Qing Tray Tables
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.
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tray Tables
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tray Tables
Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Qing Tray Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tray Tables
Pine
1880s English Antique Qing Tray Tables
Brass
1840s English Antique Qing Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century American Antique Qing Tray Tables
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Qing Tray Tables
Tôle
Early 19th Century English Antique Qing Tray Tables
Metal
1940s American Vintage Qing Tray Tables
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tray Tables
Jade
Mid-19th Century French Antique Qing Tray Tables
Metal
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tray Tables
Soapstone
15th Century and Earlier Japanese Antique Qing Tray Tables
Stone
20th Century Moroccan Qing Tray Tables
Copper
20th Century Japanese Qing Tray Tables
Other
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Tray Tables
Pine
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tray Tables
Cedar
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tray Tables
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Tray Tables
