Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
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
White Agate Chinese Snuff Bottle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Agate
Chinese Miniature Noodle Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A treasure of a chest, this charming miniature cabinet is named for the narrow, rounded molding that surrounds the frame and resembles noodles. Lacquered rich red, the small cabinet exhibits the same high level of craftsmanship found in larger such cabinets made in the Qing dynasty with exquisitely painted floral decorations and handcrafted hardware. The cabinet opens to a single shelf, making it just the place to stow jewelry...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Chinese Fu Dog Stone Snuff Bottle, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone
Chinese Carved Stone Snuff Bottle
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Stone
Antique Metal Chinese Medicine Scale and Weight with Zitan Case, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
Antique Metal Chinese Medicine Scale and Weight with Zitan Case, 19th Century
Provenance: Private Victoria Collection Acquired in China in 1950s.
Dimension: Length: 23cm Width: 5.5...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Chinese Silk Skull Cap with Gilt Lacquered Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
No self-respecting man in Qing-dynasty China would leave the house without some kind of hat. In fact, headgear was so central to social status that a boy’s passage into manhood was m...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silk, Cane, Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Double Gourd "Root" Amber Snuff Bottle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Other
Antique Chinese Cameo Agate Snuff Bottle
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Chinese Cameo Agate Snuff Bottle, rounded square from with raised foot rim and round neck, concave mouth rim, narrow mouth, well hollowed depicting a horse, bee and a monkey....
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Agate
Chinese Opera Puppet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dressed in fine silks trimmed with embroidered bands and tassels, this puppet brought the glory of the imperial court to the small stage as part of an early 20th-century puppet opera. Complete with songs, acrobatics, farce, and drama, Chinese puppet...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silk, Wood
Antique Chinese Black “Sea Pine” Snuff Bottle
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Chinese Black “sea pine” snuff bottle of a rocky outcropping with a fish and crayfish in relief, 4 inset green shell eyes, hollowed interior. Jadeite stopper with brass colla...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Organic Material
Chinese Floral Incised Brass Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th century handcrafted bronze hand warmer would have been owned by a woman of means and filled with coals so she could warm her hands on cold...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Set of Three Opium Harvesting Tools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A set of three 19th-century tools used for harvesting opium latex from poppy flowers. Formed of bamboo handles and iron blades, the rustic tools were used to scratch the surface of a...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Chinese Shan Shui Relief Snuff Bottle, c. 1940s
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Resin
Chinese Double Butterfly Charm Ring, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the late 19th century, this silver charm ring was crafted by the Miao peoples of the Guizhou province and was believed to protect the wearer from bad luck and malevolent spi...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Framed Map of China
Located in Greenwich, CT
Map of China, 19th century. European print map of China
Conservation frame with walnut frame
Overall dimension : 28 1/2" wide 31" high 2" depth with fra...
Category
19th Century European Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Provincial Chinese Kite Reel, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually-shaped object is a 19th century Chinese kite reel, cleverly carved to contain small wooden beads that rattle back and forth as the reel is used. A popular past time, kite flying...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Twisted Iron Coal Chopsticks, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of iron chopsticks for moving burning coals in a hibachi or hand-warmer. Such chopsticks were also used to safely touch pipe bowls or tools that had been heated by an oil lamp...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Chinese Spittoon Dross Box with Buddhist Symbols, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
By the 18th century, opium use had become as central to Chinese social life as taking tea or smoking tobacco, fostering a subculture rich with its own customs, traditions, and exquis...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Copper
Chinese Robed Puppet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand puppets, like this one from China’s Zhejiang region, have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries. In the late 19th early-20th century this tiny robed gentleman proba...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silk, Wood
Pair of Chinese White Brass Coal Chopsticks, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of white brass chopsticks for moving burning coals in a hibachi or hand-warmer. Such chopsticks were also used to safely touch opium pipe bowls or tools that had been heated b...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Reference Book Japanese Porcelain - Christie’s at the Hotel Okura, Tokyo, 1981
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Including Kosometsuke, Ming, Qing and Japanese Porcleain. Also bronzes and lacquerware. A nice auction catalogue with good pictures. Catalogue of exhibition of Chinese Ceramics, Bron...
Category
20th Century Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Chinese Ruyi Hairpin, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Although eyes were certainly drawn to the high, fan-shaped headdresses that Qing-dynasty women affixed to back of their heads, it was the finishing touch of a hairpin or two that com...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Handheld Chinese Mooncake Mold, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th century hand-held wood press is carved with a large mold used for shaping festive mooncakes. Packed with lotus root, red bean, or other regional fillings, mooncakes ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Chinese Eighteen Luohan Walnut Shell Snuff Bottle, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic, Walnut
Antique Chinese Mooncake Press, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the mid-19th century, this rustic wood press is carved with twenty round molds used for shaping festive mooncakes. Packed with lotus root, red bean...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Chinese Double Gourd Hairpin, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Although eyes were certainly drawn to the high, fan-shaped headdresses that Qing-dynasty women affixed to back of their heads, it was the finishing touch of a hairpin or two that com...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Handheld Chinese Mooncake Mold, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th century hand-held wood press is carved with a large mold used for shaping festive mooncakes. Packed with lotus root, red bean, or other regional fillings, mooncakes ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Handheld Chinese Mooncake Mold with Lotus Pods, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th century hand-held wood press is carved with a large mold used for shaping festive mooncakes. Packed with lotus root, red bean, or other regional fillings, mooncakes ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Brass Brazier Tongs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
In 20 years of collecting, we have never run across a pair of brazier tongs, making this object truly a rare find. Once used by a scholar or wealthy homeowner to place hot coals in a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Set of Six Chinese Bound-Foot Lotus Slippers, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Each of these pointed slippers, crafted of beautifully embroidered silk, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity during the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These beautifully preserved lotus slippers...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Chinese Good Fortune Hairpin, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Although eyes were certainly drawn to the high, fan-shaped headdresses that Qing-dynasty women affixed to back of their heads, it was the finishing touch of a hairpin or two that completed the look. This silver hairpin ends in a round floral medallion framing the decorative Fu (?) character for "good...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Pair of Chinese Silk Lotus Slippers, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These dainty, pointed slippers, made of cotton and silk embroidered with pink flowers, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity in the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These silk lotus slippers...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Chinese Longevity Hairpin, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Although eyes were certainly drawn to the high, fan-shaped headdresses that Qing-dynasty women affixed to back of their heads, it was the finishing touch of a hairpin or two that com...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Chinese Charm Token Shoe with Compartment, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Originally tucked in a pocket as a charm, this tiny shoe was kept close at hand as a talisman for marital happiness. Meticulously carved from wood, the shoe is decorated with a double happiness symbol, the traditional symbol for conjugal bliss. A lovely Valentine’s Day or anniversary gift, the charm has a compartment ready to be filled with a note or small gift...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pine
Chinese Lilac Lotus Slippers with Plum Blossoms, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These pointed silk slippers, beautifully embroidered with pink plum blossoms, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of b...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Finely Carved Soapstone Buddhist Stele of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Guanyin
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
In Indian Buddhism, Avalokiteshvara is a male Bodhisattva, however in Chinese Buddhism he takes the form of the female Bodhisattva, Guanyin - ‘The One Who Hears the Cries of the Worl...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Soapstone
Antique Chinese Porcelain Pillar Blue & White Dragon Snuff Bottle
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Chinese porcelain dragon snuff bottle, unusual cylindrical pillar form with no neck, unglazed top and bottom concentric grooved base, narrow aperture, painted in under glaze cobalt b...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Black Silk Lotus Slippers with Plum Blossoms, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These pointed slippers, beautifully embroidered with light blue plum blossoms on black silk, were shaped to resemble a lotus bud and enhanced the diminutive shape of bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity during the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive - albeit tortured - gait of small, light steps. These beautifully preserved lotus slippers...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silk
Pair Chinese Double Luck Lotus Slippers, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These pointed silk slippers are beautifully embroidered with colorful bats and golden coins, symbols of happiness and good luck, and were shaped to resemble a lotus bud to enhance one's bound feet. A practice that began in the Tang dynasty and reached the height of its popularity during the Qing dynasty, foot binding was a painful process intended to make a woman's feet as small as possible by restricting bone growth from an early age. The smaller the feet the more attractive and erotic they were, giving elite women a mark of elegance and a distinctive, albeit tortured, gait of small, light steps. These beautifully preserved lotus slippers...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Silk
Qing collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, asian art and furniture, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $48 and tops out at $9,500 while the average work can sell for $228.