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.
$2,000Sale Price|23% Off
Fine Bamboo & Black Lacquer Corner Stands
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant bamboo corner stand, four black lacquer shelves with rounded front, lattice fret work railing. First two photos shown two st...
Bamboo, Lacquer
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
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Chinese Raised Panel Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
19th century raised panel Chinese cabinet. Very auspicious (favorable) black and red raised panel cabinet. Raised panels decorate the face of the doors. T...
Cypress
Provincial Chinese Collector's Shelf, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This provincial collector's shelf features three open compartments enclosed by a decorative frame carved with abstract floral motifs. Dated to the late 19th century, the shelf once stood in an office or home studio, displaying a curated collection of precious objects such as porcelains, bronzes, jades, and scholars' rocks. At the base is a shallow drawer with a floral knob, perhaps used for stowing incense accessories and other smalls. Darkened by a warm finish, the shelf boasts a beautifully worn texture that only time can achieve. We love the rich history this small collector...
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
$2,963Sale Price|24% Off
H 52.5 in W 25.5 in D 12 in
Vintage Open Neoclassical Maple Built in Corner Shelving Cabinet Salvage
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
High end vintage corner cabinet built along the neoclassical style with fluted edges. Excellent for a built in project. Ideal for books and disp...
Maple
Midcentury Walnut Cado Display Shelf
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Walnut Cado System display shelf thats meant to hold books or flat artwork. The shelf has a beautiful catch at the bottom preventing a book from...
Rosewood
$1,300
H 31.58 in W 27.25 in D 13.39 in
Japanese Traditional Design Exhibition Stand / Japanese Old Wooden Shelves
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a shelf made of very beautiful traditional Japanese decoration and wood. The wood is paulownia and ebony. Paulownia is a material often used for tansu. It's a soft tree, but it...
Other
$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
Bamboo and Parquetry Four-Tier Corner Shelf
Located in Hudson, NY
English made with Japanese influence. Fitted with two mirror plates.
Bamboo, Mirror, Wood
Fine Quality Edwardian Inlaid Mahogany Corner Cupboard
Located in Suffolk, GB
Fine quality Edwardian inlaid mahogany corner cupboard having an elegant swan neck pediment with pierced fretwork and very desirable inlay decoration, ogee shaped cornice, single gla...
Mahogany
$2,970Sale Price|24% Off
H 61.5 in W 50.5 in D 10 in
Midcentury Blonde Oak Barrister's Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Well constructed blonde oak barrister in good condition with brass knobs and sound mechanism. Dismantles easily on raised base, nice size. Shows beautifu...
Oak
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 68.5 in W 33.5 in D 15 in
ONE AVAILABLE. Display Shelf in Red Tubular Enameled Steel with 3/8 Inch Glass
Located in Kansas City, MO
ONE AVAILABLE. Storage shelf with 3/8 inch polished edge glass and red enameled tubular frames. Very good condition. Price is for one. These would work well in any mid century, post...
Glass
Late 19th Century Large Cabinet from Shanxi, China
Located in Singapore, SG
Originally a black lacquer cabinet, but much of the lacquer have peeled off, revealing the lovely wood underneath. Only the middle doors open, the panels on the left and right are se...
Iron
19th Century Chinoiserie Bamboo Corner Cabinet
Located in Stockbridge, GA
19th century chinoiserie French bamboo corner cabinet. Black lacquered and bamboo.
Bamboo
$6,325
H 72.25 in W 46.25 in D 22 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red Lacquer Cabinet with Gold Chinoiseries
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period original red lacquer cabinet from the 19th century, with gilt Chinoiserie décor. Created in China during the...
Brass
Carl Malmsten pine cabinet, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s. Produced in Sweden. Good condition.
Pine
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
Chinese Spruce Compound Kitchen Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant 19th-century cabinet exemplifies the perfection of line and proportion that makes classical Chinese furniture so timeless. A statement piece brilliantly constructed of s...
Spruce
Chinese Scholars' Scroll Shelf, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century bookcase once stood in a Qing-dynasty scholars' studio, piled high with books and painted scrolls. Considered a status symbol, books were given pride of place...
Elm
19th Century Bamboo Lacquered Hall Table Shelf
Located in New York, NY
19th century hall table also called Half Table. Bamboo construction with embossed paper lacquered to the wooden flats that make up the shelfs and walls. Chinoiserie style painting to...
Bamboo, Wood, Paper
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
Pair of Chinese Scholars Scroll Shelves, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These early 20th century bookcases once stood in a Qing-dynasty scholars' studio, piled high with books and painted scrolls. Considered a status symbol, books were given pride of pla...
Elm
Chinese Three Drawer Collector's Shelf, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the late 19th century, this provincial collector's shelf once stood in an office or home studio, displaying a curated collection of precious objects such as porcelains, bron...
Elm
Pair of Chinese Scholar's Shelves, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the early 20th century, these upright display shelves are constructed with lightweight frames, open sides, and low slatted railings enclosing each shelf. The pair's clean li...
Elm
Chinese Spindleback Studio Shelf, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century bookcase once stood as the centerpiece of a Qing dynasty scholars' studio. Considered a status symbol, books were given pride of place on impressive shelves s...
Elm
Pair of Petite Chinese Collector's Shelves
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the early 20th century, these petite collector's shelves are seamlessly constructed with clean lines and open sides. Once the centerpiece of a scholar’s studio, these open s...
Elm
Pair of Chinese Scholars' Shelves, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the early 20th century, this pair of two-drawer collector's shelves is seamlessly constructed with clean lines and open sides. Rounded edges soften the angular frame and reference the bent bamboo furniture...
Walnut
Provincial Chinese Shanxi Staircase
Located in Chicago, IL
This grand early 20th century staircase was originally used to access the loft in a traditional courtyard home in China's Shanxi province. Utilizing mortise-and-tenon joinery methods...
Elm