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.
$550Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century, Chinese Provincial Fan Shaped Stool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chinese carved wooden stool with a fan shaped seat. Features splayed legs with stretchers on each side and a carved apron on the front. Constructed with old world mortise and tenon j...
Wood
Chinese Low Daybed Step, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This low 19th-century table is actually a step used for easily getting in and out of a raised daybed. Crafted of northern elmwood (yumu), the step features a plank top surface, carved lotus spandrels, and a prominent apron carved with floral scrollwork. The wooden step is finished with dark lacquer, now lightly worn along the edges with rich texture. Today, we love this low step as a tabletop display stand or a footstool beside a plush armchair...
Elm
$356Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.48 in W 9.85 in D 9.45 in
Vintage Teak Mini Chair from Madura Island, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mini stool from the late 20th century features a beautiful wood texture, crafted from a solid block of teak. Stools such as these were used on the Island of Madura by workers in...
Wood, Teak
Exceptional and Rare 19th Century Irish X Framed Stool
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional and rare 19th century Irish oak stool, with beautifully rich patination and grain. The padded brass studded seat is of rectangular form ...
Brass
$1,725
H 11.25 in W 31.5 in D 18 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Low Coffee Table with Distressed Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period low coffee table from the 19th century, with horse hoof legs and distressed patina. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this low coffee table feat...
Wood
$233Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
20th Century Baby Pink Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful baby pink upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of t...
Velvet, Beech
19th Century Biedermeier Footstool
Located in Darmstadt, DE
We present an authentic small Biedermeier footstool from around 1830. The piece features a solid walnut top resting on oak legs, displaying the w...
Oak, Walnut
$2,185
H 10.5 in W 26.75 in D 26.75 in
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Chinese Low Kang Coffee Table with Painted Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period low kang coffee table from the 19th century, with painted décor and pierced apron. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this low kang coffee table ...
Wood
$6,000
H 5.25 in W 18.5 in D 12 in
Straits Chinese Carved Hardwood Bamboo Inlay Display Stand, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
A remarkable straits Chinese (also known as Peranakan or Nyonya) carved hardwood and bamboo inlaid and embellished table-form stand, originally for dis...
Lacquer, Bamboo, Hardwood
$1,687 / set
H 18.31 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Pair of Antique Victorian Hand Carved 19th Century Asethetic Movement Stools
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Victorian late 19th century hand carved pine stools in the Aesthetic movement taste This stools are very decorative and we...
Pine
$252Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
20th Century Leopard Velvet Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Baby Pink Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful baby pink upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of t...
Velvet, Beech
19th Century Oriental Carved Wood Stool
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully stylish 19th century Oriental style stool, with pierced fretwork decoration to the frieze, stuff over upholstered seat, raised on classical carved cabriole legs with my...
Mahogany
Vintage Leopard Print Stool, Iron Base, Contemporary Style, China
Located in Miami, FL
Good quality iron stool consisting of a beautiful soft leopard print upholstery and a handsome base. This vintage leopard stool with its upholstered part...
Iron
Small 1900s Low Square End Table with Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period footstool from the early 20th century with rattan top, carved apron and side stretchers. Discover the perfect blend of function and art in this ear...
Rattan, Wood
Antique Chinese Rustic Mini Elm Wood 3 Legged Stool, c.1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Antique mini stool from the early 20th century features a beautiful age related patina and still retains some of its original lacquered finish. Crafted entirely from wooden join...
Wood, Elm
Low Provincial Chinese Stool, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
The stool is a central fixture of Chinese furniture culture. Found in a variety of materials and forms, the stool transcends class lines, as much at home in the provincial courtyard ...
Elm
Antique Chinese Mini Elm Wood Stool, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Antique Mini stool features a beautiful age related patina and lacquered finish. Crafted entirely from wooden joints, It remains sturdy and robust, a fantastic piece to use as a...
Wood, Elm
Antique Chinese Mini Low Elm Wood Stool, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This antique mini stool features a beautiful age related patina and lacquered finish. It was crafted entirely using wooden joints and remains sturdy and robust a fantastic piece to u...
Wood, Elm
Antique Chinese Mini Elm Wood Stool, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This antique mini stool features a beautiful age related patina and lacquered finish. It remains sturdy and robust, a fantastic piece to use as a drink table, table stool or for disp...
Wood, Elm
Pair of Chinese Lattice Top Footrests, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the late 19th century, these rectangular footrests were used in front of a daybed or pair of chairs to elevate one's feet off of cool, damp floors. Although traditional Chin...
Elm
Chinese Burlwood Table Stand, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
For thousands of years, precious Chinese artworks have been elevated for display on fine wooden table stands. Recognized today as works of art in their own right, these display stand...
Burl
Low Chinese Step Bench, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed to resemble the low tables placed atop a kang platform, this 19th-century low bench from Henan province is actually a step used for easily getting in and out of a raised day...
Elm
19th Century Red Lacquer Feng Deng
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in northern China in the mid-19th century, this feng deng, or "square stool," honors classical Chinese style with simple lines and natural beauty. Much more portable than hea...
Elm
Chinese Limestone Foot Rest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century foot rest from China's Shanxi province is simply designed with a rounded body and four square feet. Hand carved of limestone, the footstool is patterned with rhythmic etchings and adorned on the ends with an eight-sided star, a symbolic depiction of the universe. It was believed that the Sky Emperor T'ai-Yi, a deification of primordial unity, resided at the top point of this star and ruled over all eight divisions of Heaven. Unlike wooden footstools that would have been placed before chairs or daybeds as a signal of status, this limestone foot rest was likely used in a garden before a drum seat...
Limestone
Diminutive Chinese Elm Square Stool with Drawer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive Chinese foot stool or stand featuring a square shape carved from elm. Fronted by a small drawer and constructed with mortise and tenon jo...
Brass