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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19th Century Antique Chinese Turtle Shell Vanity Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a rare and unusual antique, Chinese vanity mirror presented in a turtle shell. The mirror is in a mahogany frame, expertly carved with lo...
Marine turtle
Antique Chinese Black Lacquer Spoiled Mirror, Early 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique Chinese mirror dates to the early 20th century and has a simple rectangular frame with rounded molding and a beaded trim. The beveled frame is darkened with black lacque...
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Provincial Chinese Travel Mirror, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This round folding mirror dates to the mid-19th century and would have accompanied a well-to-do woman on her travels. The wooden frame is carved with simple scrollwork at the hinge and includes a flat cover that props the mirror upright when open. Beautifully aged and full of character, we love this humble traveling mirror...
Mirror, Elm
Chinese Red and Black Spoiled Glass Mirror, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming wall mirror was crafted in China's Guangdong province and dates to the early 20th century. The rectangular frame is colored with finely brushed red and black lacquer, f...
Mirror, Elm
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Hand-Carved 5-Claw Dragon Mirrors
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 20th century or earlier Chinese hardwood hand carved five-claw dragon mirrors. Each is hand carved with high relief Imperial five-claw dragons flying in the air. They also ...
Bronze
Chinese Table Screen Mirror, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Screens served numerous functions as portable architecture in Chinese homes. The largest examples sectioned off entire rooms, allowing a family to shape the spaces in their home to a...
Mirror, Hardwood
Chinese Scrolling Vines Mirror, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th century framed mirror was carved by hand in northern China and likely hung on the wall of a Qing Dynasty home, perhaps in a lady’s sleeping quarters. The carved scrolling v...
Mirror, Softwood
Chinese Fine Hardwood Wall Mirror with Boxwood Inlay, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in northern China during the Republic Period (1912-1949) of the early 20th century, this rectangular wall mirror boasts a beautiful hardwood frame and impressive scale. Set w...
Mirror, Hardwood, Boxwood
Chinese Table Screen Mirror, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Screens served numerous functions as portable architecture in Chinese homes. The largest examples sectioned off entire rooms, allowing a family to customize spaces to suite their nee...
Mirror, Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Vanity Bronze Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite late 19th century French Louis XV vanity mirror. The bronze carved mirror features impressive details with two cherubs. The mirror ...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Mirrors
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of French-painted framed section glass mirrors. Circa 1870.
Wood
Mahogany Carved Mirror, 19th Century
Located in GB
Extravagantly carved mahogany mirror in rectangular dimension. A lovely grain pattern runs symmetrically across the wood surrounding a very generously sized fitted mirror.
Mahogany
Spanish Castilian Wooden Mirror, Early 20th Century
Located in BÉTERA, ES
This Spanish Castilian mirror dates from the late 19th to early 20th century and reflects the restrained, functional aesthetic of traditional rural Spanish furniture. Crafted in soli...
Glass, Mirror, Hardwood
Early 19th century French hand carved mirror
Located in London, GB
Early 19th century French hand carved mirror An old reflection is better than no reflection they say? This fine example is dated to the early part of the 19th Century. With its ori...
Gesso, Pine
Antique Early 20th Century French Mirror, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique Early 20th century French Mirror. Manufactured France, circa 1940. Materials: Wood, mirror In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a...
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Hand-Carved Eagle Mirror from France
Located in High Point, NC
19th century GORGEOUSLY hand carved mirror in the form of an eagle. The quality of this carving is stunning. The eagle is so realistic, he looks like he could come to life! In his...
Mirror, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Wall Mirror - Lacquered Black Oval Frame
Located in Barcelona, ES
Early 20th Century Wall Mirror - Lacquered Black Oval Frame Enhance your space with this exquisite early 20th-century wall mirror, featuring a stunning lacquered black oval frame, c...
Lacquer
Art Deco Ladies Traveling Necessaire Ensemble, American, circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
Art Deco ladies traveling necessaire ensemble consisting of 13 implements for grooming, contained in a hard cardboard green branch decorated traveling case. The grooming implements a...
Resin, Bakelite
19th Century Renaissance Revival Hand-Carved Oak Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
A striking 19th century Renaissance Revival mirror, hand-carved in oak with a beautifully pierced openwork frame and original beveled glass. The frame is richly sculpted with scrolling acanthus leaves and deeply carved foliage, creating wonderful movement, shadow, and dimensional relief. Renaissance Revival design drew from the strength, symmetry, and ornament of earlier European Renaissance forms, and this mirror carries that influence beautifully. The carved oak has developed a deep, time-worn patina that enhances the detail of the work and gives the piece its historic depth. Elegant, substantial, and full of character, this antique mirror brings the craftsmanship and presence of 19th century European furniture into today’s interiors. An added bonus ~ due to the equal treatment of all four sides of the frame, the mirror can be mounted horizontally if so desired, making it as versatile as it is beautiful to behold. Circa 1880s Measures 43.5H x 35W x 4D This piece is available at Inessa Stewart’s Antiques...
Mirror, Oak
Hand-Carved Italian Chippendale Mirror, White Hardwood, 20th Century
Located in Malibu, CA
Inspired by the work of Thomas Chippendale, this antique style decorative mirror incorporates elements of Gothic, Rococo & B Baroque design. Carved by Italian artisan. This ornat...
Hardwood
Chinese Export Lacquer and Hardstone Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese export lacquer and hardstone mirror, with various hardstone floral inlays in a gilt lacquer cartouche frame. The inset mirror is 22" x 2...
Mirror, Precious Stone, Lacquer
Chinese Calligrapher's Frame with Mirror, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
With rich color and fine grain, this hardwood frame was the perfect way to elevate the carefully brushed work of a Qing-dynasty calligrapher. More than a hundred years later, the fra...
Mirror, Hardwood
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H 31.11 in W 19.69 in D 0.79 in
Qing Dynasty Red Lacquered Mirror, Hardwood Frame with Gilt Carvings
Located in Glasgow, GB
A red lacquered and gilt wood mirror from the Chinese Qing Dynasty, late 19th century to early 20th century. Measuring 79 cm tall and 50 cm wide, this mirror is a striking antique...
Gold
Darkly Lacquered Wall Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This full-length rectangular wall mirror features a simple wooden frame with a rich, brown-red lacquer finish. Lightly crackled and textured from years of use, we love this Chinese f...
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Red Lacquer Chinese Wall Mirror, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This rectangular wall mirror features a simple wooden frame with a beaded trim and a rich, red lacquer finish. Rounded corners on one side and sharp corners on the other suggest this...
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Diamond Lattice Window Panel, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century lattice window panel likely originated in a northern Chinese home with neutral and balanced interiors. The geometric lattice pattern is linear and open, and w...
Wood, Pine
Chinese Gilt Shrine Wall Mirror, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A dazzling display of intricate carvings and gilt lacquer, this fabulous wall mirror was originally an ornate shrine surround used to enclose a religious figure or shrine display. The elaborate frame is comprised of highly decorated wood panels...
Mirror, Wood
Intricately Carved Gilded Qing Dynasty Chinese Mirror
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Magnificent intricately carved gilded Chinese mirror having aged mirror and superb ornate fretwork. Circa Late Qing Dynasty.
Mirror, Giltwood
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H 23.5 in W 74 in D 2.5 in
19th Century Qing Dynasty Elmwood Panel with Fretwork and Three Inset Mirrors
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period three-panel horizontal elmwood mirror from the 19th century, with fretwork and fan shaped motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this 19th century elmwood panel is adorned with fretwork motifs surrounding a circular inset mirror flanked with two fan...
Mirror, Elm
Pair of Chinese Painted Wall Mirrors, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of rectangular wall mirrors feature early 20th-century frames crafted of a fine-grained hardwood. At some point in their sto...
Mirror, Hardwood
Chinese Chrysanthemum Lattice Window Mirror, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century lattice window panel from China's Shanxi province likely originated in a traditional home with balanced interiors. Both functional and decorative, lattice win...
Pine
Chinese Lattice Window Panel Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This lattice window panel likely originated in an aristocratic Chinese home with neutral and balanced interiors. The geometric lattice pattern is ...
Mirror, Cedar
Narrow Chinese Mirror, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century mirror is crafted of hand carved pine and once hung on the wall of a Qing-dynasty home, perhaps in a ladies sleeping quarters. Subtle notches pattern the fram...
Mirror, Pine