Qing Pedestals
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Pedestals
Teak
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Marble
Early 2000s Chinese Qing Pedestals
Teak
Early 2000s Chinese Qing Pedestals
Teak
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Pedestals
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Pedestals
Teak
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Limestone
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Ceramic, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Limestone
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Marble
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Marble
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Elm
1880s Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Limestone
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Elm
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Limestone
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Oak
Early 20th Century American Qing Pedestals
Wood
1910s Slovak Vintage Qing Pedestals
Brass
1970s American Vintage Qing Pedestals
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Qing Pedestals
Oak
1970s Danish Vintage Qing Pedestals
Teak
1960s Italian Vintage Qing Pedestals
Wood, Burl
2010s Philippine Qing Pedestals
Wood, Hardwood
Late 19th Century European Antique Qing Pedestals
Wood
1920s Vintage Qing Pedestals
Oak
1970s Asian Vintage Qing Pedestals
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Qing Pedestals
Plaster
1940s Slovak Vintage Qing Pedestals
Bentwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Limestone
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Limestone
Early 2000s Chinese Qing Pedestals
Teak
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Elm
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Boxwood, Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Pedestals
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Pedestals
Elm
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Cast Stone
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Wood
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Pedestals
Wood