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Qing Cupboards

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
Late 19th century Chinese small sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century Chinese small sideboard circa 1890. Made from from oriental softwood, with 3 drawers below the top surface and a double door cupboard below.  Original hardware.  D...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Softwood

Painted Chinese Red Lacquer Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in the mid-19th century, this tall cabinet has a clean-lined form, designed with straight sides, square corners and minimal carvings. The cabinet front is cloaked in a bright...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Paint

Chinese Red Lacquer Scholars' Cabinet, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
With its commanding scale and simple silhouette, this tall Qing-dynasty cabinet offered the perfect canvas for elaborate decoration. Crafted in the mid-19th century, the cabinet has ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Elm

Chinese Red Lacquer Wedding Cabinet, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted in the late 19th century, this striking red lacquer cabinet was likely part of a traditional wedding dowry, bestowed upon the groom by the bride's family filled with fine sil...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Cupboards

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Late 19th Century Large Carved Cabinet from Dong Yang, Zhejiang, China
Located in Singapore, SG
A late 19th century large carved cabinet from Dong Yang city, Zhejiang province, China. This cabinet is a distinct design of cabinets from this region, who are famed for their wood c...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Elm, Pine

Chinese Qing Dynasty Late 19th Century Traveler's Chest with Removable Door
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period elmwood traveler's chest from the late 19th century, with removable front panel, carrying handle and carved motifs. Created in China during the...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Brass

Pair of Ornate Lacquered Cabinets with Cabriole Legs, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
These richly carved and lacquered cabinets were made over 150 year ago in China’s Shanxi Province and remain in remarkable condition. The cabinet fronts are well-proportioned and carved with imaginative detail, including a scalloped trim, swirling s-form cabriole legs, and relief panels of the flowers of the four seasons...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Elm

Important Documented Qing Dynasty Chinese Deep Relief Rosewood Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exquisite custom antique 19th century Qing Dynasty heavily carved Chinese rosewood and elm wooden cabinet with double-doors carved set with gilt and deep relief carved wood panels depicting scenes from historical legends and brass handles enclosing a cabinet set with four shelves. The elaborately carved Elmwood panels originally decorated a mid-19th century wedding bed then incorporated into the custom Rosewood frame around the late 1800s-early 1900s. This incredible collectors piece of Chinese history was owned by a European diplomat in Shanghai China during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Documented in a large photobook of their home in Shanghai and their travels, this cabinet was an important piece in their collection and remained with their heirs until our acquisition. Some photos including the one showing this cabinet in their main room is displayed in the photo gallery of this listing. Many pieces owned by the diplomat collector were discarded or sold off over the decades whereas this important cabinet was passed on from generation to generation until we acquired it from a descendant of the diplomat collector. This cabinet would work great as a cupboard, breakfront cabinet, buffet, sideboard, bookcase or bookshelf, vitrine, étagère, china or display cabinet and would work great in an Asian, chinoiserie, Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room. Also consider mixing it up with a splash of juxtaposition in a Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern or Danish Modern, Contemporary or Postmodern home...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Brass

Chinese Diamond Lattice Display Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
The focal point of this beautiful 19th century scholars' display cabinet is undoubtedly the complex diamond-form lattice panels fitted into the tall double doors. Unlike fretwork mad...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Brass

Chinese Honeycomb Lattice Display Cabinet, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautiful early 19th century display cabinet from China's Henan province features complex honeycomb lattice panels and doors carved with elaborate...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Elm

Chinese Paneled Storage Cabinet, c. 1650
Located in Chicago, IL
This is an exquisite example of a 17th century square corner cabinet, constructed with masterful mortise and tenon joinery. It features two paneled doors attached with small barrel...
Category

Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Elm

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21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Qing Cupboards

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19th Century Chinese Apothecary Cabinet with Drawers
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A remarkable 19th century Chinese apothecary cabinet. With 24 drawers and 2 larger lower drawers. Each smaller drawer with Chinese script and brass pull handles.
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19th Century Tapered Cabinet
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19th Century French Walnut Louis XVI China Buffet
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19th Century Shop Chest
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19th Century Shop Chest
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Located in Kastrup, DK
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

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Large Antique Chinese 19th Century Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
A large Chinese cabinet with original lacquer. Two doors, fitted with traditional central hardware, open to reveal inner shelves. At the bottom th...
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Large Antique Chinese 19th Century Cabinet
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H 86.62 in W 68.9 in D 26.78 in
Monumental 19th Century Chinese Wedding Dowry Chest
Located in Forney, TX
A phenomenal hand carved and painted wooden antique wedding dowry stacked drawer carriage chest from China. Commissioned in the 19th century to commemora...
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Materials

Lacquer, Paint, Wood

Caruso Large Cabinet in Lacquered Red Marsala and Black Legs, by Paolo Cappello
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Here you are shown the Caruso cabinet in the red Marsala lacquered structure with black legs and in the 3-door long size. This Long Cabinet is integrate...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Qing Cupboards

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Early 19th Century Mahogany Small Cupboard
Located in Brecht, BE
Unusual and quirky small sunkissed mahogany cupboard, made by cabinetmakers Spillman and Co from London, Britain at its best. Ideal as bedside table or cabinet. Great color !
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Early 19th Century British Antique Qing Cupboards

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Early 19th Century Mahogany Small Cupboard
Early 19th Century Mahogany Small Cupboard
H 27.56 in W 24.41 in D 18.51 in
Painted Swedish Provincial Rococo Display Cabinet
Located in Washington, DC
Original blue paint, carved wood display cabinet with unique original display shelving. Very sturdy cabinet in two pieces. Original shelvin...
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Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Brass

Narrow Depth Painted Country Style Cabinet
Located in Sheffield, MA
Small and wonderfully painted country style cupboard for the kitchen, a bedroom or a hallway, only 14" deep. This cabinet can be the perfect piece to fit into a small space or tuck i...
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Late 19th Century Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Wood

Narrow Depth Painted Country Style Cabinet
Narrow Depth Painted Country Style Cabinet
H 67.25 in W 41.25 in D 16.5 in
Previously Available Items
Chinese Lattice Cutout Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
While most Qing-dynasty cabinets were decorated with gilt paintings or fine carvings, this tall cabinet is patterned with unusual oblong cutouts that simulate lattice and provide a g...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Brass

Monumental 19th Century Chinese Red Lacquer Cupboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Monumental 19th century chinese red lacquer cupboard circa 1870. Stunning chinese cupboard of the largest proportions we have ever seen. Circa 1870. Stunning distressed red lacque...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint

19th Century Chinese Elm and Cane Multi Purpose Kitchen Cabinet
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This Chinese cabinet of functional and beautiful design dates to the late 19th century. It features four cane paneled doors opening up to a shelved interior above two cane front draw...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

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Brass

Chinese Gilt and Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Painted Cabinet with Bronze Hardware
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exquisite antique 19th century Qing Dynasty gilt and black lacquered painted cabinet with double-doors, freshly refinished with a French Polish - furthering the beauty of this pie...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

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Brass

19th Century Chinese Wedding Cabinet with Butterfly Hardware
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese red lacquered wedding cabinet decorated with large brass backplate in shape of a butterfly. From Fujian Province, 1850-1880. Butterfly plates are typical of Fujian Province.
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Cypress, Lacquer

Late 19th Century Chinese Softwood Cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Functional piece of Chinese export furniture, circa 1890. Made from oriental softwood, with 3 drawers below the top surface and a double door cupboard below. Original hardware. Di...
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Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

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Softwood

Late 19th Century Chinese Softwood Cabinet
Late 19th Century Chinese Softwood Cabinet
H 32.3 in W 39.5 in D 20.75 in
Pair of Chinese Black Lacquer Cabinets with Scalloped Aprons, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of elegant mid-19th century black lacquer cabinets has lyrical scalloped aprons. They maintain their rich original hand-brushed black lacquer finishes, which have developed...
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Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

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Brass

Early 20th Century Painted Cabinet, China
Located in Singapore, SG
Early 20th century 4-door painted cabinet from Zhejiang province, China. The top half of the cabinet has slightly raised painted panels surrounded by crushed mother of pearl and shel...
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Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

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Elm, Pine

Early 20th Century Painted Cabinet, China
Early 20th Century Painted Cabinet, China
H 63.78 in W 48.04 in D 21.26 in
Chinese Four Panel Cabinet, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful in its austerity, this grand cabinet from China’s Shanxi province dates from the middle of the 19th century. Featuring two sets of bi-fold doors, the cabinet is elegantly c...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

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Elm

Chinese Four Panel Cabinet, c. 1850
Chinese Four Panel Cabinet, c. 1850
H 79.5 in W 63 in D 22.25 in
Provincial Chinese Cabinet with Open Shelf, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Traces of the original lacquer finish hint are a wabi-sabi mark of the cabinet's tenacity. Original iron fittings combine with a mosaic of rich brown and red finishes to lend the pie...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Cupboards

Materials

Iron

Late 19th Century 4-Door Cabinet from Zhejiang
Located in Singapore, SG
Late 19th century 4-door cabinet from Dong Yang, Zhejiang province, China. Very fine carvings on the four panels across the top and on the bottom three drawers. The slim middle carve...
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1910s Chinese Vintage Qing Cupboards

Materials

Elm, Fir

Late 19th Century 4-Door Cabinet from Zhejiang
Late 19th Century 4-Door Cabinet from Zhejiang
H 69.69 in W 60.63 in D 22.84 in
Chinese Colonial Glass Cabinet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century teak cabinet from the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin has strong colonial influences attributable to the Europeans living in the region at the time. Giv...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Cupboards

Materials

Glass, Teak

Chinese Colonial Glass Cabinet, c. 1900
Chinese Colonial Glass Cabinet, c. 1900
H 75 in W 37.25 in D 16.5 in

Qing cupboards for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing cupboards 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 cupboards created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, elm and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing cupboards made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia 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 cupboards differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $943 and tops out at $14,800 while the average work can sell for $6,430.

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