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.
1850s Blue Scene Pictorial Qing Chinese Silk Kesi Textile 3'3" x 7'6" Carpet Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mid 19th Century Chinese Silk Kesi Textile ( 3'3" x 7'6" - 99 x 229 ) Antique Chinese – Textile Medallion Flat Weave Rug, Country of Origin: China, Circa Date: 1850s. This extraordi...
Silk
1820s Blue Medallion Qing Antique Chinese Silk Embroidery 3' x 3'7" Carpet Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 19th Century Chinese Silk Embroidery ( 3' x 3'7" - 91 x 110 ) Antique Chinese – Textile Blue 1825 Rug, Circa Date: 1825. This exceptional piece is not a woven carpet but a fin...
Silk
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
The Tranquil Passage: An Antique Chinese Silk Tapestry Masterpiece of Serenity
Located in Dallas, TX
71052 Antique Chinese Silk Embroidered Tapestry, 02'11 x 04'08. Woven in luminous silk and composed with poetic restraint, this antique Chinese embroidered...
Silk
Framed Antique Chinese Silk Robe with Dragon Roundel Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
A black silk robe with three medallions of five-clawed dragons and thousands of ocean waves borders, all done in a splendid embroidery with gold bullion threads...
Metallic Thread
Late 19th Century Chinese Silk & Metal Embroidery ( 1' 9'' x 12' 9''-53 x 387 )
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th Century Chinese Silk & Metal Embroidery 1' 9'' x 12' 9''-53 x 387
Wool
Chinese Silk Brocade Chair Panel with Pagoda & Crane, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This framed silk brocade tapestry is one half of a magnificent Qing-dynasty chair panel, or chair strip. Because traditional Chinese seating was not upho...
Silk
1890s Set of 3 Framed Antique Carpet Scenic Chinese Kesi Textiles 1' x 1'3" Rug
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Set of 3 Framed Chinese Kesi Textiles ( 1' x 1'3" - 30 x 38 ) Antique Scenic Chinese Textile Framed Multi Panel Triptych Country of Origin: ...
Silk
Chinese Silk Brocade Chair Panel with Fu Lion, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This framed silk brocade tapestry is one half of a magnificent Qing-dynasty chair panel, or chair strip. Because traditional Chinese seating was not upho...
Silk
1850s Ivory Figure Pair of Chinese Kesi Textile Rug 2' x 3'8" Woven Frame Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Mid 19th century pair of Chinese Kesi Textile ( 2' x 3'8" - 61 x 111 cm). Antique Chinese – Textile Chinese Knotted Rug, Circa Date: 1850s. This exceptio...
Silk
Pair Framed Chinese Qing Dynasty Silk Court Embroidery Textile Panels
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A striking pair of antique Chinese silk embroidered textile fragments, carefully mounted and framed as decorative art panels. These exquisite embroideries likely date to the late Qin...
Linen, Silk, Lucite
1940s Chinese Vintage Silk Embroidery of Framed Phoenix Birds
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Chinese vintage embroidery silk on silk of phoenix birds on a brunch with signed inscription, in a bamboo like profiled frame.
Silk
Bobyrug’s Beautiful Vintage Chinese Art Deco Little Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Exquisite Beijing Chinese rug adorned with a captivating design and vibrant colors. Meticulously hand-knotted with wool velvet on a cotton foundation. The intricate pattern, featurin...
Wool
Sold|$2,968
H 15.95 in W 5.52 in D 0.79 in
Pair Antique 19th Century Framed Chinese Silk Embroidery Panels Qing Dynasty
Located in London, GB
A PAIR OF CHINESE SILK EMBROIDERED PANELS 19th Century, Qing Dynasty Each worked to depict a pair of cranes perched atop a leafy branch ...
Silk
$5,951
H 92.92 in W 108.27 in D 0.2 in
Flemish Tapestry 18th - The Swiss Guard, Pastoral Passage of the Pope - N° 1483
Located in Paris, FR
18th Century Flanders Tapestry - The Swiss Guard, Pastoral Passage of the Pope - No. 1483 Period: 18th century Condition: Perfect condition Material: Wool & silk Width: 275 cm Height...
Wool, Silk
$1,100Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 21.5 in W 21.5 in D 1 in
Pair of 19th Century Framed Chinese Silk Embroideries
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Pair of framed Chinese silk embroideries from the 19th century with supporting documents from Hong Kong. Each piece is approximately 15 ...
Brass
Antique Blue Chinese Pictorial Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Chinese pictorial throw-size rug Measures: 2'8' x 5'.
Wool
Framed Antique Chinese Embroidery Panel Qing Dynasty Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique Chinese embroidery panel, originally the sleeve band of a robe from Qing Dynasty, circa 19th century. Nicely presented as a...
Silk, Wood
Antique Japanese Export Silk Embroidery Americana Patriotic Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A silk embroidery panel that depicts an American eagle perched on the liberty shield, with laurel branches and shooting arrows under the feet and flanked by four American flags and b...
Silk, Wood
Framed Antique Japanese Silk Embroidery Fukusa Textile Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Fukusa Panel with tassels displayed in a gilt frame circa Meiji Period. Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used as a...
Silk, Wood
Chinese Ladies Silk Jacket, c. 1890
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese navy blue Silk Short Jacket with Floral Embroidery. The jacket is front buttoned with black piping and buttons and wide sleeves. The applied round collar band is black silk e...
Silk, Wood
Large Chinese Silk Embroidery, Framed
Located in Bradenton, FL
This tall Chinese silk embroidery depicts Asian figures and scenes of boats, bridges and Asian landscapes. Features red, green, salmon and whit...
Silk
$5,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 66.15 in W 31.89 in D 0.3 in
Antique French Tapestry Rococo Tapestry Green Wool & Silk 3x6 Handwoven Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent antique French tapestry with Rococo style, featuring a rare and elegant composition of floral elements, vases, animals, and birds, dating to circa 1920. It has very rar...
Wool, Silk
Sold
H 41.5 in W 53 in D 0.5 in
Chinese Embroidered Silk Lady's Robe with Blossoms & Butterflies, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
When the Qing-dynasty woman who wore this lovely robe entered a room, people would instantly have recognized her status and rank based on the fine materials and skilled decoration of...
Cotton, Silk
Sold
H 11.75 in W 11.75 in D 0.75 in
2 Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Silk Court Rank Military Crane Buzi Badges
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of antique Chinese Qing Dynasty silk textile / tapestry court rank military buzi badges or panels embroidered with a scene of a dancing Manchurian Cr...
Silk, Faux Bamboo
19th Century Chinese Silk Embroidered Banner or Hanging
Located in Point Richmond, CA
19th century Chinese silk embroidered banner or hanging Mid 19th C banner depicting three auspicious animals, the Dragon, the Qilin and the Phoenix, all with riders, surround by a...
Natural Fiber, Silk
Chinese Minority Wedding Bed Cover, Tujia People, circa 1900
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Chinese minority wedding bed cover, Tujia People, Hunan or Hubei Province, China, circa 1900. A rare old example of an early brocade-woven Tujia we...
Silk, Cotton
Sold
H 52.75 in W 29 in D 0.75 in
Chinese Silk Embroidered Panel of a Female Immortal, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A large framed and glazed Chinese Qing dynasty silk embroidered tapestry panel of a female immortal, most likely Magu, late 19th century, China. The large Chinese silk panel beautifully embroidered with an image of the Taoist female immortal Magu. Magu wears luxurious, long, flowing robes, with scarf billowing around her and a gourd drinking vessel hanging tied around her waist. She holds aloft in one hand an archaic ritual wine vessel...
Glass, Silk
Sold
H 30 in W 30.25 in D 1.5 in
Chinese Silk Cloud-Band Textile with Dragon Roundels, circa 1800-1825
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Chinese silk cloud-band textile with dragon roundels, circa 1800-1825. A graphically compelling Qing period silk with a pattern of red cloud-band...
Silk
Sold
H 45 in W 40 in D 2.5 in
Qing Dynasty Period Gold and Red Embroidered Asian Portiere/Wall Hanging
Located in Miami, FL
Qing Dynasty period Chinese portiere or wall hanging. This beautifully decorative piece handstitched onto silk panels is an arts gem that is decorated with t...
Silk
19th Century Chinese Embroidered Silk Ladies Butterfly Short Robe
Located in Chicago, IL
When the Qing-dynasty woman who wore this lovely jacket entered a room, people would instantly have recognized her status and rank based on the materials and decoration of her garmen...
Silk
Set of Three 19th Century Chinese Kesi Official's Badges
Located in Chicago, IL
These exquisite, handwoven tapestries are actually Qing-dynasty civil official badges. Such badges were affixed to the front and back of a dark silk overcoat to convey the official's prestige and rank. Facing the sun and resting amidst crashing waves, a central figure of a regal bird designates the official's rank. The outermost badges in this set of three depict Silver Pheasants, emblems of fifth rank, and the middle badge depicts a Wild Goose, the emblem of fourth rank. Scrolls, censors, coins, and other auspicious charms float throughout billowing clouds and waves surrounding the bird. Though many Qing-dynasty badges were embroidered, this set is an example of a pain-staking weaving technique known as kesi, or k'o-ssu, valued for creating an overall effect of carved silk. Set against fine silk brocades and centered in a simple frame, this set is a stunning example of Chinese textile art.
Silk
Chinese Qing Embroidery Court Rank Badge
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Qing dynasty embroidered court rank badge of a first rank civil official, depicting a Manchurian crane facing right, standing on a rock surrounded b...
Fabric