Qing Desks and Writing Tables
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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Style: Qing
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Desk with Burlwood Top, Drawers and Cracked Ice Shelf
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden desk from the 19th century, with burlwood inset top, five drawers and cracked ice base. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this wooden desk features a burlwood two-panel inset top sitting above five burl drawers fitted with teardrop pulls. Raised on four straight legs securing a cracked ice fretwork shelf...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Burl
Chinese Walnut Handscroll Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the early 20th century, this long table has a Minimalist appeal, with clean lines and a darkly lacquered finish. The walnut table exemplifies Classic Chinese furniture desig...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Rattan over Wood Desk with Three Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period rattan over wood waterfall style desk from the 19th century, with three drawers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, this waterfall side desk captures our attention with its sleek lines and rattan finish. Showcasing a top flowing seamlessly into the side supports, the desk presents three rattan drawers in the front. With its rustic presence and clean silhouette, this 19th century Chinese waterfall...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rattan, Wood
19th Century Console Table
Located in New York, NY
19th century Chinese console table. Three drawer thin console table elegant refined lines with ring pull handles. Detailed arch apron top of legs ta...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm
Petite Chinese Seven-Drawer Desk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite elmwood desk charms with its unusual blend of east and west styles. Made in Northern China, the desk dates to the late 19th century, a period that saw great cultural exch...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm
Provincial Chinese Two-Drawer Table, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted of northern elmwood in China's Shanxi province, this early 19th-century altar table was once used to display an ancestral shrine in a provinci...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Desk with Carved Frieze and Two Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden desk from the 19th century with two carved drawers and fretwork motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this exquisite wooden desk features a rectangular two-toned top with central board, overhanging two drawers carved with scrolls and traditional foliage patterns. They open thanks to a bail handle on a radiating brass plate. These drawers are flanked with delicate fretwork spandrels adorned with scrolling foliage echoed from the drawers. The desk is raised on four straight, slightly splaying legs connected to the drawers thanks to additional fretwork completing the ensemble beautifully. The sides are strengthened with stretchers while the back is carved with faux drawers in a manner similar to the front. The desk will therefore be able to float in a room! With its elegant lines and skillfully carved décor, this Chinese Qing Dynasty desk...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red Orange Lacquered Table with Three Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period table from the 19th century with reddish orange lacquer, three drawers, carved spandrels and brass hardware. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty pe...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Late Qing Dynasty Elm Desk with Two Drawers and Ornate Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty period Chinese elm wood desk from the early 20th century, with two drawers, brass hardware and carved spandrels. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty per...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Lacquered Chinese Calligrapher's Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This calligraphy table, like all the highest quality pieces of Chinese furniture, follows the timeless principles of Chinese architectural design and construction techniques. It has ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm
Antique Chinese Ornately Carved Writing or Accent Table with Dragons & Fruits
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique very ornately carved hardwood writing or accent table is unsigned, but presumed to originate from China and date to approximately 1890 and done in the period Qing style....
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Elm
Chinese Splayed Leg Cypress Table, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Though crafted in the mid-19th century, this three drawer center table embodies the style of farmhouse modern with clean lines and the natural warmth of cypress timbers. Constructed ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Cypress
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Two-Drawer Desk with Bronze Butterfly Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden desk from the 19th century with two drawers, horse hoof legs, carved spandrels and butterfly bronze hardware. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period in the 19th century, this wooden desk features a rectangular top with central board, sitting above two drawers fitted with bronze butterfly hardware. The desk is raised on four straight legs adorned with horse hoof extremities and linear carved spandrels present on all sides. We review all of our pieces and address issues we may find before they leave for your home; however, this is an antique piece, and as such it will keep its character and some imperfections, which is the quintessence of antique and vintage furniture...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Writing Table with Cloud Spandrels, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Carefully selecting the perfect piece of timber, the craftsman who made this exceptional walnut table made the most of the wood's expressive, open-grained texture and warm golden-bro...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
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Previously Available Items
Chinese Traveling Scribes Desk Folding Desk, c.1900
Located in Savannah, GA
A highly carved Chinese scribe’s folding desk, circa 1900.
of small proportions:
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Black Polished Elm Wood Scholar Desk
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An elegant Chinese Qing Dynasty Doctor's desk or Scholar desk in black polished Jumu (Elm) wood.
Features 4 drawers and handsomely latticed bottom portio...
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19th century Chinese canton black lacquered desk cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Chinese canton black lacquered desk cabinet, circa 1830.
Stunning quality Chinese export desk, circa 1830. Main feature is the rare alabaster doors which have been hand painted both sides and allows the light to glow through when the doors are open. Top section comprises of a small door which would of housed a pocket watch, flanked either side by 2 open compartments. The central tabernacle which contains an original silk work in the door is flanked either side by 2 drawers. (2 small handles missing) the top section finishes with the main pullout / pull-out writing surface. The writing flap opens both ways to reveal storage underneath, pen trays either side. (red fabric is worn and detached in the middle but original) there is a long drawer accessible from 1 side which is as deep as the whole carcass.
The middle section is a removable writing box, with handles. Flaps open to reveal a compartmented lift up tray, all decorated. Some intricate carved bottle holders...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Alabaster
Chinese Scholar Free Standing Desk In Elm Wood
Located in Kastrup, DK
3 part Doctor's desk or Scholar desk in Jumu wood from the city of Suzhou in China, approx. 1900.
Center tabletop made in one piece of wood, which has sh...
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Chinese Four Drawer Pedestal Desk, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Finely crafted of northern elmwood (yumu), this elegant writing desk once stood centerpiece in the office of a well-to-do professional of the late Qing-dynasty. Known as a partner's ...
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Chinese Black Lacquer Writing Desk, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
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The clean-lined desk features four straight corner legs ending in hoof feet and a slightly overhung floating panel tabletop. The three drawers have aged brass hardware...
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Antique Chinese Doctors Desk, Approx. 1880
Located in Kastrup, DK
Doctors desk in black lacquer in 3 parts.
2 x 3 Drawers with metal fittings.
Shanghai approx. 1900.
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Chinese Four Drawer Scholar's Desk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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Chinese Three Drawer Table with Half Moon Pulls, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Handcrafted from brass, three half-moon pulls punctuate this streamlined table with subtle decoration and understated character. Likely used to hold incense during traditional family...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
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Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elm Three Drawer Desk with Cylindrical Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood desk from the 19th century with three drawers and bail handles. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this elmwood desk features a rectangu...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Desks and Writing Tables
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H 31 in W 43.75 in D 17.5 in
19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Desk with Three Drawers and Horse Hoof Feet
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden desk from the 19th century, with three drawers, horse hoof feet and brown patina. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this wooden desk feat...
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Metal
H 30.25 in W 47 in D 24.5 in
Chinese Black Lacquer Altar Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
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Qing desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, elm and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,200 and tops out at $9,995 while the average work can sell for $3,900.