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.
Chinese Woven Top Canopy Bed, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
A Chinese canopy bed was typically part of a bride's dowry or a gift to a courtesan. It grew to be an important household status symbol, and the sub...
Rattan, Elm
19th Century Qing Dynasty Opium Daybed with Rattan Top and Removable Railings
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period opium daybed from the 19th century, with woven rattan top and removable railings. This 19th-century Qing Dynasty opium daybed is a b...
Wood, Rattan
Chinese Woven Top Daybed with Scrolled Feet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th century monumental elmwood daybed from China's Shanxi province features an outward-curving apron with cusped edges and a tightly-woven rattan top. The daybed's abbreviated ...
Rattan, Elm
Chinese Qing Dynasty Elm Daybed with Carved Fo Dog Motifs and Bamboo Base
Located in Kastrup, DK
A cool and beautifully crafted Chinese Qing Dynasty daybed from the 18th century in its original condition, showcasing a rich, natural patina. Made from solid elm wood with a bamboo...
Bamboo, Elm
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Lady's Opium Daybed with Rattan Seat and Pillow
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden lady's opium bed from the 19th century, with rattan seat, pillow, two small drawers and auspicious carved cloudy motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period in the 19th century, this opium daybed...
Rattan, Wood
19th Century Chinese Bent Bamboo Daybed
Located in Chicago, IL
Made of bent bamboo, this southern Chinese daybed was likely the most popular piece of furniture in house. Lightweight and portable, the platform bed trave...
Bamboo
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elm Daybed with Bamboo Seat and Guardian Lions
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood daybed from the 19th century, with carved foo dog guardian lions, bamboo slats and lift up compartment. Created in China during the Qing Dynast...
Bamboo, Elm
Chinese Luohan Bed with Stepped Railing, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Prior to the 10th century, Chinese society eschewed raised seats in favor of mats. The rising popularity of chairs and other forms of elevated seating led craftsmen to adapt traditional cabinetry techniques to create the versatile luohan bed...
Elm
$7,084
H 52.76 in W 24.02 in D 21.66 in
19th CENTURY THREE-BODY TRAVELING STORAGE, CHINA, QING DYNASTY
Located in Firenze, FI
Stunning travel cabinet in ebonized wood, made in China, dating back to around the 19th century during the Qing dynasty. Made with precious materials such as the chalky background and rice paper, it is decorated with scenes painted on a graffitied gold...
Wood, Paint
Antique Chinese Carved Canopy Bed with Alcove
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid to late 19th century, elaborately carved, antique Chinese bed Chambers was used to greet visitors and usually was furnished with two chairs and a cente...
Lacquer, Wood
Qing Dynasty Coffee Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period walnut wood coffee table from the 19th century Square top with waisted apron atop a black lacquered frame and horse hoof l...
Walnut
19th Century Bench
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th century Chinese bench. A special black lacquered antique Elm wood bench circa 1800. A waisted (refers to specific Chinese furniture construction & joinery) raised top set on frame with hump back stretchers and struts. A most sensational patina of black lacquer worn through to the wood showcases the benches elegant presence and raw beauty. This is an original piece with a 200 plus year history. The raw top is worn silk like smooth from age and use. The reaming black lacquer is thick having an alligatored rustic patina. The construction is solid and strong. Feet having scroll key detail carved to faces with wear prevalent to the bottom of the feet. The humpback struts show ware from one side being more evident then on the other side, more lacquer remains covering one strut. A very significant Antique Chinese Bench...
Elm
$3,990 / item
H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in
Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the...
Fabric, Beech, Velvet
$3,373 / set
H 27.17 in W 36.23 in D 81.11 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Wicker Sofa Beds, 1960s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of bamboo and wicker sofa beds or single beds. The beds need a mattress of cm. 85 x 190 (Standard Italian single bed size).
Bamboo, Rattan
Dovetailed Platform Bed in Ash, Queen Size
Located in Princeton, NJ
This bed is designed to accommodate a contemporary aesthetic. This design is carefully handmade, featuring detailed construction and traditional technique which utilizes the interloc...
Ash
$3,990 / item
H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in
Grey Bouclé Upholstered Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the...
Fabric, Beech
$3,850
H 14.97 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in
French Mid-Century Bamboo Daybed 1950s Audoux Minet Style Woven Rattan Platform
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Almelo, NL
Exceptional 1950s French bamboo daybed in the style of Audoux-Minet—sculptural, textural, and perfectly suited for refined indoor or covered outdoor living. A rare and highly decorative French mid...
Bamboo, Wicker, Plywood
19th Century French Napoleon III Walnut Daybed or Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive 19th century walnut daybed or bench seat made in the grand French Napoleon III period. The walnut frame features large round padd...
Fabric, Walnut
Fine French 1950's Solid Elm Bed by Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Mid-Century solid elm bed by Pierre Chapo.
Elm
René Gabriel Daybed in Elm, France 1950's
By Rene Gabriel
Located in New York, NY
A René Gabriel daybed of the reconstruction period in the original patina, of note, Is the layered construction of the lower frame that gives the da...
Elm
Chinese Woven Top Summer Daybed, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
With exquisite joinery and balanced proportions, this woven-top summer daybed from Zhejiang province is a fine example of Qing-dynasty furniture. Dated to the mid-19th century, the l...
Reed, Cypress
Chinese Qing Daybed Oxblood red , female opium bed, wood
By Style House China 1
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind Women's opium daybed, China, Qing Dynasty, Jia Qing Period (1796-1820). Exquisite and unique Chinese opium daybed made of richly carved sandalwood. Only hardwoods, such...
Hardwood
Chinese Square Leg Woven Top Daybed, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the early 20th century, this low daybed has a timeless simplicity, featuring a woven rattan top, four square legs and an open, clean-lined apron. The frame is crafted of nor...
Elm, Rattan
Chinese Longevity Luohan Daybed with Woven Top, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This large luohan daybed anchors its surroundings with its monumental scale and bold, decorative carvings. Known as a luohan chuang, or couch bed, this form of low-backed daybed emer...
Rattan, Elm
Chinese Daybed "Tiger bamboo"
Located in Kastrup, DK
Daybed made of flamed bamboo, called "Tiger bamboo". Chinese tradition of making furniture in bamboo, which requires special craftsmanship, where no screw...
Bamboo
Low Chinese Daybed, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved of Chinese northern elmwood (yumu), this 19th-century daybed was once a cornerstone of daily life in a provincial Chinese home. Known as "ta," this style of low-lying daybed was used throughout the courtyard home as a portable surface for reclining, playing games, and gathering for food and drink. The low daybed...
Elm
Chinese Woven Top Summer Bed, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This woven summer daybed dates to the mid-19th century and features a beautiful cypress frame with round corner legs and simple, straight stretchers. The...
Reed, Cypress
Sold
H 19.5 in W 78 in D 40 in
Chinese Shandong Qing Dynasty Elmwood and Rattan Top Daybed with Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A large Chinese Shandong Province Qing Dynasty period elm wood daybed from the 19th century, with rattan top, carved apron and straight legs. Created in the eastern Province of Shand...
Rattan, Elm
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Daybed with Woven Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period daybed from the 19th century, with rattan top and horse hoof legs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty era, this daybed features a rectangular wove...
Rattan, Wood
Chinese Square Daybed with Woven Top, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Known as "ta," this type of low-lying daybed was used throughout the home as a portable surface for reclining, playing games, and gathering for food and drink. This 19th-century exam...
Rattan, Elm
Ornate Chinese Canopy Bed, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
A Chinese canopy bed, or marriage bed, was the most important part of a bride's dowry and was the central feature of her personal quarters. Traditio...
Elm, Chenille, Paint
Chinese Woven Top Daybed, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the mid-19th century, this grand daybed features a woven rattan top set within a richly aged elmwood frame. The low daybed is supported by four sho...
Reed, Elm