Qing dynasty furniture's style and characteristics have been generally mentioned in the above items of furniture variety, modeling and decoration. Now just make a summary.
Qing dynasty furniture has experienced nearly 300 years of history. From inheritance, evolution and development to the formation of its own independent style, of course, it has its special background and experience, and even has the characteristics of independent existence.
Furniture in the early Qing Dynasty followed the style of Ming-style furniture. However, with the development of history, the integration of Manchu and Han cultures and the influence of cultural exchanges between China and the West, qing-style furniture style, which paid attention to form, pursued originality and advocated gorgeous style, gradually formed in the Kangxi period of Qing Dynasty and reached its peak in the Qianlong period. Furniture in Qianlong period, especially palace furniture, is a typical representative of qing-style furniture, with excellent materials and exquisite craftsmanship, especially decoration, and the combination of various materials and techniques.
In terms of materials, before the mid-Qing Dynasty, precious hardwood with deep color, dense texture and fine texture was commonly used in furniture, followed by rosewood and chicken wing wood. Pay attention to uniform materials and don't mix all kinds of wood. In order to ensure the consistency and firmness of appearance, color and texture, some furniture is made of a whole piece of wood instead of small materials. After the mid-Qing dynasty, the above three kinds of wood were gradually lacking, so mahogany was used instead.
In terms of decoration, in order to pursue the rich and luxurious decorative effect, we make full use of various decorative materials and use various arts and crafts means, which can be described as a collection of decorative techniques. However, some qing-style furniture's decoration for decoration and over-carving have also become a major shortcoming of qing-style furniture.
The most commonly used decorative techniques in qing-style furniture are carving, inlaying and painting. The carving knife is meticulous, and through carving is the most commonly used, highlighting the ethereal and transparent effect, and sometimes combining with relief to achieve a better three-dimensional effect. Inlays are widely used in qing-style furniture, including wood inlays, bamboo inlays, bone inlays, tooth inlays, stone inlays, mother-of-pearl inlays, treasure inlays, enamel inlays, agate inlays and amber inlays. The variety is rich, colorful and dazzling. Among them, enamel technology was introduced from abroad and was only used for furniture decoration in Qing Dynasty. Gold lacquer and painting are also common decorative means in qing dynasty furniture, and auspicious patterns are qing-style furniture's favorite decorative themes.
Looking at qing-style furniture, represented by the mid-Qing Dynasty, the general characteristics are rich varieties, changeable styles and the pursuit of ingenuity; The decoration is rich and luxurious, which can absorb foreign culture and integrate Chinese and western arts. It highlights stability and massiness in modeling, and integrates superb skills such as carving, inlaying, drawing, painting and rhinoceros removal in production. In terms of varieties, there are not only the types of Ming dynasty furniture, but also many new furniture forms, which makes qing-style furniture a distinctive feature different from the Ming dynasty style. Qing dynasty furniture is different from Ming furniture. Its overall size is wider than that of Ming-style furniture, forming a steady and vigorous momentum. And the styles are also very rich: there are beds, benches, lanterns, boxes, cabinets, chairs, benches, tables and cases. For example, there are many styles of emerging fauteuil chairs, and new forms such as backrest, armrest, waist-binding, and dental strips emerge one after another. In the decoration, we often use gold lacquer, painting and other techniques to show the rich and magnificent effect of Guanghua. In terms of furniture making, there are three kinds of furniture making: Beijing-style furniture making, extensive furniture making and Soviet-style furniture making, which makes qing dynasty furniture completely systematic and stylized.
Qing dynasty furniture's mature "Qing style" can be roughly divided into three stages:
The first stage is from the early Qing dynasty to the early Kangxi period, which is the continuation of the Ming dynasty, whether it is the technological level or the technological level. Therefore, the modeling and decoration of furniture in this period are the continuation of furniture in Ming Dynasty. The shape is not as rich and dignified as in the middle period, the decoration is not as rich and gorgeous as in the middle period, and the materials are not as generous as in the middle period. Moreover, there was no shortage of rosewood in the early Qing Dynasty, and most of the furniture was made of rosewood. After the middle period, rosewood became less and less, and was mostly replaced by mahogany. In the early Qing Dynasty, because of its short time and unobvious characteristics, no more excellent works were left, and this period was still in the inheritance period of the previous generation.
The second stage is the last years of Kangxi, from Yongzheng to Qianlong to Jiaqing. This period is a stable period of social politics and a developed period of social economy in the Qing Dynasty, which is recognized as the "prosperous period of the Qing Dynasty" in history. At this stage, furniture production is booming with the development of society, people's needs and the progress of science and technology. At this time, the furniture production is not only large, but also special different from the previous generation, or style. This style is characterized by qing-style furniture style.
1. The shape is magnificent and solemn.
The furniture of this period has changed from the elegance of the previous generation to be vigorous and solemn. The outstanding performance is the wide range of materials, the increase of size and the richness of posture. The shape of the master chair in Qing dynasty can best reflect the characteristics of Qing style. Its seat surface is enlarged, its back is full and its legs are thick. The overall shape is as grand and solemn as the throne. Other furniture, such as tables, desks, stools, etc. These characteristics can also be seen. You can tell their characteristics by their thick legs.
2. The decoration is magnificent and magnificent.
In the mid-Qing Dynasty, furniture had outstanding characteristics and became the representative works of qing-style furniture. Qing-style furniture's decoration pursues more, enrichment, wealth and luxury. A variety of materials are used together and a variety of processes are combined. Even on a piece of furniture, various means and materials are used. Carving, embedding and tracing gold are used together, and Luodian is used together with wood and stone. At this time, the furniture was generally decorated with the whole body, and there was no blank, which reached unprecedented richness and brilliance. However, it must be said that excessive pursuit of decoration will often make people breathless, sometimes ignoring the use of functions, and it is inevitable that there will be suspicion of power struggle.
The third stage is Daoguang to the late Qing Dynasty. During the Daoguang period, China experienced the historical disaster of the Opium War, and then the social economy gradually declined. To Tongzhi and Guangxu, the social economy went from bad to worse. At the same time, due to the import of foreign capitalist economy, culture and churches, China's originally self-sufficient feudal economy has changed, and foreign culture has also infiltrated into Chinese territory. The furniture style of this period has also been influenced and changed. We saw that some furniture in the Summer Palace was obviously influenced by foreign countries. This situation is most prominent in Guangdong. As an economic port, the widely used furniture has obviously accepted the influence of Rococo on French architecture and French furniture. Pursuing the curvy beauty of women, too much modification or even piling up. The wood is not noble and the workmanship is rough.
In a word, what we call qing-style furniture refers to the furniture in the prosperous period of the Qing Dynasty from Kangxi to Yongzheng, Qianlong and Jiaqing.
The varieties of Chinese classical furniture mainly include: chairs and stools, tables, beds, cabinets, doors and windows, couplets and other small pieces with different uses.
The console table category includes: 1 Kang table, Kang case; 2 fragrance; 3 wine table, half table; 4 square tables; Five tables, tables and long tables; 6 Desk, pencil case, drawing table, drawing box; 7 Other console tables, etc.
Chairs and stools include: 1 stool; ② Sitting on the pier; 3 intersection; 4 benches; 5 chairs; 6 thrones, etc.
The following focuses on the Qing Dynasty mahogany furniture:
In the early Qing dynasty, purple lacquer painted golden mountain water pattern begonia-style incense sticks.
This purple lacquer in the early Qing Dynasty depicts the golden hill water pattern begonia-style incense candle, which is 86 cm high, 54 cm long and 44.5 cm wide. Begonia has several sides, high waist, incisors and teeth carved into cirrus. Three legs bent, feet tilted upward, carved flowers and leaves, feet bearing round beads, fell on the four-legged seat of begonia-style waist. Ji Xiang is painted with purple paint, decorated with landscape patterns on many sides, and carved with grass patterns on his waist. The whole body is decorated with auspicious patterns such as bats, chimes and wishful patterns, with palindromes and grass patterns in the middle. Although the shape of this incense is Ming style, its rich and gorgeous ornamentation has shown the style of Qing Dynasty. In the palaces of the Qing Dynasty, incense sticks were used to display furniture.
Mid-Qing Dynasty-rosewood inlaid with bamboo and plum blossom stool
The stool is quincunx-shaped with five legs, rosewood mat, toothed wood pot, and a groove in the middle of the leg, which is filled with bamboo silk, hollowed out around the waist and embossed with ice plum patterns.
This stool is beautifully shaped, small and exquisite, and the workmanship and color treatment are just right. It is a Soviet-style work in the middle of Qing Dynasty.
Kangxi in Qing Dynasty —— Taking Jinhua Kang painted in Qing Dynasty as an example
At both ends of the case, the loach's back is round and upturned, and its legs are the portal. When it is opened, there is a red money brocade, carved with camellias, butterflies and cave stones. Outside the opening is a red checkered brocade, carved with peony, sunflower, lotus and camellia. The edges and legs of the chopping board are covered with golden double-hook red lines, full of dark eight immortals, covered with golden flowing clouds, and scattered with broken branches and flowers. There are colored Qi Diao and hook-shaped lotus patterns on the left and right legs. The red paint is engraved with "Kangxi Year System of Qing Dynasty".
The case was originally affixed with a note that "Shoukang Palace is in the account", indicating that it was displayed in Shoukang Palace. Shoukang Palace is the residence of the Empress Dowager and the Toffee. This is a palace product in the Kangxi period.
Gan Qinglong Zhu Wen Xiao Ji Kang
This small rectangle, with pine as the skeleton, inlaid with rosewood filaments at four corners and decorated with extremely fine bamboo yellow in the middle, is elegant in color. Several faces are inlaid with beech hearts in the middle, and palindromes are carved on both sides. The legs are vertical cubes with several concave surfaces. The upper ends of the legs are decorated with carved teeth, and two beams are applied between the front and rear legs.
Asparagus technology belongs to a new variety of bamboo carving technology. It is made of mature southern bamboo, split and turned inward, and then glued to wooden or bamboo utensils with the inner membrane of bamboo. It is difficult to make, and it consumes a lot of labor. Because there are few "inner springs" of bamboo used in asparagus, it is also very precious in use. Asparagus products are mostly small pieces, for fun. It can be said that "asparagus has no chunks." This miniature model is exquisite in shape and elegant in color. It can be said that it is a fine product and treasure in the existing asparagus bamboo wares in the Forbidden City.
Jinguiyue Guaping in Tanbian, Zi Long City, Gan Qing
The rosewood frame is carved with dragon patterns and the screen is blue velvet. The picture is made of gold, such as rocks, grass, osmanthus trees, floating clouds, bright moon and other decorative patterns, and it is full of beautiful autumn scenery. In the upper left corner of the screen, there is a poem inscribed by Gan Long in regular script in gold entitled "Imperial edict belongs to Fu":
The sun is shining in gold, just like a birthday party. It's a good time.
Dong Song wall is close to the West Garden, with beautiful scenery from north to south. You can only enjoy an affair and attract talents because of Cong Guiyi.
The gold hanging screen is exquisite and elegant, well-made and popular in Qianlong period, reflecting the achievements of hammering technology in this period.
This cabinet was made by the Qing government. The furniture made here is exquisite and exquisite, which can be seen from the bronze carvings on the cabinets. The moire of this cabinet is smooth one by one, and the craftsman's skill is especially obvious in shoveling the ground.
The Eight Immortals originated from Taoist legends, and the Eight Treasures originated from Buddhism. After symbolization, the two appeared on a piece of furniture at the same time. It is conceivable that the master's intention of both Buddhism and Taoism coincides with the religious view of the rulers of the Qing Dynasty.
Qingganlong mahogany inlaid jade dragon pattern floor screen
The floor screen is made of rosewood. The two sides of the base are made into a cross, and there are three vertical teeth for clamping. The decorative techniques in the center of the screen are different on both sides. The front is inlaid with jasper-ground sea teeth and Yunlong patterns, and the periphery is decorated with four rings. The back is decorated with gold paint, and the pattern is the same as the front. Yunlong pattern screen cap is installed at the upper end of the floor screen.
Qianlong period was the heyday of Qing dynasty, and various handicraft techniques were highly developed. After Jiaqing, the national strength declined, and the level of handicraft production declined. This floor-to-ceiling screen during the Qianlong period represents the highest artistic level in qing dynasty furniture, and large-scale jade-inlaid products are rare and precious.
Gan Qing Changshanbao Bamboo Yellow Painting Case
Draw a fir tire covered with bamboo yellow. There are hollow teeth with back lines below the case surface, and the upper ends of the four legs are connected with the case surface to support the lower parts of the case teeth. Two legs are equipped with tripods, and the clouds are full.
This case is inlaid with bamboo yellow, which is extremely rare on a big console table, and it is a treasure of qing dynasty furniture.
Qingganlong mahogany inlaid jade dragon pattern floor screen
The floor screen is made of rosewood. The two sides of the base are made into a cross, and there are three vertical teeth for clamping. The decorative techniques in the center of the screen are different on both sides. The front is inlaid with jasper-ground sea teeth and Yunlong patterns, and the periphery is decorated with four rings. The back is decorated with gold paint, and the pattern is the same as the front. Yunlong pattern screen cap is installed at the upper end of the floor screen.
Qianlong period was the heyday of Qing dynasty, and various handicraft techniques were highly developed. After Jiaqing, the national strength declined, and the level of handicraft production declined. This floor-to-ceiling screen during the Qianlong period represents the highest artistic level in qing dynasty furniture, and large-scale jade-inlaid products are rare and precious.
Gan Qing Changshanbao Bamboo Yellow Painting Case
Draw a fir tire covered with bamboo yellow. There are hollow teeth with back lines below the case surface, and the upper ends of the four legs are connected with the case surface to support the lower parts of the case teeth. Two legs are equipped with tripods, and the clouds are full.
This case is inlaid with bamboo yellow, which is extremely rare on a big console table, and it is a treasure of qing dynasty furniture.
Qing rosewood eight immortals and eight treasures pattern top cabinet
The top vertical cabinet is made of rosewood, and the cabinet door is drum-step, with a slotted front plate. The center plate of the top cabinet door is based on moire and carved with eight treasures; The heart board of the closet door is also the dark eight immortals engraved on the moire. The sides of the cabinet are carved with tapestry patterns of bats and gourds. The front frame of the cabinet is equipped with copper-plated loose-leaf paper and gold-plated pages.
Embroidered pier with clear rosewood inlaid with enamel
This rosewood inlaid with enamel embroidered piers is 52 cm high and 28 cm in surface diameter. Embroidered pier is shaped like a waist drum, and its surface and bottom are similar in diameter. There are two mysterious patterns engraved on the upper and lower ends, and the relief on the outside of the mysterious pattern symbolizes the nipple that fixes the drum head. Between the mysterious patterns, there are six embossed grass clips, each with a piece of real dragon enamel embedded. There are six groups of begonia openings in the middle of abdominal cavity, which are connected with each other. The interior of the opening is inlaid with rosewood board, the edge is carved with moire circles, and the bat pattern and precious flower pattern enamel pieces are inlaid. This embroidered pier has ingenious design, reasonable structure and high artistic value.
Rosewood inlaid porcelain armchair
With the passage of time, many exquisite and ingenious traditional handicrafts disappeared in the dust of history. As a treasure house of traditional arts and crafts, rosewood furniture in Qing Dynasty is no exception, and its survival is getting less and less, so that some people think that it is rare that there are only about 10 thousand pieces of rosewood furniture in Qing Dynasty. It seems that in order to verify this sentence, in recent years, at various art auctions at home and abroad, the prices of some exquisite and heavy mahogany furniture have been rising all the way, and they can often fetch tens of thousands to millions of yuan, which further illustrates the rarity of mahogany furniture.
The rising price of mahogany furniture shows its broad market prospects. More and more people have noticed its solemn and steady characteristics and profound cultural connotation. As the pearl of China furniture, mahogany furniture will become a bright spot in the art auction market with more dazzling light in the future.
From the early Qing dynasty to the middle Qing dynasty, due to the prosperity and development of social economy, the territory was vast, the maritime ban was first opened, and all directions came to Korea to pay tribute. Rare jade articles in Xinjiang, jade articles in Myanmar, corals in the sea, car canals, ivory with rhinoceros horns from afar in the Ming Dynasty, as well as western glass and mirrors, all need a kind of quiet wood to set off, and rosewood is still valued by the emperor's mansion because of its unique attributes. At this time, the West was in the period of Louis XIV and Louis XV in France after the Renaissance, and Baroque and Rococo-style art became popular and influenced the whole Europe and America. China was also in the early period of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, especially in the period of Kangxi and Yongzheng, when qing-style furniture was formed. The exquisite craftsmanship of gold inlaid in Baroque period also influenced the palace furniture in the development of Qing Dynasty. The final material of this process must be thick and good rosewood. Moreover, the aesthetic taste of the rulers of the Qing Dynasty also determines that rosewood will eventually embark on a lucky road in the furniture production of the Qing Palace. China's imperial power system reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty, with strict court etiquette and numerous laws and regulations. The emperors of the Qing Dynasty, whether clever or not, were mostly rigorous and complacent, and attached great importance to trivial matters. This is in great contrast to some emperors in the Ming Dynasty who do not do business properly and like to have fun. The quietness, darkness, stability and quietness of rosewood just catered to the psychological needs of emperors in Qing Dynasty. Therefore, the royal family in Qing Dynasty attached great importance to rosewood.