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.
Set of 3 White & Blue Chinese Ceramic / Porcelain Spoons, Floral Design
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A set of 3 wonderfully hand-painted Chinese blue & white ceramic spoons circa 1850. They bear a floral pattern design and beautiful, sculptural shape. A ...
Ceramic
Set of 3 White & Blue Chinese Ceramic / Porcelain Spoons, Double Happiness
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A set of 3 wonderfully hand-painted Chinese blue & white ceramic spoons circa 1850. They bear double happiness signs and wonderful, sculptural shape. A g...
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
$1,217Sale Price|20% Off
Style Kangxi Porcelain Alcohol Vase Green Family, circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Kangxi-style FOU (happiness) wine vase, engraved with three colors on a biscuit with a dragon in the central medallion. These vases were displayed, on the day of the celebration of t...
Celadon
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...
Ceramic
Set of 4 White & Blue Chinese Ceramic / Porcelain Spoons, Double Happiness
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully hand-painted set of 4 Chinese blue & white ceramic spoons circa 1850. They bear double happiness signs and wonderful, sculptural shape. A g...
Ceramic
Set of Antique Kangxi Period Chinese Porcelain Dish Amsterdam Bont Parrot
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique Rare Kangxi Period Chinese Porcelain Dish Amsterdam Bont Parrot Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Emperor: Kangxi (1661-1722) Chi...
Porcelain
Set of 3 Antique Chinese Porcelain QIanlong Blue and White Dinner Plates, 18th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated Set of 3 dishes. These were used for redecoration in Holland. floral scene and also anhua in the wall. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery ...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Kangxi-Yongzheng Porcelain Dish Cuckoo in the House
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very nicely painted dish with Cuckoo in the house Period: Kangxi-Yongzheng Country of origin: China The lower half of the design is well known in Holland as the “cuckoo in the hou...
Porcelain
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
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
Antique 19th c Chinese Porcelain Cantonese Figural Plate Figures Qing Daoguang
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nice and Beautifully painted Cantonese dish with lots of highly detailed figures, flowers and animals. Early Canton ware Daoguang period. There is some text at the base, probably inv...
Porcelain
Very nicely painted dish with Cuckoo in the house Period: Kangxi-Yongzheng Coun
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very nicely painted dish with Cuckoo in the house Period: Kangxi-Yongzheng Country of origin: China The lower half of the design is well known in Holland as the “cuckoo in the hou...
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
Chinese Blue & White Floral Plate, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
An everyday example of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, this 19th-century porcelain plate charms with expressive cobalt-blue decoration, sparsely brushed against a blue-grey field. ...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Export Silver Fruit Dish by Luen Hing, Circa 1880
By Luen Hing
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive, large antique Chinese Export Silver fruit dish; part of our Chinese / Asian silverware collection. This exceptional antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) fruit dish has a circular rounded form onto three plain swept bracket style feet. The sides of this antique dish are ornamented with eight pierced decorated panels. Each panel is embellished with applied decoration depicting individual scenes, such as a bird sitting in a cherry blossom tree, a crane flying over iris flowers, and a chrysanthemum amidst foliage. The rim of this impressive dish is encompassed with an applied incurved shaped border. The well of this large antique silver dish...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Enamel on Brass Ashtray
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This vintage cloisonné-style enamel ashtray bowl is a striking decorative piece that blends functional design with ornamental craftsmanship. Formed i...
Enamel
19th Century White Porcelain Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
19th century white porcelain bowl from the Qing Dynasty Era in China. Rust spots and firing imperfections support the age of the porcelains.
Clay
Antique Porcelain Lid Blue and White Chinese Landscape Qing Period
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nicely made Lid from a teapot in Blue and White palette. Landscape scene. Qing period. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 19th cen...
Porcelain
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
Tea Set 18C Chinese porcelain Dish CORNELIS PRONK 'Dame Au Parasol' Pattern
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese Export Porcelain saucer dish and Cup after the ‘Dame Au Parasol’ design by Cornelis Pronk (1691 – 1759) commissioned by the Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or V.O.C.) in 1737. Cornelis Pronk (1691-1759) was an accomplished painter and draftsman who was commissioned by the VOC in 1714 to provide designs for porcelain manufactured and painted in China. Decorated in underglaze-blue with ‘La Dame au Parasol...
Porcelain
Four Chinese Export Famille Rose Botanical Plates, Qianlong Period (1736-1795)
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very attractive group of four 18th century Chinese export porcelain botanical plates apparently made for the French market, circa 1775. Each plate having a scalloped rim banded wit...
Porcelain
$617Sale Price|35% Off
Blue and white tea set c 1725, Qing dynasty, Yongzheng reign
Located in seoul, KR
The teabowl and saucer set depicts botanical elements and butterflies, motifs rich in symbolism within Chinese culture. Butterflies often represent transformation and immortality, wh...
Ceramic
$2,692 / set
Chinese Qing Dynasty Pair of Vases
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Chinese Qing Dynasty pair of baluster vases of hexagonal form, the everted scalloped rim of white ground raised over tapering neck with pair of recumbent tigers in green glaze cast i...
Porcelain
Antique Plate Anhua Fencai Porcelain Famille Rose China Qianlong, 1736-1795
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A fine antique Chinese plate, made during the Qianlong period. Flower in the rim and anhua decoration in the centre. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of ...
Porcelain