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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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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Qing
Large Antique Chinese Export Glazed Porcelain Crane Sculpture Pair
Located in Forney, TX
Two elegant late Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) Chinese Export glazed porcelain crane figures. Cranes of this large size for the export market are rare. Earl...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Rare 19th Century Chinese Bronze Foo Dog With Wings
Located in Houston, TX
Rare 19th Century Chinese Bronze Foo Dog With Wings. Our Outstanding 19th century Chinese late Qing Dynasty bronze foo dog or guardian lion with wings...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

The Biscuit 'Three Friends' Brush Rest c1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Era
Located in seoul, KR
Modelled as a yellow bird, green deer, and yellow monkey grouped together on a brown-glazed stand. These brush rest with a bird, a monkey and a deer probably refers to the rebus 'may you receive high rank and emolument' or 'general long life, happiness and wealth' Period : Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period Production Date : C 1725 Made in : Jingdezhen Destination : Netherland Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Ca Mau...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Chinese lion sculpture , WEI DYNASTY PROBABLY
Located in Milano, IT
In the heart of an ancient empire, stands a sculpture of breathtaking power and majesty, probable Wei dynasty. A mighty beast, sculpted from the very essence of strength, is poised i...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Chinese Green Glazed Foo Lions, Near Pair, Late 19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming near pair of Chinese green glazed foo lion joss stick holders, late 19th century, China. The delightful foo lions, also referred to as foo dogs, crafted as joss (incens...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

A Marvelous Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Figures of Cranes on Stands, Qing Dynasty
Located in New York, NY
A Marvelous and Large Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Figures of Cranes on Stands. Step into the captivating world of Chinese artistry with this remarkabl...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Early Qing Pair Blanc de Chine Porcelain Hawk Figures
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very finely made pair antique Chinese porcelain blanc de chine figures of hawks dating from the early qing period and from the 18th century, possibly from the Kangxi reign. The fig...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Bronze Fighting Foo Lions Censer, Qing Dynasty, Late 19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A fantastic Chinese cast bronze censer in the form of two Buddhistic lions play fighting, late Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, China. The censer formed as a pair of Buddhistic li...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Monumental Chinese Carved Wooden Foo Dog Lion Temple Sculpture
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental Chinese Qing style foo dog or foo lion temple sculpture intricately hand-crafted from wood. The large statue has an aged, weathered patina ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Turquoise Glazed Parrots
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
A pair of parrots in China symbolizes affection, fidelity, and deep, enduring love. The parrot is also a powerful symbol of opportunity and the bearer of good news, drawing in positi...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

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

Collection of Chinese Blanc de Chine Foo Dogs, 17th-19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
An absolutely wonderful assembled group of Chinese Blanc de Chine white glazed porcelain Buddhistic lion (foo lion, foo dog) joss stick holders, Qing...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Cat Headrest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
To keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman once used this ceramic headrest as a pillow. The headrest is shaped as a crouching house cat, w...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Export-Style Porcelain Ho-Ho Phoenix Birds
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of large Chinese export-style phoenix porcelain Ho-Ho bird figurines, decorated in vivid polychrome. 20th century vintage glazed pottery ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Pottery

Pair Chinese Shar Pei Puppies Hand Painted Sancai Glaze, circa 1860
Located in Katonah, NY
This pair of small Chinese Shar Pei puppies was made in the mid-19th century, circa 1860.                They are charming creatures with adorable faces. Th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Chinese Foo Dog Hand Carved Bamboo Gilded, 19th Century Qing
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Chinese hand carved bamboo Foo or Lion Dog, sometimes called a temple lion that we date to the 19th Century Qing period. T...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bamboo

Pair Large Chinese Guardian Lions Qing Dynasty 19th Century
Located in Katonah, NY
These magnificent Chinese temple lions are true works of art, masterfully crafted with incredible attention to detail. The bulging eyes, sharp ears, open mouth, and fluttering mane are expertly rendered, creating a pair of stunning creatures that are truly alive with energy and movement. The expressive faces of these lions are captivating, and the fact that they are a "true" pair, meaning a male and a female facing each other, adds to the sense of interaction and action. These lions are made of stoneware and painted in the traditional Chinese sancai three-color glaze on a light brown ground; dating to the late Qing period, they are covered in rich green, blue, and amber glazes. The intricate detailing and rich colors are breathtaking, making these lions a treasure. Temple lions, also known as lion dogs, are celebrated for their auspicious symbolism and are believed to protect the peace and prosperity of one's home. These lions are beautiful works of art and bring good luck and prosperity to the home they are placed in. Dimensions: 17" Height x 16" Length x 6 1/2" Depth. Condition: Excellent Price: $6,800 Background of Chinese Temple Lions: Chinese guardian lions...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

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

Chinese Ceramic Spotted Cat Headrest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
To keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman once used this ceramic headrest as a pillow. The headrest is shaped as a crouching house cat, w...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Chinese Foo Dogs Hand Carved Hardstone Good Colour and Detail, Ca 1940
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a very good pair of antique Chinese foo or lion dogs, sometimes called temple lions made of a hardstone, hand carved with fine detail and polished, dating to the mid 20th c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

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

Wood, Mother-of-Pearl

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

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 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

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

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

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

Chinese Brown and White Cat Headrest, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
To keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman once used this ceramic headrest as a pillow. The headrest is shaped as a crouching house cat, w...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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

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

Chinese Guardian's Tail Inkstone, circa 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 functional, but also beautiful. One of the "Four Treasures of the Study," inkstones such as this were used to mix dry ink with water for use in calligraphy painting. This 19th century inkstone is guarded by a mythical fu dog, or shizi, depicted with open jaws and a long mane of flowing curls. Resembling a Buddhist fly whisk...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

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 Double Guardian Headrest, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
To keep her elaborate hairstyle intact while sleeping, a well-to-do Qing-dynasty woman would use a rigid headrest or neck pillow to keep her head elevated. Whether functional or pure...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

A Pair Of Rare And Fine Ceramic San-cai Guardian Lions
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair rare and fine ceramic with san-cai guardian lions, lively modeled with intricate details, lively modeled, beautiful colors.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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

Chinese Stone Shoemaker's Weight with Mother, Cub, and Embroidered Ball
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved from a solid piece of stone, this weight was originally used by a Shoemaker to press down large pieces of leather. Surrounded by intricate scrollwork and peony blossoms, a gua...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Late 19th century Pair of Glazed Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in Savannah, GA
Extraordinary pair of fine glazed porcelain Foo dogs came to us out of an estate here in Savannah, Georgia, belonging to an old general that long ago brought them from Thailand. Used...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Chinese Guardian Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
This ancient stone guardian lion shizi was carved by hand out of a single block of limestone. The artisan beckoned the guardian out from the stone, manipulating the unyielding materi...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Animal Sculptures

Materials

Limestone

Pair of Chinese Orientalist Design Gilt Bronze Royal Horses Elaborately Detailed
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous, large, and quite decorative pair of Chinese orientalist design gilt bronze royal horses elaborately detailed with Chinese motifs. Each horse is beautifully cast and finis...
Category

1880s 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

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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