Qing Trunks and Luggage
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
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Brown Lacquered Coffer with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese antique Qing Dynasty period coffer from the 19th century, with brown lacquer, brass hardware, horse hoof feet and rustic appeal. Created...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
Large 19th Century Chinese Lacquered Camphor Wood Trunk
Located in Dallas, TX
This very large camphor wood trunk is incredible with a wonderful old patina and large oxidized hardware. It is a wonderful storage piece and is tall enough to be used as a hall tabl...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Bronze
Chinese 18th Ctr. Qing Dynasty Book Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
18th Century book chest in red lacquer.
The top lifts up to reveal an open interior storage compartment. Front with a pair of doors with fillings made of n...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Metal
19th Century Qing Dynasty Red Painted Paper Bound Trunk with Brass Lock
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period red painted paper bound trunk from the 19th century with traditional brass medallion hardware and lateral C-scroll handles. This Chinese Qing Dynasty pe...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
Antique Reddish Brown Lacquered Elm Trunk with Brass Lock and Raised Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Chinese lacquered elm trunk showcases the warmth and craftsmanship of late Qing or early Republican-era cabinetry from the early 20th century, with a hand-rubbed lacquer...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
Chinese Finely Woven Lacquered Trunk, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
A work of art in itself, this finely woven Qing-dynasty trunk likely once stored prized painted scrolls. Framed in elmwood, the trunk’s panels are lined with thin reeds that were pai...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
19th Century Chinese Leather Trunk
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century Chinese lacquered leather trunk with bronze hardware and raised decoration. This decorative trunk has a beautiful old patina and is great for storage.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Bronze
Blonde Chinese Hide Storage Trunk, C. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
19th Century Chinese Brown Leather Trunk with Gilded Decoration
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century Chinese brown and gilt leather trunk with an oxblood red lacquered interior. This trunk is a smaller scale and is a perfect home accent being small enough to fit on a...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Bronze
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19th Century Chinese Sideboard In Cayenne Color Lacquer
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19th Century Brass-Bound Camphorwood Chest
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Small Chinese Black Lacquered Wardrobe 19th Century
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Pretty XIXth century Chinese wardrobe in black lacquered wood decorated with court scenes, opening with two doors. The interior has a shelf with two drawers decorated with golden plant motifs, the handles of the drawers are decorated with burnt perfume vases.
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Previously Available Items
Chinese Camphor Book Trunk
Located in Chicago, IL
This camphor chest recreates a traditional form used for storage of clothing, linens, books and scrolls. Camphor (changmu) was the preferred wood for chests and cabinets not only for...
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Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Trunks and Luggage
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Blonde Chinese Hide Storage Trunk, C. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
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Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
Chinese Painted Red Lacquer Trunk, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
Rare Antique Chinese Decorated Leather Camphor Wood Trunk
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare antique 'one of a kind' storage trunk.
Camphor wood lined with leather hand painted on all four sides in classic chinoiserie scenes of women, trees, pavilions etc.
Trunks an...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Leather, Wood
Chinese Scholar's Studio Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
Chinese Painted Book Chest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscellaneous items, trunks were found in every room in the home and were often stacked on top of one another.
This beautifully painted book chest...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Trunks and Luggage
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Pair of Chinese Full Moon Kang Trunks, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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Chinese Footed Keeper's Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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Chinese Painted Keepsake Chest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
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Poplar
Chinese Footed Keeper's Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
Chinese Essential Hide Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Qing Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
Chinese Red Lacquered Blanket Chest with Iron Hardware
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese antique blanket chest from the early 20th century.
Made from camphor wood, covered with leather and a red lacquer finish.
Original condition and iron hardware...
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Early 20th Century Asian Qing Trunks and Luggage
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Metal
Qing trunks and luggage for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing trunks and luggage 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 trunks and luggage created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, asian art and furniture, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing trunks and luggage 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 trunks and luggage differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $980 and tops out at $12,500 while the average work can sell for $2,480.