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 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
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 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
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
$2,065
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
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
$16,000 / set
H 36 in W 21 in D 20 in
Leather Basket Weave Wicker Style Square Dining Room Table 4 Chairs Glass Top
By Ficks Reed, McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Leather basket weave wicker style square dining room table 4 chairs glass top set. All new beige wool upholstery. Table measures 42 x 42 x ...
Leather
$2,836
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
Carrocel Custom Art Deco Style Marble-Top Foyer Hall Table
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Carrocel custom Art Deco style marble-top foyer hall table. This hall table is an inspiring Carrocel custom creation, the table has a sculpted fluted pedestal that flows onto a tulip...
Marble, Metal, Silver Leaf
$3,795
H 30.5 in W 38 in D 38 in
Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture Dark Mahogany Two-Tier Center Table
By Baker Furniture Company, Barbara Barry
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
$2,965
H 30 in W 32 in D 32 in
Baker Furniture Stately Homes Regency Carved Mahogany Marble Top Center Table
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Regency or Empire style tea table or center table By Baker Furniture, "Stately Homes" Collection USA, Circa Late 20th Century Gorgeous carved mahogany, with b...
Marble, Brass
tea table orientalist Work, circa 1900-1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
tea table orientalist Work, circa 1900-1930
Bone, Fruitwood
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
$945
H 28.35 in W 41.34 in D 30.12 in
Italian wooden coffee or service table with two folding tops, 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian wooden coffee or service table with two folding tops, 1900s Coffee or service table made entirely of wood. It has a fixed rectangular central ...
Wood
$4,571
H 30 in W 32 in D 32 in
Louise Card Table Metal Clad Over Teakwood Handcrafted in India by Paul Mathieu
By Stephanie Odegard Collection
Located in New York, NY
The renowned designer Paul Mathieu chose the name “Louise” when he created his more feminine version of Louis XV (1730-1760) furniture. The characteristic cabriole leg, curving outward at the knee and inward towards the foot in an "S" shape was born during this period. It is during the same era that English furniture makers produced the Queen Anne and Chippendale style. The curved legs and side rails of this exceptionally elegant table are hand carved from solid pieces of teak. Pattern-makers trace and cut complex forms that will cover the table from thick sheets of copper or silver. Once the table is joined together, it is meticulously encased in a tight-fitting skin of copper or purest silver. The silver used was assayed at 96% purity, which exceeds the minimum standard for sterling of 92.5%. White Bronze, Antiqued Bronze, Brass, Silver and Copper available options of th metal skin. Both silver and copper will tarnish over time. Regular non-abrasive household metal polishes can be used to restore the original finish. Louise Card Table...
Metal
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