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
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
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 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
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 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 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
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 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
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
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
Chinese Horseshoe Chairs Oversize 19th Century
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of extra large, sold wood, 19th century Chinese Horseshoe Chairs. The solid, 2" thick, continuous rounded crest rail is composed of thre...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Vintage Lamp Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage side lamp table from the mid 20th century, with horse hoof feet and humpback stretchers. Created in China during the midcentury pe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming-Style Tapered Cabinet with Original Red Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mid-19th century Chinese tapered cabinet. Original red lacquer.
Pair of doors fitted with bronze lock opens to reveal a shelved interior, fitt...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fine Square Red Lacquer Low Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
An simple and elegant square red lacquer square low table. Beautiful form, lines and color. We carry Fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Large Antique Chinese Porcelain Famille Verte Dish Flowers Landscape Kangxi
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
A Large 'Chinese Verte' export porcelain deep dish
Kangxi period
Painted with enamels of the famille verte palette with reserves of flowers,...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
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
Pair of Chinese Porclelain Celedon Planters
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Chinese porcelain fish bowls with a celadon glaze and embosed floral design. These jardinieres are a nice scale with a beauiful ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese 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
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
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
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
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
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
Chinese Antique Carved and Painted Altar Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A notable late 19th century carved wood altar table in old red and black paint now worn to a nice patina with a particularly decorative form. The plank top with tenons and carved edg...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
BROYHILL PREMIER Chinoiserie Ming Style Tri-Fold Dresser Mirror
By Broyhill
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Chinoiserie Ming style tri-fold dresser mirror by Broyhill Premier. Hardwood, burlwood and black lacquer with brass accents. Features bevel edge center mirror with a traditional M...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Chinese Ming Ceramic Provincial Jar Celadon Glaze, Early 17th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese hand-thrown ceramic provincial jar with a light celadon glaze which we date to the Ming period of the early 17th century or possibly earlier.
The jar is hand potted...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Linen Glass Cabinet with Carved Wood
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful 20th century solid wood custom linen press with glass door. The cabinet is constructed with three frame members, among them two are inset with choice elm woods that form the sides. The elm woods with grains of swirls and sweeps resemble the Chinese mountain and water scene. The unique front...
Category
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
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
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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