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 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...
Porcelain
Oriental porcelain - Teapot with porcelain lid - East India Company
Located in Porto, PT
Oriental porcelain - Teapot with porcelain lid - East India Company. Made of Chinese porcelain from the East India Company; Qing Dynasty, Qianlong reign (1736-1795). Decorated with f...
Porcelain
Oriental porcelain - Two cups and a saucer - East India Company
Located in Porto, PT
Oriental porcelain - Two cups and a saucer - East India Company. In Chinese porcelain from the East India Company; Jiaqing reign (1796-1820); decorated with blue and gold with a mono...
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...
Ceramic
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...
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...
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...
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: ...
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
Large Antique 19th Century Chinese Rose Mandarin Porcelain Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique large Chinese porcelain vase. In the Rose Mandarin (Famille Rose) style. Decorated throughout with with various detailed scenes of people & plants. The body of ...
Porcelain
$1,372 / set
H 2.37 in Dm 4.93 in
Herend Hungary Porcelain "Chinese Bouquet Apponyi Green" Egg Cups and Plates
By Herend
Located in Delft, NL
Herend Hungary porcelain "Chinese Bouquet Apponyi Green" egg cups and plates Set of 12 egg cups and 12 small plates The plates has number 512/AV, (...
Porcelain
$195 / set
H 2.25 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in
Maxim’s de Paris Porcelain Espresso Cups and Saucers, Set of 2 Art Nouveau Style
By Limoges
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Maxim’s de Paris Porcelain Espresso Cups and Saucers, Set of 2, Art Nouveau Style A charming set of espresso cups and saucers from Maxim's de Paris, the legendary Parisian restaurant...
Porcelain
$503Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.78 in W 5.32 in D 3.94 in
Tettau Porcelain Tea Service, 35-Piece Set, Gilded, Germany, 1930s
Located in Opole, PL
Presented tea service is made of white china. It is ornamented with a sky-blue stripe of a painted, gilded pattern. The whole is signed with the Koniglich Porzellanfabrik Tettau Bav...
Porcelain
$3,640 / item
Antique Vienna Porcelain Cup and Saucer
Located in Newark, England
Decorated with a Classical Scene Measurements Saucer 2.7cm High x 13.4cm Diameter (1.1 x 5.3 Inches) Cup 6.5cm High x 8.5cm Long x 6.5cm Wide (2.56 x 3.35 x 2.56 Inches) From our C...
Ceramic, Porcelain
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
$1,200 / set
H 2 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
32-Piece Vintage Swedish Höganäs Keramik “Old Höganäs” Eldfast Stoneware Service
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional vintage Swedish Höganäs Keramik “Old Höganäs” Eldfast stoneware dinner and serving service in a rich, glossy avocado-green glaze with distinctive raised pearl-edge detail...
Ceramic
Shells Table Cups in Porcelain and Bronze
Located in Paris, FR
Table cups shells in hand-painted porcelain and with structure in bronze.
Bronze
Large Canton porcelain bowl, China, 19th century circa 1880
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A fine Canton porcelain bowl, beautiful hand-painted model decorated with polychromatic traditional Chinese palace scenes with a number of picturesque characters. The scenes are fram...
Porcelain
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
$1,950
H 2.5 in Dm 4.88 in
Antique Russian .875 Silver Hand Engraved Cup and Saucer, Baladanova, Moscow
By Varvara Baladanova
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceptionally fine and rare antique Russian .875 fine silver hand engraved cup and saucer against a "Florentine" or matte finish with gilt interior. Make...
Silver
$3,450 / set
H 3.38 in Dm 5.38 in
Pair of Antique Russian Silver Vermeil Hand Engraved Toasting Cups and Saucers
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Pair of extraordinary quality antique Russian .875 fine silver vermeil hand engraved rare toasting cups and saucers. Gilt "Florentine" or matte finish with bright gilding on cup i...
Vermeil, Silver
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...
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"...
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...
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...
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...
Wood
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...
Wood
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 ...
Wood
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 ...
Porcelain
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 ...
Porcelain
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 ...
Porcelain
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...
Elm
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 ...
Elm