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.
Chinese Arched Hanging Lantern, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Framed in hand-carved rosewood, this 19th-century hanging lantern casts a soft glow through frosted glass. The lantern has a square frame, with straight sides and gently arched tops carved with abstract...
Metal
Pair of Chinese Square Courtyard Lanterns, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Lanterns in China have a history that goes back over 1,800 years to the Han dynasty: during the Lantern Festival (which falls on the 15 day of the first lunar month) people hang lanterns...
Hardwood, Glass
Narrow Chinese Blackwood Lantern, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Framed in blackwood, this 19th century square lantern casts a soft glow through frosted glass. Displaying the refined simplicity found in furniture of the same era, the lantern illum...
Hardwood, Glass
Brass Lantern with Faceted Glass, circa 1960
By Vereinigte Werkstätten München, Emil Stejnar, Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Lyrical mid-century brass lantern with faceted glass. Very intricate design with a solid hexagonal brass structure, which is partially enameled in white, and six faceted glass elemen...
Brass
$2,910
H 29.5 in Dm 20.5 in
Rare Oriental Style Chinese Pagoda Shape Arts & Crafts Brass Pendant or Lantern
Located in Lisse, NL
One of a kind, early 1900s Arts and Crafts light fixture. This antique and extraordinary pendant is another one of our recent, great fin...
Brass
American Wrought Iron and Gilt Monumental Hanging Lantern, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
American wrought iron and gilt three-light hanging lantern with six-paneled glass sides, decorative gilt acanthus and floral medallions, adorned with upper and lower scrolled spikes ...
$2,791
H 34 in Dm 10.3 in
Empire Revival Bronze and Glass Lantern with Arrow Detailing, France, circa 1900
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size, great condition bronze hallway pendant with unique antique blown circular glass. This striking French lantern is a refined example of Empire Revival craftsmanship, dating...
Brass, Wire, Bronze
$2,700 / item
H 7 in W 7.5 in D 7.5 in
Decade Solid Cast Bronze Raw Polished Pendant Indoor/Outdoor Square Lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Decade is a solid brass pendant made with the lost wax casting technique by a local foundry. It is reminiscent of the California architecture of Rudolf Schindler and that of the Bauhaus. Indoors or outdoors, wired with a twisted natural or black cloth cord, the Decade will age like a precious gold artifact...
Bronze
Antique Solid Brass 5 Light Hall Lantern, circa 1920-1930
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique solid brass 5 light hall lantern, circa 1920-1930.
Brass
French Hand Painted Tole Pagoda Hanging Lantern, Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
French Tin hand-painted tole pagoda hanging lantern with tiered ruby pear-shaped prisms and interior four-light cluster. Originally candle powe...
Crystal, Tin
Four-Sides Brass and Bronze Vintage Hanging Lantern
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant hanging lantern made of solid brass and bronze four side of beveled glass with three 60/wall light .newly electrified and ready to use. One more is available on line.
Brass, Bronze
Antique French Cut Glass Three-Light Hall Bell Lantern, France 1880-1900
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
One of kind antique hand blown clear etched glass three-light lantern with very elegant brass mounts, France, circa 1880-1890. The glass bowl and the upper glass plate are entirely w...
Brass
Pair of Garlanded Italian Lanterns, Mid 20th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
These cylindrical lanterns come from Italy and are decorated with streams of garlands hanging down from the upper metal rim of the lanterns. A trio of palmetto fronds sits atop the m...
Bronze
English Regency Period "Gothick" Bronze and Iron Lantern, circa 1810
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Large circa 1810 English Regency period "Gothick" bronze and iron lantern of hexagonal form having anthemion topped glazed cusped-arch panels joined by masks and foliate lions paw fe...
Bronze, Iron
Moroccan Painted and Gilt Hanging Glass Lantern. Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
Moroccan gilt and hand painted eight light hanging lantern with original glass. Late 19th Century
Pair of Chinese Table Lanterns with Carrying Cases, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Imagine the magical atmosphere these painted lanterns created, filled with flickering lights to illuminate a very fine Qing-dynasty courtyard home. Lit by burning tallow wax candles ...
Glass, Hardwood
Tall Chinese Book Lantern, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of striking, elongated elmwood lanterns were finely carved by hand and originally used on the floor or table top of a 19th-century Chinese official's home in Fujian provinc...
Glass, Elm
Pair of Chinese bedside lanterns, circa 1900, Qing Dynasty
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of Chinese bedside lanterns, circa 1900, Qing dynasty. Eglomise glass panels of flowers (worn) in teak frame on carved stained hardwood bases. Provenance: The Estate of artist L...
Glass, Wood, Teak
Tall Chinese Book Lantern Pendant, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This striking, elongated lantern once illuminated a 19th-century home in China's Fujian province. Placed on the floor or set upon a table top, the tall lantern...
Glass, Elm
Pair of Chinese Ornate Six-Sided Lanterns, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Expertly constructed with beautiful rosewood frames and frosted glass panels, these ornate hanging lanterns once diffused candlelight throughout a fine Qing-dynasty courtyard home. Each lantern has a hexagonal design, with six elongated glass panels framed by scrollwork carvings of twin dragons...
Glass, Hardwood
Pair of Chinese Lanterns with Gilt Lotus Finials, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Embellished with carved and gilded lotus flowers, these ornate Chinese lanterns would have originally been lit with candles to illuminate a very fine cour...
Elm, Glass
19th Century Chinese Rosewood Tabletop Lantern
Located in Chicago, IL
Framed in hand carved rosewood, this 19th century tabletop lantern casts a soft glow through frosted glass. Exemplifying the simplicity found in Chine...
Rosewood, Glass
19th Century Chinese Rosewood Tabletop Lantern
Located in Chicago, IL
Framed in hand carved rosewood, this 19th century tabletop lantern casts a soft glow through frosted glass. Exemplifying the simplicity found in Chine...
Rosewood, Glass
Early 20th Century Narrow Chinese Lantern
Located in Chicago, IL
Framed in blackwood, this 19th-century lantern casts a soft glow through frosted glass. Exemplifying the simplicity found in Chinese furniture of the same era, this lantern illuminat...
Wood, Glass
Chinese Six-Sided Prosperity Lantern, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegantly constructed of thin pieces of fine hardwood, this ornate 19th-century lantern would have originally been lit with candles to illuminate a courtyard home in China's Anhui province. Chinese lanterns have a history that goes back over 1,800 years to the Han Dynasty. During the Lantern Festival (which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month), people hang lanterns...
Hardwood, Glass
Pair of Ornate Chinese Lanterns, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegantly constructed of thin pieces of fine hardwood, this pair of ornate 19th-century lanterns would have originally been lit with candles to illuminate a courtyard home in China's Shanxi province. Chinese lanterns have a history that goes back over 1,800 years to the Han Dynasty. During the Lantern Festival (which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month), people hang lanterns...
Glass, Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Adjustable Lantern Stand
Located in Den Haag, NL
Elegant 19th century Chinese lantern stand. Height-adjustable from 140 cm all the way up to 200 cm.
Elm