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.
Large Table / Center Table in yellow Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large 17th-18th century Chinese dining table or calligraphy table (work table). Original thick yellowish lacquer with a charming radiance and patina...
Wood
Lacquered Dinning Table with Original Burgundy Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
A large Chinese mid-19th century dinning table, originally a calligraphy table, with original red lacquer. Table top with traditional Chinese design featuring a "floating panel", all...
Elm
Round Marble Dining Table with Burgundy Lacquered Base
Located in Antwerpen, BE
A round marble table with rich, natural movement in the stone. The warm brown tones bring depth and softness to any room. The glossy burgundy pedestal base adds a bold, architectural...
Stone, Metal
Rectangular Petrified Wood Dinning Table with Metal Base
Located in Polanco, CDMX
Source: Java, Indonesia Wood fossilization is a group of processes where all organic material is replaced by minerals. Petrifaction process occurs underground when wood is buried un...
Metal
Dining or Center Table in natural Oak by Tinatin Kilaberidze
Located in New York, NY
A stunning dining table by Tinatin Kilaberidze. Tinatin Kilaberidze who works with geometric forms chose this Pentagon shape for a dining table that can be used alone or as a pair t...
Wood
Art Deco Dinning Table
Located in London, Park Royal
Art Deco table by De Coene Freres made in a striking flame mahogany of spicy brunette and cinnamon red wood tones accentuated by a highly polished lacquer finish, traditional to the ...
Bronze
Elizabethan Style Dinning Table
Located in London, Park Royal
An oak trestle table in Elizabethan style, early 20th century; the rectangular top on twin knopped, lobed, foliate carved and waisted cup-and-cover supports; on trestles linked by a ...
Oak
English Regency Style Maple Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency style (mid-19th Century) octagonal maple pedestal base center table with two drawers and resting on a pedestal base with 4 legs. (stamped: BLAIN & SON/ LIVERPOOL)
Maple
$4,250Sale Price|26% Off
H 29 in W 62.63 in D 42.75 in
Louis XVI Jansen Style Center or Dining Table Black Lacquer Steinway Finish
Located in Manhasset, NY
Louis XVI Jansen style center or dining table in a black lacquer Steinway piano finish. Part of our extensive collection of over forty dining tables and chair sets as seen on this si...
Wood
Ignazio Gardella style dinning table
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Faux leather brass and wood round dinning table in the style of Ignazio Gardella
Brass
Travertine and White Oak Center Table
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Great craftsmanship with a modern sensibility; travertine top center or dining table with solid oak angled cylinder base with a bleached washed finish; made to order; custom versions...
Stone, Concrete, Travertine
"Teoca" Dinning Table
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Teoca" dinning table is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan Collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretatio...
Hardwood
Karl Springer Goatskin Center Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Round, sculptural, center or dining table by Karl Springer. Clad in Ivory colored goatskin, with high gloss lacquer finish.
Goatskin
Large Elegant Restored Vintage Circular Dining or Center Table by McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional restored large circular dining or center table by McGuire, circa 1980. Stout, heavy steel frame construction veneered in bamboo; leather wrapped detail in the iconic M...
Steel
Large Round Antique Black Lacquer Dining Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large round dining table in walnut with a rare well-preserved black lacquer. Features a circular top and elegant apron with profiled fillings resting on six straight round legs. A b...
Walnut
Monumental Chinese Lacquered Writing Table, c. 1870
Located in Chicago, IL
Marked by grand proportions and a minimal form, this writing table likely graced the study of a Qing-dynasty scholar, who would have used its wide expanse for spreading out painted s...
Elm
Chinese Scholars' Writing Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Likely commissioned for his studio, this late 19th-century writing table once gave a scholar ample surface space to draft poetry or practice calligraphy. To cultivate uncluttered and...
Elm
Chinese Poet's Table, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Likely commissioned for his studio, this expansive, early 20th century poet's table offered a scholar ample surface space to draft poetry or practice calligraphy. In order to cultiva...
Elm
Chinese Ruyi Calligrapher's Table, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Known as a calligrapher’s table, this expansive 19th century table offered a scholar ample surface space to paint or practice calligraphy. In order to cultivate uncluttered and inspi...
Elm
Sold
H 29.93 in W 74.81 in D 34.65 in
19th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Dining Table / Calligraphy Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Dining table / calligraphy table (work table) with beautiful black lacquer. Good patina. China, circa 1880. Calligraphy tables is used when working ...
Wood
Monumental Early 20th Century Chinese Poet's Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Likely commissioned for his studio, this expansive, early 20th century poet's table offered a scholar ample surface space to draft poetry or practice calligraphy. In order to cultiva...
Elm
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 ...
Elm
19th Century Chinese Calligrapher's Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Known as a calligrapher’s table, this expansive, early 19th century table offered a scholar ample surface space to paint or practice calligraphy. In order to cultivate uncluttered an...
Elm
19th Century Chinese Prosperity Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Over the centuries, Chinese woodworkers perfected furniture making to a true art. Strategically fitting together pieces of wood, these artisans achieved beautiful and functional desi...
Elm
Chinese Painting Table with Round Legs
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese painting table is from the early Qing dynasty and is made from elmwood. It features a beautiful aged patina.
Elm
19th Century Chinese Rosewood Carved Table
Located in San Marino, CA
19th century Chinese carved Rosewood table with elaborate carved dragon motif on apron and upper legs. Top and bottom is an old marriage.
Rosewood