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Qing Platters and Serveware

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
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 ...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

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...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

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 ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Platters and Serveware

Materials

Elm

Large 19th Century Porcelain Charger, Signed Malaysian Export
Located in Pasadena, CA
A large porcelain charger marked made in China for the Malaysian Market in the 19th century. The center of this charger is printed in a circul...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Fan Form Bat Tray, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from birchwood, this exquisite tray is an excellent example of 19th century art from China's Shanxi province. The tray is shaped in the form...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

Materials

Birch

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Piero Fornasetti Tema e Variazioni Porcelain Black and White Large Dish Charger
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Previously Available Items
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Petite Chinese Tea Tray, c. 1900
Petite Chinese Tea Tray, c. 1900
H 1.5 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
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...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

Materials

Iron

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...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

Materials

Mirror, Hardwood

Mirrored Chinese Vanity Tray, c. 1900
Mirrored Chinese Vanity Tray, c. 1900
H 1.75 in W 19.75 in D 12.25 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...
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Late 18th Century Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

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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...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Platters and Serveware

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Vintage Chinese Vendor Tray, circa 1900
Vintage Chinese Vendor Tray, circa 1900
H 1 in W 29.5 in D 17.25 in
Fine Chinese Tea Tray, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

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Fine Chinese Tea Tray, c. 1850
Fine Chinese Tea Tray, c. 1850
H 1 in W 13 in D 9 in
Large Blue and White Hand-Painted Chinese Porcelain Platter, 18th Century c-1780
Located in Katonah, NY
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Chinese Floral Tea Tray, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Finely carved floral and geometric motifs and a subtly recessed base give the simple lines of this century-old tray true provincial elegance. It has developed great character from years of serving tea, likely for friends and family gathered on traditional king daybeds.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Platters and Serveware

Materials

Pine

Chinese Floral Tea Tray, circa 1900
Chinese Floral Tea Tray, circa 1900
H 2.25 in W 21.25 in D 13.5 in
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...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Platters and Serveware

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Elm

Vintage Chinese Vendor Tray, circa 1900
Vintage Chinese Vendor Tray, circa 1900
H 1.5 in W 29.75 in D 19 in
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...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Platters and Serveware

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Elm

Vintage Chinese Vendor Tray, circa 1900
Vintage Chinese Vendor Tray, circa 1900
H 1.25 in W 31.5 in D 18 in
Fine Chinese Tea Tray, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted of fine hardwood, this 19th century tray once served tea or displayed calligraphy tools in a scholar's studio. Framed by low, curved sides, the tray has a simple rectangular ...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

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Hardwood

Fine Chinese Tea Tray, circa 1850
Fine Chinese Tea Tray, circa 1850
H 1 in W 14 in D 9.75 in
Fine Chinese Tea Tray, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted of fine hardwood, this 19th century tray once served tea or displayed calligraphy tools in a scholar's studio. Framed with low sides, the tray has a simple rectangular form t...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Platters and Serveware

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Hardwood

Fine Chinese Tea Tray, circa 1850
Fine Chinese Tea Tray, circa 1850
H 1 in W 12 in D 9.25 in

Qing platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage platters and serveware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing platters and serveware 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 platters and serveware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $288 and tops out at $2,380 while the average work can sell for $626.

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