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
Antique Chinese Granary Jar
Located in Yonkers, NY
A 17th century Antique Chinese Granary Jar hand made from terracotta with a verdigris patina. Unearth an enthralling piece of history with...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese blond hardwood stool in the Ming taste, 1800-25
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese Yumu wood (Northern Chinese elm) stool in the Ming taste. The waisted and bull nose frame and panel top is engaged to the rounded framing elements including the leg posts. Th...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Vintage Boho Glazed Ceramic Tall Ming Vase
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Boho Glazed ceramic vase. A classic Ming style in a black high gloss finish. Rests on a wooden plinth. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
20th c. Modern Ming Horseshoe Chairs With Caned Seats Custom Cushions
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant pair of lounge chairs in the manner of designer Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection. Solid bent walnut sculpted forms feature gorgeous caned seats and new custom ...
Category
1970s Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Tapestry, Chenille, Cane, Walnut
Chinese Wanli-Era Cast Iron Bell
Located in Chicago, IL
A cast iron bell, when struck with a wooden beam, announced the time of day to villagers. This monumental example is covered in relief casts of chrysant...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
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 Heavily Carved Marble Top Tiered Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Two tiered with elaborate carvings. A scalloped top carved with foliate scrolls and inset pink marble top over the openwork carved frieze with leafy band. The heavy carved legs with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Marble
DREXEL HERITAGE Ming Treasures Mahogany Carved Chinoiserie Dining Table
By Drexel
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Ming style rectangular dining table by Drexel Heritage, from the Ming Treasures Collection. Mahogany & veneers, carved & painted Chinoiserie sc...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Paint
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Incense Holder / Jardiniere
Located in San Francisco, CA
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Incense Holder / Jardiniere. A substantial incense holder in the Chinese Ming style. Sides and bottom covered in a r...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Black Lacquer & Cowhide Arm Chair, Mid-20th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage Chinese ming style black lacquer & cowhide arm chair.
Additional information:
Materials: cowhide, lacquer, wood.
Color: black.
Period: ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Cowhide, Wood
Antique Chinese 17C Porcelain Ming/Transitional Kraak Literati dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Rare and nicely decorated dish. Very unusual decoration and superb quality of painting and potting. Ca 1595-1645. Truly nice cobalt blue color
See: Maura Rinaldi: "Kraak Porcelain...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Scroll Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Stained leather covered wood in deep oxblood and dark brown tones. With three stitched plaques with raised characters on the front. A brass mount with lock on the front (lacking the ...
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique Chinese 17th Century Porcelain Ming/Transitional Plate Boys with Bird
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate.
A late Ming Ko-Sometsuke porcelain dish, Wanli or Tianqi period, 1600-1627.
This Kaiseki blue and white porcelain serving dish is decorated with two ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese 17th C Porcelain Ming/Transitional Plate Blue Tianqi Chongzhen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very nicely decorated plate. A late Ming porcelain dish, Wanli or Tianqi Period 1620 – 1645. Very nice with a scene.
Condition
Overall Condition...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Asian Ming Style Carved Mahogany Lounge Chairs, 1940-1960
Located in Rochester, NY
A very elegant pair of Asian Ming style hand carved mahogany hardwood lounge chairs in nicely aged original surface color w/ beautifully figured grain. Exceptional quality finely det...
Category
20th Century Singaporean Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany
16th-17th Century Chinese Ming Dynasty Fu Dog Censer Incense Vase
Located in Hampstead, QC
This is a rare Chinese Ming Dynasty bronze Fu Dog figural bronze tripod lidded censer used for incense. It has a Fu Dog or Qilin figural top lid with superbly carved details. The Fu ...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Asian Ming Style Carved Mahogany Sofa Settee, 1940-1960
Located in Rochester, NY
Very elegant Ming style mahogany hardwood sofa settee in nicely aged original color w/ beautifully figured grain to wood. Fine hand crafted hand carved details and pegged woodwork...
Category
20th Century Singaporean Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany
Ming Dynasty Carved Ancestor Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Marvel at the exquisite artistry of this carved wood Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) ancestor figure—a captivating depiction of a seated man adorned in the distinguished attire o...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 20th Century Vintage Regency Ming Grasscloth Console Table
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Regency console table. A chic Grasscloth finish with Ming legs. Currently black, but easy to change the color to suit ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Asian Black Lacquered Square Coffee Tables with Gilt Detail
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A gorgeous pair of asian square coffee tables, newly lacquered and refinished with ming and gilt detail!
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Elm Audience Chair, c. 1850
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese audience chair in the Ming Dynasty taste. The chair is made from Northern Chinese Elm with traces of original black lacquer throughout. The chair has a frame and panel seat w...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Asian hand carved Hexagonal Center Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Asian hand carved hexagonal center table distinguished by geometric forms and clean graceful lines featuring picture framed top with carved apro...
Category
20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Cabinet in Original Black Lacquer, Shanxi Province, 1820-1830
Located in Kastrup, DK
Original black lacquer cabinet with a pair of doors.
The front with a layer of "thick varnish" this is used to attach the thick varnish, first the canvas and after the "varnish pa...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chinese Longquan Celadon Ming Dynasty Porcelain Vase
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Longquan Celadon Ming Dynasty Porcelain Vase.
Chinese antique Ming Dynasty celadon porcelain vase with leaf motif. Overall crackle glaze.
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Vintage Asian Carved Hard Stone Urns on Stands with Intricate Detail
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage pair of Asian hand carved hard stone urns with intricate detail of dragons, scenery and Asian symbols on wood bases.
Category
Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
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 17th Century Hand Carved Stone Monkey Temple Sculpture
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period hand carved stone monkey temple sculpture from the 17th century, depicted seated and holding a round stone disc above its head. Created in China during the Ming Dynasty period which spanned from 1368 to 1644, this hand carved stone sculpture...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Early 20th Century Asian Style Petite Pipe and Tobacco Cabinet
Located in Doylestown, PA
Asian style petite pipe and tobacco cabinet, early 20th century.
This Ming style cabinet features a single tiger maple panel door with original Fen...
Category
Early 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Pair of Japanese Kyokuroku Folding Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Japanese red lacquered folding meditation armchair for monks.
Pair of kyokuroku chairs in original red lacquer with gilt carvings and embossed brass hardware.
One chair wit...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Chinese Style Low Kang Coffee Table with Carved Scrolls and Chow Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Chinese Ming style low Kang coffee table from Java, with carved apron, chow legs and custom lacquer. Created in Java during the Mid-20th Century, this low Kang coffee table...
Category
Mid-20th Century Javanese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Chinese Small Cizhou Glazed Figure of a Daoist Deity, Song to Ming Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
A small and charming Chinese cizhou ware glazed pottery figure of a Taoist deity or official, Song to Ming Dynasty, 13th - 15th century, China, ex. Christi...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty-Style Equestrian Roof Tile, 18th C.
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 18th century Chinese Ming dynasty-style equestrian form glazed pottery roof tile.
Classic figural depiction of a proud celestial warrior on horseback, hand-crafted of eart...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Earthenware, Terracotta
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
Chinese Soapstone Fish Carving 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
Chinese Soapstone fish carving 20th century.
This exquisite soapstone sculpture is a unique carving, as it shows to us the natural formation of two stones with the grey soapstone accompanied by the red, yellow and beige soapstone carved into a beautiful depiction of fish and and underwater coral.
Shoushan stone...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Soapstone
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
Pair of Early 19th Century Chinese 'Lazy Chairs' in Walnut and Black Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of 'Lazy Chairs' in walnut, black lacquer with a natural cracked wear that gives the chairs an exciting and artistic look.
Ming style, early 19th century China.
The term 'Laz...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Lacquer
Chinese Red Lacquered Sideboard
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beijing "Altar" sideboard in original red lacquer with three drawers.
Below, pair of doors with sides that can be opened.
The lacquer color has a natural patina with a clear lacquer ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Prussian Blue Lacquered Chinese Drum Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1940s Prussian Blue hardwood Ming style drum stool.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Chinese Ming Style Carved Elm Split Reed Altar Bench Coffee Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Charming late 19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty bench. Made from solid elm wood in mortise and tenon construction with an inset split reed top. Feat...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Ceramic 3 Leg Cash Toad, circa 1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chinese ceramic 3 leg cash toad, circa 1900. Low fired clay with beautifully applied drip glaze in greens and white. In the style of a Ming Period Censor.
May also be used as a sma...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Tiered Stand with Inset Rose Marble Top
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique stone-inlaid Chinese stand with two tiers enhanced by open work and hand carved motifs, indicative to these pieces, such as the scroll, ornamental vines and greek key and ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Chinese Guan Yin Figure Early Ming Dynasty
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare Chinese Guan Yin figure, early Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Beautifully painted carved wood retaining a significant amount of its apparently or...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Asian Modern Ming Style Lacquer and Brass Console Table by Baker Furniture
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a sleek modern Ming style console table by Baker Furniture Company. The piece has an espresso finish with a high gloss clear coat. The top has a faux marble painted inset str...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chinese Ming Style Coffee Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese low rectangular coffee table made in walnut. Ming style.
A fine and elegant example of classical Chinese furniture in cabinet-maker quality.
Jiangsu Province 1860-1880.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Early Chinese Stone Budha Hand Fragment
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early Chinese stone Budha hand fragment.
A stone sculpture of a Buddha hand in a traditional gesture known as
Verada Mudra, meaning Compassion / Sincerity.
Once part of a large Buddha sculpture...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Antique Carved Elmwood Northern Chinese Altar Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved elmwood Northern China altar table featuring fine form and intricately carved apron with bowed legs and curled feet. Each end having a drawer.
Measures: 101" (w) x 14" (d) x ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Rare Kosometsuke Antique Chinese 16/17c Ming Dynasty Plate China Porcelain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful dish in blue and white. This is a Jingdezhen made dish made for the Japanese market. Kosometsuke.
The rim of the dish is in the shape of a flower, the dis is overall sha...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Armchairs "Official Back", circa 1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of "Official Back" armchairs. In Chinese "Yoku Back"
Untouched made in elm wood, burgundy lacquer and natural age-related patina with clear lacquer as surface finish.
Called "...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Chinese Scenic Painted Carved Wood Doors, 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinese scenic painted carved wood doors. Each door is beautifully carved on one side and candles painted on the other side with mang Ming sty...
Category
19th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Ming Wooden Hibachi Table/Planter on Pedestal with Brass Hardware
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Ming wooden Hibachi table/planter on pedestal with brass hardware.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Carved Wood Buddha Sculpture Lamp
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinese carved wood Buddha sculpture lamp. Later electrified with Lucite base and custom made shade.
Additional information:
Materia...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Lucite
Antique Chinese 16/17C Chinese Porcelain Kraak Wanli Plate Flying Horse
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate with a beautiful scene of a flying Horse
With a nice empty rim.
Wanli, Tianqi or Chongzhen Period 1590 – 1640
These kind of dishes are will described...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Kraak Porcelain Bowl, China, Ming Period, Wanli Period '1573 -1619'
Located in Milano, IT
Kraak type porcelain bowl. It has polylobed border and it is painted in blue. It features decorations with birds, flowers and ornamental rocks within alternating reserves of tassels that descend from “ruyi”.
The interior is delicately decorated with panels of flowers...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Ebonized Ming Style Coffee Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
72? Ebonized Ming coffee table
A vintage Chinese Ming dynasty style coffee table from the mid-20th century, with recessed...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Ming Furniture
Materials
Ash
Antique Ming Period Cizhou Statue of a Guanyin China Chinese Porcelain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Chinese statue representing Kwan Yin/ Guanyin seated in rajalilasana on a throne, holding a child on her knees, two servants on either side. Cizhou porcelain with cream and brown gla...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Style Chromed Steel Officials Hat Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent reimagined Chinese Ming style officials hat chair beautifully crafted from steel with a smooth, thick, seamless chromed finish. The armchair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Steel
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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