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.
19th Century Apothecary Case Box
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Apothecary Box Case. Chinese Antique Apothecary Doctors Case. Composed of elm wood and pine, this case has seven drawers with brass pulls. Each drawer has a curtain ...
Elm, Spruce
Chinese Lacquered Medecinchest, Second Quarter of the 19th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese lacquered apothecary, circa 1820-1840. 77 drawers each with Chinese script for, herbs, minerals and natural remedies. Original restored lacquer with a wonderful warm color...
Elm
19th Century Chinese Apothecary Medicine Cabinet with 45 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful Chinese apothecary medicine chests dating to circa 1840-1860 from the Shanxi province, China. 45 drawers and original lacquer. ...
Metal
Oversized Qing Apothecary Cabinet with 76 Drawers and Chinese Calligraphy
Located in Yonkers, NY
An oversized late Qing Dynasty period apothecary cabinet from the early 20th century with 72 small drawers, four medium sized ones, hand-painted calligraphy and weathered lacquered finish. This monumental apothecary cabinet, hailing from the early years of the 20th century, is a statement piece that marries functionality with historic charm. With an impressive array of 72 petite drawers...
Wood, Paper
Chinese Qing Dynasty Period Apothecary Chest with 32 Drawers and Aged Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty period apothecary chest from the 19th century, with 32 drawers and dark patina. Created in China during the Qing dynasty, this apothecary chest features a rect...
Wood
Apothecary / Medicin Chest of Drawer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Medicine chest in original red lacquer with 40 drawers. with Chinese calligraphy in lacquer. These were used to store and organise Chinese herbs and the...
Elm
Chinese Red Lacquer Medicine Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This gorgeous lacquered cabinet is a 19th-century Chinese apothecary chest, originally used in a pharmacy to organize and store traditional herbal medicines. A statement piece brilli...
Elm
$1,190Sale Price|21% Off
H 29.53 in W 33.47 in D 20.48 in
German Oak / Pine Apothecary Cabinet or Bank of Drawers, Mid-20th Century
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This apothecary cabinet was made circa 1940s in Germany and was later used in a hardware store in Belgium until recently. It features 10 drawers with nice brass handles. The interior...
Oak, Pine
$3,000Sale Price|25% Off
H 34.65 in W 65.48 in D 13.19 in
Japanese Antique Cedar Drawer Chest, 1920s–1930s - Japandi Wabi-Sabi
Located in Chiba, Chiba
A Japanese antique drawer chest crafted from sugi (cedar), dating from the 1920s–1930s. The original black finish has been preserved, its matte surface offering a calm, understated p...
Wood
19th Century Chinese Small Altar Cabinet
Located in Singapore, SG
An antique carved box from Chaozhou city, in Guangdong, China. The black and gold colours, as well as the bulbous designs on the front are all disti...
Pine
19th Century English Pharmacy Draws
Located in London, GB
19th century English pharmacy draws Hand crafted English late 19th century pharmacy draws, with handwritten numbered draws, glass handles and all dovetail jointed sections. The w...
Pine
19th Century Pine 16 Drawer Apothecary Counter Console
Located in Round Top, TX
Fun and function combine in this pine counter with 16 drawers. This delightful pine apothecary originally served as a shop counter or storage cabinet. Counters similar to this were u...
Wood, Pine
$3,828
H 78.75 in W 36.23 in D 17.33 in
Italian 1920s Oak Wood Apothecary / Filing Cabinet, 18 Drawers and Shutter door
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this unique Italian filing cabinet from the 1920s, crafted from solid oak. The top features the original label from the manufacturer in...
Oak
19th Century Tall Danish Pine Shop Apothecary Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Round Top, TX
19th Century Tall Danish Pine Shop Apothecary Cabinet Bookcase 19th-century Danish pine shop counter, traditionally known as a Danish grocer’s desk. This substantial piece features o...
Wood, Pine
Chinese Antique 39 Drawers Apothecary Medicine Herbal Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
Size : 84 1/2 in H x 43 1/2 in W x 23 in D. Top display : 17 in H x 32 1/2 in W x 22 in D. Drawer : small : 4 1/2 in W x 4 in W x 14 1/2 in D. large : 4 3/4 in H x 10 3/4 in W x 1...
Elm
$2,350
H 70.5 in W 67 in D 31 in
Antique Victorian Mahogany General Store Display Case Apothecary Cabinet 71"
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental Victorian general store / apothecary display cabinet. Made from mahogany with curved glass and a large weight driven door that extend through the top. Most recently used a...
Glass, Mahogany
19th Century Chinese Lacquer Gaming Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer gaming box from the Qing Dynasty. Black and golden drawing by hand with 3 gaming lacquer boxes, in very good ...
Lacquer
$6,591
H 96.46 in W 51.97 in D 19.69 in
Rare and Beautiful Architectural Pagode Display Cabinet, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
Made of carved wood with transparent fences and scrollwork panels, two dragons at the front and pagoda roofs on top. A beautiful realization by the Chinese woodcarver and furniture m...
Sapele Wood, Ivory
$4,150
H 36.5 in W 45.25 in D 22.5 in
19th Century Swedish Black Apothecary 9 Drawer Cabinet Console Kitchen Island
Located in Round Top, TX
Fun and function combine in this pine chest of 9 drawers that likely originally served as a shop counter or storage cabinet. Apothecary counters similar to this were used throughout ...
Pine, Paint
Apothecary Medicine Chest with 45 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing Dynasty apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest. Front in original red lacquer with 45 drawers (42 small drawers + 3 larger drawers at the bottom). ach drawer with hand written Chinese calligraphy in black lacquer. These were used to store and organise Chinese herbs...
Wood
Chinese Ebonized Wood Apothecary Chest, 19th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Ebonized Wood Apothecary Chest, 19th century, with gilt double gourd motif to the 28 drawers, each drawer opening to divided interior, red wax seal to reverse. 53.75" H x 43...
Metal
Chinese Herbal Apothecary Compound Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This many-drawered cabinet is a 19th-century Chinese apothecary chest, originally used in a pharmacy to organize and store traditional herbal medicines. A statement piece brilliantly...
Elm, Pine
Antique Apothecary Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Apothecary Chest of Drawers. A Qing Dynasty Apothecary Chest of Drawers from Northern Shanxi China. The hand hued wood has a charming character all its own and is evi...
Bronze
19th Ctr. Apothecary Medicine Chest with 45 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing Dynasty apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest. Front in original red lacquer with 45 drawers (42 small drawers + 3 larger drawers at the bottom). Each drawer with hand written Chinese calligraphy in black lacquer. These were used to store and organise Chinese herbs...
Wood
Apothecary Medicine Chest with 56 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing Dynasty apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest in original red lacquer. 56 drawers with hand written Chinese calligraphy in yellow lacquer. These were used to store and organise Chinese herbs...
Metal
Apothecary Cabinet / Chest, Original Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Apothecary drawer furniture "medicine chest". Original lacquer in light yellow with lettering in black lacquer. The lettering description of minerals and herbs are included in natural medicine. 23 Drawers in all, DB door flanked by a door on each side. Could be used for ex. shoe storage...
Elm
Late 19th Century Chinese Medicine Cabinet
Located in Singapore, SG
Late 19th century Chinese medicine cabinet from Shanxi province, China. These were used to store and organise Chinese herbs and the handwritte...
Brass
Chinese Ten Drawer Apothecary Chest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite lacquered chest of drawers was originally used in a 19th-century Chinese pharmacy to organize and store herbal medicines. The square-corne...
Elm
Chinese Yellow Lacquer Apothecary Cabinet c 1860
Located in Kastrup, DK
Apothecary (Pharmacy Medicine) Chest in original lacquer. 36 drawers (15 x 15) with description of contents, natural medicine, minerals, etc. Linden wood in a curry color...
Wood
Antique Chinese Pharmacy Cabinet, Black Lacquer, c 1860-1880
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pharmacy cabinet in elm wood with original black lacquer. Top pair of doors under 16 drawers. Shanxi Province 1860 - 1880.
Brass
Chinese Herbal Apothecary Chest, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This gorgeous late 19th-century apothecary chest was originally used by a Chinese pharmacy to organize and store herbal medicines. A statement piece b...
Brass