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.
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
$434Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Porcelain Plate "Famille Rose" Butterfly Decorations 19th Century China
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
This beautiful porcelain plate is produced from the Qing period, called "Famille rose" porcelain. With a white background, it is decorated with polychrome butterflies, plants and flo...
Porcelain
$457Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Chinese Porcelain Blue and White Floral Sauceboat, 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated Sauceboat with super decoration Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 18th century China Dynasty Period: Qing...
Porcelain
$168Sale Price|45% Off
Antique Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Qianlong Dish China, 18C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated saucer dish with flowers. mid qianlong circa 1750 Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Emperor: Kangxi (1661-1722), ...
Porcelain
5 Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Blue & White Floral Syllabub Cups & Covers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of Five Qing Dynasty Qianlong Blue & White Syllabub Cups & Covers Qing dynasty, Qianlong (1736-95) A rare and exquisite set of five blue and white syllabub cups with matching c...
Porcelain
Chinese Eight Immortals Offering Tray, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This ornately carved offering tray would have been presented as a gift filled with popular Chinese snacks, such roasted melon seeds, dried fruit, and soybeans toasted with cinnamon, ...
Wood
Chinese Plank Top Display Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This low display table exemplifies Qing-dynasty refinement with simplicity of form and minimal ornamentation. Crafted of walnut with mortise-and-tenon joinery, the 19th-century pedes...
Walnut
$117Sale Price|45% Off
Antique Chinese Porcelain Imari Kangxi Period Duck Pond Dish China, 18C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated saucer dish with flowers and ducks. Kangxi period. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Emperor: Kangxi (1661-1722) ...
Porcelain
Miniature Huanghuali Wood Chinese Sideboard
Located in New York, NY
Miniature Huanghuali wood Chinese sideboard. An expertly crafted miniature architectural model in Huanhuali wood with brass hardware. A late 20th centu...
Rosewood
$480Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.75 in W 6.25 in D 7.75 in
Antique Chinese Export Canton Blue Willow Gilt Plate Platter Tray 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Small late 19th century Chinese Export porcelain platter / plate - rectangular in shape with rounded corners and gilt detail at the edge, decorated with a Blue Willow style lands and...
Porcelain
Large Kutani Million Faces Porcelain Platter 19th Century
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Large 15" in diameter Kutani Million Faces Porcelain Platter 19th Century. Age appropriate condition with a mark on the foot and some crazing from age.
Porcelain
$1,800
H 2 in Dm 18.88 in
Large Japanese Blue and White Arita Porcelain Charger, Edo Period, 19th C, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large Japanese blue and white decorated Arita porcelain charger, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The large and shallow blue and white Arita porcelain charger measures 18 ...
Porcelain
Handmade Chinese Porcelain Bonsai Tray
Located in Asheville, NC
Ionized red areas on leaf shaped cobalt blue Bonsai tray.
$899
H 8 in W 13.5 in D 10.5 in
Antique Barker-Ellis Silver Plated Covered Entree Server with Floral Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique silver plated covered server was made by the well known Barker Ellis Silver Company of England in approximately 1912 and done in a Victorian style. This entree server...
Silver Plate
Chinese Export Qing Qianlong Famille Rose Medallion Porcelain Bowl
Located in Long Island City, NY
This finely decorated Qing-period rose medallion or rose mandarin bowl is beautifully hand-painted with four vignettes depicting courtly scenes.
Porcelain
$15,000 / set
H 0.5 in Dm 8.75 in
Pair of 18th Century Chinese & Meissen Famille Verte Porcelain Plates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of famille verte porcelain plates, the left made in China during the Kangxi period (r. 1662–1722) and the right a copy by Meissen made circa 1740. Chinese porcelain has alw...
Porcelain
$810Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.5 in W 12.5 in D 12.5 in
Asiatic Pheasant’s Large Platter, Blue & White Floral, Circa 1880s
Located in Worcester Park, GB
The image shows a backstamp from a piece of pottery, specifically featuring the "Asiatic Pheasants" pattern. The mark indicates the pottery was made by Brough & Blackhurst, a par...
Ceramic
18th Century Chinese Blue and White Large Plate, Qing Qianlong circa 1750
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good Chinese porcelain large plate, made for the export (Canton) market, during the middle of the 18th century, Qing-Qianl...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Platter
Located in Miami, FL
Chinese export platter. Mille fleur pattern.
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Rose Mandarin Porcelain Vase, 19th Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine, antique Chinese Rose Mandarin porcelain vase. With rich polychrome enamel decoration on a light celadon ground. An excel...
Porcelain
Chinese Reeded Tea Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This tea tray from the late 19th century owes its decorative appeal to the beautiful grain of northern elm (yumu) and the warm brown color of its sheer lacquer finish. Once used to s...
Elm
Chinese Copper Opium Tray with Celestial Dragon, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
By the 18th century, opium use had become as central to Chinese social life as taking tea or smoking tobacco, fostering a subculture rich with its own customs, traditions, and exquis...
Copper
Large Canton Famille Rose Porcelain Platter (56 x 45 cm)
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Canton Famille Rose porcelain platter (56 x 45 cm), exquisitely decorated with polychrome motifs of flowers, figures, and various traditional scenes. The platter is in good co...
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Export Rose Canton Platter
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century Chinese Export Rose Canton Platter. Qing dynasty with later export stamp ("Made in China"). Double happiness symbols; reserves of...
Ceramic
Circa 1920 Chinese Export Set of 10 Rose Canton Salad Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1920 Chinese Export Set of 10 Rose Canton Salad Plates. Double happiness symbols; birds & butterfly reserved border panel & central medallion. Marked "Made In China". Small spo...
Ceramic
Petite Chinese Tea Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Simple lines, a modest form, and a layer of hand-brushed lacquer give this petite Qing-dynasty tray a provincial charm that recalls the warmth of home. The dark brown lacquer finish ...
Pine
Circa 1780 Chinese "Elephant & Mahout" Vegetable Dish
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1780 Chinese export "elephant & mahout" oval vegetable dish. Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. Retailed by Sarah potter conover, early label. One of ...
Ceramic
Chinese Octagonal Red Lacquer Tray, C. 1870
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th-century tray is crafted of northern elm (yumu) with eight sides, an auspicious number associated with wealth and abundance. The tray has a short footed base and flared sides reinforced at the corners with cloud-form iron plates. Colored by a finish of bright cinnabar-red lacquer, the tray may have originated as a presentation dish...
Iron
Chinese Tea Tray with Ridged Sides, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant tea tray from the late 19th century owes its decorative appeal to the warm coloring and beautiful grain of northern elm (yumu). Once used to serve tea or hold scholarly ...
Elm
Mirrored Chinese Vanity Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant tray from the late 19th-century was once used to serve tea or hold a scholarly implements in an artist's studio. The hardwood tray is beautifully carved with oblong hand...
Mirror, Hardwood
Sold
H 1 in W 14 in D 10.5 in
Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Platter Hand-Painted, 18th Century, Circa 1770
Located in Katonah, NY
This exquisite Chinese blue and white porcelain platter was hand-painted in the Qianlong dynasty in the 18th century. It has the timeless appeal of beautiful flowers blooming in a ga...
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Vendor Tray, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Simple lines, a modest form, and a layer of hand-brushed lacquer give this shallow Qing-dynasty tray a provincial charm. A tray like this would have been used by a street vendor to d...
Elm