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.
19th Century Chinese Game Table with Stone Weiqi Board
Located in Chicago, IL
By the most modest estimates, the Chinese game of weiqi, more commonly known as Go, predates chess by over 800 years. Skill in the "Encircling Game" was considered one of the four cu...
Stone
A Chinese Qing Dynasty Square Game Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period game table from the 19th century with humpback stretchers and pillar strut motifs. The table is raised on four simple cylindrical legs. Traditionally us...
Elm
$2,175
H 10.5 in W 26.75 in D 26.75 in
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Chinese Low Kang Coffee Table with Painted Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period low kang coffee table from the 19th century, with painted décor and pierced apron. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this low kang coffee table ...
Wood
$3,500
H 29 in W 37 in D 37 in
Chunky Mid Century Modern Oak and Cork Square Dining Table or Game Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning and gorgeous square dining or card table circa 1960s. It features a simple modern design with a chunky stained oak frame and a cork top. The top has glass.
Oak, Glass, Cork
André Arbus - Gaming Table
By André Arbus
Located in Hasselt, VLI
Slightly decorated, yet simple Art Deco gaming table, designed by André Léon Arbus for a private residence in Toulouse. Made from mahogany and mahogany veneer, this game table has a...
Felt, Mahogany
$3,100
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 Carved Chinese Rosewood Marble Top Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century rosewood side table with marble top and heavily carved cherry blossoms.
Marble
$2,875
H 34 in W 42 in D 28 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Altar Console Table with Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period altar console table from the 19th century, with carved apron and side stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this altar console table fea...
Wood
$2,875
H 33 in W 39 in D 19 in
Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Period Console Table with Carved Spandrels
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period console table from the 19th century, with carved spandrels. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, this c...
Wood
19th Century Chinese Day Bed
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful 19th century Canopy Top Chinese Scholars Day Bed. Worn red lacquer over Elm wood having a rich spectacular patina. Inset rattan platform is removable, entire bed separate...
Elm
19th/20th c Chinese Hardwood Game Table
Located in Milford, NH
A solid Chinese hardwood game table with slide out player drawers on all four sides, each with a sliding top for storing game pieces, cards, etc, and crossing supports under the tabl...
Hardwood
Venezia Game Table
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning table is the ideal surface to play backgammon, chess, and checkers in style. The wood structure is upholstered in leather and features removable legs, so that both sides of the beveled top can be used: a backgammon field with leather inlays on one side and an inlaid chessboard on the other. Under the top three leather-covered trays with compartments store the boxwood chess pawns, the maple and walnut backgammon...
Leather, Wood, Boxwood, Maple, Walnut
$2,075 / set
H 19 in W 20 in D 19 in
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Side Tables with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty period side tables from the 19th century, with humpback stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, each of this pair of side tables f...
Wood
$1,725
H 10.25 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Chinese Low Kang Coffee Table with Painted Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period low kang coffee table from the 19th century, with painted décor and pierced apron. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this low kang coffee table ...
Wood
A Chinese Square Game Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A game table from the 19th century with humpback stretchers, pillar legs and bamboo motif bundled crossmembers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this stu...
Elm
Sold
H 31.5 in W 36.75 in D 36.75 in
Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Game Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period game table from the 19th century with humpback stretchers and pillar strut motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this game table features a square planked top sitting above an openwork apron made of a humpback stretcher with pillar strut motifs adorning the four sides. The table will therefore be able to float in a room. It is raised on four simple cylindrical legs, one of which is slightly crooked. 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. With its clean lines and nice patina, this Chinese Qing Dynasty period wooden game table...
Wood
19th Century Gilt Black Lacquer French Gaming Table
Located in Brea, CA
the 19th century of the Qing Dynasty in China, this gilt black lacquered chinoiseries France gaming table, it is decorated with the designs hand paint and gilt on black lacquer. see ...
Lacquer
Sold
H 31 in W 32.5 in D 32.5 in
Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Mahjong Game Table with Side Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period mahjong table from the 19th century, with carved apron and side stretchers. Created in China during the 19th century, this ...
Elm
Sold
H 33.5 in W 32.25 in D 32.25 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Square Top Game Table with Openwork Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period square top wooden game table from the 19th century with openwork apron and curving legs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this game table featu...
Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 36 in D 36 in
Chinese Antique Gaming Table with Vintage Game, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
A fine Chinese Antique Hard Wood Gaming Table, Qing Dynasty, late 19th century + Vintage complete Mahjongg Game Set in Case. A convenient size custom crafted table over 100 years ago and well suited for MahJongg, Checkers, Chess or as a decorative and unusual conversational display table. Immediately usable. We will also include a complete vintage Mahjongg...
Hardwood
Qing Dynasty Square Game Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This square game table is from Shanxi, China and made from Elmwood c. Middle-Qing Dynasty. It features a marvelous carved trim around the table and ...
Elm