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.
Wood Altar Tray with Mother-of- Pearl Inlays, Late 19 Century
Located in New York, NY
A small altar tray, hand-crafted in teak with mother-of-pearl inlays. China, late 19th Century. Rustic teak in a dark brown/red semi-gloss finish. Four stretchers connect the turn...
Mother-of-Pearl, Teak
Chinese Carved Hardwood Scholar's Tray, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A sophisticated Chinese carved and pierced hardwood scholar's tray, Qing Dynasty, 19th century, China. The tray of rectangular form with high sides and rounded corners. The sides...
Hardwood
19th Century lacquered hand painted tray table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Chinese black lacquered tray table circa 1880. Beautifully hand painted and decorated tray table. Black lacquered base colour, profusely painted in gold leaf, depictin...
Softwood, Lacquer, Paint
Chinese Qing Style Brass Tray Table Dragon Supports
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic Chinese Qing style patinated brass tray table featuring a folding elm frame with serpentine dragon upright supports. The four leg folding support is adorned with carved open...
Brass
Wood Altar Tray with Mother-of- Pearl Inlays, Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A small altar tray, hand-crafted in teak with mother-of-pearl inlays. China, late 19th Century. Rustic teak in a dark brown/red semi-gloss finish. Four stretchers connect the turn...
Mother-of-Pearl, Teak
$1,365Sale Price|30% Off
Elm Small Altar Table, China, Mid-19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A small Chinese altar display table, hand-crafted in Elm wood, circa 1860-1880. Soft, supple elm wood, in a dark brown/red semi-gloss finish. Beautifully turned legs with circular ...
Elm
$3,080
H 33.3 in W 59.9 in D 16.3 in
19th Century Chinese Altar Table, Rosewood with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay
Located in Toronto, CA
This is a gorgeous late Qing Dynasty Chinese altar table made of Rosewood. Scroll ends carved with dragons and beautiful mother-of-pearl inlay on all sides, including top, back, legs...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
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
$1,595
H 22.25 in W 25 in D 19 in
Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Table With Removable Trays
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early twentieth century French tole tray table is painted yellow with black detailing. Its two removable trays feature central lyre motifs and are detailed with a leaf motif. Ea...
Tin
19th Century Chinese Altar Table
Located in New York, NY
Imperial 19th Century Carved Wine Table raised on stand with three drawers. Exceptional table having scalloped apron with carved spandrels and carved Rams legs front set on stand of...
Elm
$1,520 / item
H 0.52 in W 13.39 in D 24.02 in
Shagreen Tray with Mother of Pearl and Brass Inserts by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The Lunar light...
Brass
19th Century Mahogany Faux Bamboo Butler Tray Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century George III style Mahogany butler Tray Table. This can may be used as two separate pieces as the base may be used as a stand alone table. Tray is 27.5" in width, 17" in...
Mahogany
$1,550
H 2.45 in W 1.86 in D 1.11 in
Antique Chinese Shadow Agate Cameo Relief Carved Snuff Bottle Scholar Qing 19c
Located in Richmond, CA
A Chinese late Qing dynasty shadow agate snuff bottle, exquisitely carved to depict a scene of contemplative serenity. It features a scholar, thoughtfully seated on a rock, positione...
Agate
Moroccan Folding Tray Table in Brass and wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Traditional Moroccan Folding Tray Table, Brass, Wood, Morocco, 1940s-1950s. This moorish brass tray table features a round brass tray...
Brass
19th Century English Tiger Oak Butler's Tray Table
Located in Louisville, KY
This rare tiger oak Butler's Tray with folding base, leather stand-straps and iron corners is a stunning example of smart functionality and beautiful design. This sturdy and uniquely...
Iron
English 19th Century Coaching Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome English circa 1880 coaching table. Hand-crafted in 19th century England of solid mahogany, this table stands on shaped X-form legs that feature three turned baluster stret...
Wood, Mahogany
Moroccan Brass Tray Top Spider Leg Table
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Moroccan made brass tray top table with folding spider leg base. This example shows some minor cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age.
Brass
Chinese Hetian Nephrite Jade Scholar's Stone
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Chinese scholar's stone. Made of nephrite jade from the Hotan (Hetian) region of China. Scholar's rocks (gongshi, 供石) are naturally occuring rocks that are appreciated for t...
Jade
19th Century lacquered hand painted tray table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Chinese black lacquered tray table circa 1880. Beautifully hand painted and decorated tray table. Black lacquered base colour, profusely painted in gold leaf, depictin...
Wood, Lacquer
Petite Chinese Tea Tray, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Simple lines, a modest form, and a layer of hand-brushed lacquer give this petite Qing-dynasty tray a provincial charm that recalls the warmth of home. The dark brown lacquer finish ...
Pine
19th Century Chinese Folding Kang Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This table was designed centuries ago to accompany Chinese artists and scholars on excursions into gardens, forests, and fields. It would have been used for painting sessions, poetry...
Cedar
19th Century Chinese Rosewood and Brass Folding Table
Located in New Windsor, NY
Exquisitely carved and chased brass Chinese folding table. The rosewood base is a raised floral motif and the chased brass charger is decorated w...
Brass
19th Century Chinoiserie Tray Table
Located in San Marino, CA
A 19th Century Chinoiserie tray table, painted with scenes of life including houses, horses, people and trees. The tray is mounted on four legs that are stabilized by an X stretcher....