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Qing Serving Pieces

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
Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Sweetmeat Dishes
Located in Forney, TX
An antique Qing Dynasty Chinese sweetmeat (confectionery or sweet food) box, dating to the early 20th century, featuring a lacquered and parcel gilt painted box decorated in a stylized naturalistic scene, opening to reveal five-piece polychrome famille rose porcelain sweetmeat dishes...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

1891-1911 Rose Canton Sweetmeat 6 Piece Service in Original Case, Chinese
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1891-1911 Rose Canton sweetmeat service of 6 piece in original case, Chinese. Fine double happiness symbols. Original gilt, lacquered wooden case (losses typical of material). Late Q...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Spoon, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A delicate example of the time-honored practice of blue-and-white ceramics, this 19th-century porcelain soup spoon was likely used as an everyday eating utensil. Used in China as ear...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Mandarin Rose Spoon Canton, China, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A lovely 19th century Spoon Cantonese mandarin. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Decoration Type / Colour: Mandarin, Polychrome, SE Asia (Straits/Bencharong/Etc...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Spoon Canton, China, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A lovely 19th century Spoon famille rose. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Decoration Type / Colour: Famille Rose Region of Origin: China Period: 19th century C...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Cantonese Serving Plate Figures Fish, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nice and Beautifully formed Cantonese serving dish with lots of highly detailed figures, flowers and fishes. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Mandarin Rose Spoon Canton, China, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A lovely 19th century Spoon Cantonese mandarin. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Decoration Type / Colour: Polychrome Region of Origin: China Period: 19th centu...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Related Items
Pair of White & Blue Chinese Ceramic / Porcelain Spoons, Double Happiness
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully hand-painted pair of Chinese blue & white ceramic spoons circa 1850. They bear double happiness signs and wonderful, sculptural shape. A gr...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Seletti "Hybrid-Armilla" Porcelain Spoon, Three Pieces
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
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21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Serving Pieces

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19th Century Canton Famille Rose Chinese Export Porcelain Celadon Platter
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th Century Canton Famille Rose Chinese Export Porcelain Celadon Platter. Decorated with butterflies , birds and flowers. 9.8 inches diameter.
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1890s Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Soup Tureen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Export Famille rose porcelain soup tureen and underplate. Qianlong Period, decorated with the figure of a mahout astride an elephant and flower sprays with gold rim. The theme of this lot indicates that it was probably made for the European colonial market in India, where East Indian ships...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Antique Victorian Silver Plated Squirrel Nut Dish 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning antique English Victorian silver plated nut dish or sweet dish, by the silversmith William Hutton & Sons of Sheffield with the Crossarrows mark and dated Circa 188...
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19th Century English Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Silver Plate

6 Herend porcelain "Chinese Bouquet Rust" Small Plates, #516 1/2
Located in Delft, NL
6 Herend porcelain "Chinese Bouquet Rust" small plates Six small plates with the Chinese Bouquet decor in the color Rust. The rim with basket we...
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20th Century Hungarian Qing Serving Pieces

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19th Century Majolica Serving Tray with Birds Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Majolica serving tray with wood and metal handles circa 1890. A scene with a swallow and delicate flowers. Attributed to Sarreguemin...
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1890s French Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Metal

An assembled collection of 8 blue and white Chinese porcelain spoons.
Located in Point Richmond, CA
An assembled collection of 8 blue and white Chinese porcelain spoons. Each spoon modeled with a generous well, unglazed foot ring and a decor...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Rose Porcelain Mandarin Saucer Dish, Early 19th Centuy
Located in Downingtown, PA
The sauce dish finely painted with Mandarin figures in the central well and flowers and butterflies on the border.  
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Silver Serving Cutlery - England Late 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Silver Serving Cutlery is a couple of a precious decorative object realized by English manufacturer in the 19th century. The lot consist in t...
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Late 19th Century British Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Silver

Antique Silver Plated Entree Dish Asprey London 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an exquisite and rare antique English silver plated entree dish by the world renowned retailser Asprey, of London circa 1870 in date. The entree dish features a square shaped body with elegant fluted decoration to the dish, lid and handle.   In excellent condition, this wonderful entree dish is  ready to grace your dining table.  Condition: In excellent condition. As an antique items, the piece shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, it displays beautifully. Dimensions in cm: Height 16 cm x Width 26 cm x Depth 26 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 6 inches x Width 10 inches x Depth 10 inches Asprey was established in England in  1781 and founded as a silk printing business by William Asprey, it soon became a luxury emporium. In 1841, William Asprey's elder son Charles went into partnership with a stationer located on London's Bond Street. In 1847 the family broke with this partner and moved into 167 New Bond Street, the premises Asprey occupies today. From its central London location Asprey advertised 'articles of exclusive design and high quality, whether for personal adornment or personal accompaniment and to endow with richness and beauty the table and homes of people of refinement and discernment.' An early speciality was dressing cases. Asprey crafted traditional cases and designs, mostly in leather, suitable for the new style of travel ushered in by railways. The main competitors at the time were H.J. Cave & Sons. Asprey was recognised for its expertise when it won a gold medal for its dressing cases at the International Exhibition of 1862 but lost out to its rivals, H.J. Cave & Sons in 1867. The company consolidated its position through acquisitions. In 1859 Asprey absorbed Edwards, an award winning maker of dressing cases and holder of a Royal Warrant. The company also purchased the Alfred Club at 22 Albemarle Street, which backed on to the New Bond Street store and meant that Asprey now had entrances on two of London's most fashionable streets. In 1862, Asprey was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria. The Prince of Wales, later to be crowned Edward VII, granted another Royal Warrant. In 1953, for the coronation of Elizabeth II, Asprey paid homage with the Asprey Coronation Year Gold Collection, which featured a dessert, coffee and liqueur service in 18-carat gold and weighed almost 27 pounds. In April 1953, it went on show in the New Bond Street store and subsequently toured the United States. As the business grew, the company acquired manufacturing facilities and hired silversmiths, goldsmiths, jewellers and watchmakers including Ernest Betjeman, the father of the distinguished poet John Betjeman, one of the most highly regarded craftsman and designers of his day. In the twenties, commissions poured in from around the world, from American millionaire J. Pierpont Morgan to potentates such as the Maharaja of Patiala, who commissioned a huge teak travelling trunk for each of his wives in which each trunk was fitted with solid silver washing and bathing utensils with waterspouts of ornate tiger head and lined with blue velvet. Asprey cigarette cases...
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19th Century English Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Silver Plate

Antique Famille Rose Chinese Export Porcelain Bowl or Dish
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine small Chinese export porcelain bowl. With famille rose decoration, blue underglaze cells, and a scalloped edge. It was likely made for either the American or Europe...
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Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Previously Available Items
Late 19th Century Chinese Blue Canton Serving Plate or Small Dish
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century Blue Canton serving plate or small dish, Chinese. Later Qing dynasty. Traditional lake scene with outer incised border, unglazed, colored with India black ink & tea...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Ceramic

1891-1911 Chinese Export Rose Canton Fish Sauce Server
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1891-1911 Chinese Export Rose Canton Fish Sauce Server. Late Qing dynasty. Shaped as a fish with a pierced tail handle. Beaded effect on rim. Double happiness symbols. Marked "China"...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

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Ceramic

1891-1911 Chinese Export Rose Canton Cream & Covered Sugar Set
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1891-1911 Chinese Export Rose Canton Cream & Covered Sugar Set. Late Qing dynasty. Marked "China". Double happiness symbols; elaborate bird & butterfly borders. Creamer: 5 7/8" w., 4...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Qing Famille Verte Porcelain Dishes, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille Verte Porcelain Dishes, decorated with mythical animals, qilin, phoenix, and dragon to front, crayfish and waves to underside, with wood bases. 1...
Category

19th Century Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Provincial Chinese Farm Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This wooden farm tray from northern China charms with its rustic finish and asymmetrical form. Hand-carved from a single block of wood, the tray is truly one-of-a-kind, shaped with a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

Provincial Chinese Farm Tray, c. 1900
Provincial Chinese Farm Tray, c. 1900
H 4.5 in W 21.5 in D 12.5 in
Provincial Chinese Farm Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This wooden tray perfectly balances minimalist simplicity and rustic charm. Carved from a plank of wood, the tray has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, deep basin and tapered ends that flatten into handles. Stained to a dark brown and textured by a smooth patina, the provincial farm tray...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

Provincial Chinese Farm Tray, c. 1900
Provincial Chinese Farm Tray, c. 1900
H 4.5 in W 21.5 in D 12.5 in
Provincial Chinese Farm Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This wooden farm tray from northern China charms with its rustic finish and asymmetrical form. Hand-carved from a single block of wood, the large tray is truly one-of-a-kind, shaped ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

Provincial Chinese Farm Tray, c. 1900
Provincial Chinese Farm Tray, c. 1900
H 4 in W 21 in D 10.75 in
Chinese Blue and White Spoon, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A delicate example of the time-honored practice of blue-and-white ceramics, this 19th-century porcelain soup spoon was likely used as an everyday ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Spoon, c. 1850
Chinese Blue and White Spoon, c. 1850
H 1.75 in W 1.75 in D 3.5 in
Chinese Blue and White Spoon, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A delicate example of the time-honored practice of blue-and-white ceramics, this 19th-century porcelain soup spoon was likely used as an everyday ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Spoon, c. 1850
Chinese Blue and White Spoon, c. 1850
H 1.75 in W 2 in D 3.5 in
Chinese Blue and White Spoon, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A delicate example of the time-honored practice of blue-and-white ceramics, this 19th-century porcelain soup spoon was likely used as an everyday ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Blue and White Spoon, c. 1850
Chinese Blue and White Spoon, c. 1850
H 1.75 in W 1.75 in D 3.5 in
Provincial Chinese Market Tray
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved from a large timber of elmwood, this primitive tray charms with its humble rustic finish and simple form. Marked with use and distinguished by th...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Elm

Provincial Chinese Market Tray
Provincial Chinese Market Tray
H 3 in W 22 in D 14 in
Chinese Grand Merchant Tray
Located in Chicago, IL
Dug out and carved from a single piece of fruitwood, this hundred-year-old tray made in Shanxi province charms with its rusticity and organic form. Marked with use and distinguished ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Serving Pieces

Materials

Elm

Chinese Grand Merchant Tray
Chinese Grand Merchant Tray
H 4 in W 31.5 in D 22.25 in

Qing serving pieces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing serving pieces for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage serving pieces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing serving pieces 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 serving pieces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $38 and tops out at $995 while the average work can sell for $183.

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