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.
Pair of Late Qing Dynasty Brown Lacquered Display Shelves with Fretwork Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of antique display shelves, crafted in rich hardwood with intricate fretwork motifs, these late Qing Dynasty bookcases elevate any collection with their refined architectural ...
Hardwood
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Bookcase with Four Shelves and Dark Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period lacquered bookcase from the 19th century, with four shelves, straight legs, carved apron and weathered patina. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty ...
Wood
Vintage Qing Dynasty Spotted Bamboo Fretwork Etagere Bookcase
By Thomas Chippendale, Jeff Dayu Shi, Sir William Chambers
Located in Bensalem, PA
Very unique solid bamboo etagere I believe to be mid to late 1800s please look at pictures for overall condition and detail feel free to message me with any details
Bamboo, Rattan
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elm Bookcase with Open Shelves and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty elmwood bookcase from the 19th century, with three open shelves and four drawers. Born in China during the Qing dynasty period, this elm bookcase features thre...
Elm
$5,800
19th Century Bookcase
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Bookcase Round Corner Display Case Shanxi. Wonderful Round Corner Bookcase, Display case, Scholars Shelf. This case features an open façade having four large spacious ...
Elm
Late Qing Dynasty Period Bookshelf with Classic Design and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period bookcase from the early 20th century with classic design, four shelves and two drawers. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty period in the early years of the 20th century, this wooden bookcase features a classic design with two drawers. The elegant linear silhouette presents four shelves interrupted in the center by two drawers. These drawers are adorned with slightly raised cartouches and are fitted with brass c-scroll handles on floral backplates. Each of the two middle shelves...
Brass
Fine Chinese Scholars' Display Cabinet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant display cabinet from the late 19th century exemplifies the perfection of line and proportion that makes classical Chinese furniture so timeless. The tall cabinet has a r...
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
Pair of Chinese Red Lacquer Book Cabinets, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the late 19th century, this pair of tall book cabinets was once used in a scholars' studio or well-to-do home to store a collector's most ch...
Elm
Chinese Relief Carved Scholars' Display Shelf, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Collecting was a popular pastime for well-to-do Ming and Qing dynasty gentleman, and a shelf like this one would have been an ideal place to display jades, curios, porcelain, and col...
Elm
Chinese Honeycomb Lattice Display Cabinet, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautiful early 19th century display cabinet from China's Henan province features complex honeycomb lattice panels and doors carved with elaborate...
Elm
Chinese Qing Dynasty Cabinet with Original Décor
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Qing dynasty cabinet with original well preserved decorations. Red base lacquer with polychrome decorations, black lacquer on the sides. Top...
Elm
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 French Bookcase Mahogany
Located in MILL, NL
Insanely beautiful Louis Philippe bookcase / sideboard / display cabinet. Mahogany veneer over oak. Dates from the late 19th century. Condition is exceptionally good. All locks func...
Mahogany, Oak
$2,267Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.44 in W 23.63 in D 11.03 in
Early 19th Century Mahogany Waterfall Bookcase with Three Shelves
Located in Sofia, BG
An early 19th century Regency period mahogany waterfall bookcase, having shaped sides and three open shelves with a large drawer beneath. England, circa 1820.
Mahogany
Late Qing Dynasty Low Chinese Red Lacquer Bedside Cabinet
Located in Sheffield, MA
Late 19th century Chinese elmwood cabinets in an old lacquered finish. This cabinet can be ideal as a bedside chest, end table next to a sofa or a cabinet in an hallway. it has two...
Elm
$241
H 42.33 in W 19.1 in D 13.55 in
Vintage 4 Tier Freestanding Corner Whatnot Shelves Bookcase Display Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Here we have for sale this vintage 4 tier freestanding corner Whatnot bookcase, shelves, display stand. Perfect for the corner of any room to stand book...
Bamboo, Pine
$1,850
H 68.5 in W 33.5 in D 15 in
ONE AVAILABLE. Display Shelves in Red Tubular Enameled Steel with 3/8 Inch Glass
Located in Kansas City, MO
ONE AVAILABLE. Storage shelves with 3/8 inch polished edge glass and red enameled tubular frames. Very good condition. Price is for each. These would work well in any mid century, p...
Glass
Qing Dynasty Coffee Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood coffee table with square top. The table has a natural age-related patina. From Jiangsu province, Qing period, 1...
Elm
Chinoiserie Bookcase or Etagere
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie Bookcase or Etagere, probably American, circa 1950s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a bookcase, etagere, or display case. The collection of Japanese bronzes se...
Brass
19th Century English Painted Open Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th century English painted open bookcase with adjustable shelves and two doors below. 1890. Shelf depth: 9.5-inches (24cm) Internal Reference: H Code: 8761 Dimensions: W: 53" ...
Pine
$2,406Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 75.99 in W 27.56 in D 15.95 in
Mid-century modern set of 2 Étagère/Bookcase 1970 Italian manufactuing in bamboo
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Set of two bamboo bookcases dating back to around the seventies, Italian manufacturing. The two bookcases have six brown glass shelves. Glass dimensions: width 64cm x 33.5 cm Two pie...
Bamboo
$940Sale Price|20% Off
H 68 in W 68 in D 15 in
Vintage Oak 4 Tier Industrial x Frame Freestanding Bookcase Etagere Shelf
Located in Dayton, OH
An open frame industrial style x frame bookcase or room divider from the last quarter of the 20th century. Made from oak with four long shelves. The unit can be broken down folding u...
Oak
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Bookcases with Spindle Sides, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These elegant Chinese book cabinets once took pride of place in a Qing-dynasty home or scholars' retreat, proudly elevating a collection of books, scholars' rocks, porcelains, and ot...
Elm
A Primitive Chinese Elm Bookcase with Open Shelving
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique scroll shelf from Shanxi, China, dates back to the early Qing dynasty period around the 1680's. Crafted from elmwood, a durable material known for its resistance to spli...
Elm
Large Qing Period Bookcase Original Black Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large bookcase with original black lacquer, showcasing a beautiful age-related patina, accentuated by a clear lacquer surface finish. The bookcase features three shelves with 'lattic...
Elm
Sold
H 63.5 in W 59 in D 15 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Bookcase with Red and Brown Lacquer
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period large bookcase from the 19th century with red and dark brown lacquer. Immerse yourself in the vibrant allure of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with t...
Iron
Late Qing Dynasty Red Open Bookshelf with Drawers and Fretwork Shelf
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period red lacquer open bookshelf from the early 20th century, with two drawers, carved spandrels and geometric fretwork shelf. Created in China during th...
Wood
Double-Sided Bookcase Approx. 1880, Shanxi Province China
Located in Kastrup, DK
Double-sided bookcase in walnut with original beautiful patina. One side with rounded moldings and three drawers, inside depth 31 cm. The other side...
Metal
Pair of Fine Chinese Scholar's Manuscript Shelves
Located in Chicago, IL
These gorgeous hardwood shelves once took pride of place in a Qing-dynasty home or scholars' retreat, proudly elevating a collection of books, scholars' rocks, porcelains, and other ...
Bamboo, Hardwood
Antique Chinese Bookcase in Original Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Bookcase with original lacquer colors in ivory white, light green and black on the sides. Beautiful age-related patina, highlighted by a clear varnish with surface finish. A very d...
Wood
Chinese Painted Book Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered display cabinet from Shanxi province was crafted in the mid-19th century using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery methods. The enclosed lower half was used for gene...
Elm
Antique Bookcase in Original Black Lacquer, China 1840-1860
Located in Kastrup, DK
Bookcase in 2 parts: Upper part with numerous, staggered shelves in different shapes and sizes. Base with 2 pairs of doors. Original black lacquer with natural age-related patina, ...
Brass
Low Chinese Bookcase with Lattice Shelf, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This low bookcase dates to the mid- to late-19th century and would have been used to display books, floral arrangements, and precious objects. Constructed with mortise-and-tenon join...
Elm
Chinese 19th Century Yellow Lacquered Bookshelf
Located in Kastrup, DK
Bookcase made from solid elmwood and covered in a light yellow lacquer on the outside and black lacquer on the inside. Natural age-related patina and charisma. China 1880...
Elm