Chinese Furniture

In addition to being unique in style, Chinese furniture has been praised for its strong, durable structure and elegant lines. As a representative of the oriental arts, Chinese furniture ranges from simple pieces that display natural wood textures to magnificent pieces adorned with lavish carvings, lacquer, or precious stones and metals. A classic piece embodies the artistry and craftsmanship of the finest traditional Chinese furniture. As with Asian works of art, antique Chinese furniture is often crafted from rare, exotic, and even extinct woods that reflect a natural design aesthetic. There is a wide variety of Chinese furniture styles, from elaborately carved pieces to simple and rustic pieces almost bare of ornamentation. 

Chinese antique furniture holds the lead in the world's antique furniture market. The refined production process, elegantly simple design, graceful sculpting, mortise-and-tenon structure, and smooth lines contribute to its enduring artistic charm. Antique Chinese furniture has a high appreciation value in auction houses such as Bidsquare due to its elaborate structure, skillful lacquer pattern, and multi-functional design. The value and desirability of antiques depend on their age, rarity, condition, and provenance. 

Chinese classical furniture generally refers to a range of pieces made between the end of the 14th century and the beginning of the 20th century during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It includes all types of furnishings used in the home, such as chairs, stools, tables, cabinets, and bed frames, among others. Many pieces of furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties were handcrafted from padauk, rosewood, and other hardwoods. Collectors enjoy pieces made of rosewood and bamboo manufactured at the turn of the century. Several rare kinds of wood are incredibly scarce and therefore extremely sought after, such as Huanghuali used during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Huanghuali is a characteristically grained and sweet-scented member of the rosewood family, and it was often used for chairs, tables, and other decorative objects.  In the worldwide furniture market, it is considered the most valuable wood. In Chinese furniture, the pieces are generally held together through a complex network of joints rather than adhesives or nails.

A few exemplary collections can be found worldwide, including those at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Bidsquare offers a selection of the finest Classical Chinese furniture for sale at online auction that dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Quick Facts about Chinese Furniture

  • Chinese furniture is usually symmetrical, regardless of its style or layout. It implies balance and stability with a sense of harmony, unity, and seriousness. 
  • Ancient Chinese philosophies are also reflected in Chinese furniture. As in Daoism, yin and yang are in equilibrium, while tenons (yang) and mortises (yin) are complementary and integrated into tenon-mortise connections.
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  • Chinese Red Laquer Low Table
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese Red Laquer Low Table

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    STAIR
    2 Bids
    Current Bid
    $200
  • Chinese Lacquer Table Cabinet
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Lacquer Table Cabinet

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    STAIR
    2 Bids
    Current Bid
    $350
  • Two Chinese Export Brass-Mounted Camphor Trunks
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Two Chinese Export Brass-Mounted Camphor Trunks

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    STAIR
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $150
  • Set of Four Chinese Rosewood and Burlwood Nesting Tables
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Set of Four Chinese Rosewood and Burlwood Nesting Table...

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    STAIR
    2 Bids
    Current Bid
    $175
  • Chinese Brass-Mounted Elm Cabinet
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Chinese Brass-Mounted Elm Cabinet

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
    STAIR
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Set of Eight Chinese Jumu Tall-Back Side Chairs
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Set of Eight Chinese Jumu Tall-Back Side Chairs

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
    STAIR
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Chinese Brass, Shagreen, and Mother-of-Pearl-Inlaid Lacquered Low Table, Possibly Korean
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Chinese Brass, Shagreen, and Mother-of-Pearl-Inlaid Lac...

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    STAIR
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Baker Furniture Chinese Black Lacquer Low Table
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Baker Furniture Chinese Black Lacquer Low Table

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Case Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Art Deco Rug
    Estimate
    $500 - $800

    Chinese Art Deco Rug

    Est.
    $500 - $800
    Associated Estate & Apprais...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Carved Chinese Coffee Table
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    Carved Chinese Coffee Table

    Est.
    $400 - $800
    Vogt Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • CHINESE RED-LACQUERED CABINET
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    CHINESE RED-LACQUERED CABINET

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Plaque Inset Table
    Estimate
    $5,000 - $8,000

    Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Plaque Inset Table

    Est.
    $5,000 - $8,000
    Associated Estate & Apprais...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $2,500
  • Chinese Carved Hardwood Wash Basin Stand
    Estimate
    $600 - $1,200

    Chinese Carved Hardwood Wash Basin Stand

    Est.
    $600 - $1,200
    Associated Estate & Apprais...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Chinese Folding Screen
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    Chinese Folding Screen

    Est.
    $400 - $800
    Vogt Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • CHINESE EXPORT BLACK LACQUERED & POLYCHROMED ALTAR CABINET
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    CHINESE EXPORT BLACK LACQUERED & POLYCHROMED ALTAR CABI...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Austin Auction Gallery
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $150
  • Chinese Gilt Wood Carved Altar Box
    Estimate
    $400 - $700

    Chinese Gilt Wood Carved Altar Box

    Est.
    $400 - $700
    Vogt Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Small Antique Chinese Ming style Burl Kang Table kangzhou 19th c. or earlier
    Price$950

    Small Antique Chinese Ming style Burl Kang Table kangzh...

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $950
  • Pair of Vintage Chinese Style wildwood Lamps
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    Pair of Vintage Chinese Style wildwood Lamps

    Est.
    $400 - $800
    BASEL AUCTION HOUSE
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Chinese Carved Teakwood Marble Top Octagonal Pedestal, Early 20th C., H 24" Dia. 18"
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Carved Teakwood Marble Top Octagonal Pedestal, ...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    DuMouchelles
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Orange Lacquered Coffee Table, Early 20th Cent., H 17" W 22" L 44"
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Orange Lacquered Coffee Table, Early 20th Cent....

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Black Lacquer Horseshoe Chair Late 20th C.., H 29" W 30.5" Depth 26"
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Black Lacquer Horseshoe Chair Late 20th C.., H ...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    DuMouchelles
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $100
  • Chinese Export Brass Bound Camphorwood Trunk, 19th Century
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Chinese Export Brass Bound Camphorwood Trunk, 19th Cent...

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Vintage Hand Painted Chinese Storage Trunk, 19th Century
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Vintage Hand Painted Chinese Storage Trunk, 19th Centur...

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Vintage Chinese Teak Wood and Marble Top Taborette
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Vintage Chinese Teak Wood and Marble Top Taborette

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Antique Chinese Elm Kung Fu Bench
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Antique Chinese Elm Kung Fu Bench

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Chinese Export Leather Brass Bound Camphor Trunk, 19th Century
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Chinese Export Leather Brass Bound Camphor Trunk, 19th ...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Chinese Elm Child's Low Chair and Mini Two Drawer Cricket Side Table
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Chinese Elm Child's Low Chair and Mini Two Drawer Crick...

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Set of Chinese Lounge Furniture
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Set of Chinese Lounge Furniture

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Antique Chinese Furniture Assembly
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Antique Chinese Furniture Assembly

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • Set of Chinese Lounge Furniture
    Estimate
    $250 - $350

    Set of Chinese Lounge Furniture

    Est.
    $250 - $350
  • Antique Chinese Furniture Assembly
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Antique Chinese Furniture Assembly

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • Antique Chinese Furniture Assembly
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Antique Chinese Furniture Assembly

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • Antique Chinese Furniture Assembly
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Antique Chinese Furniture Assembly

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • CONNOISSEURSHIP OF CHINESE FURNITURE 2 VOLS
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    CONNOISSEURSHIP OF CHINESE FURNITURE 2 VOLS

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Three Piece Lot of Rosewood Chinese Furniture
    Estimate
    $600 - $1,000

    Three Piece Lot of Rosewood Chinese Furniture

    Est.
    $600 - $1,000
  • A Chinese carved marble suite of outdoor furniture
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,000

    A Chinese carved marble suite of outdoor furniture

    Est.
    $500 - $1,000
  • (2 Pc) Chinese Miniature Furniture Grouping
    Estimate
    $20 - $200

    (2 Pc) Chinese Miniature Furniture Grouping

    Est.
    $20 - $200
  • A Set of 6 Chinese Hardwood Furniture (Tables & Chairs)
    Estimate
    $18,000 - $1,000

    A Set of 6 Chinese Hardwood Furniture (Tables & Chairs)...

    Est.
    $18,000 - $1,000
  • (4 Pc) Chinese Miniature Wooden Furniture Grouping
    Estimate
    $20 - $200

    (4 Pc) Chinese Miniature Wooden Furniture Grouping

    Est.
    $20 - $200
  • A Set of 13 Chinese Hardwood Furniture (Tables & Chairs)
    Price$30,000

    A Set of 13 Chinese Hardwood Furniture (Tables & Chairs...

  • Three Pieces of Chinese Carved Rosewood Furniture, 20th Century
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    Three Pieces of Chinese Carved Rosewood Furniture, 20th...

    Est.
    $300 - $400
  • Two Pieces of Chinese Black Lacquer Furniture, early 20th c., consisting of a double door chest on stand, and another chest without a stand, both with
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Two Pieces of Chinese Black Lacquer Furniture, early 20...

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Three Pieces of Anglo-Chinese Bamboo Furniture, late 19th c., consisting of an oak and bent bamboo desk, the arched splash back fitted with letter rac
    Estimate
    $250 - $450

    Three Pieces of Anglo-Chinese Bamboo Furniture, late 19...

    Est.
    $250 - $450
  • Chinese Carved & Lacquered Wood Panel
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Chinese Carved & Lacquered Wood Panel

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Pair of 19th Century Chinese Carved, Lacquered, and Gilded Polychrome Wood Panels
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Pair of 19th Century Chinese Carved, Lacquered, and Gil...

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Chinese Parcel Gilt and Painted Low Coffee Table
    Estimate
    $100 - $500

    Chinese Parcel Gilt and Painted Low Coffee Table

    Est.
    $100 - $500
  • 19th c. Vietnamese or Chinese Carved Altar Table
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,600

    19th c. Vietnamese or Chinese Carved Altar Table

    Est.
    $800 - $1,600
  • Chinese Red and Gilt Lacquer Armchairs, 20th C.
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Chinese Red and Gilt Lacquer Armchairs, 20th C.

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200