Qing Bird Cages
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
Chinese Barrel-Form Bamboo Birdcage, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This large wooden birdcage was once home to the tiny pet bird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the early 20th century, this barrel-form cage is carefully assembled of thin bamb...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Barrel-Form Chinese Birdcage with Blue Glazed Waterpots, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming, barrel-form birdcage was once home to the pet songbird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Bird-keeping was a popular pastime throughout the Qing dynasty and inspired its ow...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Drum-Form Chinese Birdcage with Faux Branches, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate wooden birdcage was once home to the tiny pet bird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the mid-19th century, this drum-shaped cage is carefully assembled of thin bam...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Square Chinese Bamboo Birdcage
Located in Chicago, IL
This well-proportioned birdcage is a feat of craftsmanship, carefully assembled of thin bamboo rods and held together by precise joinery and a bit of string. Two humpback perches run...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Square Chinese Bamboo Birdcage with Porcelain Waterpots, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate wooden birdcage was once home to the tiny pet bird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the Mid-19th Century, the square cage is precisely assembled from thin bamboo ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
18th Century Qing Dynasty Fish Shaped Cricket Holder
Located in Incline Village, NV
Uniquely fabulous and highly unusual item for those seeking something different; this 18th century "cricket holder" from the Qing Dynasty is in the shape of a fish and is made of hand wrought metal, with nice detail and an open woven body which provided air to the cricket. A sophisticated clasp locking mechanism on the underneath of the fish kept the pet cricket contained in the caged holder. Obviously this was intact when someone at some point in time tried to remove whatever was inside by making a hole at the base of the tail to get it out (see image). This hand held cricket cage holder is in very nice and all original condition, save for the small hole; not fragile in any way; sturdy in structure with no repairs.
For over 1000 years the Chinese have used crickets...
Category
1790s Chinese Antique Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Square Chinese Bamboo Birdcage with Burl Inlay Cup, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate 19th-century birdcage was once home to the tiny pet bird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. The square cage is expertly crafted of thin bamboo rods and held together with waxed thread at the corners. The cage opens by a sliding side door and hangs from a simple brass hook secured to the top. Several accessories decorate the interior, including six wooden perches textured with sand or wrapped in wire for added traction. The base is elevated by corner feet. A small hardwood container with burl...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Bamboo
Square Chinese Bamboo Birdcage with Scroll Charm, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This well-proportioned birdcage was once home to the pet of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the early 20th century, the square cage is carefully assembled of thin rods of bamboo ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
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Chinese Cloissone Box with Carved Jade Plaque, circa 1900
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Previously Available Items
Round Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Birdcage, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate birdcage was once home to the tiny pet bird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the late 19th century, the round cage has a cylindrical form carefully assembled from...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Ivory, Porcelain, Bamboo, Lacquer
Fine Chinese Birdcage Traveling Case, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
The practice of keeping a small songbird as a pet is a longstanding tradition in China dating back to the early Qing dynasty. The Qianlong Emperor (1711-1799) particularly enjoyed ra...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Brass
Chinese Birdcage with Traveling Case, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate wooden birdcage was once home to the tiny pet songbird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the late-19th century, the rectangular cage is precisely assembled from th...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Barrel-Form Chinese Birdcage with Blue Glazed Waterpots, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This barrel-form birdcage dates to the late 19th century and was once home to a petite ornamental songbird. Bird-keeping was a popular pastime throughout the Qing dynasty and inspire...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Square Bamboo Chinese Birdcage with Cloth Cover, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate 19th-century birdcage was once home to the tiny pet bird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. The cage is expertly crafted of thin bamboo rods set within a square bamboo frame...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Porcelain, Bamboo
Hardwood Square Chinese Birdcage with Cloth Cover, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This ornate wooden birdcage was once home to the pet of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the mid-19th century, the cage is carefully assembled of thin wooden rods set within a squ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Bone, Fabric, Hardwood
Round Chinese Birdcage with Bone Charms, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This barrel-form birdcage dates to the late 19th century and is carefully assembled of thin bamboo rods fitted to a round bamboo base with a glass top. The cage hangs from a large br...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Chinese Hanging Bamboo Birdcage, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This large, barrel-form birdcage dates to the early 20th century and is carefully assembled of thin bamboo rods fitted to a round bamboo base. The cage hangs from a large hook attach...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Tall Chinese Bamboo Birdcage with Cricket Cage, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate wooden birdcage was once home to the tiny pet bird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the late 19th century, the square cage is precisely assembled from thin bamboo rods with an elevated base and domed top. The cage is complete with the original owner's accessories, including a tiny cricket cage, decorative ivory charms...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Porcelain, Bamboo, Ivory
Chinese Bamboo Birdcage with Celadon Dishes, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite bamboo birdcage was once home to the tiny pet bird of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the turn of the century, the birdcage is carefull...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Metal
Pair of Tall Chinese Birdcages, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Finely crafted with clean lines and dramatic height, these wooden birdcages were once home to the feathered pets of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the mid-19th century, the squa...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Bird Cages
Materials
Brass
Fine Chinese Birdcage with Porcelain Waterpots, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfectly proportioned and delightfully ornate, this wooden birdcage was once home to the pet of a Qing-dynasty aristocrat. Dated to the mid-19th century, the fine birdcage is carefu...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Bird Cages
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Porcelain, Wood, Bone
Qing bird cages for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing bird cages for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bird cages created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, asian art and furniture, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bamboo and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing bird cages made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia 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 bird cages differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $480 and tops out at $1,480 while the average work can sell for $780.
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