Qing Stools
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
Chinese Famille Rose Garden Stool c. 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Famille Rose garden seat, of handpainted porcelain, its traditional studded drum shape is intricately decorated in a pastel palette of blues, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Red Lacquer Drum Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This low drum stool was hand-carved from solid wood by Qing dynasty artisans over two centuries ago. Drum-form stools such as this were traditionally used in gardens and outdoor pavilions where upper class scholars read, wrote, discussed antiques and art...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Wood
19th century Chinese Qing hardwood stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rustic traditional Chinese elm stool circa 1890.
Made using naive mortise and tenon joints, provide great character for this stool. Expected age splits and surface marks, structura...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Hardwood, Elm
1 Q'ing Dynasty Style Garden Stool
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Charming Q'ing Dynasty Style Garden Stool
Hand carved in fir.
3 available see last photo. Please specify color when ordering.
Measures: 19'' H x 16'' W x 16'' D.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Qing Stools
Materials
Fir
Antique Stool Woven Hyde Top
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Elm Wood Hide Woven Seat Stool. The top of this stool is woven with incredible detail creating a pattern of stars. The hide is cut into thick strands, incredibly str...
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Elm, Hide
19th Century Chinese Elm Stool – Rustic Antique Solid Wood Accent Piece
Located in Milano, IT
This 19th-century Chinese elm stool is a charming example of traditional craftsmanship, showcasing the natural beauty and durability of solid elm wood. With its rustic appearance, wa...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Pair of Chinese Reeded Leg Square Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
More portable than heavy chairs, stools have been a favored form of seating in Chinese culture for centuries and were used indoors and out at mealtimes and during social gatherings. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Elm, Walnut
Rustic Man in the Moon Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
When we look at the seat of this early 20th-century tri-leg stool, we can't help but see the twinkling face of the man in the moon. With a rustic form and weathered surface, the cour...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Pair of Chinese Hardwood Drum Stools
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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Qing Style Chinese Barber Stool - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Qing Style Chinese Barber Stool/Bench - Pair
A pair of 19th Century barber stool/benches from Shanxi province, China. Each stool has 2 small dr...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Woven Top Fang Deng Stools, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These 19th-century square stools from Shanxi province are elegantly crafted in the classical Chinese style with simple lines and balanced proportions. This form of square stool, or f...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Rattan, Elm, Lacquer
Chinese Square Stool with Hoofed Legs and Hand-Painted Calligraphy, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Chinese stool was crafted from Ironwood, which is more unique than its more abundant elmwood counterparts. The ironwood provides the stool with a stunning texture. Originating f...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Qing Stools
Materials
Wood
Chinese Dragon Scale Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century stool from Beijing, China was crafted from a fine hardwood with beautiful warm coloring and tight grain. Intricate carvings cover the stool's frame, patternin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Chinese Stacked Stretcher Square Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This form of square stool, or fang deng, was a versatile seating option and was pulled up for use at mealtimes or used outdoors in a courtyard or garden. The pair is expertly crafted...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Provincial Chinese Splayed Leg Stool, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This Provincial stool dates to the turn of the century and would have been used throughout a courtyard home as versatile everyday seating. Crafted of pine using mortise-and-tenon joinery, the tapered...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Pine
Charred Chinese Kitchen Stool, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This humble stool from the mid-19th century balances simplicity of form with the inimitable beauty of a timeworn patina. The low stool is crafted of elm with traditional mortise-and-...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
19th Century Stool
Located in New York, NY
19th century Chinese Stool. This is an antique Barber stool. Natural wood stool of Elm wood & Poplar. The stool has one small drawer in the front, and...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Poplar
Late Qing Dynasty Pair Chinese Hongmu Rosewood Drum Stools, circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
A matched pair of antique Asian carved perfectly symmetrical barrel stools, late 19th-early 20th century. Made of precious hongmu, a type of rosewood, eac...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Rosewood
Antique End Table with Rattan Top and Box Design
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period stool circa 1900 with rattan inset, straight legs and low stretchers. Delight in the simplicity and utility of this Chinese late Qing Dynasty period stool, crafted circa 1900. A quintessential representation of form meeting function, this piece embodies the essence of Chinese antique furniture...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Rattan, Wood
Chinese Iron Star Chopping Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the turn of the century, this provincial stool would have been used throughout a courtyard home as versatile everyday seating. Deceptively simple, the wooden stool is design...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
19th century rustic Chinese hardwood stool
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century rustic Chinese hardwood stool circa 1890.
Shaped hardwood seat, made with character wood showing the knots and splits. Standing on 4 legs united by stretchers.
Expect...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Hardwood
Late Qing Dynasty 1900s Stool with Cloud-Carved Apron and Lower Shelf
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Late Qing Dynasty period dark stool from the early 20th century with carved apron and lower shelf. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty p...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Wood
Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Side Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period side table from the 19th century, with dark brown finish, humpbacked stretcher and horse hoof feet. Created in China during Qing Dynasty period in the 1...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Wood
20th Century Chinese Rectangular Elm Stool – Rustic Antique Solid Wood Design
Located in Milano, IT
This 20th-century Chinese rectangular elm stool is a beautifully crafted piece that captures the rustic charm of traditional Chinese furniture. Made from solid elm wood, it features ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Chinese Fang Deng Stool with Hoof Feet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Much more portable than heavier chairs, stools would be pulled up for use at mealtimes or used in an outside courtyard or garden. Crafted in the classical Chinese style of simple lin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Chinese Full Moon Chopping Stool, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century tri-leg stool from China's Shanxi province charms with its top-heavy form and timeworn texture. Crafted of elm with mortise-and-tenon joinery, the robust stool stan...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Chinese Round Leg Courtyard Stool, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese courtyard stool dates to the mid-19th century and has a classic splayed leg design with round legs and a rectangular seat. The stool is crafted of northern elmwood (yumu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Chinese Qing Dynasty Scholar's Rootwood Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible 18th/19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty Scholar's rootwood stool of wabi-sabi form with naturally formed legs, and a patina only hundreds o...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Wood
1900s Qing Dynasty Red Lacquer Stool or Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period side table or stool from the early 20th century, with red lacquer, humpback stretchers and straight cylindrical legs. This Chinese late Qing Dynast...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Wood
Chinese Hardwood Drum Stool
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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Woven Top Square Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Lightweight and portable, stools were popular in Qing-dynasty homes for their simplicity and convenience. These elegant 19th-century square stools have beautifully worked frames featuring rounded edges, humpback stretchers, and ruyi-form fretwork finished with dark lacquer. Each top is inset with a hand-woven seat, providing textural contrast to the graceful elmwood frame. Used as seats or low side tables, this pair of square stools...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Reed, Elm
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Stool or Drinks Table with Woven Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
Small antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood stool from the 19th century with carved scrolling spandrels, woven rattan top and horse hoof feet, that could be used as a drinks t...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Rattan, Elm
Pair of Chinese Jia Zhen and Beech Half Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Pushed together, this pair of rectangular stools forms a square, hence the name “half stools.” Crafted of Jia Zhen and beech wood and finished with many coats of hand-applied lacquer...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Wood, Beech
Two-Tone Brown Square Antique End Table
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood stool or side table from the 19th century, with open apron, carved spandrels, pillar strut motifs and distressed patina. Discover the allure of historical craftsmanship with this Qing Dynasty period Chinese elm wood stool or side table. This 19th-century artifact is a testament to time-honored Chinese furniture design, featuring an open apron accented with pillar strut motifs on all sides, and adorned with finely carved spandrels showcasing delicate scrolling foliage.
Constructed of sturdy elm wood, this piece features a square top with a central board and rounded corners. The stool or side table is supported by four straight cylindrical legs, indicative of traditional Chinese design. The piece is further enhanced by a distressed patina that lends an appealing antique character to the ensemble.
This multi-functional piece can serve as either a stool or a side table, and its compact size and square form make it a versatile choice for any space. The beautiful elm wood grain and discreetly carved details add an aesthetic of refined elegance, making it a noteworthy addition to any collection of antique Asian furniture...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Chinese Hardwood Drum Stool
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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Wood
Chinese Round Turn Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
It is unusual to see an early 20th-century Chinese round stool designed to be adjustable. The artisan who created this inventive stool hand-carved the cylindrical center post for eas...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Chinese Round Turn Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
It is unusual to see an early 20th century Chinese round stool with adjustable height. The artisan who created this inventive stool hand-carved the cylindrical center post for easy a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Elm
Chinese Studded Limestone Drum
Located in Chicago, IL
This slender stone drum stool was carved from a solid block of limestone with simple form and minimal decoration. The top and bottom are ringed with raised studs, a design meant to i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Limestone
Chinese Threshing Stone Drum, C. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This low stone pedestal is an early 19th-century mill stone or roller stone, used for threshing grain on a farm in China's Shanxi province. The heavy stone would have been would have...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Stools
Materials
Limestone
Chinese Generous Square Stool with Cane Seat, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Lightweight and portable, stools were popular in Qing dynasty homes for their simplicity and convenience. This elegantly proportioned stool features an inset handwoven seat, providin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Stools
Materials
Cane, Elm
Qing stools for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing stools for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage stools created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing stools made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 stools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $490 and tops out at $8,500 while the average work can sell for $1,940.