Qing Chairs
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
Pair Chinese Horseshoe Folding Hunting Chairs Jiao Yi
Located in Somis, CA
A remarkable pair of late 19th-century Chinese solid elmwood horseshoe hunting chairs, known as Jiao-Yi. These chairs, steeped in history and tradition, were reserved for individuals...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Spindleback Rose Chairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of elegant low-back armchairs date to the late Qing dynasty (1644-1911), designed with spindle-back frames and clean-lined silhouettes. Known as a rose chair (meiguiyi) or ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Hardwood
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 Chairs
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
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 Chairs
Materials
Elm
Petite Chinese Tall Back Porch Chair, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Unusual for its small scale, this 19th-century tall back chair is a diminutive update on the classic yoke-back armchair popular since the Song dynasty. The traditional seat is also r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Reed, Elm
Pair of 19th Century bamboo canework chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of chinese export canework chairs circa 1890.
Good elegant examples of this chinese craft.
Made from thin cane which has been multi layered for reinforcement. Shaped back with...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Bamboo, Cane
Pair of Qing Dynasty Elm Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chinese Qing dynasty chairs in light Elm. Mid 19th century construction featuring mortise and tenon joinery and wooden nails. Elegant craftsmanship ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Elm
Chinese Red Lacquer Official's Chair, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
The defining characteristic of a Chinese Officials Chair is the way that the back crest rail turns continuously into the back posts. Our artisan...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Chairs
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Pair of Chinese Bentwood Chrysanthemum Armchairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of provincial 19th century armchairs from Shanxi province offers an unusual play on traditional forms. The chairs are designed in a classical style known as a "yoke-back ch...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Bamboo, Elm
Chinese Bentwood Roundback Armchair, 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 Chairs
Materials
Elm
Qing Dynasty Yoke Back Official Hat Armchair
Located in Allerum, SE
fine and unusually large single Qing dynasty (1644-1912) Yoke back official hat armchair. circa 1850 China.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Wood
Chinese Roundback Chair, circa 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 traditional cabinetry and architecture techniques to the human body. In the case of this Yuanyi, or round chair, the flowing crestrail 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 Chairs
Materials
Willow
Pair Chinese Qing Arm Chairs Hand Carved 19th Century
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous pair of Chinese Qing dynasty carved arm chairs
The carving is incredibly ornate with floral and lotus motifs that almost looks rococo
Very solid and sturdy...
Category
19th Century Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Wood
Very Rare Original Liberty's London Signed Qing Dynasty Chair Floral Carving
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning and exceptionally rare original Liberty’s London signed Qing dynasty chair
I have never seen one of these chair...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Wood
Chinese Stainless Steel Armchairs, Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
A stainless steel armchair, hand-crafted in China. Contemporary.
Forged in the classic Qing style, and reinvented in modern fashion. Unique and eye-catching. Pristine condition. Th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Chairs
Materials
Stainless Steel
Pair of Qing Dynasty Hongmu Armchairs
Located in London, GB
This pair of carved Chinese hongmu or rosewood armchairs date from the late Qing Dynasty, and combine extravagance and opulence with style and refinement. They are adorned with mytho...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Chairs
Materials
Rosewood
Traditional Qing style chair with hidden drawer
Located in Milano, IT
This chair, dated to the Qing dynasty and crafted in the Ning style, is a genuine piece of history, a tangible symbol of a culture and tradition that shaped the daily life of ancient China. In an era where social hierarchies were extremely rigid, this chair was not just a simple piece of furniture, but a representation of the status and importance of those who sat on it. In China, chairs were reserved for people of higher rank, used by the eldest members of the family or offered to esteemed guests.
Made from fine hardwoods like rosewood and padauk, materials known for their hardness and resistance to corrosion, this chair is built to last. The woods used, now rare and expensive, give the chair unparalleled beauty and durability. Its square-section legs, solid and well-proportioned, offer stability and refinement, adding a touch of geometric elegance to the overall design. But what truly sets this piece apart is its construction, based on the traditional mortise-and-tenon technique. This method, which does not require nails and rarely uses glue, relies solely on the connection between the tenon and mortise-a perfect balance of yin and yang, according to Taoist philosophy.
A distinctive feature of Ningbo style is its use of color, often characterized by red lacquers that, while applied to the surface, still allow the wood grain underneath to show through. This gives the furniture a unique visual depth, while the use of decorative techniques such as carvings or inlays adds an additional layer of sophistication. The chair is enhanced by a hidden drawer beneath the seat, a detail that adds both functionality and charm. This drawer is decorated with a painting depicting the Monkey King, or Sun Wukong...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Qing Hongmu Wood Wedding Low Chair
Located in Forney, TX
A Qing dynasty (1644–1912) Chinese ox blood red lacquered parcel gilt carved Hongmu wood wedding chair.
Unusual form featuring a concealed storage drawe...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Cane, Wood
Red Lacquer Child's Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Red lacquer child's chair with fine pierce carving and single drawer on the side.
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Lacquer
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 Chairs
Materials
Elm
Pair of Chinese Southern Administrator's Chairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of 19th century elmwood administrator's chairs are from northern China and feature arching back splats hand carved with traditional motifs including peonies, sparrows, and ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Elm
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 Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Wooden Antique Chair with Slightly Arched Back
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese late Qing Dynasty period chair from the early 20th century with vertical slats, pierced apron, pillar strut motifs and humpback stretchers. Exuding the richness of Chinese ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Chairs
Materials
Wood
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 Chairs
Materials
Elm
Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Diminutive Chair with Carved Back and Curving Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty period unusual diminutive wooden chair from the early 20th century with carved back, curving legs and cross stretcher. This late Qing Dynasty period diminutive wooden chair is a piece of early 20th-century craftsmanship that exudes subtle charm and elegance. With its delicately carved back, curving legs, and cross stretcher, this unusual chair is an eye-catching statement piece that will add character and history to any interior space.
Embrace the intricate details and rich heritage of this late Qing Dynasty period wooden chair, showcasing the artistic prowess of Chinese master...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Chairs
Materials
Wood
Provincial Chinese 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 traditional cabinetry and architecture techniques to the human body. In the case of this Yuanyi, or round chair, the flowing crestrail 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 Chairs
Materials
Elm
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 Chairs
Materials
Elm
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 Chairs
Materials
Elm
Chinese Red Lacquer 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 Chairs
Materials
Elm
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 Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Chinese Provincial Bentform Chairs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These 19th century cypress chairs with gently curved crest rails and undulating aprons were created by the age-old process of soaking, bending, and heating the wood to form it into t...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Chairs
Materials
Cypress
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 Chairs
Materials
Iron
Pair of Chinese Black Lacquer Chairs, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These unusual ladies' chairs exemplify the beauty of exaggerated proportions. Each chair features a small, round seat, charmingly counterbalanced by wide back panels. A black lacquer...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Chairs
Materials
Elm
Qing chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Qing chairs 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing chairs made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $400 and tops out at $22,297 while the average work can sell for $2,250.