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 Framed Famille Jaune Porcelain Plaque Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A matching pair of porcelain plaque from late Qing dynasty nicely framed in giltwood carved as bamboo. The Famille Jaune plaques were likely ...
Porcelain, Wood
$12,000 / set
H 29.25 in W 17.25 in D 1.25 in
Antique Chinese Qing Set of Four Hand-Painted Porcelain Plaques "4 Seasons"
Located in Portland, OR
A rare & important set of four large antique Chinese Qing dynasty hand-painted porcelain plaques; of the "Four Seasons", housed in the original Hongmu wood frames. Each plaque is fin...
Porcelain, Hardwood
$3,840Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 26.5 in Dm 13 in
Monumental Pair Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille Rose Porcelain Vases 1900
Located in Portland, OR
A fine pair of Monumental antique Chinese late Qing dynasty period Famille Rose Porcelain vases. The vases of baluster form with applied handles modeled as dragons, each vase is very finely a hand-painted with polychrome scenes of immortal figures in a garden setting. Each vase having a red Qianlong six character mark to the base. Excellent condition, no damage or retoration. This monumental pair of antique...
Porcelain
Kangxi Famille Verte Porcelain Large Dish, Qing Dynasty, 17th/18th c
Located in Austin, TX
A large and magnificent Chinese famille verte enameled porcelain large dish or charger, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period (1662 - 1722), circa 1700, China. The shallow, shaped dish of fo...
Enamel
$48,000 / set
H 24 in Dm 9 in
Large Pair Chinese Qing Dynasty 18th Century Porcelain Bird Vases/ famille verte
By PTANG STUDIO
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique, superb and extremely rare Phoenix Tail Yen Yen Large Pair Chinese Qing Dynasty late 17th early 18th Century Famille Verte or jaune Porcelain Vases .attributed to Tang Ling...
Porcelain
Chinese Export Qing Qianlong Famille Rose Medallion Porcelain Bowl
Located in Long Island City, NY
This finely decorated Qing-period rose medallion or rose mandarin bowl is beautifully hand-painted with four vignettes depicting courtly scenes.
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Qing Porcelain Famille Rose Covered Ginger Jar Vase
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique Chinese ginger jar, from the Qing Dynasty, is beautifully decorated in the Famille Rose palette, known for its delicate pinks, greens, and intricate detailing. The jar d...
Porcelain
$521
H 0.79 in W 8.04 in D 8.04 in
Famille Rose Porcelain Plate, Qing Dynasty – Court Scene, Canton Decor, 19th C.
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Famille Rose Porcelain Plate, Qing Dynasty – Court Scene, Canton Decor, 19th Century " A finely painted 19th-century Chinese export porcelain plate, richly decorated in the famille ...
Porcelain
$533
H 2.56 in W 4.34 in D 3.27 in
Antique Chinese Porcelain Famille Verte Soap Box Qing Dynasty 19th Century
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This charming rectangular porcelain soap box with lid is a fine example of Chinese Famille Verte ware from the Qing Dynasty, dating to the 19th century. The hand-painted decoration f...
Enamel
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Jars – Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful pair of decorative porcelain jars with richly polychrome decoration, featuring a deep blue ground and adorned with delicate flowers, butterflies, and botanical motifs in vi...
Porcelain
$2,200 / set
H 6.5 in W 4.5 in D 2.75 in
Pair Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Wucai Glaze Porcelain Double Dragon Fish Vases
Located in Portland, OR
A fine pair of antique Chinese porcelain Wucai glaze vases modeled with leaping dragon fish or Arowana, late Qing dynasty, circa 1890, Ex Sothebys London. The baluster-shaped vases...
Porcelain
$5,600 / set
H 5.25 in W 6.75 in D 4.25 in
Pair Chinese Export Famille Verte Porcelain Quail Boxes, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite pair of Chinese Export famille verte biscuit porcelain "Nesting Quail" boxes with fitted hardwood stands, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The delightful pair of b...
Porcelain, Hardwood
Set of 4 Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Jaune Duck Models
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Chinese Export famille jaune porcelain duck-form brush rests, dating to the late 19th to early 20th century, modeled in the form of recumbent ducks rendered with softly...
Porcelain