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Qing Sculptures and Carvings

QING STYLE

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.

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Style: Qing
Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The Chinese soapstone carving from the mid-20th century is depicting a village scene, is a stunning piece of art with intricate details and cultural significance. The carving showcas...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

$3,800
Asian Soapstone Carving Of Travelling Villagers, 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The soapstone carving, with its smooth and polished surface, unfolds a scene of movement and journey across the warm, earthy tones of the stone. The composition centers around a grou...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Asian Soapstone Carving Of Travelling Villagers, 20th Century
Asian Soapstone Carving Of Travelling Villagers, 20th Century

Asian Soapstone Carving Of Travelling Villagers, 20th Century

$1,800
Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th century. Shoushan stone carving is an art originating in Fujian Province in Eastern China. Use of the stone for carvin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

$2,450
Asian Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The Chinese mustard soapstone carving from the mid-20th century, depicting a village scene centered around a tree, is a captivating piece of art with a distinct color palette and a f...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Asian Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, 20th Century
Asian Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, 20th Century

Asian Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, 20th Century

$1,250
Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The Chinese soapstone carving from the mid-20th century is depicting a village scene, is a stunning piece of art with intricate details and cultural significance. The carving showcas...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

$3,500
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Hand-Carved 5-Claw Dragon Mirrors
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 20th century or earlier Chinese hardwood hand carved five-claw dragon mirrors. Each is hand carved with high relief Imperial five-claw dragons flying in the air. They also ...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Hand-Carved 5-Claw Dragon Mirrors
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Hand-Carved 5-Claw Dragon Mirrors

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Hardwood Hand-Carved 5-Claw Dragon Mirrors

$18,650 / set
Oriental figure, Qing Dynasty, woman carved in carnelian agate
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Oriental figure, Qing Dynasty, woman carved in carnelian agate. Carved carnelian agate figure that represents an oriental woman surrounded by flowers and next to her a long-tailed bi...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Agate

Oriental figure, Qing Dynasty, woman carved in carnelian agate
Oriental figure, Qing Dynasty, woman carved in carnelian agate

Oriental figure, Qing Dynasty, woman carved in carnelian agate

$2,200
A Finely Cast Standing Bronze Figure of Guanyin, 17th / 18th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The finely cast bronze figure of Guanyin - Bodhisattva Goddess of Compassion, Kindness & Mercy. Shown wearing an outer robe finely modelled with cascading folds tied at her waist, h...
Category

1690s Chinese Antique Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

A Finely Cast Standing Bronze Figure of Guanyin, 17th / 18th Century
A Finely Cast Standing Bronze Figure of Guanyin, 17th / 18th Century

A Finely Cast Standing Bronze Figure of Guanyin, 17th / 18th Century

$8,000
Monumental Chinese Buddhist Mountain Monastery Soapstone Carving, 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The Monumental Chinese Buddhist Mountain Monastery Soapstone Carving is a masterful work of art that encapsulates the grandeur and spiritual significance of Chinese Buddhist archite...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Monumental Chinese Buddhist Mountain Monastery Soapstone Carving, 20th Century
Monumental Chinese Buddhist Mountain Monastery Soapstone Carving, 20th Century

Monumental Chinese Buddhist Mountain Monastery Soapstone Carving, 20th Century

$4,500
Fine Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The finely detailed Chinese soapstone carving from the 20th century portrays a picturesque mountain village nestled in a serene landscape. Crafted with exquisite precision, the carvi...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Fine Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Fine Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

Fine Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

$1,500
Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The soapstone is characterized by a smooth and polished surface, with the choice of stone allowing for a nuanced exploration of color and form. The central focus of the scene is vill...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century
Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

Chinese Soapstone Carving of a Buddhist Village Scene, Mid-20th Century

$1,300
Asian Mustard-Yellow Soapstone Carving Depicting Village Scene, 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The soapstone carving, with its smooth and polished mustard yellow surface, serves as a canvas for a scene that exudes life and detail. In the foreground, three villagers are expertl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Asian Mustard-Yellow Soapstone Carving Depicting Village Scene, 20th Century
Asian Mustard-Yellow Soapstone Carving Depicting Village Scene, 20th Century

Asian Mustard-Yellow Soapstone Carving Depicting Village Scene, 20th Century

$1,950
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Carved Stone Lions
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
An unusual pair of Chinese carved Stone models of lions, each depicted with opposing heads and seated on lotus bases. In good condition and retaining a nicely weathered surface. Circ...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Stone

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Carved Stone Lions
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Carved Stone Lions

Pair of 19th Century Chinese Carved Stone Lions

$2,402 Sale Price
20% Off
Radiating Yellow Buddhist Soapstone Carving, 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The radiating yellow soapstone carving depicts a serene and spiritually evocative scene set in the elevated hills, capturing the essence of Buddhist monks in the 20th century. The so...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Radiating Yellow Buddhist Soapstone Carving, 20th Century
Radiating Yellow Buddhist Soapstone Carving, 20th Century

Radiating Yellow Buddhist Soapstone Carving, 20th Century

$2,500

Qing sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $148 and tops out at $100,000 while the average work can sell for $1,927.

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