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.
Camphorwood chest with original fittings.
Located in Kastrup, DK
High-quality camphorwood chest. The top and all sides are made from a single piece of mirror-cut camphorwood with a beautiful grain pattern. Original brass fittings and carrying hand...
Brass
Antique Chinese Lacquered Hide Scholar's Trunk, Early 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, and personal effects, trunks were ...
Hide, Wood
Chinese 18th Ctr. Qing Dynasty Book Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
18th Century book chest in red lacquer. The top lifts up to reveal an open interior storage compartment. Front with a pair of doors with fillings made of n...
Metal
Blonde Chinese Hide Storage Trunk, C. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Brass
Chinese Lacquered Hide Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens and other household items, trunks w...
Hide, Wood
Late Qing Dynasty Chinese Woven Rattan Suitcase Trunk with Iron Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese woven rattan suitcase or trunk dating to circa 1900. Rectangular in form, the piece is constructed around a wooden framework and ext...
Iron
Large 19th Century Chinese Lacquered Camphor Wood Trunk
Located in Dallas, TX
This very large camphor wood trunk is incredible with a wonderful old patina and large oxidized hardware. It is a wonderful storage piece and is tall enough to be used as a hall tabl...
Bronze
Primitive Chinese Elm Trunk 19th Century Rustic Storage Chest
Located in IT
A beautifully aged 19th century Chinese elm storage trunk, rich in character and showcasing the honest simplicity of traditional Chinese provincial furniture. Handcrafted from solid ...
Elm
19th Century Qing Dynasty Red Painted Paper Bound Trunk with Brass Lock
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period red painted paper bound trunk from the 19th century with traditional brass medallion hardware and lateral C-scroll handles. This Chinese Qing Dynasty pe...
Brass
Antique Reddish Brown Lacquered Elm Trunk with Brass Lock and Raised Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Chinese lacquered elm trunk showcases the warmth and craftsmanship of late Qing or early Republican-era cabinetry from the early 20th century, with a hand-rubbed lacquer...
Brass
Qing Dynasty 19th Century Brown Lacquered Coffer with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese antique Qing Dynasty period coffer from the 19th century, with brown lacquer, brass hardware, horse hoof feet and rustic appeal. Created...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Brown Leather Trunk with Gilded Decoration
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century Chinese brown and gilt leather trunk with an oxblood red lacquered interior. This trunk is a smaller scale and is a perfect home accent being small enough to fit on a...
Bronze
Chinese Finely Woven Lacquered Trunk, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
A work of art in itself, this finely woven Qing-dynasty trunk likely once stored prized painted scrolls. Framed in elmwood, the trunk’s panels are lined with thin reeds that were pai...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Leather Trunk
Located in Dallas, TX
A 19th century Chinese lacquered leather trunk with bronze hardware and raised decoration. This decorative trunk has a beautiful old patina and is great for storage.
Bronze
Louis Vuitton Suitcase Trunk with Key
Located in North Bergen, NJ
French, 20th century. A Louis Vuitton suitcase with a monogram canvas exterior, leather and brass-bound (all rivets and hardware are marked), opens to fitted interior with removable ...
$3,791
H 24.81 in W 51.19 in D 25.99 in
circa 1800 Extra Large Antique Original Paint German Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1800 hand painted German clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest with Acanthus leaf painting I have recently purchased a very large collection of these original, antique painted wardrobes...
Pine
18th Century Spanish Wooden Trunk with Iron Hardware
Located in Marbella, ES
Antique 18th century Spanish wooden trunk with iron hardware.
Wood
$4,480
H 27.76 in W 59.45 in D 25.6 in
1802 Dated Huge Antique Original Paint European Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1802 dated aqua blue hand painted European clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest I have recently purchased ...
Pine
$568
H 13.78 in W 33.08 in D 20.48 in
Antique 1920's Canvas & Wood Suitcase Steamer Trunk Vintage Luggage
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique - Decoration - 20th Early 20th-century vintage curved trunk; cabin-sized (84x52x35cm), covered in coated canvas. It has two original leather handles. No key.
Leather, Canvas, Wood, Paper
Chinese Qing Four Panel Lacquered Incised Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare unusual late 19th century/early 20th-century Chinese Qing four-panel coromandel screen. The front features dark red lacquer decorated with scholars objects and small landscape s...
Brass
$1,101
H 13.39 in W 17.72 in D 10.24 in
Early 20th Century Italian Gothic style Decorative Boxe or Small Trunk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this beautiful and rare small trunk made in the early 20th century. Made entirely of iron with brass decorations, this trunk has a Gothic-inspired design. A unique decora...
Iron
Rattan trunk, Italy 1980
Located in Roma, RM
Rattan trunk. Italian production, 1980 Dimensions: 80 L x 48 H x 45 D cm
Rattan
17th Century English Oak Joined Chest or Trunk
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome English panel carved coffer or chest (trunk) of oak from the Jacobean period (King James II), featuring an iron-hinged, panel top, mounted t...
Iron
Early 20th-Century Chinese Porcelain Geisha Trinket Box
Located in Pomona, CA
This product is an antique Geisha Trinket Box made of porcelain with hand painted Geisha girl on the lid. Originating from China dated back to 1920s. It...
Porcelain
$3,600Sale Price|25% Off
H 41 in W 23 in D 22 in
Original Early 1900s French Steamer Wardrobe Trunk Chest
Located in North York, ON
Original early 1900s French steamer trunk wardrobe chest. In all original good condition with original interior fitting, compartments, hangers and hardware. The interior and drawer c...
Brass
British Campaign Royalty Leather Traveling Trunk, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
British Campaign water proof leather traveling trunk with leather fitted interior compartment, brass banding mounts, Royal coat of arms brass plate, brass side handles, and retains t...
Chinese Painted Clothing Trunk, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Pine
Chinese Camphor Book Trunk
Located in Chicago, IL
This camphor chest recreates a traditional form used for storage of clothing, linens, books and scrolls. Camphor (changmu) was the preferred wood for chests and cabinets not only for...
Brass
Blonde Chinese Hide Storage Trunk, C. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Brass
Chinese Painted Red Lacquer Trunk, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Brass
Rare Antique Chinese Decorated Leather Camphor Wood Trunk
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare antique 'one of a kind' storage trunk. Camphor wood lined with leather hand painted on all four sides in classic chinoiserie scenes of women, trees, pavilions etc. Trunks an...
Leather, Wood
Chinese Scholar's Studio Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Brass
Chinese Painted Book Chest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscellaneous items, trunks were found in every room in the home and were often stacked on top of one another. This beautifully painted book chest...
Elm
Pair of Chinese Full Moon Kang Trunks, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscellaneous items, trunks were found in every room in the home and were often stacked on top of one another. This elegant pair of trunks...
Brass
Chinese Footed Keeper's Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Brass
Chinese Painted Keepsake Chest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Poplar
Chinese Footed Keeper's Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Brass
Chinese Essential Hide Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Brass