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.
Pair of 17th Century Chinese Huaniaohua Paintings with Gilded Frames
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
A pair of 17th century Chinese Huaniaohua paintings created in 1665 with the watercolor mixture Gouche. The pair showcases beautiful floral scenes in the centuries old tradition of...
Quartz
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Turquoise Print Depicting Birds Perched in a Tree
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period print from the 19th century, depicting birds in a tree on turquoise ground, with custom frame. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, this lar...
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper, Fabric
$1,595
H 31 in W 25 in D 1.5 in
Junichiro Sekino Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print Girl in Kimono
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully composed and colored, limited edition woodblock print by famed Japanese artist Junichiro Sekino. This print, which is titled "Profile/ Portrait of Young Girl in Kimono", is signed and sealed/ stamped in red at the lower right. It was created in 1957 and comes from a limited edition of 100 prints (the exact number of this particular print is likely listed in pencil below the matt but we have not removed the print from the frame to confirm the exact number). An exquisite and rare/hard-to-find work. The detail in the girl's kimono is quite beautiful. Junichiro Sekino was largely considered, along with Kiyoshi Saito, to be one of Japan's paramount 20th-century master print artists. Both were prominent leaders of the Sosaku Hanga movement. Sekino's works can be found in many museums including: The Museum of Modern Art, N. Y., the Art Institute Chicago, the Museum of Fine Art, Boston, the British Museum, and the Portland Art Museum among many other Fine museums throughout the world. A version of this image can be found in the Harvard Art...
Wood, Paper
$495
H 21.5 in W 26 in D 1 in
Utagawa Toyonobu Shinsen Taikoki Japanese Woodblock Diptych Print, 19th Century
By Toyonobu Utagawa
Located in Studio City, CA
A Classic image by renowned Japanese printmaker Utagawa Toyonobu from his newly selected history of Toyotomi Hideyoshi series. A very good impres...
Paper
$141Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in W 11.42 in D 0.2 in
Pl. 104 Antique Print of 17th Century Interior Decor by Racinet, circa 1890
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled '17th Century - XVIIc Siècle - XVIILes Jahrhundert'. Chromolithograph of interior decor (Painting, tapestry, woodwork), France orna...
Paper
$3,020
H 19.69 in W 15.16 in D 0.79 in
Framed Japanese 19th Century Meiji Woodblock Print By Toyohana Chikanobu
Located in London, GB
Framed Japanese 19th Century Meiji Woodblock Print By Toyohana Chikanobu Original Woodcut by Chikanobu Toyoharu.(1838 - 1912) Published in 1884 ...
Paper
Japanese Color Woodblock Print by Toyohara Chikanobu
Located in New York, NY
This Meiji-period color woodblock by Toyohara Chikanobu (1838-1912) depicts three elegant female courtiers in traditional dress taking refreshments. Th...
Paper
$2,556
H 16.15 in W 35.83 in D 0.79 in
19th Century Japanese Woodblock Framed Triptych Scene Of A Kabuki Performance
Located in London, GB
Japanese Woodblock Triptych Scene Of A Kabuki Theatrical Performance Toyohara Kunichika (1835 - 1900) Framed, each woodblock print: 23 ...
Paper
$3,135
H 22.05 in W 25.99 in D 0.79 in
Framed Japanese 19th Century Diptych Woodblock Print Toyokuni II
Located in London, GB
Framed Japanese 19th Century Diptych Woodblock Print Toyokuni II Toyokuni II (1786-1864) "Courtesan Tamagiku and master of the Naka Manjiya House" Pu...
Paper
Antique Hand Colored Print of Chinese Life
Located in Rochester, NY
Early 19th century hand colored engraving of Chinese life. Original print from "The punishments of China" illustrated by twenty-two engravings by Mason, George Henry; Dadley, J. P. P...
Paint, Paper
$1,908
H 13.39 in W 9.06 in D 0.79 in
Framed Japanese 19th Century Woodblock Print of Kabuki Actors Toyokuni III
Located in London, GB
Japanese 19th Century Woodblock Print of Kabuki Actors Toyokuni III Original Woodcut by Toyokuni III (1786 - 1864) Of the Kabuki actors Bando Hikosab...
Paper
1969 Graphic Woodblock Print by Tomio Kinoshita, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Faces (4 Faces), 1969 Tomio Kinoshita (1923-2014), Japan Woodblock print Paper, pigment, sumi ink Image: 27 high by 18.25 inches wide (68.5 by 46.4 cm) Paper size: 28 high by 19...
Paper
$1,700 / set
H 14.97 in W 10.63 in D 0.79 in
Pair Early 20th Century Japanese Framed Woodblock Prints C.1925
Located in London, GB
Pair Early 20th Century Japanese Woodblock Prints A Pair Early 20th Century Japanese Framed Woodblock Prints Of Old Masterpiec...
Paper
$141Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in W 11.42 in D 0.2 in
Pl. 105 Antique Print of 17th Century Tapestry, Borders by Racinet, circa 1890
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled '17th Century - XVIIc Siècle - XVIILes Jahrhundert'. Chromolithograph of tapestry, borders and corners, England and France ornaments. This print originates from ...
Paper
Framed Vintage Chinese Erotic Print
Located in Chicago, IL
Despite its explicit content, this intimate scene conveys a sense of tenderness and romantic love characteristic of Chinese erotic art. Known as “spring p...
Paper
Framed Vintage Chinese Erotic Print
Located in Chicago, IL
Despite its explicit content, this intimate scene conveys a sense of tenderness and romantic love characteristic of Chinese erotic art. Known as “spring p...
Paper