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
Large Asian Standing Carved and Ebonized Floor Mirror with Gilt Details
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large scale square frame with staggered panels surrounding the center mirror. A top and bottom panel on the front are decorated with gilt foliate scrolled motifs. The back with thr...
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Jingdezhen Wanli Period Chinese Porcelain Kraak Dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large late Ming dynasty Wanli period blue and white kraak ware export porcelain deep charger. Decorated in the centre within an eight-pointed medallion wi...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine pair of fine black lacquer end tables with shelves. Very elegant and fine black lacquer end tables, beautiful form and color...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Porcelain 17th C Ming Dynasty Serving Dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful serving dish in blue and white with a typical ming period landscape scene. The shape of this piece is highly unusual, we found serving dishes from the same period in all ki...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Dynasty Period Male Foo Dog Guardian Lion Hand-Carved Sculpture
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) hand-carved stone Foo Dog guardian lion sculpture depicting a male placing his paw atop a ball. Created in Ch...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Unusual 17th C. Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Square Dish Turquoise Bird Flowers
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely and unusual square serving dish from the late Ming period. Jingdezhen made for the Japanese market, Ming dynasty, Tianqi or Chongzhen period (1621-1644)....
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Stone Buddha’s Head
Located in New York, NY
A master-carved Chinese stone head of Buddha featuring a serene face with Fine sculpted features, flanked by long pendulous ear lobes. This impotent...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Silver Buddhist Statue with Gold Plated Bronze Lotus Stand
Located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Rare combination of a silver Buddha and a gilt pedestal.
The meticulous workmanship is superb.
With the sign of ???? (Manufactured in era of Yongle emperor) on the bottom.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Silver, Bronze
Five Color Hand Painted Dragon Small Pot, Ming Period
Located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Small jar with lid made in the five-color hand painting commonly used in Ming Dynasty Wanli Period.
Presumed to have been used for storing tea leaves.
...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Dynasty Carved Table Screen
Located in Kastrup, DK
A rare 16-17th cenury Ming Dynasty standing table screen. Untoched original condition.
Hand carved wood, the panel is carved with relief details depicting a dragon, cranes, mythical...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mahogany Ming Chinese Altar Table, Early 20th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A mahogany Ming Chinese altar table with sides carved and decorative carvings on legs, Early 20th Century.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Set of Four Ming Musicians, 'Men'
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Ming musicians (men) 7.75h
A set of glazed musicians with drums and trumpets.
The base of the sculpture is 2 inches by 2.25 inches - the stand measures 3 inches by 3 inches.
Whi...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Pair of Ming Dynasty Bowls with Pattern of Interlocking Hexagons
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Ming Dynasty Bowls with Pattern of Interlocking Hexagons, Wanli period (1572-1620).
This handsome pair of bowls with a slightly fluted rim features an outer pattern of hexago...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Jumu Square Side Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Jumu wood square side table with relief carving on apron and stretchers on hoof feet. Price is for the table only.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Longquan Vase Ceramic China Ming Era
Located in Milano, IT
Longquan vase with baluster shape and celadon-colored background, finely engraved in bands, in the upper part with plane tree leaves motifs, side grips in the shape of stylized cloud...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Asian Cypress Side Tables
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A pair of Chinese cypress square side tables in Ming style with shaped apron and curved feet.
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Cypress
Collection of 16th Century Chinese Mirrors
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Collection of 16th century Chinese bronze mirrors. Ming Dynasty ca 1550, China.
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Dignitary Figures
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Ming dynasty sancai blue glazed pottery figures.
Circa 1500 AD Ming Dynasty
I have owned over 250 ming tomb figures including over 80...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Late 20th Century Asian Ming Style Lighted Curio Cabinet
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Ming style curio cabinet, unbranded, similar quality to Drexel or Henredon. Nutwood, decorative brass hardware, dual glass front doors, glass side panels, pagoda like top and Ming feet...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Buddhist Lions and Attendants, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fantastic pair of large Chinese tileworks sancai glazed Buddhistic lions and attendants, late Ming Dynasty, first half of the 17th century, Shanxi, China. Presented on custom 20th century wood and lacquer table-form stands.
This pair of lions and attendants portray Buddhist lions...
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Gold Ornaments of Antique Chinese Buddha Statues / 17th-19th Centuries
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is thought to be part of the decoration of a gilt-bronze Buddha made in ancient China, from the late Ming to the Qing dynasties.
It is thought that it is probably an ornament t...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Copper
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Style 1920s Horseshoe Back Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style 1920s horseshoe back bamboo armchairs a pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style horseshoe back armchairs from the early 20th century, with fretwork moti...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Antique Ming/Transitional Chinese Porcelain Plate, European House, Rare Piece
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
I really found something intriguing. This plate decorated with what are often seen as European houses. Something seen on Transitional Kraak plates and bowls. I borrowed a few picture...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Meiji Period 19 / 20C Japanese Porcelain Swan/Geese Charger Arita
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Haring with you this very nice piece with what seems to be 2 flying swans. They could also be Geese.
Unmarked at base.
Condition
Perfect, just some frits to base rim. Size: 37...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Carved Wood Long Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elaborate and finely carved bench in a pleasing Chestnut tone wood. Scrolled crest rail ends and arm ends. With four carved panels on the back with floral and fruit vines. A reeded skirt rail and with a shaped and carved running band of leafy vines. Innner sides carved with complimentary leafy motifs. The reeded back frame with square supports. The Bench is quite sturdy and surprisingly comfortable.
L. 75", Depth 21", H. 33 1/2"
Condition: Please see all detail photos. Signs of age include scrapes on the left arm end, repair to right arm end, stable age crack to left-side facing seat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer end tables. Simple and elegant form. Beautiful color and form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Architect...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Buddhist Alter Shrine 17-16'th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Buddhist alter shrine, made in pine wood.
Rich on carved figural sceneries.
Original polychrome lacquer, beautiful and untouched condition.
From Shanxi Province in China.
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of Chinese Carved Demi-Lune Consoles or Center Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of Demi-Lune Consoles made with dowels to be joined as a Hexagonal Base Center Table if desired. The wood tops over dark stained and carved bases in a sophisticated antiqued Lacquer finish...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th c, Ming Style Hardwood Long Benches With Cloud Spandrels - A Pair
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c., China,. A beautifully constructed pair of carved wood benches. The rectangular top is over inset legs topped with carved cloud spandrels and join...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Antique Side Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Elm wood Side Cabinet. Ming style clean lines side cabinet night stand. Elmwood Side cabinet with shelf inside. Traditional timeless design with a modern sensibility. This is a great cabinet for small places, nightstand, end table for sofa...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
18th Century Black Lacquer Table
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This elegant black lacquer long table has a waist decorated with the elongated begonia done in open style carving. The top is a solid piece of wood...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Simple black lacquer console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Architecture Digest...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Abalone, Lacquer
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer end tables. Simple and elegant form. Beautiful color and form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Architect...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Pair of Vintage Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Waisted Side Tables with Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden side tables from the early 20th century, with carved aprons, humpback stretchers and horse hoof legs. Created in China during the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Hand-Painted Chinese Enamel And Gilt Decorated Porcelain Bowl
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite large Hand-Painted Chinese Enamel And Gilt Decorated Porcelain Bowl with beautiful flower, birds and branches scenes. Hand-painted and numbered. No cracks or chips. Meas...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Antique Chinese Pictorial Tapestry with Traditional Crane Design
Located in Dallas, TX
77548, antique Chinese pictorial tapestry with traditional crane design. This hand knotted wool antique Chinese pictorial tapestry features a large red-crowned crane design set against an abrashed neutral field. The crane is depicted standing on one leg with its wings outstretched while perched atop a cliff alongside several bamboo plants. The crane is one of the most widely used symbols throughout Chinese art and literature and figures heavily in Chinese mythology. The creature is thought to represent longevity, immortality, nobility, and fidelity. It is often represented alongside bamboo, as it is in this piece, another symbol of longevity. The warm sepia backdrop recalls ancient Chinese scrolls...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
BROYHILL PREMIER Chinoiserie Ming Style Credenza / Dresser
By Broyhill
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Ming style dresser or credenza by Broyhill Premier, from their "Ming" Collection. Maple, black lacquer, burlwood banded top & door fronts, br...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Henredon Ming Nightstands Michael Taylor
By Henredon
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Ebonised bracket Ming style base 3 drawers mid-century nightstands by Henredon. Classic Michael Taylor double ring pulls. Custom glass tops for surface protection.
Category
1970s Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Carved Back Elmwood Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Early 20th century Chinese elmwood armchairs with finely carved back and elongated arms and legs.
Measure 30" wide at the legs ends, 25" wide the arms, 27" in depth, 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Ming Dynasty Wood-Carved Buddha and Soapstone Plinth
Located in Vienna, AT
In this listing you will find a rare original piece of historical craftsmanship. On sale is a religious statue of the Buddha. The figurine was attentivel...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Soapstone
Chinese Ming Dynasty 17th Century Glazed Terracotta Sancai Temple Roof Tile
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period temple roof tile from the 17th century, with turquoise glaze, bird and flower motifs. Created in China during the Ming Dynasty which ruled from 1368 to ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Wood Horseman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Hand Carved Glazed Wood Horse with Rider
22 tall x 22 w x 5.5 d
Preowned Original vintage unrestored condition. Vintage p...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Chinese Solid Rosewood Faux Rattan Garden Style Stools or Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Chinese solid Rosewood hand crafted, hand carved Faux Rattan / vine Garden Style Stools or Side Tables in great vintage condition. May be used as side tables or ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
A large wood Buddha/Guanyin with traces of pigments Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
By Master
Located in Vienna, AT
A LARGE WOOD FIGURE OF GUANYIN WITH TRACES OF PIGMENTS
MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)
The bodhisattva is shown seated in padmasana, wearing long flowing ro...
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Simple black lacquer console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Architecture Digest...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Large Chinese Rosewood Center Table
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional carved rosewood center table in the Ming style in large old timber from the mid 20th century. This piece is very high quality and style.
It would easily work with Eu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
18th Century Black Lacquer Painting Table
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This painting table from Shanxi retains most of its original black lacquer finish. The table top is of standard mitered frame construction with a floating panel. Both ends of the t...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Ming Style Floral Ceramic Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of Ming style ceramic table lamps. Hand painted with subtle pink peonies, sprigs of crab apple flowers, and pale green and beige leaves on a white background. Crab apple flowe...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Set of Chinese 17th Century Porcelain Ming Dynasty Plates Chenghua Marked
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
The exact selection can vary from the picture due to stock changes.
A set of 30 plates from the early 17th century. Variation on a theme. Late Ming dynasty blue and white...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinoiserie Style Ming Chow Leg Console Table, Attributed to Schnadig
Located in Southampton, NJ
Stunning chinoiserie chow leg Ming style sofa table with two beveled glass inserts and burl wood inlays. They are attributed to Schnadig Furniture I...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Smoked Glass, Wood, Burl
A Ming Style Cinnabar Lacquer and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular top with attractive craquelure, raised on shaped legs; with brass trimming to edges.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Of Chinese Vintage Horseshoe Back Hardwood Armchairs
Located in Norwood, NJ
A pair of Chinese hardwood horseshoe back armchairs, each curved back with downswept arms and outswept hand grips, centering on an elegant shaped carved splat, flanked by cylindrical...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Single Drawer Blue Lacquer Table with Horse Hoof Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style blue lacquer side table from the early 20th century with single drawer and horse hoof legs. Created in China during the ear...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Karl Springer Canvas Wrapped Side Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Fabulous vintage canvas wrapped Ming style side table, attributed to Karl Springer, 1970's. The table is a vibrant shade of cream with nice text...
Category
1970s North American Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Canvas
Ming Style Chinese Natural Wood Horseshoe Armchair with Carved Splat and Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming dynasty style natural wood horseshoe back armchair from the mid 20th century, with carved splat and apron. Born in China during the mid-century period, this armchair c...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Very Rare Ming Dynasty Porcelain Ewer with Ottoman Gem-Set Tombak Mounts
Located in London, GB
Very rare Ming dynasty porcelain ewer with ottoman gem-set tombak mounts
Chinese and Turkish, 16th/17th century
Measures: Tombak: height 20cm,...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Brass
THOMASVILLE Burl Oak Asian Ming Influenced Parquetry End Side Tables - Pair
By Thomasville
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of Asian Ming influenced side tables by Thomasville. Oak with burl oak parquetry design to top, Ming style apron and legs. Made in North Carolina, USA, circa 1988.
Style #: ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Oak
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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