Qing Side Chairs
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
Pair of Classic Early 20th Century Chinese Horseshoe Side Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of antique Chinese horseshoe armchairs features a curved S-back and gently worn armrests.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Chinese Yokeback Chairs, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
In the West, this type of chair is commonly called a "yokeback" chair because its top rail looks like a yoke for an ox. However, in China, the name translates to "lamp hanger" chair, describing how the form as a whole looks like an ancient oil lamp stand...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Elm
Pair of Antique Chinese Hardwood Side Chairs Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of antique Chinese side chairs circa 19th century, late Qing Dynasty. Made from highly grained Hong Mu, a hard wood that resembles the Chinese rosewood, Huanghuali. These chai...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Chrysanthemum Lady's Chair, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming lady's chair dates to the early 19th century and is an armless variation on the classic Chinese 'southern official's hat chair.' The side chair is crafted of elm (yumu)...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Elm
Pair of Antique Late Qing Dynasty Elmwood Scholar's Chairs with Sinuous Back
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of antique late Qing Dynasty elmwood scholar's ceremonial chairs from the early 20th century, with dark patina and sinuous back splats. This pair of antique late Qing Dynasty ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Elm
Near Pair of Qing Dynasty 19th Century Yoke High Back Decorative Chairs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A near pair of Qing Dynasty period yoke high back chairs from the 19th century, with carved aprons and side stretchers. This near pair of Qing Dynas...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Rose Chairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
For many years, rose chairs were thought to have been exclusively used by women due to their floral name. However, they were a universal form of seating, of...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Elm
Qing Dynasty Red Lacquer Traveller's Folding Chair with Woven Seat
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period red lacquered folding traveller’s chair from the 19th century, with carved birds and foliage, scalloped footrest and woven fabric. Created in C...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Rosewood Chairs with Toile Medallion
Located in Doylestown, PA
Fine antique Chinese rosewood side or dining chairs with an upholstered Chinoiserie toile medallion, circa late 19th century. They feature a carved scrolling backrest with central fl...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Rosewood
Qing Dynasty Rosewood Side Chair with Open Fretwork and Marble Medallion
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty period rosewood side chair from the early 20th century, with marble medallion inlay and open fretwork. Crafted during the early years of the 20th century, this ex...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Marble
Pair of Chinese Rose Chairs with Quatrefoil Cutouts, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
For many years, rose chairs were thought to have been exclusively used by women due to their floral name. However, they were a universal form of seating, typically used for writing d...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Very Rare Original Liberty's London Signed Qing Dynasty Chair Floral Carving
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning and exceptionally rare original Liberty’s London signed Qing dynasty chair
I have never seen one of these chair...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elmwood Armchair with Slatted Back and Arms
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty elmwood armchair from the 19th century with slatted back and arms. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this elmwood chair features a pierced slatted back...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Elm
Chinese Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Wooden Side Chair with Rattan Accents
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period dark brown lacquer wooden side chair from the 19th century with rattan seat and back, carved scrolls and meander motifs. Created in China during the Qin...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Wood, Rattan
Qing Dynasty Lamp Hanger Chair with Carved Splat and Two Toned Finish
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period lamp hanger chair from the early 20th century, with hand-carved medallion on the back splat, two-toned finish and side ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Spindleback Side Chairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These 19th-century elmwood chairs owe their graceful design to the refined styles and carpentry techniques that emerged during the Ming dynasty, the golden age of Chinese furniture d...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Elm
Antique Red Lacquered Folding Traveller’s Chair with Footrest and Fabric
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period red lacquered folding traveller’s chair from the early 20th century, with carved motifs, footrest and woven fabric. This early 20th-century antique...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Chinese Merchant's Armchairs with Burlwood Inlay, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of unusual 19th century armchairs likely once belonged to a prosperous merchant, as evidenced by the brass coin slot on each seat. Presiding over valuables stored in the tw...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Elm, Burl
Pair of Chinese Spindleback Armchairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These 19th century spindleback armchairs owe their graceful design to the styles and techniques that emerged during the Ming dynasty, the golden a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Chinese Black Lacquer Chairs, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These unusual ladies' chairs exemplify the beauty of exaggerated proportions. Each chair features a small, round seat, charmingly counterbalanced by wide back panels. A black lacquer...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Elm
Low Chinese Bentwood Chair, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This bentwood chair was created over a century ago in northern China by moistening, bending, and heating willow to form its desired shape. It is beautifully carved with auspicious flowers and is considerably smaller than most roundback chairs. As the height and size of chairs were traditionally marks of status in Chinese culture, it is likely that this artful chair...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Side Chairs
Materials
Elm
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Yumu Chinese 19th Century Side Chair with Dark Lacquered Finish and Cartouche
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H 34 in W 41.5 in D 11.5 in
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Qing side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing side chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage side chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing side chairs made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original side chairs, popular names associated with this style include and Liberty of London. 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 side chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $895 and tops out at $11,780 while the average work can sell for $3,000.