Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Agate
20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Agate
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Copper, Steel
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Blown Glass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Amethyst, Gold
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Jade
20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Agate
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Organic Material
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Burl
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Zitan
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal, Copper, Iron, Brass, Zinc
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Jade
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Organic Material
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Elm
20th Century Tibetan Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass, Copper
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Coral, Malachite, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Agate
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Mirror
20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Stone
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Canvas
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Jade, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Jade, Metal, Copper
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Bamboo