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 Lattice Window Panel with Rose Mirrors, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
At once functional and decorative, Chinese lattice windows allowed fresh air and light into a room while still maintaining privacy. Assembled by interlocking narrow rods of carved pi...
Pine, Mirror
Pair of Chinese Orchid Lattice Panel Mirrors, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
At once functional and decorative, Chinese lattice windows allowed fresh air and light into a room while still maintaining privacy. These antique lattice window panels are carved fro...
Mirror, Wood
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 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
Pair of 19th Century French Mirrors
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Pair of French-painted framed section glass mirrors. Circa 1870.
Wood
Large Concave Blue Mirror Sculpture
Located in London, GB
Concave tinted glass. Similar to Anish Kapoor sculptures. Thermoformed and mirrored, mounted on a brass structure. Available in blue (as pict...
Brass
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
$2,076Sale Price|20% Off
H 65 in W 42 in D 4 in
Hand-Carved Italian Chippendale Mirror, White Hardwood, 20th Century
Located in Malibu, CA
Inspired by the work of Thomas Chippendale, this antique style handcarved wood decorative mirror incorporates elements of Gothic, Rococo & Baroque design. Carved by Italian artis...
Hardwood
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
Neal Smalls "Slopes" Mirror Wall
By Converso, Neal Small
Located in Chicago, IL
Neal Small Slopes Mirror Wall, faceted wall sculpture, Classic design. These are "The Original" authorized edition This version can be displayed horizontal (image one) or vertically ...
Mirror, Wood
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
19th Century Hand Carved Giovanni Chelini Mirror
By Chelini & Giovannini
Located in Dallas, TX
This Antique mirror is one of a kind. Made in the Baroque style, hand carved by creator Giovanni Chelini. No work has been done on this piece, All original parts in tact. A Vintage...
Mirror
Rattan Bamboo Wicker Face Glasses Mirror Wall Decoration
Located in Barcelona, ES
One of a kind giant eyeglasses face wall art / wall decoration, Spain, 1960-1970. Rare find. This eye-catching wall composition features giant bamboo glasses with mirrors and two wicker baskets as nose and mouth. The eyeglasses sculpture are shaped in a rounded design having hinges to open and close the temples and mirror glasses instead of lenses. The nose and mouth woven baskets can be used for storage or a flower containers...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Mirror
Artist Signed Brutalist Metal Wall Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Torched steel Brutalist wall mirror, Israel 1970s.
Steel
Lennox Vine and Leaf Wall Mirror in Aged Gold
Located in Dallas, TX
Nestled within the embrace of meticulously crafted branches, the Lennox Mirror weaves one of a kind metal artistry into living spaces. Every leaf, a work of precision, is thoughtfull...
Iron
Bice Mirror with Butterflies in Brass Casting
Located in New York, NY
Bice Mirror with Butterflies in Brass Casting designed by Roberto Mora for the brand Mogg. Extra butterflies can also be purchased with two different sizes. The butterflies are avai...
Brass
Antique Hand-Carved Wooden Eagle Mirror with Crescent Glass
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Hand-Carved Wooden Eagle Mirror with Crescent Glass Item e8168 This decorative wall mirror features a finely hand-carved wooden eagle, captured in a dynamic pose with outstre...
Glass, Wood
French Brutalist Mirror, circa 1970, Forged Iron
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare French Brutalist mirror from the 1960-1970s. Very unusual sculptural design combining classical elements with expressive 'rawness'. Mirror area is 31 x 17cm or 12 x 7inches.
Wrought Iron, Iron
Black and White Glass Mirror, Mirrored
Located in Miami, FL
Black and White glass mirror. Mirrored.
Glass
Sold
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
Sold
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
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
Chinese Calligrapher's Mirror, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century Chinese mitered hardwood mirror is carved with three continuous sinuous beads. Appreciated for its rich color, fine grain, and smooth touch, the hardwood fram...
Mirror, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Spoiled Huali Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
This early-20th century wall mirror is crafted from huali rosewood, a highly esteemed hardwood valued for its tight grain and warm coloring. The angular lower corners of the rosewood...
Mirror, Rosewood
Chinese Scholar's Mirror, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-19th century Chinese scholars' mirror is crafted from a beautiful hardwood, notable for its tight grain and warm coloring. The corners are mitered and the frame is finished ...
Mirror, Hardwood