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.
Tortoise Bamboo 19th Century Small Side Tables - a Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Qing Dynasty Tortoise Bamboo Small Rattan Side Tables. Unusual to have a pair of original Tortoise Rattan and Bamboo Tables. Very delicate scale with added glass shelf settin...
Rattan
Chinese Peachwood Side Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
With swirling grain and warm coloring, the subtle beauty of peach wood stars in this low side table from China's Shanxi province. Crafted in the mid-19th century using traditional jo...
Fruitwood
Chinese Lacquered Fang Deng Side Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Stools have been a favored form of seating in Chinese culture for centuries and were used indoors and out at mealtimes and during social gatherings. This style of low square stool is...
Elm
$4,280 / set
Pair of Chinese Low Two-Door Cabinets, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Exquisitely carved over a century ago in China’s Shanxi province, this pair of mid-19th century elmwood cabinets would have been placed upon a kang bed and us...
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Elm Side Tables – Dark Patina Antique End Tables
Located in IT
This pair of 19th-century Chinese elm side tables showcases timeless craftsmanship and a beautifully aged dark patina that highlights their authentic charm. Crafted from solid elm, t...
Elm
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Qing Dynasty Alter Console Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
19th century Qing Dynasty alter console table Beautifully aged patina with 3 drawers and original brass pulls. Cabinet is accented with scrolled ...
Teak
Square End Table Qing Dynasty end 18 Th century
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Qing Dynasry Square Table in Black Lacquer « Daki » inlaid with thick white shiny « Luodian » pearl . Round decorations on the top « Symbol of the immortal » and some flowers s...
Wood
Pair of Chinese Reeded Leg Square Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
More portable than heavy chairs, stools have been a favored form of seating in Chinese culture for centuries and were used indoors and out at mealtimes and during social gatherings. ...
Elm, Walnut
Chinese Lacquered Two-Door Chest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfecting line and proportion, this cabinet’s minimalist design celebrates the natural beauty and texture of northern elm (yumu). Accented with a carved lotus apron and the quiet lu...
Brass
Late 19th Century Octagonal Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
Very unusual late 19th century oak side table from England. The table is a great form. It has an octagonal top, which is beveled and carved around the edge, and is surrounding a ha...
Oak
A Pair Of Burr Elm End Or Side Tables By Roche Bobois
By Roche Bobois
Located in London, GB
A square almost cubed set of end or side tables in well configured Burr Elm. Possibly by J C Mahey or another similar designer for Roche Bobois. Tables are in good condition and ver...
Elm
Chinese Qing Dynasty Altar Table, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A Chinese altar table with four drawers, 19th century. 85 inches wide by 19 inches deep by 35 ¼ inches tall Very good overall.
Wood
Teak Burl Side Table
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This teak burl side table was crafted using two different burl wood blocks that are joined at its center. This side table features an elegant wood texture and organic design.
Teak
19th Century French Tortoise Bamboo Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tortoise bamboo side table from France. The top and lower shelf are covered in original rush, surrounded by bamboo banded molding. The top is supported on splayed legs...
Bamboo, Rush
Pair Kittinger Tripod Dark Walnut End Side Tables
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of round top dark walnut/espresso lacquered finish wood side or end tables by Kittinger Furniture Company. Solid hard wood construction tables resting on center post with tripod...
Wood
$1,987
H 27.17 in Dm 13.98 in
LOVELY ANTiQUE CHINESE CHINOISERIE LACQUERED & HAND PAINTED SIDE LAMP WINE TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite hand made in China Chinoiserie painted and lacquered side table Please note the delivery fee...
Wood
French 19th Century Side Table
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century parquetry and marquetry side table. Having floral inlaid decoration to the top and under-tier. The top hinges open to reveal a compartmented interior...
Kingwood
$2,700
H 32.5 in W 36 in D 18 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elm Wine Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period Elmwood wine tasting console table from the 19th century, with humpback stretcher and horse hoof feet. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this El...
Elm
19th Century Tortoise Bamboo Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
Late 19th century tortoise bamboo side table from France. The top and lower shelf have a molded bamboo edge, following down to splayed legs, which are joined by a lower shelf.
Bamboo, Seagrass
$7,800 / set
H 24 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of Honey Amber Lacquer Edmond Spence Two Drawer Nightstands End Tables
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Swedish Mid-Century Modern honey amber tone two drawers night stands end tables by Edmond Spence.
Birch
Mahogany Swan Side Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Swan side table with round profiled table top. Solid wood with three long graceful swan legs on a molded triangular base. Side table, sofa table, end ...
Mahogany
Pair of Chinese Black Lacquer Locking Chests, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfecting line and proportion, the simple design of these small locking chests celebrates the restraint of classic Chinese furniture forms. Crafted of elm (yumu) using mortise-and-t...
Elm
Red Lacquer End Table with Single Drawer and Horse Hoof Feet
Located in Yonkers, NY
A small red lacquered end table with square top, single drawer and horse hoof legs. This charming small end table, crafted in a radiant red lacquer finish, is a charming relic of ant...
Brass
Set of Four Limestone Melon Drum Stools
Located in Chicago, IL
This set of four large stone drum stools was carved from solid limestone with a ribbed texture suggestive of a squash or melon, traditional symbols of longevity and perpetuity. The d...
Limestone
Chinese Limestone Melon Drum
Located in Chicago, IL
This large stone drum stool was carved from solid limestone with a ribbed texture suggestive of a squash or melon, traditional symbols of longevity and perpetuity. The drum-form stoo...
Limestone
Circa 1860-80 Qing Dynasty Wood & Marble Table
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860-80 Chinese carved wood & marble inset stand table. Qing dynasty. The upper shelf with pierced apron, the lower intaglio carved. Measures: 31 1/2" h., 16 1/8" w., 12 1/8...
Marble
Early 19th Century Chinese Elm Stool
Located in Greenwich, CT
An early 19th century Qing dynasty stool or small table in elm, beautifully crafted of a mitred top with rounded edges on four slightly splayed spok...
Elm
Pair of Antique Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Lacquered Drum Stools or Tables
Located in Peabody, MA
A pair of Chinese lacquered Zuodun drum tables from the late Qing dynasty, approximately ca. 1900. Overall diameter is 23.75", diameter of tops is 18.75".
Wood
Pair of Chinese Stacked Stretcher Square Stools, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This form of square stool, or fang deng, was a versatile seating option and was pulled up for use at mealtimes or used outdoors in a courtyard or garden. The pair is expertly crafted...
Elm
Chinese Qing Style Cypress Tables, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Qing style Cypress wood occasional tables, a pair (2), square, each in the manner of Qing period waisted corner-leg stools in the Changfangdeng form...
Cypress
Chinese Jewelry Box Side Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, this little box was used by a Qing-dynasty woman to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. Crafted of birch wood, the jewelry chest has two shallow drawers and opens to a large mirror and interior tray. A latch in the shape of a bat tops the front, a symbol of happiness and good fortune, and two brass keyhole escutcheons shaped as ornate charms decorate the drawers. We've re-imagined this charming jewelry box as a petite side table, elevated by a custom steel table...
Brass, Steel
Chinese Jewelry Box Side Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, this little box was used by a Qing-dynasty woman to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. Crafted of birch wood, the jewelry chest has two shallow drawers and opens to a large mirror and tiered interior compartment. The front is ornamented with a lotus-form brass key hole escutcheon and two brass drawer pulls in the form of ancient locks, symbols of protection and longevity. We've re-imagined this charming jewelry box as a petite side table, elevated by a custom steel table...
Brass, Steel
Chinese Jewelry Box Side Table, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, this little box was used by a Qing-dynasty woman to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. The front is topped by a keyhole escutcheon in the form of a lotus, a symbol of purity and beauty, while below it, two starburst pulls ornament each drawer. Aged with a rich patina, the brass hardware contrasts with the chest's birch wood construction, left unfinished to showcase its golden color and beautiful grain pattern. The chest’s lid...
Brass, Steel