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 Columbia, SC
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...
Wood, Paint, Paper, Silk
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
$2,495
H 21.25 in W 31.5 in D 1 in
Clifton Karhu Signed Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print "Kamigano"
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, large woodblock print by American master printmaker Clifton Karhu who lived in Japan for over 50 years. Karhu's work gained great e...
Paper
$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
$995
H 16.75 in W 11.25 in D 0.1 in
Kiyoshi Saito Signed Japanese Woodblock Geisha Print Maiko Kyoto 3
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully and serenely composed woodblock print by famed Japanese printmaker Kiyoshi Saito. Many consider Saito to be one of the most important, if not the most important, contem...
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
$139Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in W 11.42 in D 0.02 in
Pl. 62 Antique Print of 16th-17th Century Ornaments by Racinet, 'circa 1890'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'XVIth XVIIth Century - XVIth XVIIth Siecle - XVIth XVIIth Jahrundert'. Chromolithograph of 16th-17th century ornaments and decorative arts. This print originate...
Paper
$440Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 14.25 in D 1 in
Chinese Mixed Media Print of Ceremonial Deity Mask, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Chinese framed print offers mixed media depiction of ceremonial deity mask, 20th century Measures - 18" H x 14.25" W x 1" D. A 20th-century Chinese ceremo...
Metal
$995
H 22.25 in W 44.75 in D 0.15 in
Muramasa Kudo Signed Limited Edition Japanese Serigraph Print Lilies in Stream
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful and engaging large limited edition serigraph print by Japanese artist/print master Muramasa Kudo (1948-) titled "Lilies in Stream". The wor...
Paper
$93Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.67 in W 7.68 in D 0.02 in
Pl. 105 Antique Print of European 17th-18th Century Objects by Racinet
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Europa XVII, XVIIIth Cent - Europe XVII, XVIIIe Sele - Europa XVII, XVIIItes Jahr'. Chromolithograph of European 17th-18th century objects. This print originate...
Paper
$93Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.67 in W 7.68 in D 0.02 in
Pl. 89 Antique Print of European 17th Century Furniture by Racinet, circa 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Europa XVIIth Cent - Europe XVIIe Siecle - Europa XVIItes Jahr'. Chromolithograph of European 17th century furniture . Th...
Paper
$674
H 13.78 in W 20.67 in D 0 in
Large Antique Botanical Print – Orchid Odontoglossum Hybridum Leroyanum, c.1888
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Botanical Print – Orchid Odontoglossum Hybridum Leroyanum, c.1888 A striking and rare botanical print of Odontoglossum (Hybridum) Leroyanum, featuring a vibrant red and whit...
Paper
$3,139
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
$93Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.67 in W 7.68 in D 0.02 in
Pl. 81 Antique Print of European 16th-17th Century Carriage, Racinet, circa 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Europa XVI, XVIIth Cent - Europe XVIe, XVIIe Siecle - Europa XVIt, XVIItes Jahr'. Chromolithograph of European 16th-17th century carriage. This print originates...
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