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.
Storage Bench Decorated with Elephants
Located in Kastrup, DK
Artistic storage bench, naïve and charming in its design. Shape of elephants in amber lacquer between elephants, at the end decorated with vases and flow...
Wood
Chinese Double Moon Step Bench, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A low daybed step from the mid-19th century, featuring an elongated plank top with rounded ends and short splayed legs linked with straight stretchers. Crafted with mortise-and-tenon...
Elm
Antique Chinese Rustic Wood Bench with Carved Openwork Back
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Chinese wooden bench features a richly weathered surface and sculptural silhouette that give it a strong architectural presence. Crafted with a slatted seat and elevated...
Wood
19th Century Chinese Walnut Bench Rustic Provincial Elmwood Style Seating
Located in IT
A beautifully understated 19th century Chinese walnut bench, showcasing the honest craftsmanship and timeless simplicity of traditional Northern Chinese provincial furniture. Crafted...
Walnut
19th Century Chinese Elm Bench Long Provincial Wooden Bench with Rich Patina
Located in IT
A beautifully proportioned 19th century Chinese elm bench, showcasing the understated elegance and practical craftsmanship of traditional Northern Chinese provincial furniture. Craft...
Elm
Rustic Chinese Provincial Elm Wood Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
The elegantly simple 19th century elmwood bench has the clean restraint of Classic Chinese Minimalist forms, Elegantly simple in design from China's Zhejiang province celebrates the...
Elm
Chinese Ruyi Nanmu Bench, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique Chinese bench follows the classic recessed-leg form, defined by its inset legs linked with straight stretchers and topped with decoratively carved spandrels. Crafted of ...
Wood
19th C. Chinese Qing Style Chinese Barber Stool/Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Style Chinese Barber Stool/Bench A 19th Century barber stool/benches from Shanxi province, China. stool has 3 small drawers in the front and a hidden ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Chinese Lacquered Scroll Foot Bench, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique Chinese bench was a versatile seat in the Qing-dynasty home, whether placed beside the table for meals or pulled into the courtyard for hot summer nights. Dated to the m...
Elm
Chinese Lacquered Scroll Foot Bench, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique Chinese bench was a versatile seat in the Qing-dynasty home, whether placed beside the table for meals or pulled into the courtyard for hot summer nights. Dated to the m...
Elm
Chinese Lacquered Bench with Splayed Legs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
In most Qing dynasty homes, stools and chairs were the only form of elevated seating, and a bench such as this would have been found at a temple or public theater. This 19th century walnut bench has splayed legs linked by straight double stretchers and topped by finely beaded carved spandrels. Sourced from China’s Shanxi region, walnut was a prized material for Qing dynasty furniture...
Walnut
Long Chinese Qing Bench in Elm, Shanxi, circa 1800
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
From the Shanxi province in China, an exceptionally beautiful and long bench in elm wood with paneled concave back and pierced carvings between rails and ...
Elm
Chinese Orchid Flower Splayed Leg Bench, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant bench from China's Shanxi province follows the classic recessed-leg form, defined by legs that are inset from the top edge and slightly splayed for stability. Crafted of...
Elm
$1,672Sale Price|40% Off
H 39.38 in W 78.75 in D 16.93 in
19th Century French Wooden Hand Carved Long Church Benches
Located in Sofia, BG
Large French benches in hand carved wood in very good authentic stable condition. France, circa 1860
Wood
Vintage-Style Pearl Leather Trunk Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Vintage-style pearl leather trunk bench. A fully functional trunk that hinges open to reveal storage. The padded leather exterior makes it a great bench ...
Leather, Wood
$1,033
H 13.78 in W 28.75 in D 13.59 in
1900 Little Rustic Chest or Coffer Gothic Carved Oak & Wrought Iron, French
Located in Labrit, Landes
French coffer or chest made circa 1900. Decorated with carved flowers style. The design of this chest is deliberately rustic. The interior is lined with fabric. Very decorative and ...
Wrought Iron
Rustic Bench, 19th Century, Spain
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Late 19th Century Rustic Spanish Pyreneese Mountains Wooden Bench. Made with wood. Very decorative piece. CONDITION: Very good vintage condition. DIMENSIONS: Height: ...
Wood
$2,958
H 21.66 in W 55.52 in D 20.08 in
Spanish Chest or Coffer Carved Walnut, End of Bed 18th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
This antique Spanish walnut chest showcases remarkable carved workmanship typical of traditional Iberian craftsmanship. Main characteristics: The facade is divided into three ornate ...
Wrought Iron
Lego Bench with a Storage Slot, Black
Located in Istanbul, 34
The Lego Bench looks exactly like its name, with several blocky feet that give it an anthropomorphic feel. It’s not only sculptural but practical as you can...
Wood, Lacquer
Rustic Painted Hoop Back Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Windsor style rustic painted hoop back bench with a triple arched back with turned slats and arms and turned uprights, the shaped seat above turned s...
Wood
Panoplie Iron Double Loop Bench, Boucle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful bench with curved and looped iron base painted in a matte black finish, inspired by French design. Rectangular cushioned seat upholstered in an ivory boucle fabric. Designe...
Iron
William and Mary Style Mahogany Storage Blanket Chest and Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
A William and Mary Style Mahogany Storage Blanket Chest and Bench MEASUREMENTS: 49.75″ wide x 19" Dx 23.5″ in height . Seat height is 18.5"
Mahogany
Suelo Modern Bench
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo® Modern bench is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. This silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek, topped with a comfortable cushion. This is the perfect...
Hardwood
19th Century French Walnut Upholstered Bench
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A refined 19th century French walnut bench featuring gracefully turned legs and a beautifully figured walnut frame. Newly upholstered in a neutral linen, its understated design and w...
Upholstery, Walnut
Double Sided Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Double sided wooden park bench, (1950s) Measures: Seat 17 in.
Wood
Antique Chinese Woven Top Jichimu Daybed, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique Chinese daybed dates to the mid-19th century and features a woven bamboo top and a beautiful frame of chicken-wing wood (jichimu), ...
Bamboo, Hardwood
Sold
H 10.24 in W 39.77 in D 7.49 in
Antique Qing Dynasty Elm Bench, Red Lacquer, Early 19th Century, China
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Petit banc chinois du début du 19ème siècle en orme laqué rouge. Bien que conçu comme un banc, ce type de mobilier pouvait être utilisé comme table de dévotion ou table basse.
Wood, Elm
Chinese Burgundy Lacquer Bench, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This two-person bench from the late 19th century would have been used as everday seating indoors and out, placed beside a square table during meals and pulled into the courtyard to r...
Elm
Chinese Slatted Back Bench, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming bench from the early 20th century comfortably seats three and combines the proportions of Western furniture with the decorative opulence of Qing-dynasty designs. Crafte...
Wood
Chinese Ruyi Scroll Bench, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
With no stretchers or spandrels, this low table flows like a ribbon, rounding the bend to form waterfall legs with openwork carvings. Known as a scroll table, this kind of low table ...
Elm
Sold
H 20 in W 72 in D 14 in
20th Century Chinese Elm Bench – Rustic Solid Wood with Minimalist Design
Located in IT
This 20th-century Chinese elm bench embodies a rustic, minimalist design that showcases the natural beauty of solid elm wood. With its earthy tones and distinctive grain patterns, th...
Elm
Sold
H 18.75 in W 74.75 in D 16.75 in
19th Century Chinese Walnut Bench Rustic Minimalist Solid Wood Seating
Located in IT
This 19th-century Chinese walnut bench is a timeless piece of furniture, showcasing the natural beauty of solid walnut with rich, warm tones and a beautifully aged patina. Its minimalist design emphasizes traditional Chinese craftsmanship, with sturdy construction that offers both function and aesthetic appeal. Ideal as an entryway seat...
Walnut
Chinese Iron Clad Two Person Bench, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th-century bench is designed in a traditional style that dates back as far as the Song dynasty (690 to 1279 CE). The corner leg benches have floating panel tops, straight...
Iron
Chinese Iron Clad Two Person Bench, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This late 19th-century bench is designed in a traditional style that dates back as far as the Song dynasty (690 to 1279 CE). The corner leg benches have floating panel tops, straight...
Iron
Chinese Round Leg Courtyard Bench, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century elmwood bench would have originally resided in the courtyard of a Qing-dynasty home to provide much-needed outdoor seating on hot summer days. The bench is de...
Elm
Large Rustic 17th-18th Century Chinese Pine Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
17th-18th century Chinese pine bench with great patina. Seat made from a single piece of 9 cm thick wood. Carefully restored to preserve its cool rustic look, with a raw finish given...
Pine
Chinese Two Person Bench, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 19th-century bench would have originally resided in the courtyard of a Qing-dynasty home to provide much-needed outdoor seating on hot summer days. The bench is designed i...
Pine