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.
Chinese Lacquered Square Center Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A flourish of curves adds graceful counterpoint to this table’s square profile, each straight leg topped by decorative scroll corners that flow into a scalloped apron. The legs are f...
Elm
Chinese Dragon Scale Table Set with Square Stools, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century tea table and set of four stools were carved of a fine hardwood with a tight grain and beautiful, warm coloring. The detailed style of carving on the legs and...
Hardwood
Chinese Burl Top Square Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This square center table dates to the mid-19th century and wonderfully exemplifies Qing-dynasty furniture design. Found at the center of social activity, Chinese square tables such a...
Wood, Burl
Antique Chinese Patched Cypress Tea Table, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique Chinese center table dates to the mid-19th century, crafted of cypress with mortise-and-tenon joinery and a beautiful, timeworn finish. Found at the center of social act...
Cypress
$2,000
H 20.48 in W 19.3 in D 19.3 in
Chinese Square Stool with Hoofed Legs and Hand-Painted Calligraphy, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Chinese stool was crafted from Ironwood, which is more unique than its more abundant elmwood counterparts. The ironwood provides the stool with a stunning texture. Originating f...
Wood
Bamboo Art Nouveau Tea Table, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Art Nouveau tea table. Striking Dutch design from the 1900s. Original bamboo frame with solid padouk top. This wonderful Art Nouveau tea table is in very good co...
Bamboo, Padouk
$2,065
H 28.5 in W 36.38 in D 36.38 in
Baker Furniture French Empire Cherry Wood, Brass, and Ebonized Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant French Empire or Neoclassical tea table or center table By Baker Furniture USA, Late 20th Century Cherry wood base, with mo...
Brass
Burl Wood Brass Glass Top Square Coffee Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern massive burl wood frame glass top square coffee table. Gorgeous burl wood grain pattern. Nice design proportions.
Brass
$2,817
H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Bauhaus Rectangular Tubular Steel Table, Chromed Metal, Lacquered Wood, C. 1935
Located in Berlin, DE
Bauhaus rectangular table model Tn 132, manufactured by Mücke-Melder, circa. 1935. Chrome plated tubular steel, black lacquered wood.
Metal, Chrome
$3,795
H 30.5 in W 38 in D 38 in
Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture Dark Mahogany Two-Tier Center Table
By Barbara Barry, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant modern mahogany two-tier game table or center table By Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1990s Dark mahogany, with scalloped edge and single drawer. ...
Mahogany
19th Century Regency Mahogany Tea Table with Brass-Mounted Legs
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century Regency period well-figured mahogany tea table, having rectangular top above narrow, shaped frieze raised on brass-mounted and moulded scroll umbrella-shaped le...
Brass
$2,156Sale Price|30% Off
H 26.58 in W 25.01 in D 16.93 in
19th Century Thomas Chippendale Fret Work Carved Silver Tea Occasional Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare Thomas Chippendale style, Fret work carved, occasional silver tea table in Mahogany This table is stunning, I would say mid to la...
Hardwood
19th Century rococo revival Swedish birch tea table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century rococo revival Swedish birch tea table circa 1890. Elegant and beautiful quality Swedish folding tea table made in birch. Shaped top surface which twists and opens out...
Birch
Chinese Export Bamboo Fretwork Square Center Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing Chinese export center table featuring intricate bamboo open fretwork on the aprons. The top of the square table has a black lacquered piece of wood supported by round bamboo ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
$2,911
H 31.11 in W 44.1 in D 29.14 in
19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Card or Tea Table in Walnut, Extendable
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this refined antique Italian coffee table dating back to the early 19th century. It features the stylistic and construction characteristics typical of the Biedermeier peri...
Walnut
American Classical Style Solid Pine and Brass Pedestal Center Table
Located in Germantown, MD
American Classical style solid pine and brass pedestal quad feet center table. Top will come off for easy handling or storage. Measuring 36 i...
Brass
Pair of Chinese Rosewood Tea Tables with Marble Tops, 1850-1900
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of marble topped rectangular tea stands with finely carved and pierced aprons with shelf stretcher. The stands are of solid Asian rosewood, with a frame and panel construction o...
Marble
Chinese Marble Top Table with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This gorgeous center table from the early 20th century applies classical Chinese forms to Western designs, and may have been intended for the export market. The table features a round top and four elegantly curved legs linked by interlocking stretchers and ending in claw-form feet. The top is inset with a round slab of grey and white marble, chosen for its beautifully swirling appearance reminiscent of shifting desert sands or plumes of incense smoke. The surrounding wood frame is comprised of six joined segments and decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay of floral scrollwork. Inlaid coins...
Marble
Early Qing Dynasty Painting Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This painting table dates to the early-Qing dynasty and was made from elm wood. The rectangular table features round post legs and a beautifully aged original patina.
Elm
Early Qing Dynasty Drawing Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Rectangular drawing table with round legs and original lacquer finish. This table dates back to the early-Qing dynasty and was from Shanxi Province, Chi...
Elm
Early Qing Dynasty Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
This narrow-waisted elm wood bench features horse hoof legs and an all-original oxblood lacquer finish. Due to long use, much of the original lacquer has worn off, particularly aroun...
Elm
Chinese Mahjong Table with Drawers, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
With straight legs and a square profile, this simple game table was once used for round upon round of mahjong, a popular Chinese game invented during the Qing dynasty. Constructed wi...
Walnut
Chinese Recessed Leg Square Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
The subtle recessed position of the legs of this 19th century square table contributes to its refined proportions and allows the top to seemi...
Elm