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Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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
Sixteen Drawer Chinese Collector's Cabinet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
The Ming-dynasty’s legacy of clean, elegant lines remained a powerful influence in Qing-dynasty aesthetics as seen in this statuesque collector's cabinet. Made of warm-toned wood, th...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Chinese Herbal Apothecary Chest, Late 19th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period late 19th century apothecary merchant's chest in Southern elm, also called Jumu wood. Originally used by a Chinese pharmacy to organize and store herbal...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Apothecary Medicine Chests
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Chinese apothecary / pharmacy medicine chests. Made of elm wood with ivory lacquer. Each with 33 drawers (30 small square drawers + 3 larger ). These were used to store and o...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Early 20th Century Chinese Apothecary Medicine Chests
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese apothecary / pharmacy medicine chests. Made of elm wood with ivory lacquer. Each with 33 drawers (30 small square drawers + 3 larger ). These were...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Korean Elm Coffee Table with Lots of Drawers, Late 19th Century
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London are delighted to offer for sale this beautiful late 19th-century Korean elm coffee table with lots of drawers. This is a very wel...
Category

Late 19th Century Korean Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red Lacquer Side Chest with Five Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period red lacquer side chest from the 19th century with five hand-carved raised drawers, hints of a black lacquer and horse hoof...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

19th Century Qing Period Chinese Alter Console
Located in Pasadena, TX
19th century Chinese alter console Qing period piece featuring two drawers with brass pulls. Carved apron and sides. Measures: 41.5"W x 20.25"D x 31....
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Antique Raised Panel Chest with Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Qing Dynasty chest with drawers. Accentuated raised panels with scalloped edges make up all the front and side panels. Adorned with red lacq...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

18th Century Chinese Medicine Chest
Located in Kastrup, DK
Medicine Chest in original black lacquer. Shanxi province, China. Dating back from the late 18th Century.
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

Freestanding Qing Dynasty Black Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Kastrup, DK
Black lacquer sideboard with multiple drawers and two doors. From Hebei, circa 1880-1900. This sidebord is perfectly useable as a freestanding centerpiece given the depth: 68 cm / ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Red Lacquer Cabinets with Poetic Pairings, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Set within a simple black lacquer frame, the three drawers of these early 20th century upright cabinets are brilliantly colored with rich red lacquer t...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Elm

1900s Chinese Chest of Drawers with Original Patina
Located in High Point, NC
Introducing a distinctive piece from the 1900s, this Chinese Chest of Drawers with Original Patina stands as a testament to timeless craftsmanship. This unique chest features 36 smal...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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Stunning Chinese Chinoiserie Hand Painted Commode Chest of Drawers Marbled Top
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Chinese Carved Vintage Silver Jewelry Cabinet Collector Chest
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Antique 19th Ctr. Apothecary Medicine Chest with 45 Drawers
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Japanese Antique Tansu 1860s-1900s / Chest of Drawer Cabinet Wabisabi Mingei
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19th Century Apothecary Medicine Chest with 24 Drawers
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Pair of Chinese Apothecary 'Pharmacy' Medicine Chest
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Chinese Apothecary Medicine Chest with 39 Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese elm apothecary / pharmacy medicine chest with 39 drawers. From Suzhou, China, 1860-1880.
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Chinese Apothecary Medicine Chest with 28 Drawers
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Chinese Qing Lacquered Elm Nine-Drawer Clothing Chest with Bronze Hardware
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19th Century Chinese Sideboard in Red Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
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19th Century Chinese Sideboard in Red Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Sideboard in Red Lacquer
H 36.62 in W 50.01 in D 17.33 in
Qing Dynasty Medicine Cabinet with 35 Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
This apothecary cabinet has a beautiful aged patina. The piece has 35 drawers with traces of elegant calligraphy, indicating the contents of each. The addition of an open display she...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Elm

Qing Dynasty Medicine Cabinet with 35 Drawers
Qing Dynasty Medicine Cabinet with 35 Drawers
H 74.02 in W 46.07 in D 18.9 in
Chinese Carved Ten-Drawer Chest, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautiful chest is a classic Qing dynasty design handcrafted in northern China out of elmwood. The quality of the workmanship is evident in the beautifully carved drawer fronts....
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Chinese Carved Ten-Drawer Chest, c. 1850
Chinese Carved Ten-Drawer Chest, c. 1850
H 38.75 in W 62.75 in D 19.5 in
Red Lacquer Chinese Low Chest with Five-Drawers and Original Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
This handsome Chinese low chest is from the middle Qing dynasty and is made from elmwood and red lacquer. The piece features five drawers and its ori...
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Qing commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, asian art and furniture, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,779 and tops out at $6,880 while the average work can sell for $2,076.

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