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Qing Tea Sets

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
Blue And White Flower Pattern Tea Set C 1725, Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Era
Located in seoul, KR
They display central floral motifs surrounded by a variety of botanical patterns including branches and blooms, indicative of classic East Asian ceramic artistry. Period : Qing Dyna...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

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...
Category

1720s Chinese Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Qing Chinese Porcelain Chine de Commande Creamer Fencai, 18 Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A rare Chine de Commande creamer. Possibly the lid is not matching. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 18th century, 19th century...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Enamelware Teapot with Twin Dragons, c. 1900
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 heat, the art of drinking tea (chayi) calls for a variety of teaware and utensils - both practical and decorative. This rounded teapot...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Brass

Antique Blue & White Porcelain Tea Caddy, Hand Painted, China, 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique blue and white porcelain tea caddy - hand painted in cobalt blue with birds and butterflies among flowering branches - non glazed lip and b...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Turquoise Enamelware Teapot, c. 1900
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 heat, the art of drinking tea (chayi) calls for a variety of teaware and utensils - both practical and decorative. This rounded teapot...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Fine Qing Dynasty Four Piece Silver Coffee and Tea Service by K.W
Located in London, GB
Kwan Wo, Chinese, active from 1875. The handles and spouts modelled as bamboo shoots, decorated overall with dragons and clouds in relief, marked 'K.W'. Total weight 1474.18gr, cof...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Silver

Chinese Green Glazed Carrying Teapot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This six-sided ceramic teapot borrows its unusual shape from traditional wooden tea cosies. Used to keep hot tea warm, such tea cosies were crafted with remov...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Stoneware

Related Items
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Mid-Century coffee set with coffee pot, tea pot, cream and sugar. Newly polished silver plate over brass. Bottom of coffee pot is stamped "silver plate." Coffee pot measurements: ...
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1950s Vintage Qing Tea Sets

Mid-Century Coffee and Tea Set
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Peter & Denise Orlando, Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Tea Set 1960s, Era Capron
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Peter & Denise Orlando, Mid-Century Modern ceramic tea set 1960s, Era Capron Free form Ceramic cups and under cups by Peter and Denise Orlando, France 1960s. Glazed in grey with ...
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Mid-20th Century French Qing Tea Sets

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Enamel

Vintage Musterschultz Cameo Tea Set in Powder Blue and White
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Located in Hopewell, NJ
Gorgeous vintage Czechoslovakian tea set consisting of 4 cups, 4 saucers, 6 desert plates, 1 sugar bowl with lid, 1 creamer and 1 tea pot with lid. ...
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1970s Czech Vintage Qing Tea Sets

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Porcelain

21 Piece Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Blue Flowers Coffee Tea Set Service for 8
Located in Dayton, OH
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Late 20th Century Qing Tea Sets

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Porcelain

Caneware creamer and teapot by Wedgwood, c. 1817
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Caneware ceramic creamer with impressed basket weave surface decoration, along with matching teapot with lid finial in the form of a sheaf of wheat. Impressed on the underside: Wedgw...
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Early 19th Century British Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Porcelain Tea Bowls Vintage Blue and White with Japanese Silvered Hexagon Teapot
Located in Lomita, CA
This assembled set of vintage tea bowls and a silvered or zinc 19th Century teapot from Japan is unusual. The set that came from an estate auctio...
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Late 19th Century East Asian Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Zinc

Chinese Vintage Blue and White Porcelain Teapot with Scrolling Foliage Decor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage blue and white porcelain teapot from the mid 20th century. Created in China during the midcentury period, this lovely...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

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Porcelain

Swansea Porcelain Tea Set, Tea & Breakfast Cup White and Gilt, Regency ca 1820
Located in London, GB
On offer is a beautiful porcelain tea set made by Swansea around the year 1820, which was the Regency era. The set consists of a white and gilt decorated teacup and a larger "breakfa...
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1820s Welsh Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

18th Century Meissen Miniature Turquoise-Ground Botanical Teapot and Cover
Located in Downingtown, PA
Meissen miniature Turquoise-ground teapot and cover, 1735-40 The Meissen porcelain miniature teapot has a turquoise ground with a shaped cartouche ...
Category

1730s German Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Buffalo China Tea Cup Pair in Sky Blue and Off White
Located in Munster, IN
Adorably vintage, these sky blue and off-white tea cups (or small coffee mugs) are a perfect way to add color and history to your collection. Produced in Buffalo, New York, the raise...
Category

Late 20th Century American Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Blue Platinum Pink Porcelain Matcha Tea Bowl by Master, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain matcha tea bowl, a unique piece platinum-gilded on the inside and hand painted in vivid pink and green on the outside set...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Gold

Set of porcelain de Paris coffee & tea service
Located in Washington, DC
Set of porcelain de Paris coffee & tea service - eighteen (18) pieces. Made famous during the Napoleon Period 1795 - 1830
Coffee pot - W - 8"; H - 10"
Te...
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19th Century French Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Previously Available Items
Chinese Yixing Terracotta Teapot, circa 1900 China Qing Period
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Charming little teapot from China in terracotta and nicely worked in a very simple and refined way around 1900. Dynasty Qing period. Original color. The Terracotta Teapots of Yixi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Terracotta

Etched Bronze Chinese Teapot, c. 1900
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Bronze

Etched Bronze Chinese Teapot, c. 1900
Etched Bronze Chinese Teapot, c. 1900
H 5.5 in W 7.5 in D 6.25 in
Chinese Blue and White Tea Cup, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
The delicate blue and white design of this porcelain teacup was painted in a muted, grey pigment, only to be transformed to a rich, cobalt blue by the fiery heat of the kiln. Retaini...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 18th Century Chinese Blue & White Floral Porcelain Tea Pot Creamer
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 18th century Chinese Qing Dynasty blue and white porcelain creamer or teapot with floral designs. Measure: 5".  
Category

18th Century Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Bamboo Teapot, c. 1900
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Bamboo Teapot, c. 1900
Chinese Bamboo Teapot, c. 1900
H 7 in W 9.5 in D 4.75 in
Chinese Green Glazed Carrying Teapot, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This six-sided ceramic teapot borrows its unusual shape from traditional wooden tea cosies. Used to keep hot tea warm, such tea cosies were crafted with remov...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Stoneware

Chinese Bamboo Barrel-Form Teapot, c. 1900
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 heat, the art of drinking tea (chayi) calls for a variety of teaware and utensils - both practical and decorative. This charming teapot dates to the late Qing dynasty and is hand-carved from a single piece of bamboo. The teapot resembles a slatted bamboo barrel...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Blue and White Five Blessings Tea Cup, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Each turn of this delicate porcelain teacup reveals a different traditional motif rendered in a rich cobalt blue. Surrounding a central shou character, five bats stand in for the Fiv...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Chinese Lotus Vinegar Pot
Located in Chicago, IL
Masterfully formed in spotless white porcelain, this 19th century pot is exquisitely decorated in the rich cobalt blue that’s characteristic of traditional blue-and-white porcelain. From the intricately detailed floral and vine motifs on the pot’s square sides and lid to the flourishes on the spout, the pot attests to the keen artistry of the artisan who painstakingly executed its marvelous design. Originally intended to dispense flavored vinegar or sauce, we also see this charming vessel offering soy sauce on a sushi platter...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Blue and White Tea Cups
Located in Chicago, IL
The blue and white design of these porcelain teacups was painted in a muted, grey pigment, only to be transformed to a rich, cobalt blue by the fiery heat of the kiln. Painted with a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Four Chinese Blue and White Tea Cups
Located in Chicago, IL
The delicate blue and white bamboo design of these porcelain teacups was painted in a muted, grey pigment, only to be transformed to a rich, cobalt blue by the fiery heat of the kiln...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Three Early 20th Century Chinese Cast Iron Tea Pots
Located in Chicago, IL
Chinese tea connoisseurs believe that using high-quality materials and supplies enhance the flavor of the beverage. The cast-iron construction of these early 20th century teapots...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tea Sets

Materials

Iron

Qing tea sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing tea sets 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 tea sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing tea sets made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tea sets, popular names associated with this style include and Kwan Wo. 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 tea sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $360 and tops out at $22,877 while the average work can sell for $488.

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