Qing Lighting
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
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Chinese 18th Century Qianlong Ormolu Mounted Lamps
Located in Newark, England
Lampshades can be provided at an additional charge.
Famille Rose Decoration with a Jade Finial
From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer this pair of Chinese 18th...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Lighting
Materials
Jade, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
A 17th Century Chinese Brown Terracotta Vessel as a Lamp
Located in London, GB
China, circa 1680
A late seventeenth century Chinese terracotta vessel with earthen glaze, with studs and handles to the neck, now converted ...
Category
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Lighting
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
Marbro Oxblood Elephant-handled Chinese Urn Table Lamp Sangre de Boeuf Regency
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Marbro company was founded by Morris Markoff and his brother, hence the name "Marbro" from Markoff brothers. They started the company shortly after WWII. The company was located in a 3 story brick building in the garment district of Los Angeles, just south of Downtown right by the Santa Monica Freeway. During the time they ran the company, they sold almost as many antiques as they did lamps.
Marbro sold their products mainly through interior designers and a few upscale furniture stores. Most of the products were built to order. A typical order from a designer or retailer took between 75 and 90 days to complete.
Most of the components that made up the lamp bodies (ceramic, brass, glass, etc) were purchased from small companies and antique dealers around the world. For the most part, none of the bodies were made on site. . Italy was the source for alabaster, Japan and China for Porcelain, Brass in India and Crystal from Germany and France. Lamps would also be made from sculptures that customers brought to in to the shop.
Once the lamp bodies arrived, a group of Marbro employees would make the wood bases, spin the metal caps, make the shades, and do the painting and tinting. With the help of about 20-40 other true world class artisans, metal workers, finishers and handmade shade makers, they produced lamps and shades that were truly some of last of their kind of art.
Here we have an astonishing example of Marbro production. This mid to late 18th century lusciously oxblood lacquered "sang de boeuf" Chinese urn was almost certainly a custom commission by a client, the owner of the Qing urn. The exceptional quality of the urn, it's size, gentle proportions, the even application of the oxblood glaze (especially over the stunning elephant handles) are of a quality that I have not seen before in a lamp.
The Marbro artisans truly did right by their client, as they allowed the exceptional form and color of the Chinese antique take center stage. The simple base follows the proportion of the body yet perfectly echoes the angle and curve of the elephant trunk handles.
Victorian lampshade...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
Kangxi Apple Green Crackle Glaze Baluster Vase/Lamp, China, Early 18th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Rare Kangxi Dynasty (1654-1722) apple green over white crackle glazed baluster shaped ceramic vase/lamp - white crackle glazed interior and base - large...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Lighting
Materials
Porcelain
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Previously Available Items
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Qing lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing lighting for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing lighting 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 lighting, popular names associated with this style include and The Marbro Lamp Company. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,000 and tops out at $8,650 while the average work can sell for $7,325.