcons on elaborate bases, done in the style of the Qianlong Emperor—the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the...
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1950s Chinese Vintage Qing Animal Sculptures

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Brass

Small Gold Bronze Dragon
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful small statue of dragon in the late Qing dynasty style. The four-clawed dragon has one front talon in pursuit of its subject, likely a flaming pearl, while the other three are firmly planted on the ground. The head strains forward with mouth open in a roar between back-swept whiskers and below bulging eyes, the back of the sinuous body outlined in gold bronze...
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20th Century Asian Qing Animal Sculptures

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Bronze

Small Gold Bronze Dragon
Small Gold Bronze Dragon
H 3.5 in W 7 in D 1.5 in
Gold Bronze Imperial Dragon
Located in Somis, CA
An exceptional model of the imperial dragon in the Qing dynasty style. The five-clawed dragon has all his talons firmly planted on the ground. The head strains forward with mouth half open in between back-swept whiskers and below bulging eyes and sharp sturdy horns, the back of the sinuous body outlined in gold bronze...
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20th Century Asian Qing Animal Sculptures

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Bronze

Gold Bronze Imperial Dragon
Gold Bronze Imperial Dragon
H 4 in W 10.25 in D 2.5 in

Qing animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage animal sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing animal sculptures made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for animal sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $248 and tops out at $38,000 while the average work can sell for $2,435.

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