Qing Hat Racks and Stands
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.
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Bamboo
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Glass, Elm, Mirror
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Brass
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Brass
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Brass
1890s American Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Copper
2010s Australian Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Metal, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Plastic
1960s Italian Vintage Qing Hat Racks and Stands
1640s Austrian Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Plastic
2010s Brazilian Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Steel
1950s Italian Vintage Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Austrian Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Metal
Early 20th Century English Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Wood
1940s French Vintage Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Silk, Mirror, Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Hardwood, Mirror
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Wood, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Hat Racks and Stands
Glass, Wood, Lacquer