Qing Buffets
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
Late Qing Dynasty Elm Sideboard with Carved Floral Vases, Doors and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty period elm sideboard with carved floral vases, drawers, removable panels and doors. Rich with history and timeless charm, this antique sideboard embodies both fun...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Buffets
Materials
Elm
Qing Dynasty Elmwood Two-Door Low Kang Cabinet with Everted Flanges and Scrolls
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period elmwood low kang cabinet from the 19th century with everted flanges, two petite doors, scrolls and floral motifs. This exquisite...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Elm Three-Drawer Kang Cabinet with Everted Flanges and Carved Spandrels
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing dynasty period elm kang cabinet with everted flanges, three drawers, carved spandrels and dragon motifs. Created in China during the Qing dynasty, this Chinese kang ca...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Elm
Qing Dynasty Aqua Teal Side Cabinet with Drawers & Doors
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period side cabinet from the early 20th century, with two drawers over two doors, horse hoof feet and custom aqua teal hand painted finish. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty period in the early years of the 20th century, this side cabinet showcases a newly and professionally done custom aqua teal colored finish, perfectly complimenting its clean lines. The cabinet features a rectangular top sitting above a carefully façade. Two drawers in the upper section, fitted with scalloped hardware...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Buffets
Materials
Brass
Low Yellow and Black Cabinet with Three Door Paintings
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period long and large enfilade from the 19th century with black lacquer and hand-painted scenes, newly refinished with custom lacquer. Introducing this exquisi...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Wood
Chinese Petite Coffer Chest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfectly proportioned for its petite size, this low elmwood chest is the ideal place to stow odds and ends. The charming cabinet has all the features of a traditional Chinese coffer - straight recessed legs, curving spandrels, and a floating-panel top that moves with the seasons. The small chest has a single shallow drawer...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Elm
Chinese Ten-Drawer Paneled Sideboard, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricately constructed with traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, this lacquered coffer was crafted by an artisan in northern China during the late Qing dynasty. Popular in China s...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Buffets
Materials
Elm
Late Qing Dynasty Two-Door Buffet with Faux Doors and Upper Removable Panel
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty period two-door wooden buffet from the early 20th century, with upper removable board. Born during the early years of the 20th century, this charming late Qing Dy...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Buffets
Materials
Iron
Late Qing Dynasty Side Cabinet with Hand Painted Flower and Bird Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period side cabinet from the early 20th century, with hand painted flower and bird décor, two doors, ornate brass hardware, carved apron and custom lacque...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Buffets
Materials
Brass
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Painted Chinese Kang Table with Stone Inlay, c. 1900
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During winter in the colder provinces of China, life revolved around the kang, a heated brick platform that household members would sit or recline upon. Placed on top of the kang, lo...
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Late Qing Dynasty Low Chinese Red Lacquer Bedside Cabinet
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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...
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18th Century Chinese Medicine Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
Medicine Chest in original black lacquer. Shanxi province, China.
Dating back from the late 18th Century.
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Swedish Gustavian Period 1820s Painted Sideboard with Reeded Doors and Diamonds
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A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood sideboard from the early 19th century, with reeded doors, diamond motifs and carved ogee bracket feet. Created in S...
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H 40.5 in W 58 in D 20.25 in
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...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
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French 1920s Walnut Enfilade with Three Drawers over Three Doors, Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French walnut enfilade from circa 1920 with three drawers over three doors. This elegant French walnut enfilade from circa 1920 features a beautifully balanced design with three dr...
Category
Early 20th Century French Qing Buffets
Materials
Brass
H 41 in W 68 in D 21 in
Cabinet in Original Dark Yellow Lacquer, Shandong, China, 1850 -1870
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cabinet in original dark yellow lacquer with beautiful age-related patina.
The top a pair of doors with bars, opens up double, bottom with four doors.
Original cabinet with patina...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Metal
H 58.27 in W 57.88 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Two Door Cabinet
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Art Deco Cabinet with two door,
Germany, 1930
Two Door Art Deco Cabinet with curved front. Elegant dark brown hue. Very nice half round handles. Inside one shelf. The wooden body ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Qing Buffets
Materials
Softwood
French 1960s Elm Sideboard
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Presenting a noteworthy four-door sideboard, exuding an Alpine Chalet style, crafted from solid elm and discovered in the Maritime Alps. This unique cabinet, originating from the 196...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Qing Buffets
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Oak
Chinese Low Waisted Kang Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
During winter in the colder provinces of China, life revolved around the kang, a heated brick platform that household members would sit or recline upon. Placed on top of the kang, lo...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Buffets
Materials
Elm
Early 20th Carved Walnut Sideboard with Four Doors and Two Drawers and Crest
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th carved walnut sideboard with four doors and two drawers
Elaborate carved walnut sideboard from Spain is topped with a wood top. Two do...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Qing Buffets
Materials
Walnut
H 41.54 in W 74.61 in D 20.48 in
Previously Available Items
Chinese Dongbei Buffet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
The warm tones and active grain of natural pine wood are the focus of this unusually articulated buffet. Made for a provincial home in northeastern China, this buffet was once used t...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Buffets
Materials
Pine
Painted Chinese Three Door Coffer, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This provincial coffer from northern China has a simple, clean-lined form embellished with black lacquer and hand-painted inset panels. The cabinet was crafted in the mid-19th centur...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Lacquered Chinese Four Door Coffer, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century storage coffer is expertly crafted of northern elm (yumu) using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery methods. The square-corner cabinet is built with two sets of d...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Chinese Six Drawer Six Door Coffer, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This provincial coffer from northern China has a simple, clean-lined form. The coffer dates to the early 19th century and is expertly crafted of walnut using traditional mortise-and-...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Brass
Hebei Qing Dynasty Black & Brown Cabinet with Golden Trim
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period Hebei black lacquered two door low cabinet from the 19th century, with inset burl panels, golden trim and brass hard...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Brass
Chinese Crimson Red Lacquer Coffer, circa 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This Provincial coffer from northern China has a simple, clean-lined form finished with layers of black and cinnabar-red lacquer. The coffer dates to the early 19th Century and is ex...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Chinese Provincial Four Seasons Coffer, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This provincial coffer from northern China has a simple, clean-lined form embellished with colorful lacquer and hand-painted decoration. The cabinet was crafted in the late 19th cent...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Buffets
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Side Cabinet with Fretwork and Carved Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period side cabinet from the 19th century with carved drawers, gilt accents, fretwork motifs and brass hardware. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period in the 19th century, this side cabinet features a rectangular top with central board and distressed appearance, sitting above a beautifully carved façade. Two drawers, carved with scrolling foliage and flowers accented with gilt highlights showcasing red undertones, sit above a pair of double doors. These doors are adorned with fretwork motifs, organized in rectangular cartouches or circular medallions. They open thanks to ornate brass pulls and semi-circular hinges to reveal a dark interior made of inner shelves offering convenient storage space. The cabinet is raised on four straight legs accented with carved spandrels in the front and connected to one another through side stretchers. The back presents a dark color. With its clean lines, warm patina and exquisite décor, this Chinese Qing Dynasty side cabinet...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Wood
H 34.5 in W 35.5 in D 16.5 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Console Cabinet with Fretwork Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty wooden console cabinet from the 19th century, with carved spandrels and two drawers over double doors. Created in China d...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Wood
H 33 in W 43.5 in D 18.5 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elmwood Altar Cabinet with Carved Spandrels
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty natural elmwood altar cabinet from the 19th century, with carved spandrels and everted flanges. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, this natural e...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Elm
H 35 in W 45 in D 18 in
Antique Sideboard
Located in New York, NY
A Chinese antique sideboard end of the Qing Dynasty early 20th century, 1900 -1910. Elmwood sideboard with open upper case platform, having f...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Elm
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Kang Cabinet with Double Doors and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period low Kang cabinet from the 19th century, with two pairs of double doors and central drawers. Created in China during the 19th century, this Kang cabinet features a long rectangular top with central board, sitting above a perfectly organized façade. Two pairs of double doors with raised cartouche motifs and brass hardware, open to reveal inner shelves. They are flanking two central graduating drawers with C-scroll handles. Kang cabinets were used in formal Chinese living...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Buffets
Materials
Wood
H 22.75 in W 74.25 in D 22 in
Qing buffets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing buffets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage buffets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, lacquer and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing buffets 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 buffets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,280 and tops out at $9,180 while the average work can sell for $4,280.