Qing Shelves
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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Qing
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...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Shelves
Materials
Paper, Bamboo, Wood
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 s...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Shelves
Materials
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Shelves
Materials
Elm
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...
Category
1870s Chinese Antique Qing Shelves
Materials
Cypress
Chinese Lacquered Scholars' Shelf, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This striking red and black lacquer bookcase once stood in the center of a traditional Chinese scholars' studio, displaying a collection of books, scrolls, and treasured objects. The...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Shelves
Materials
Elm
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. Selling pair or single, $2600...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Shelves
Materials
Bamboo, Lacquer
Chinese 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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Shelves
Materials
Elm
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Previously Available Items
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...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Shelves
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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...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Shelves
Materials
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Shelves
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Shelves
Materials
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...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Shelves
Materials
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...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Shelves
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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...
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Provincial Chinese Shanxi Staircase
Located in Chicago, IL
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Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Scholars' Shelves
Located in Chicago, IL
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Early 20th Century Chinese Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
With its distinctly European design, this turn-of-the-century tall shop cabinet was likely commissioned by an expatriate in China, built to display the wealt...
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Chinese Lattice Studio Shelf
Located in Chicago, IL
Inspired by the timeless design of Qing-dynasty furniture, our talented carpenters married a lattice window to a bookcase to stunning effect. The airy lattice back plays up on the hy...
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Pair of Fine Chinese Scholar's Scroll Shelves
Located in Chicago, IL
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Qing shelves for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing shelves 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 shelves 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, elm and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing shelves 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 shelves differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,100 and tops out at $6,880 while the average work can sell for $3,780.
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