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 hard wood marble center table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large 19th century Chinese hard wood marble inset table circa 1880. Good quality hard wood Chinese table with a dark grey marble panel inset into the top. Marble has a great patina...
Marble
$1,440Sale Price|73% Off
Chinese Fine Antique Hardwood Wine Table With Rare Inset Pudding Stone
Located in South Burlington, VT
China rare antique stone inlaid wine table, middle Qing dynasty (1644-1911), 18th/19th century. Elm wood (Humu) with original pudding stone inlay. All ...
Stone
19th Century Chinese Carved Hongmu Hardwood Tray on Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
This Chinese Qing Style hardwood side table features a circular top with a distinctive raised lip and an intricately carved apron. The carvings include traditional Asian motifs, such...
Mahogany
18th Century Black Lacquer Wine / Center Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Antique 18th century Chinese wine table in black lacquer. Tabletop with black lacquered canvas sitting above an elegant apron accented with carved spandrels. The tabletop is covered with canvas, as the original thick black lacquer only would fasten to a canvas surface. The tabletop is outlined with a subtle raised edge, a water-stopping moulding intended to prevent wine from spilling onto the floor. Shanxi Province, 1750-1780. Wine tables have been used in China for centuries as a spot to converse, sip wine, and make toasts at social gatherings. It was also the norm for the master of the house...
Wood
19th Century Qing Dynasty Chinese Sofa Table with Black Lacquer & Three Drawers
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very handsome 19th century Qing dynasty Chinese table on square legs with hoof feet and offering three drawers. Black-lacquer finish. China early 19th or late 18th century. Note: Y...
Elm
$1,725
H 11.25 in W 31.5 in D 18 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Low Coffee Table with Distressed Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period low coffee table from the 19th century, with horse hoof legs and distressed patina. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this low coffee table feat...
Wood
19th Century Mahogany Serving Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century mahogany serving tray Hand made serving tray from solid mahogany with brass hardware. The oval tray has four handles along four drop-down sides. The tray sits a...
Mahogany
Tranquil Chinese Stone Bodhisattva Head
Located in Chicago, IL
Exuding an energy of calm and tranquility, this larger-than-life stone bust depicts a Buddhist bodhisattva in serene meditation. A disciple of the Buddha, a bodhisattva is a compassi...
Limestone
Chinese Footed Stone Basin, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite footed basin carved of solid limestone was likely once used in the courtyard of a wealthy Qing-dynasty home. Unusual decorative elements elevate...
Limestone
Small 19th century walnut drapers table / work table
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Charming example of a mid 19th Century walnut drapers table / work table Would make a great console table or centre table as finished on all sides French, circa 1850’s with three...
Walnut
$3,105
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
Chinese Mid 19th Century Qing Dynasty Kang / Low Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese kang table from China mid-19th century. This low table is crafted in lacquered elm wood. It features a rectangular framed top and solid floating panel. In original conditio...
Wood, Elm
$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
Country French late 18th century Walnut console/center table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome and high quality Country French late 18th century Walnut console/center table. This wonderful flip top console table is raised on four impressive turned Walnut legs, with ...
Walnut
19th Century Chinese Side Table - Carved Hongmu
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique Chinese Side table. Made of Hongmu, with beautiful traditional wood carving, reminiscent of Faux Bamboo. The table is el...
Wood
19th Century Iron and Marble Top French Pastry Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous 19th century French marble top pastry table featuring old white painted patina on the iron base. This beauty features decorative brass hardware with patina and a white vei...
Marble, Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron
$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
19th Century Long Qing Chinese Altar Table in Elm
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A 19th century Chinese Qing altar table in elm with a thick rectangular top over a base with three drawers that rests on square legs with two side str...
Iron
Early Qing Dynasty Chinese Scholar’s Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This tall and elegant Chinese scholar’s table was once used for calligraphy. The piece is usually simple and pure base on Ming dynasty furniture ...
Elm
Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Black lacquer console table or altar table with carved spandrels. Nice detail.
Lacquer
Chinese Wine Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome table has a rectangular top that sits above the plain apron, which is raised on recessed legs joined by both rounded and humpback stretchers.
Elm