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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:  Gold
Pair Giant Bronze Foo Dogs Lions 63 Lb
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of extraordinary 26" wide, 63 lb, heavy cast bronze Foo Dog lions. Each modeled on its side with large turned head with open jaw, bulging eyes and curly eyebrows, framed by a tightly curled mane. One lion...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Fine Pair of Antique Chinese Cast Bronze Foo Lion Incense Burners
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fabulous Antique Chinese Foo Lion incense burners originally purchased in Bangkok, Thailand. Patinated bronze with cloud-like tails and fierce open...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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

18th Century Chinese Qing Bronze Duck Incense Burner Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
18th century Chinese bronze duck incense burner, Qing period Please note that one foot is missing, broken off, see detailed image.  
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Cast Bronze Censer of Shoulao Seated on a Deer, Mid Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
A gorgeous and elegant Chinese bronze incense burner cast as of Shoulao, the God of Longevity, portrayed seated on a deer. The Taoist dei...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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Chinese Green Glazed Foo Lions, Near Pair, Late 19th Century, China
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Cast Iron Foo Dog Sculpture
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Celestial Kwan Yin Reverse Incense Burner Lamp
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Pair of Carved Wood and Gilt Finished Chinese Foo Dog Figurines or Sculptures
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Vintage Pair Chinese Gilt Carved Wood Foo Dog / Guardian Lions Figurines
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Chinese Ming Style Bronze Metal Seated Buddha
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Silver Bronze Censer with Pheasants Incense Burner
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful 4-lb silver bronze tripod censer. The vessel is decorated to the bulbous sides with three regal pheasants set against a textured feath...
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Chinese Censer Mid-Century Bronze with Asiatic Lion and Gilt
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Bronze and gilt detailing combine to make this Chinese censer a beautiful decorative cast bronze accent. The bowl and cover are cast with various object...
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Two Chinese Wood Lion Foo Dogs Incense Holder
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Two Chinese wood Foo Dogs Incense holder burners. Featuring a pair of highly detailed lion foo dogs, one male and one female which were thought to protect the home from harmful spiritual influences and harmful people that might be a threat. The Foo Dogs...
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Pair of Large Carved Wood Foo Dogs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of large & impressive carved Chinese foo dogs.
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20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

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Previously Available Items
19th Century Chinese Bronze Rhinoceros Incense Holder
Located in Stamford, CT
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19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Pair of Chinese Bronze Fu Lion Guardians, c. 1850
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Gilt 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...
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20th Century Asian Qing Animal Sculptures

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Gilt Bronze Imperial Dragon
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H 4.5 in W 11 in D 2.5 in
Pair of Chinese Bronze Foo or Lion Dogs Good Detail, Circa 1920s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
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Antique Pair of Chinese Bronze Foo Dogs good detail, Qing 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a very good pair of antique Chinese foo or lion dog sculptures, sometimes called temple lions, made of bronze, with good detail, dating to the 19th century, Qing period. They are a male and female pair, the male with the slightly larger head. These pieces are very well detailed, and well cast, with some wear to the high points and the base of the feet, which shows the bronze metal below the outer finish. Each piece weighs about 800gm unpacked Overall a lovely pair of antique Chinese food...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

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Bronze

Large 19th Century Chinese Bronze Fenghuang Bird Incense Burner
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
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Chinese Bronze Monkey Statue, 18th Century
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19th Century Chinese Bronze Fu Dog Censer
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Located in Somis, CA
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Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Bronze Crane Form Censer
Located in Austin, TX
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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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