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.
$1,364Sale Price|20% Off
Large Chinese Porcelain Water Basket Swatow Style Dragons, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated Water Basket/Crrier. White and blue. 19C in the style of Swatow ware. Nice scene of dragons. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of ...
Porcelain
$1,091Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Porcelain Kangxi Period Salt Shaker China Qing Dynasty, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
China, Kangxi period.Sharing with you this blue and white chinese porcelain item. A small salt shaker Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Type: Jars Region of Ori...
Porcelain
$350Sale Price|45% Off
Antique Cantonese Chinese Porcelain Washing Basin China Canton, Ca 1850
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and nice Chinese Porcelain washing basin. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 19th century China Dynasty Period: Qing (1661 ...
Porcelain
$2,213Sale Price|24% Off
H 7 in W 15 in D 9.5 in
19th Century Chinese Export Green 'Fitzhugh' Hot Water Platter- Tureen *
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Chinese Export Green 'Fitzhugh' Hot Water Platter- Tureen * China, Circa 1850 * Reference Chinese Export Porcelain, Standard pattern...
Porcelain
$319Sale Price / set|24% Off
H 2.75 in Dm 1.5 in
Pair of Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shaker
Located in Sheffield, MA
Faneuil by Tiffany & Co. sterling silver salt shaker and pepper mill set. Simple elegance, Salt shaker 1.5" D x 2.25" H. OFFERING FREE SHIPPING TO CONTINENTAL US. PLEASE JUST ASK FO...
Sterling Silver
$176Sale Price|20% Off
H 3 in W 5.25 in D 3 in
Wilhelm Wagenfeld Bauhaus Salt and Pepper Shakers New in Box 1950s
Located in San Diego, CA
Wilhelm Wagenfeld glass and stainless steel salt and Pepper Shakers, 1952. Produced by WMF of Germany. Selected for the MoMA Good Design Exhibition and part of their permanent colle...
Stainless Steel
Kangxi Famille Verte Porcelain Large Dish, Qing Dynasty, 17th/18th c
Located in Austin, TX
A large and magnificent Chinese famille verte enameled porcelain large dish or charger, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period (1662 - 1722), circa 1700, China. The shallow, shaped dish of fo...
Enamel
19th Century "Lady Legs" Corkscrew
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Lady legs corkscrew with striped hose and boots. Two small pieces of hose missing on reverse side. Period: Last quarter 19th century Origin: Colorado Size...
Metal
Large Late 19th Century Blue Willow Serving Platter Staffordshire
By J.H. Warranted Staffordshire 1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and in excellent condition. No cracks or chips, a few scratches on the underside but nothing deep or threatening the integrity. Great blue and very functional as it's a deep...
Clay, Porcelain
Vintage Italian Silver Plate Salt Shaker and Peppermill
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style to your dining table with these vintage Italian salt shaker and matching pepper grinder are silver plate with wood liners to prevent corrosion. ...
Silver Plate
17th Century Chinese Kangxi Porcelain Plate
Located in Kent, Dover
A large XVII Century Kangxi Chinese porcelain plate, hand painted with gold leaf highlights. In good condition, just nibbling to the edges.
Porcelain
19th Century French Vineyard Wine Rack
Located in Forney, TX
Rustic French country vineyard or winery two-person wooden wine bottle carrier. Hand-crafted in France in the late 19th century, primitive solid wood frame, dual handle, fitted with patinated metal grid form bottle holder. Monumental sixty bottle capacity. This wonderful and rare industrial antique, circa 1890, was used to transport large quantities, up to sixty bottles, per trip. Repurposed, it can be used many different ways, including as a bottle rack, wine cellar, functional display stand, farmhouse harvest decor, outdoors as yard art, or a truly unique garden vine...
Metal
$750
H 2 in W 20 in D 17 in
Antique Chinese Canton X Large Platter Export Porcelain Blue & White Huge 20x17"
Located in Wilton, CT
Huge antique Chinese export porcelain Canton blue & white serving platter is a nice example of Canton ware from the early 19th century. Featurin...
Porcelain
19th Century, French, Copper Saucepan Pot
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique 19th-Century French hand forged copper pot or saucepan. This fine quality pot is large and heavy with a lovely long iron riveted handle and beautiful patina. Add s...
Copper
$85 / set
H 2 in W 5 in D 3 in
Vintage Porcelain Elephants Salt and Pepper Shakers with Tray Collectible
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage collectible blue and white porcelain elephants salt and pepper Shakers with tray. Shakers are 2”H x 2 1/5”. Tray is 3” x 5”. Chinoiserie han...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Turqoise Monochrome Large Feeted Basin, 18/19 C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely and well made monochrome feeted basin. The shape and color are truly beautiful. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: ...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Kangxi Famille Verte Caster/Sander, ca 1700
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
The sander, otherwise known as a pounce pot, functions in a very similar manner to a salt shaker, and would have been filled with a finely ground powder (pumice, gum-sandarac rosin, ...
Porcelain
Chinese Lotus Mooncake Press, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century hand-held wood press is carved with a large mold used for shaping festive mooncakes. Packed with lotus root, red bean, or other regional f...
Wood
Sold
H 13 in W 6.875 in D 8.75 in
Chinese Export Silver Teapot or Kettle on a Stand by Hung Chong, circa 1900
Located in Sarasota, FL
Chinese export silver teapot or kettle on a stylized bamboo stand decorated with birds by Hung Chong. The surface of the teapot has repousse ...
Silver