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.
Chinese Porcelain Peach Bat Symbol China Antique Kitchen Qing Bowl, 19 Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely bowl Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Type: Plates Category: Famille Rose Emperor: Guangxu (1875-1908) Region of Origin: China Peri...
Porcelain
Chinese Porcelain Symbol China Antique Kitchen Qing Bowl, 19 Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely bowl Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Type: Plates Category: Famille Rose Emperor: Guangxu (1875-1908) Region of Origin: China Peri...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Export Silver Fruit Dish by Luen Hing, Circa 1880
By Luen Hing
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, large antique Chinese Export Silver fruit dish; part of our Chinese / Asian silverware collection. This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) fruit dish has a circular rounded form onto three plain swept bracket style feet. The sides of this antique dish are ornamented with eight pierced decorated panels. Each panel is embellished with applied decoration depicting individual scenes, such as a bird sitting in a cherry blossom tree, a crane flying over iris flowers, and a chrysanthemum amidst foliage. The rim of this impressive dish is encompassed with an applied incurved shaped border. The well of this large antique silver dish...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,200
H 0.88 in W 5 in D 1 in
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Spoon by Wang Hing & Co., Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine and charming Chinese export silver spoon in the form of a dragon, by Wang Hing & Co., Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, China. ...
Silver
Chinese Export Silver Goblet
Located in London, GB
A Chinese silver goblet profusely decorated with chased, richly defined chrysanthemum against a matte background and is supported by two intertwi...
Silver
Mid 19th Century Chinese Serving Bowl Guangyu or Tongzhi Period
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large serving decorative bowl from China 1860- 1900. In excellent antique condition with minimal wear from age and use. Wear to the bottom edge. Depicting birds and purp...
Porcelain, Stoneware
$400
H 3.252 in W 6 in D 12 in
Antique German Dresden Porcelain Gilded Floral Centerpiece Bowl Compote 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique German Dresden crown H mark centerpiece bowl or serving compote. Made of porcelain featuring scalloped oval form with floral design and gold accents. Attributed to Adolf ...
Porcelain
Qing Dynasty, Chinese Antique Porcelain / Rice Bowl with Lid, 19th Century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A bowl from the Qing dynasty of China (around the 19th century). It is a simple red and green painting. I feel very kind and cute. Also, when you remove the lid, you can see the g...
Porcelain
19th Century Export Bowl
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-painted export bowl with wonderful vibrant colors in patterns of florals, birds and butterflies.
Stoneware
19th Century Spongeware Serving Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century spongeware bake dish or serving bowl. This sponge bowl is in great condition and is very hard to find is this form. Great in the ...
Taylor & Company Antique Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver bowl; an addition to our Chinese/Asian silverware collection This impressive Chinese Export Silver (CES) bowl has a plain circular form onto a plain collet foot. The body of this antique Chinese bowl is embellished with two embossed and chased traditional oriental undulating dragons amidst cloud designs, all on a matte background. The decoration to the body incorporates a vacant circular cartouche. The upper rim of this impressive CES bowl is encircled with an applied thread decorated border. The hallmarks struck to the underside of this fine bowl include: Maker's mark: T&Co (Taylor & Co*) Artisan workshop mark: REN XIN 仁信 (Canton) This impressive bowl has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 900 standard silver. * Taylor & Co were a retail store but acted as agents, and were known for their locations in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tianjin. We are grateful to Adrien von Ferscht for his help in identifying this exceptional antique piece. Condition This antique Chinese bowl is a very good gauge of silver, excellent quality and in excellent condition, in keeping with age. The chased and embossed decoration is all very sharp. The CES hallmarks struck to the underside of the bowl are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this piece of antique Chinese silverware...
Silver
19th Century Spong Ware Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century sponge ware bowl. Beautiful stripes and pattern on this bowl show age of wear consistent with age and use. Shows some dings but in great ...
Pottery
19th-Century English Floral Porcelain Bowl, Gilt, James Kent, Longton, Pompadour
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This elegant porcelain bowl is a fine example of 19th-century English ceramic artistry, produced in the heart of the Staffordshire potteries. The bowl features a beautifully scallope...
Porcelain
$2,500
H 5.25 in W 5.5 in D 3.75 in
Chinese Export Silver Tankard by Luen Hing, Early 20th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful Chinese export silver bamboo motif tankard by Luen Hing, circa 1920, Shanghai, China. The large tankard with a slightly bulgi...
Silver
Late 19th Century, Meissen Porcelain Bowl with Lid, German
Located in Lantau, HK
This Meissen porcelain hand painted bowl with lid dates to the late 19th century Beautifully detailed with delicate colorful flowers and child The bowl is signed underneath with th...
Porcelain
Sold
H 3.31 in Dm 7.09 in
Pair of Antique Kangxi Chinese Porcelain Imari Bowls Porcelain, 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nice Pair of Kangxi Bowls Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Emperor: Kangxi (1661-1722) Period: 18th century Decoration Type / Colour: Im...
Porcelain
Antique Kangxi Amsterdam Bont Porcelain Bowl Chinese Polychrome Landscape
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely made 18th century Kangxi Amsterdam Bont porcelain bowl. A very nicely made 18th century Kangxi Amsterdam Bont porcelain bowl. We take a look at Amsterdams Bont porcelain from China. A relatively unknown niche of Chinese porcelain from ca 1680-1740 that was partly decorated in Europe. Because mainstream Chinese collectors have yet to discover the historical significance of these wares they are relatively easy to find in Holland. While also being highly interesting and of often super quality and with an amazing array of decorations. Amsterdams Bont is a name given to porcelain partly decorated in the Netherlands (most likely in cities like Delft, Haarlem, Makkum). Because Amsterdam was at this moment in time the trade centre of the western world and also of the porcelain trade a lot of this over enamelling was probably commissioned by Amsterdam merchants, to reap higher profits on otherwise boring Chinese wares. The name Amsterdam Bont probably derives from the fact that these type of decorated ware was sold by Amsterdam Merchants. Amsterdam Bont consists of either blanc or under glaze blue decorated Chinese porcelain of basic quality, that was later enhanced with red and sometimes other colours in the Netherlands. It must not be mistaken for other type of Chinese & Japanese blanc wares decorated in Europe. Those we simply call European Decorated Chinese porcelain...
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Pair of Coral Ground Covered Bowls, Chinese. Qing dynasty
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-19th century pair of coral ground covered bowls, Chinese. Qing dynasty. Rare coral ground with auspicious symbols & gilt character marks. Gilding rubbed & one rim chip (with fun ...
Ceramic
Late 19th-Early 20th Century Pair of Chinese Stacking Bowls
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th-early 20th century Pair of Stacking Shaped Rectangular Bowls, Chinese. Cobalt ground with dragon decoration. Turquoise bowl, bottom & border. Original turquoise glaze miss ...
Ceramic
Post-1911 Marks Set of 4 Rose Canton Covered Rice Bowls, Chinese export
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Post-1911 marks set of 4 Rose Canton covered rice bowls, Chinese export. Traditional form. Double happiness symbols. Good condition with minor signs of use. 4.25" x 3.25" h. incl. co...
Ceramic
Circa 1920 Chinese Export Rose Canton Nest of 3 Oval Serving Bowls
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1920 Chinese Export Rose Canton Nest of 3 Oval Serving Bowls. A rare set. Late Qing to Republic period. Richly enamelled in butterflies, bird & flowers. Marked "Made In China"....
Ceramic
Circa 1920 Chinese Export Rose Canton Deep Bowl
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1920 Chinese export Rose Canton deep bowl. Made in China mark. Late Qing-Republic era. Double happiness symbols, fences defining floral & butterfly reserves. One rim chip. 9" d...
Ceramic
Chinese Woven Offering Basket, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Tightly woven of natural reeds, this neat basket likely contained offerings of food, money, and fruit presented as part of ritual ancestor worship on a family altar. The basket is br...
Reed, Lacquer
Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Bowl with Hand-Painted Symbols, Qing Dynasty
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
From the Qing Dynasty, this Chinese ceramic bowl is dominated by a blue-grey glaze and features wonderful hand painted symbols. Once used as an every day bowl it is now a great examp...
Ceramic
Chinese Floral Offering Bowl, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This colorful porcelain bowl dates to the mid-19th century and was originally used as a serving dish for ritual offerings, placed before a home altar and piled high with fruit, baked...
Porcelain
Chinese Footed Offering Bowl with Gathering of Immortals, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This colorful porcelain bowl dates to the mid-19th century and was originally used as a serving dish for ritual offerings, placed before a home altar and piled high with fruit, baked...
Porcelain
Chinese Famille Rose Footed Offering Bowl, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This colorful porcelain bowl dates to the mid-19th century and was originally used as a serving dish for ritual offerings, placed before a home altar and piled high with fruit, baked...
Porcelain