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.
$303Sale Price|72% Off
Chinese Folding Screen for Desk Hardwood & Silk Hand Decorated, Circa 1960
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Chinese folding desk or table screen with hardwood frame and silk panels with hand embroidered decoration, dating to cir...
Silk, Hardwood
An assembled collection of 25 antique Chinese blue and white ceramic spoons.
Located in Point Richmond, CA
An assembled collection of 25 antique Chinese blue and white ceramic spoons. Each porcelain or porcelaneous stoneware spoon hand modeled and trimmed. Some with an unglazed foot ring and others with firing spur marks on the underside. Each spoon decorated in under glaze cobalt blue paintings...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
Qing Dynasty, Chinese Antique Porcelain / Rice Bowl with Lid, 19th Century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A bowl from the Qing dynasty of China (around the 19th century). It is a simple red and green painting. I feel very kind and cute. Also, when you remove the lid, you can see the g...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Tableware, 4
Located in Astoria, NY
Collection of Four Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Tableware Pieces, comprising: a ewer with hand-painted vignettes of figural interior scenes, a bowl with hand-enameled floral...
Enamel
$285
H 1.58 in W 4.34 in D 1.97 in
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
$4,500 / set
H 6.5 in W 4 in D 2.5 in
Pair Chinese Dragon Fish Glazed Porcelain Vase, Qing Dynasty, 19th-20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fantastic pair of Chinese molded and glazed biscuit porcelain vases with leaping dragon fish or makara, late Qing dynasty, circa 1900. The vases of balu...
Porcelain
Large Chinese Qing Dynasty Wucai Porcelain Dragon Bowl, 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A large Chinese Qing dynasty porcelain wucai (five color) glazed bowl painted in underglaze blue and overglaze red, green, and yellow upon a pure white ground, and featuring a design...
Porcelain
$6,500
H 14 in Dm 9.5 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty Flambé Glazed Bottle Vase, Tianqiuping, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A gorgeous Chinese monochrome red flambé glazed bottle vase, called a tianqiuping, Qing Dynasty, late 19th century. The voluptuous body o...
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
$850 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 10.5 in
Set of 12 Elaborate Noritake Hand Painted Bone China Service Dinner Plates
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of 12 elaborate Noritake hand painted bone China service dinner plates. 10 1/2" in diameter. Beautifully decorated. I found just very minor g...
Porcelain
$120 / set
H 4.63 in W 0.75 in D 0.5 in
Art Nouveau Set of Six Silver Plate Mocca Coffee Spoon Antique, Sweden, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Art Nouveau set of six small coffee spoons for espresso size cups. These set is in a original case. Made of silver plated metal, it will make a nice addition to any table...
Silver Plate
Tall Antique Qing Dynasty Period Martaban Jar from China, 18th-19th Century
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty period Martaban jar from the 18th-19th century with dragon motifs and loop handles. This tall Chinese jar comes from the Martaban wares, where it was produced during the Qing dynasty (1636–1912). This tall jar is made of varnished brown glaze and features on its belly carved dragons, which are an auspicious pattern in China. The top of the jar displays ceramic loops...
Ceramic
$538
H 2.56 in W 4.34 in D 3.27 in
Antique Chinese Porcelain Famille Verte Soap Box Qing Dynasty 19th Century
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This charming rectangular porcelain soap box with lid is a fine example of Chinese Famille Verte ware from the Qing Dynasty, dating to the 19th century. The hand-painted decoration f...
Enamel
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Jars – Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful pair of decorative porcelain jars with richly polychrome decoration, featuring a deep blue ground and adorned with delicate flowers, butterflies, and botanical motifs in vi...
Porcelain
$1,200
H 4.75 in W 4.25 in D 4 in
Small Chinese Celadon Glazed Porcelain Kendi, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A darling small Chinese celadon glazed kendi, or pouring vessel, mid Qing Dynasty, 18th century, China, for the Southeast Asian market. The diminutive kendi of typical form, with ...
Porcelain
$98Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 4.45 in
Antique Chinese Porcelain 19C Plate China Antique Kitchen Qing Dehua
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Sharing with you this lovely plate from Dehua. With base mark. Condition minimal rimfrits only. Size: 11.3x2CM DiameterxHeight Period 19th century Qing (1661 - 1912)
Porcelain
Sold
H 3.15 in W 4.65 in D 3.15 in
Antique Kangxi Chinese Porcelain Cow Butter Tureen in Delft Style, 18th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this highly unusual chinese porcelain delftware immitation of a butter tureen with Cow finial. This interesting antique piece is decorated in underglaze blue and o...
Porcelain
Circa 1860-80 set of 5 Chinese Export Rose Medallion Plates, Qing Dynasty
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860-80 set of 5 Chinese Export Rose Medallion Plates. Qing dynasty. Bought as antiques in China and brought back by famed ic...
Ceramic
Chinese Red Lacquer Wash Basin, c. 1880
Located in Chicago, IL
This shallow lacquered bowl dates to the late 19th century and was originally used as a wash basin for fruits and vegetables. The round vessel is crafted like a barrel, with slatted ...
Elm, Lacquer
Petite Chinese Tea Tray, circa 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, Lacquer
Petite Chinese Tea Tray, circa 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 still h...
Pine, Lacquer
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 black lacquer finish ...
Pine, Lacquer
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 brown lacquer finish has w...
Pine, Lacquer
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 red lacquer finish has wea...
Lacquer, Pine
Chinese Spring Orchid Plate, c. 1870
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant porcelain dish dates to the mid-19th century and is finely potted with thin walls and a short footed base. The top is delicately painted with an all-over pattern of orch...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Chinese Brown Glazed Water Ewer, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Tea drinking has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, resulting in a wide range of social customs and material traditions. In addition to tea leaves, water, and he...
Ceramic
Set of Five 19th Century Chinese Blue and White Spoons
Located in Chicago, IL
Each a delicate example of blue and white ceramics, these 19th century porcelain soup spoons were likely used as everyday eating utensils. Used in...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.5 in Dm 2.05 in
Antique 18th Century Chinese Miniature Silver Cellar by Cumshing, circa 1780s
By Cumshing
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Chinese silver miniature cellar Maker: Cumshing Made in China circa 1780s Tested positive for 900.silver Dimensions: Diameter/height: 5.2 x 3.8 cm Weight: 37 grams ...
Silver