Ming Furniture
MING STYLE
In what’s considered a golden age of Chinese furniture, Ming dynasty artisans produced expertly made designs that married elegance and function. Ming furniture was versatile, such as tables that doubled as writing desks and dining spaces. But it was also beautiful, enhancing a room with clean lines, soft curves and sophisticated decoration.
Dating from 1368 to 1644, the Ming dynasty was a vibrant time for international trade and culture. Especially for scholars and the wealthy, there was an emphasis on a home’s design to promote a good life. From large wardrobes to angular sofas, Ming-style furniture was defined by its joinery, which, instead of nails, involved meticulously designed interlocking elements of wood. This material was carefully selected and positioned to make the grain part of the design. The slow-growing huanghuali, a yellowish rosewood, was particularly valued for its bright color.
Although ornamentation was minimal, Ming dynasty furniture often featured carved or painted details of flowers, insects, dragons, fruits and other motifs. Chairs crafted for scholars could include calligraphic brush writing. As overseas trade expanded, techniques from the West, like cloisonné enamel painting, adorned table screens and other pieces.
Ming furniture influenced styles abroad such as Queen Anne in England and Hollywood Regency in the United States. The curved shape of Ming armchairs had a profound impact on legendary Scandinavian modernist furniture designer Hans Wegner. The Danish cabinetmaker shared the Ming artisans’ interest in creating streamlined, functional furnishings, and his China chair, Round chair and Wishbone chair are inspired by Ming dynasty seating. Today, the Ming-style horseshoe chair is a graceful and sought-after type of seat, and contemporary Chinese designers such as Jerry Chen and Gan Erke are also drawing on this heritage for a new era of style.
Find a collection of Ming cabinets, decorative objects, lounge chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Ming
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Chinese Ming Swatow Zhangzhou Crackle Verte Charger Colour, Ca 1600
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice and rare bowl with central scene of a bird in a landscape.
Great piece; In good condition.
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Region of Origin: China
...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Ming Style Blue and White BW Bunch Of Lotus Charger 19c Qing
Located in Richmond, CA
An antique Chinese porcelain charger, hand decorated in underglaze blue and white, exemplifying the revered Ming style. The focal point, a central medallion within a double circle bo...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Wanli / Tianqi Playing Go Landscape Plate
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
15-7-19-1-2
Typical late Ming landscape dish. A very nice example!
Condition
Overall condition A (Very good) rimfritting, filled chip and 2 hairlines. Size 160 mm
Period...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Taste Tianqi/Chongzhen Dish Porcelain Ming Plate China Old
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate. Late Ming. Prunus blossom and Dragonfly great symbolism
Symbol of Winter, corresponding to the month of January. One of the "Three Friends of Winter"....
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Liu Hai Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Plate Porcelain, 16/17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful dish in blue and white. This is a Jingdezhen made dish made for the Japanese market. Kosometsuke. Central scene of Liu Hai and the toad.
No mark
Ad...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Profusely Carved Asian Display Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elegant Asian display cabinet, profusely carved throughout with glass door with carved trim and surround that reveals two long and one short s...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Taste Tianqi/Chongzhen Dish Porcelain Ming Plate China Old, 17 C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate. Late Ming. Prunus blossom and butterfly great symbolism
Symbol of Winter, corresponding to the month of January. One of the "Three Friends of Winter"....
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Period Chinese Porcelain Dish Charger Deer and Crane Antique Marked Ming, 16 C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large and very nice Blue and White Charger/Dish from the Ming Period. Jiajing. Absolute cool item marked Ming
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain
Period: 17th century Qing (...
Category
17th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Kosometsuke Plate Hare Moon, ca 1600-1640
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
It's 17th century chinese porcelain, Ming period, made for the Japanese market.
This unusual Kosumetsuke plate was used for the tea ceremony. Very nice
Heavily potted
Additional ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Late Ming or Transitional Plate Landscape
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Blue & White Ko-sometsuke plate with a landscape scene
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Region of Origin: China
Period: 17th century Ming (1368 - 1620)
Age: ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Ko Akae Floral Dish, ca 1600-1660
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Dish with iron-red, green, aubergine, yellow, brown and black with an insect in flight above flowering peony issuing from rockwork, the rim with flower sprays reserved on diaper-patt...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Paint Decorated Trunk as Cocktail Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An ebonized wood trunk with painted decoration on the front. The center panel with ladies dressed in fine robes in an interior framed by florals. A visiting figure wearing a headdres...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming/Transitional Dish Brown White Glaze Scene, 17thC
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate with beautiful Brown Glaze and an underglaze scene in white. The rim covered with a metal ring. Dated to the late Ming or transitional period.
The back...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Chinoiserie Ming Style Tea Side Accent Table W/ Pull Out Tray Shelf 30"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese side accent table featuring Chinoiserie styling with gold accents, pull out trays, and painted scene with pagoda, mountains, and a fisherman in a boat.
Dimensions:
...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Ming Style Solid Rosewood Square Coffee Table w/ Chow Legs
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage Ming Cow leg style solid rosewood square coffee table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. We f...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
17th century Chinese Ming Porcelain Ceramic Blue and White Vase Covered
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique 17th Century Chinese porcelain - Ceramic covered vase
Origin: China, Period Late Ming, approx 1630 - 1645
Form - Octagonal balus...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Chinese Jade Figure of Guanyin
Located in Bradenton, FL
Most likely Ming 15th/16th Century, carved chicken bone jade figure of a standing Guanyin (Quanyin) holding a scroll in one hand, prayer beads in the other. Affixed to carved wood ba...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Organic Material
Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard or Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Red Lacquered Vintage Bench with A-Form Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage Ming Dynasty style red lacquer wooden bench from the mid 20th century with A-form base, carved spandrels and distressed finish. Embrace the timeless allure of this ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Hongzhi or Zhengde Dish Fish, 15th/16th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated and highly unusual dish from the 15th/16th century. The dish is beautifully designed with a beautiful fish in the centre.
9-1-23-1-1
Additional information:...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Kosometsuke Ladies in Meeting Plate Marked, 17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated kosometsuke plate with an unusual scene of 4 Ladies in a garden, seems like they have a meeting. A pot with a plant in the middle lower part of the scene and ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
A Pair of Small 19 Century Chinese Patinated Bronze Statues of Gods or Deities
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of exceptional small patinated bronze castings of a male and female Chinese Deities or Gods possibly representing Shouxing God of Longevity Immortality and Good Fortune, and G...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Small Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Decorative Bowl
Located in Jupiter, FL
Chinese Cloisonne bowl dragon early 20th century turquoise blue dragon. Could be depiction of Qing Dynasty though I am unsure of that.
Stand included.
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Asian Ming Style Rosewood Upholstered Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An Asian influenced bench by top-quality furniture maker Century Furniture, from their "Chin Hua" line designed by Raymond K Sobota. Clear lacquered hardwood in a classic Ming design...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Rosewood
Baker Historic Charleston Collection Asian Style Cocktail Table w/ Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
Baker Furniture Company Historic Charleston Reproductions Collection Asian Style Cocktail / Coffee Table with protective Glass Top. Good vintage condition. Proudly made in America. M...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Glass, Hardwood, Mahogany
1960s Chinese Decorative Mahogany Hand Carved Wood Table Lamp
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Hand Carved Mahogany Wood Chinese Table Lamp
No shade.
Double socket with matching wood finial
30.25 h x 9 w x 5.5 d
Unmarked
Original vintage unrestored condition.
Refer to im...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Porcelain Kosometsuke Parasol Romantic Meeting Plate, 17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated kosometsuke plate with a rare scene suggesting a secret romantic meeting, a lady and umbrella-bearing gentleman closely together beneath a long overhanging pi...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Late Ming or Transitional Plate Fisherman Turtle
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Blue & White Ko-sometsuke plate with a Fisherman trying to catch a turtle. very unusual Ko-Sometsuke plate! Catching a Turttle which was well known to live for a very long time, ha...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
A Chinese Ming Dynasty Cizhou Wine Jar
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Chinese Ming Dynasty Cizhou Wine Jar
Provenance: Private Australian Collection acquired in 1950s.
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair Early 20th Century Chinese Ceramic Foo Dogs
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Low fired ceramic Chinese "Ming" style pair matching Foo Dogs with beautiful cracked and dripped glazed four color finish.
This beautiful couple Foo Dogs is visibly handmade because the prints of the fingers the artist are visible in the earthenware.
These Foo Dogs makes displayed in your place a great...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Large Carved and Gilt Decorated Chinese Screen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and intricate Asian carved and gilt panel that may be utilized as an architectural element, wall decoration or screen. In one piece with six panels with four recessed section...
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Style Ceramic Roof Tile Fragment, Nicely Mounted
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Chinese Ming style polychrome ceramic roof tile fragment of a warrior on a dragon with metal spear, nicely mounted to a custom solid acrylic stand. Probably dates to the 18th/...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Red Lacquered Ming Style Lined Small Chest or Trunk
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique Chinese red lacquered Ming style lined small chest or trunk, circa 1920.
This handsome chest features unique oversized brass hardware, a fabric lined interior and two side h...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
17th Century Huanghuali Book Stand
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This book stand is all original without any replacement pieces. The piece has very clean lines and a simple form typical of the Ming style which emphasizes purity of form. The two ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Bed Model
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese stoneware day bed model circa Ming dynasty (15th-17th century). The miniature models were traditionally made as burial offering objects. Pottery models of daily life necess...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Rosewood Chinoiserie Coffee Cocktail Table Square 42"
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful Chinoiserie coffee table. Made from rosewood in classic Ming form with a square top over straight legs with inward flared feet. Brass plate along underside Marked NW.
...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Chair Models
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Chinese stoneware horseshoe cross chairs circa Ming dynasty (15th-17th century). The miniature models were traditionally made as burial offeri...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Bed Model
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese stoneware day bed model circa Ming dynasty (15th-17th century). The miniature models were traditionally made as burial offering objects. Pottery models of daily life necess...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Fine Jumu Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Elegant Antique Chinese Carved and Gilt Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Striking and decorative tall wall panels carved and gilt with overall openwork large scrolled acanthus leaves in relief, each leaf with raised ribs edg...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare antique Ming Dynasty Period Painting With Flowers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Ming dynasty period painting, China 1365-1644.
Oil or tempera painted on thin canvas (or silk), mounted on wood. The painting displays a vase of...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
18th Century Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Cabinet with Original Décor
Located in Kastrup, DK
A stunning Chinese tapered cabinet from the 18th century, black lacquered with original gilt chinoiserie motifs.
Created in China during the Qi...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Arm Chairs, a Pair
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage pair of Chinese Ming style lacquered wood arm chairs with seat cushions. The chinoiserie design features a splat back, low arms w...
Category
1970s Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Chinese Ming Porcelain Early 17th Century Blue White Plate Charger Kraak Dish
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique Chinese porcelain blue and white Ming charger
Blue and white ceramic deep dish.
Material: Chinese porcelain, Ceramic
Style: Chinese, Ming, Anti...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Ming Style Side Table, USA 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite Ming Style Side Table, a true gem from the USA dating back to the 1960s. This stunning piece of furniture effortlessly captures the essence of Ming Dynasty ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
2 Chinese Ming Style Hongmu Lion Head Chinoiserie Altar Throne Arm Chairs Pair
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage pair of James Monte / Qing Dynasty / Chinoiserie style armchairs featuring heavy faux bamboo and rattan frames with open reticulated design, accented with lion heads, animal ...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 19th C. Ming Carved Ebonized and Giltwood Trifold Table Screen
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 19th Century Ming Style Carved, Ebonized and Giltwood Trifold Table Screen in great condition.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Exceptional Pair of Chinese Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Pair of very well crafted Chinese Hardwood Armchairs (Probably Stained Teak) with fine Scholar’s Object appeal. Quite comfortable with an all over smooth hand and particularly hand...
Category
1970s Asian Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Stoneware Jar Celadon fluted detail, Ming Dynasty 14th to 16th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very old interesting provincial Chinese stoneware Celadon Jar, probably Longquan, with fluted or ribbed decoration, which we date to the Ming Dynasty, between the 14th and 16th Centuries.
The Jar has an interesting circular baluster shape with an open everted rim and low foot. It has been decorated with moulded vertical flutes or ribs to its lower half. The base is concave and fairly deep.
The Jar has a mossy-olive green colour having a celadon glaze which runs from the base to the upper rim as it would have been glazed upside down, with some glaze around the top section of the inner rim. Unglazed parts fire to a terracotta brown colour at the rim, lower body and the foot rim.
The piece is unmarked but for similar pieces see the superb book: Chinese Ceramics by He Li published by Thames & Hudson, 1996; pages 164 to 184.
NOTES
Longquan is a city in South west China. These wares were produced over a long time period from 959 to 1550; which covers the Northern Song...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Ming Cizhou Wine Jar, c. 1600
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive glazed vessel dates to the early 17th century and was used to store wine and spirits made from rice and other grains. The Ming-dynasty jar has an elegant, tapered for...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Ming Style Red Lacquer Console Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A freestanding ming style console table.
The table features humpback stretchers, horse hoof feet and original red lacquer with natural age-related patina.
Presumably made of iron...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Early-19th Century Antique Chinese Small Rug - 5'10'' X 3'3''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Chinese Rugs, as opposed to most of the antique rug productions, were woven almost exclusively for internal consumption. Since they were mostly sheltered from European and We...
Category
Early 1900s Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Black Lacquer Console Table with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Black lacquer console table with two drawers and hoof feet.
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Six-Panel Rosewood Carved Lattice Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Chinese six-panel Rosewood carved lattice folding screen. Features intricate geometric patterns with Greek key motif. Each panel is 17.5 inches wide and has a contrasting o...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Imperial Emperor Ancestral Painting on Silk
Located in Miami, FL
Antique 19th century painting on silk depicting a Ming Dynasty Chinese emperor.
Beautifully executed with great details. Hand-painted o...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood, Paint
Pair of Chinese Stone Finials with Peaches and Persimmons, 17th/18th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
Over four hundred years ago, these rare stone finials once adorned the garden or courtyard of a traditional Qing-dynasty home. Hand-carved in Shanxi province, they offer a rare glimp...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Limestone
Ming furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Ming furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Ming furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, George Zee, Broyhill, and Baker Furniture Company. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $195 and tops out at $690,000 while the average work can sell for $2,941.
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