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.
Pair Demilune Console Tables 19th century
Located in New York, NY
19th century Demi Lune Pair of Tables. Nice pair of 19th century Qing Dynasty Demi Lune Tables. In black lacquer, aprons with red lacquer and gilt ado...
Wood
$2,200 / set
Pair of Chinese Hardwood Carved Demilune Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of Chinese hardwood carved side tables or end tables having a demilune form. Each four legged table is mounted to a conforming base wit...
Hardwood
Demi lune Table In Cognac / Reddish Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
A decorative Demi lune console table In Elm wood with a beautiful cognac / reddish Lacquer. From the Chinese Shanxi Province c 1820 - 1840.
Elm
Pair of Qing Dynasty Black Lacquered Demilune Console Tables Ore Center table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A pair of decorative Chinese Qing dynasty half-round console tables, also known as demilune tables. These tables can be used individually or combined to form a circular center table....
Walnut
19th Century Chinese Elmwood Demilune Table with Woven Rattan Top
Located in Austin, TX
A simple and elegant Chinese demilune table in elmwood. Slight cabriole legs extend from a waisted apron with a decoration of low relief carved vines. The top features an inset woven...
Rattan, Wood
19th Century Wooden Demilune Table with Carved Mythical Creatures
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period wooden demilune table from the 19th century with carved apron and mythical creatures on the legs. This Qing Dynasty period wooden demilune table, hailing from t...
Wood
Antique Chinese Demilune Lacquered Table Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese demilune console table circa second half of 19th century (the late Qing dynasty; 1644-1912). Made in pair always, the D shaped table was so named because it resembles half-...
Wood
Pair of "Basket of Plenty" Demi Lune Tables, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Named for their half moon shape, demi-lune tables such as this were designed to sit against a wall, displaying precious objects, flowers and porcelains. Crafted in 19th-century China...
Wood, Lacquer
Pair of 19th century red lacquer Chinese demi lune tables
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century red lacquer Chinese demi lune tables circa 1880. These tables work as a pair of demi lune tables and stand back to back, slotting together to form a center tabl...
Hardwood, Lacquer
$5,500 / set
H 22 in W 28 in D 14 in
Pair of Machine Age Art Deco Side Tables in the Style of Donald Deskey
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Pair of Machine Age Art Deco side tables in the style of Donald Deskey.
Chrome
Pair of Vineyard Demilune Console Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
The Vineyard demilune console table is a stunning piece that brings a touch of nature into your home. Made from pine, it has a natural and rustic look that will instantly warm up any space. The flaky pine finish gives it a one-of-a-kind texture and depth, while the half-round demilune top...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Demilunes or Center Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a beautiful pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian demilune tables with carved detail above each leg. These are perfect to flank a f...
Wood, Pine, Paint
Vintage 19th Century Swedish Pine Demilune Console Table
Located in Memphis, TN
A Swedish demilune table, likely late 19th to early 20th century, defined by its restrained form and quiet, utilitarian character. Crafted in solid wood, the piece retains a warm, ti...
Pine
Louis XVI Style Carved Wooden Demilune Console Table
Located in Redding, CT
Louis XVI Style Carved Wooden Demilune Console Table. Most likely Italian but no marks. This Louis XVI style demilune will add color and style to any entryway or hallway . The carve...
Wood, Paint
Pair Of Antique Pine Demilune Consoles
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of diminutive Antique pine Console Tables in Pine. Each demilune top table with undecorated deep aprons and raised on three carved le...
Pine
Our Zar Demi Lune Table
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Our ZAR table is inspired by the proportions and spirit of antique demi lunes. By reducing their design to the essence and using 18th and 19th century wood each table is a unique con...
Walnut
Pair, 19th Century Swedish Painted Demilune Console Tables
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of 19th-century Swedish demilune console tables crafted in pine and retaining their original painted finish. The bases are painted in a brown faux wood finish typical of the era...
Pine, Paint
19th Century English Demilune Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century English demilune table made from oak. The top is made from two boards, and follows down to a simple apron. The table is supported o...
Oak
$3,495 / set
H 31 in W 46.75 in D 23 in
Late 19th Century Painted Swedish Demilune Console Tables - Pair
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Sweden, this pair of painted demilune console tables dates from the 1880s. The softly worn, creamy white bases are adorned with faux-painted dentil molding along the aprons....
Pine, Paint
$1,678Sale Price|55% Off
H 29.34 in Dm 44.89 in
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Demilune Tables Rococo style
Located in Kvidinge, SE
A pair of Swedish Rococo style painted wood demi lune console tables with cabriole legs Made of solid pine in sweden in the 19th century Painted in a beautiful shade of grey/white w...
Pine
$6,325 / set
H 32.5 in W 36 in D 18 in
Pair of Late Qing Dynasty Wine Console Tables with Black Brown Lacquer
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese late Qing Dynasty period wine console tables from circa 1900 with black/brown lacquer, open apron, pillar strut motifs and distressed patina. Presenting an exquisit...
Wood
Pair of 19th century red lacquer demi lune tables
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century red lacquer chinese demi lune tables circa 1880. These tables work as a pair of demi lune tables and stand back to back, slotting together to form a center tabl...
Hardwood, Lacquer
Antique Chinese Bamboo Demilune Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Chinese bamboo demilune table with a 4 sided open geometric fretwork design and a demilune shaped red lacquer wooden top. Original condit...
Bamboo
Chinese Black Lacquer Demilune Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing dynasty period demilune table with elegantly curved legs. Made in black lacquered walnut with a beautiful natural aged patina. China, 1830-1840.
Walnut
Sold
H 32.5 in W 43 in D 21 in
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Demilune Tables with Original Lacquer
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty period demilune console tables from the 19th century, with original black and red lacquer. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, each of this pair ...
Wood
Sold
H 32.75 in W 46 in D 23 in
Pair of Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Demilune Tables with Dark Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing dynasty period demilune console tables from the 19th century, with dark patina and side stretchers. Created in China during the Qing dynasty, each of this pair...
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Red Lacquer Chinese Demilune Tables
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of 19th century red lacquer Chinese demilune tables, circa 1880. These tables work as a pair of demilune tables and stand back to back, ...
Lacquer
Black Lacquer Bulbous Demilune Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Named for its half moon shape, demilune tables such as this were designed to sit against a wall, displaying precious objects and porcelain. Crafted by an artisan in China's Hebei pro...
Elm
Cypresswood Demi-Lune Tables, Suzhou, Early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Two demi-lune tables with cracked ice pedestal from Suzhou, China, early 19th century. Made of solid cypress wood, these tables can be used together for a stunning round table in a f...
Cypress
19th Century Chinese Demilune Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This demilune table is named for its half-moon shape was designed to sit against the wall of a Qing-dynasty home. Crafted from elmwood in the Shanxi region of China, the table apron ...
Elm
Sold
H 33.47 in W 43.71 in D 22.05 in
Pair of Chinese Provincial Demilune Tables, Qianlong 18th Century
Located in Prahran, Victoria
Pair of Chinese Provincial demilune tables made from Elm and Cypress woods. Qianlong, 18th century. Dimensions: H 85cm x W 111cm x D 56cm (eacg).
Cypress, Elm
Sold
H 33.5 in W 51 in D 25.5 in
Pair of Antique Qing Dynasty Elmwood Demilune Tables from China, 19th Century
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese demilune tables from the end of the Qing dynasty. This Chinese 19th century pair of antique demilune tables was made with el...
Wood