Qing Seating
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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138
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154
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Height
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106
55
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39,905
21,374
8,280
4,066
1,658
1,482
1,212
1,116
991
979
903
866
727
677
475
454
342
286
3
109
42
3
35
2
145
80
72
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155
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152
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Style: Qing
Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Elm Armchair with Carved Traditional Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period carved wooden lacquered elmwood armchair from the 19th century, with traditional auspicious motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this elm armchair features a straight, slightly in-curving back showcasing a splat carved with traditional motifs such as calligraphy, scholar's objects and foliage. Two curving arms come to rest on the wooden seat with recessed panel while the ensemble is raised on four straight legs connected to one another through aprons carved on three sides. Boasting a nice patina, this 19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty elm...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Near Pair of Qing Dynasty 19th Century Yoke High Back Decorative Chairs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A near pair of Qing Dynasty period yoke high back chairs from the 19th century, with carved aprons and side stretchers. This near pair of Qing Dynas...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Wood
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Elmwood Armchair with Hand-Carved Medallion
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood armchair from the 19th century, with open back, carved splat, serpentine arms, wooden seat and meander-carved apron. Created in China during th...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Chinese Square Stool with Hoofed Legs and Hand-Painted Calligraphy, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Chinese stool was crafted from Ironwood, which is more unique than its more abundant elmwood counterparts. The ironwood provides the stool with a stunning texture. Originating f...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Qing Seating
Materials
Wood
Chinese Lacquered Roundback Chair, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Prior to the 10th century, Chinese society eschewed raised seats in favor of mats. The rising popularity of chairs and other forms of elevated seating led craftsmen to adapt traditio...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Pair of Qing Dynasty Carved and Lacquered Elmwood Armchairs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty period lacquered elmwood armchairs from the 19th century, with carved splats, serpentine arms and stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Lamp Hanger Chair with Natural Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period lamp hanger chair from the late 19th century, with serpentine arms, wooden seat and natural patina. Created in China du...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Lamp Hanger Chairs with Natural Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty period lamp hanger armchairs from the 19th century with serpentine arms, wooden seats and natural honey patina. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, each of this pair of armchairs features a rectangular seat with recessed panel, supporting two delicate serpentine arms. Raised on straight legs with carved aprons and side stretchers, this pair of 19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty lamp...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Qing Dynasty 19th Century Armchairs with Floral Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty period armchairs from the 19th century, with open backs, scrolling arms, carved aprons and low stretchers. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty per...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Wood
Late Qing Dynasty Elmwood Armchair with Hand-Carved Medallion
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period elmwood armchair from the early 20th century, with pierced splat, sinuous arms, rattan seat and carved apr...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Materials
Elm, Rattan
Chinese Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Wooden Side Chair with Rattan Accents
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period dark brown lacquer wooden side chair from the 19th century with rattan seat and back, carved scrolls and meander motifs. Created in China during the Qin...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Rattan, Wood
Chinese Full Moon Chopping Stool, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century tri-leg stool from China's Shanxi province charms with its top-heavy form and timeworn texture. Crafted of elm with mortise-and-tenon joinery, the robust stool stan...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Chinese Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Elmwood Armchair with Hand-Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood armchair from the 19th century with hand-carved apron and floral motifs. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this elm...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Chinese Fang Deng Stool with Hoof Feet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Much more portable than heavier chairs, stools would be pulled up for use at mealtimes or used in an outside courtyard or garden. Crafted in the classical Chinese style of simple lin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Pair of Chinese Chrysanthemum Lady
s Chair, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This charming lady's chair dates to the early 19th century and is an armless variation on the classic Chinese 'southern official's hat chair.' The side chair is crafted of elm (yumu)...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Pair of Horseshoe Armchairs in Catalpa Wood (梓木), China, Qing Dynasty
Located in MOUGINS, FR
Rare Chinese fine wood horseshoe armchair.
The curved upper border of circular section continuing in a broad sweep to the arms, sloping down and extending to the hook handles with r...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Wood
19th Century Dengguayi Scholar
s Lamp-Hanger Armchair with Sinuous Splat
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese antique Qing dynasty scholar's lamp-hanger armchair from the late 19th century, with sinuous pierced splat, dark patina, curving arms and side stretchers. This exquisite Ch...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique Red Lacquered Folding Traveller’s Chair with Footrest and Fabric
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period red lacquered folding traveller’s chair from the early 20th century, with carved motifs, footrest and woven fabric. This early 20th-century antique...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Chinese Bamboo Armchair
Located in San Marino, CA
19th century Chinese bamboo chair with a black seat.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Bamboo
Chinese Walnut Spindleback Chair, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This walnut chair from the early 20th-century owes its graceful design to the styles and techniques that emerged during the Ming dynasty, the golden age of Chinese furniture design. ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Materials
Walnut
Chinese Studded Limestone Drum
Located in Chicago, IL
This slender stone drum stool was carved from a solid block of limestone with simple form and minimal decoration. The top and bottom are ringed with raised studs, a design meant to i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Seating
Materials
Limestone
Chinese Provincial Round Back Chair, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Prior to the 10th century, Chinese society eschewed raised seats in favour of mats. The rising popularity of chairs and other forms of elevated seating led craftsmen to adapt traditional cabinetry and architecture techniques to the human body. In the case of this Yuanyi, or round chair, the flowing crest rail is a direct descendant of the simple armrests that had traditionally supported individuals on mats in their homes. This homage to an ancestral form, combined with traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery techniques, created an elegant, functional chair that has endured for centuries and inspired many contemporary furniture designers...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Official
s Hat Armchair, Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A classic Minister's hat armchair from Henan, China. Northern elm wood, original finish, circa 1890. Open hand-carving of "Good Fortune" on back-splat. Tw...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
$2,700 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Pair of Chinese Spindleback Side Chairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These 19th-century elmwood chairs owe their graceful design to the refined styles and carpentry techniques that emerged during the Ming dynasty, the golden age of Chinese furniture d...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
$4,280 / set
Chinese Threshing Stone Drum, C. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This low stone pedestal is an early 19th-century mill stone or roller stone, used for threshing grain on a farm in China's Shanxi province. The heavy stone would have been would have...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Limestone
Pair of Chinese Low Back Official
s Chairs, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of elegant 19th-century elm wood chairs embody Ming-dynasty design with simple form yet complex construction. The chairs are an unusual blend of traditional tall yoke-back ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Walnut
Chinese Slatted Turn Chair, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusual early 20th-century chair can be raised or lowered with just a turn of the seat. A chair in two parts, the slatted seat and high back are connected to the square base by ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Materials
Iron
Chinese Black Lacquer Guanmaoyi Chair, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
With its strong lines and upright stature, this imposing piece of furniture was the chair of choice for a 19th-century administrator in northern China. Known as guanmaoyi or official...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Tall Back Chairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
With clean lines and balanced proportions, these 19th-century tall back chairs exemplify the refined forms of Ming-dynasty furniture design. The chairs are designed after the 'southe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Low Chinese Bentwood Chair, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This bentwood chair was created over a century ago in northern China by moistening, bending, and heating willow to form its desired shape. It is beautifully carved with auspicious flowers and is considerably smaller than most roundback chairs. As the height and size of chairs were traditionally marks of status in Chinese culture, it is likely that this artful chair...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Chinese Round Turn Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
It is unusual to see an early 20th-century Chinese round stool designed to be adjustable. The artisan who created this inventive stool hand-carved the cylindrical center post for eas...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Chinese Round Turn Stool, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
It is unusual to see an early 20th century Chinese round stool with adjustable height. The artisan who created this inventive stool hand-carved the cylindrical center post for easy a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Pair of Antique Chinese Hardwood Side Chairs Qing Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of antique Chinese side chairs circa 19th century, late Qing Dynasty. Made from highly grained Hong Mu, a hard wood that resembles the Chinese rosewood, Huanghuali. These chai...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Wood
Chinese Hardwood Side Chairs, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Chinese Hardwood Side Chairs, circa 1900, with geometric details. 36" H x 19.5" W x 15" D; seat: 18.75" H. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Wood
$350 Sale Price / set
36% Off
Late Qing Dynasty Pair Chinese Hongmu Rosewood Drum Stools, circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
A matched pair of antique Asian carved perfectly symmetrical barrel stools, late 19th-early 20th century. Made of precious hongmu, a type of rosewood, eac...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Seating
Materials
Rosewood
Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Elmwood Armchair with Hand-Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood armchair from the 19th century with stick back, carved medallion and apron. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period in the 19th century...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Elm
Pair of Painted and Lacquered Chinese Yoke Back Armchairs
Located in London, GB
Pair of lacquered and painted Chinese yoke back armchairs.
Chinese, 19th century.
Measures: Height 108cm, width 56cm, depth 43cm.
Featu...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Seating
Materials
Hardwood
Qing seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing seating made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include and Liberty of London. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $136,268 while the average work can sell for $2,455.
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