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.
Rustic Chinese Qing Dynasty Carved Cabinet with Floral Carvings
Located in Yonkers, NY
This rustic Chinese altar cabinet dates to the late Qing dynasty and showcases the robust craftsmanship and richly textured surfaces prized in traditional Chinese furniture. The rect...
Brass
Antique Chinese Mondrian Tianjin Coffer, Late 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique Chinese coffer from the turn of the century is crafted in the geometric style of Tianjin cabinetry, faced with five drawers, four doors and prominent hardware. Every doo...
Brass
CHINESE ARK Ching Dynasty 1892 19th Century with Certificate
Located in Madrid, ES
CHINESE ARK Ching Dynasty 1892 19th Century with Certificate in black lacquered wood with gold, representing plant motifs and figures. Metal hardware. Signs of use and minor flaws. ...
Wood
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
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Qing-Style Elm Wood Carved Cabinet
Located in Elkton, MD
A Chinese Qing-style carved cabinet with a rectangular top, featuring two drawers beneath. Originating from the esteemed restaurant and private collections of Margaret and Warren Kuo.
Elm
19th Century French Renaissance Revival Henry II Sideboard
Located in Forney, TX
French Perfection!! A most impressive Renaissance Revival Henry II style well carved solid walnut sideboard server from the second half of the 19th century, finished in later chic distressed dusty blue painted finish with light airy hues of chalky gray. Born in France, circa 1870, this piece is wonderfully hand carved and crafted with wonderful attention to detail. It features a rectangular wooden top over an ornate frieze with foliate carvings and decorative ornamentation, large dovetailed drawer in the center, flanked by a pair of smaller drawers, all affixed with original patinated brass pulls, rising over the open shelf base with classical arched fluted columns, paneled back, above stepped molded skirt, resting on bun feet. It's a most impressive piece with the commanding presence 16th century Henri II furniture is known for, including handsome masculine lines and strong architectural form, combined with a relaxed shabby chic farmhouse refinement, beautifully aged warmth, and unfussy elegant sophistication. Dimensions: (approx) 36" high, 44" wide, 23" deep Versatile. Having the ideal smaller size and proportions for a variety of different uses, including as a dining room sideboard or breakfast...
Brass
$9,405Sale Price|50% Off
H 69 in W 45.5 in D 16 in
Important Documented Qing Dynasty Chinese Deep Relief Rosewood Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exquisite custom antique 19th century Qing Dynasty heavily carved Chinese rosewood and elm wooden cabinet with double-doors carved set with gilt and deep relief carved wood panels depicting scenes from historical legends and brass handles enclosing a cabinet set with four shelves. The elaborately carved Elmwood panels originally decorated a mid-19th century wedding bed then incorporated into the custom Rosewood frame around the late 1800s-early 1900s. This incredible collectors piece of Chinese history was owned by a European diplomat in Shanghai China during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Documented in a large photobook of their home in Shanghai and their travels, this cabinet was an important piece in their collection and remained with their heirs until our acquisition. Some photos including the one showing this cabinet in their main room is displayed in the photo gallery of this listing. Many pieces owned by the diplomat collector were discarded or sold off over the decades whereas this important cabinet was passed on from generation to generation until we acquired it from a descendant of the diplomat collector. This cabinet would work great as a cupboard, breakfront cabinet, buffet, sideboard, bookcase or bookshelf, vitrine, étagère, china or display cabinet and would work great in an Asian, chinoiserie, Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room. Also consider mixing it up with a splash of juxtaposition in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern or Danish Modern, Contemporary or Postmodern home...
Brass
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
$12,000
H 39 in W 69.5 in D 19.75 in
19th C. Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut Credenza with Figural Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring impressive scale and sculptural craftsmanship to a dining room, library, or grand entry with this exceptional antique Italian Renaissance Revival credenza, crafted circa 1870. ...
Walnut
Late 19th century Chinese small sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century Chinese small sideboard circa 1890. Made from from oriental softwood, with 3 drawers below the top surface and a double door cupboard below. Original hardware. D...
Softwood
Modern Rustic Painted Media Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern rustic painted media cabinet, made with reclaimed pine in a dark blue wash finish. The door panels with reeded geometric designs, with a d...
Wood
Qing Dynasty Lacquer Cabinet With Decorations
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese cabinet i red lacquer with remains of decorations, which gives the cabinet a beautiful patina. Black lacquer on the sides of the cabinet. Features double doors, beautifully a...
Brass
$12,932 / set
H 71.66 in W 45.08 in D 23.04 in
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty Red Lacquer Cabinets with Original Decoration
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of cabinets in red-lacquered elm, richly decorated and exceptionally well-preserved. The motifs are executed in gold leaf on lacquer – a classic Chinese decorative technique –...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$2,259Sale Price|20% Off
H 55.52 in W 90.56 in D 23.04 in
19th-Century Neo-Renaissance Oak Sideboard in Deep Brown
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Neo-Renaissance Oak Sideboard in Deep Brown A massive, oak sideboard/buffet in the Renaissance Revival style, dated to the late 19th century. The piece features a three...
Oak
Chinese Lacquered Six Door Coffer, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This provincial coffer from northern China has a simple, clean-lined form and a striking finish of dark lacquer. Dated to the mid-19th century, the cabinet is crafted of northern elm...
Elm
Chinese Four Door Walnut Coffer, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
With minimalist form and luminous, warm brown color, this early 20th-century storage coffer layers effortlessly into modern interiors. Crafted of walnut with mortise-and-tenon joiner...
Brass
Chinese Six Drawer Coffer Sideboard, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Although crafted in the early 19th century, this monumental storage coffer from Shaanxi province has a timeless design that blends effortlessly into any interior. The cabinet has a s...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Sideboard
Located in New York, NY
19th century Chinese sideboard. Walnut wood sideboard with three top drawers, two smaller apothecary style drawers, lower cabinet with d...
Walnut
Chinese Red Lacquer Grasslands Coffer, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Created in the style of Mongolian storage coffers, this monumental sideboard combines the clean lines of modern furniture design with the weathered textures of rustic lacquerware. Or...
Pine
Elegant Chinese Coffer Sideboard, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This stately coffer, with its grand proportions and ample storage, was likely the centerpiece of a well-appointed home in China's Shanxi province. A lustrous wax finish enhances the ...
Walnut
19th Century Chinese Six-Drawer Sideboard
Located in Chicago, IL
A skilled artisan of Shanxi province built this storage coffer, respecting the refined lines of Ming-dynasty furniture design by using traditional mortise and tenon joinery technique...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Six-Door Sideboard Coffer
Located in Chicago, IL
A skilled artisan of China's Shanxi province built this storage coffer, respecting the refined lines of Ming-dynasty furniture design by using traditional mortise and tenon joinery t...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Lacquered Sideboard
Located in Chicago, IL
With four drawers and six doors, this 19th century lacquered coffer is larger than most - the monumental design would make it an ideal storage chest for a modern home. The floral apr...
Brass
19th Century Provincial Chinese Sideboard
Located in Chicago, IL
The grand scale of this 19th-century coffer suggests it was originally used in a Qing-dynasty home as a family altar. Incense, candles, and fruits would have covered the cabinet top ...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Monumental Provincial Storage Coffer
Located in Chicago, IL
This monumental coffer was made by hand in China’s Shanxi province and is emblematic of the masterful furniture design developed during the Ming and Qing dynasties: sophisticated mor...
Brass
Chinese Courtyard Lattice Coffer
Located in Chicago, IL
Inspired by the facades of traditional courtyard homes in Shanxi province, our talented carpenters modified this 19th century coffer with door fronts repurposed from Qing-dynasty lat...
Elm, Lacquer