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 Antique Asian Wood Sculpture of the Laughing Buddha
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very large antique Asian wood carving of the iconic Laughing Buddha. The sculpture has great form, the Buddha with his right hand resting ...
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Asian Cherry Wood Five Drawer Desk with Brass Hardware
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Asian style cherry five drawer desk with Asian style brass hardware.
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Cherry
Asian Well's Wooden Water Bucket
Located in Greenwich, CT
Asian well's water wooden water bucket with handle surrounded with cast iron brackets. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and ha...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Carved and Painted Wood Sculpture of Guanyin
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful carving of Guanyin, shown standing on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a lobed wooden base. It was once used as a lamp, and can be rewired. Nice faded painted surface.
Guany...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Petite Chinese Ming Dynasty Period Glazed Pedestal with Polychrome Finish
Located in Yonkers, NY
A petite Chinese Ming Dynasty glazed pedestal from the 15th or 16th century with polychrome finish. Crafted in China during the prestigious Ming Dynasty, this petite pedestal table c...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Ming Dynasty Chinese Ceramic Ox Bow Tomb Chair from Gracie Gallery
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese green glazed ceramic votive chair.
Ming Dynasty 1368 A.D.–1644 A.D. Originally purchsed from Gracie Gallery, New York City; original label on base.
Provenance: A P...
Category
Early 1600s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ca 1600-1640 Kosometsuke Plate Shou Lao 8 Immortals
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and rare Chinese porcelain plate from the early 17th century.
Central scene of the well known Shou Lao, God of Longevity, flying on a crane among the clouds.
In the front of him are the 8...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Pair of Late Ming Dynasty Silk Road Carved Stone Guardian Lions
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare pair of large Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions. Originated from a house of a mandarin (a public official in the Chinese Empire), located on The Silk Road.
Here they were placed in front of the gate, with the gate doors mounted on the base behind the lions.
The pair consist of a male with a ball on his back, and a female holding a puppy. The ball represents the world and the puppy represents nature or a nurturing spirit.
One stand lightly carved with a horse, the other with a deer. The front of the stand is carved with camel...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Pair of 19th Century Ming Dynasty Style Chairs
Located in Charleston, SC
A pair of Chinese hardwood chairs in well worn patina, crafted in the Ming dynasty style, late 19th century.
Perfect accent chairs of very fine...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Chinese Ming Style Bronze Metal Seated Buddha
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive Chinese bronze metal Buddha sculpture depicted sitting. Beautifully crafted in the Ming style with intricate details. The bronze has a rich patinated finish with verdigris.
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Chinese Ming Dynasty Period Ancient Turquoise Roof Tile with Crane and Flower
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming dynasty period ancient roof tile with turquoise finish, crane and flower. Created in China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), this ancient roof tile features a turqu...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Ming-style Sculpture of Chinese Bodhisattva Guanyin, circa 1900s, 6518
Located in Ukiah, CA
A large Ming-style sculpture of Chinese Bodhisattva Guanyin, circa 1900s, from a century-old US collection. Dated circa 1900s based on the face (b...
Category
Early 20th Century Korean Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th or 19th Century Elm Doors with Iron Hardware Made into a Coffee Table
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of 18th or 19th century elm doors with iron hardware, fashion into a large Ming style coffee table. Created in China during the 18...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Fine Pair of Carved Marble Garden Foo Lion Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of opposing foo lions with elaborately carved curled fur and seated on bases. One places a paw on a ball, the other on an upside down baby foo lion. Overall fine time worn sur...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Marble
Ming Dynasty Chinese Longquan Celadon Large Carved Sphere Porcelaneous Stoneware
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Ming dynasty Chinese longquan celadon large carved sphere porcelaneous stoneware.
This is unquestionably a very important and extremely rare example ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Ming Style Altar Table with Carved Apron and Black Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming dynasty style altar console table from the 19th century, with black patina, everted flanges, carved spandrels and sides. Born in China during the 19th century...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Distressed 18th Century Antique Ningxia Chinese Narrow Runner Rug
Located in Milan, IT
An exquisitely elegant early Temple runner from the Ningxia region in northwest China, commissioned in the early 18th century for a Buddhist monastery in Tibet. The pattern is compos...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Fine Antique Blue Peking Chinese Rug with Scrolling Lotus Flowers
Located in Milan, IT
A very finely woven antique Chinese rug woven in the Imperial workshops of Peking. Distinguished by an elegant pattern of scrolling lotus flowers on an indigo background, this type r...
Category
1890s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Red Lacquer Chests
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of red lacquer chests with open doors and removable shelf inside on each chest, one drawer inside each chest.
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Longquan Style Celadon Vase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large, Chinese Longquan style celadon vase with a stunning lotus leaf pattern underglaze and Greek key detail on the perimeter of t...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Cabinet with Gilt Carved Court and Work Scenes
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming dynasty style cabinet from the 19th century, with two pairs of double doors, two drawers, carved giltwood motifs and red accents. Born in China during the 19th century, this wooden cabinet captures our attention with its contrast of colors and delicately carved motifs. Presenting a linear silhouette, the cabinet is adorned with court scenes on the left panel and work scenes on the right. This gilt décor stands out beautifully on the dark ground, while other carved panels are highlighted by a red ground in the lower section. Two pairs of double doors total open to reveal a convenient storage space, the lower ones hiding inner drawers. Carved on the apron, the cabinet is resting on four straight legs. With its clean lines and skillfully carved decor, this Ming style cabinet...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Antique Kansu Rug with Tiger Pelt Pattern and Confronting Dragons
Located in Milan, IT
This rug belongs to a small group of weavings recently defined as RKO because of their distinctive design, consisting of a sequence of bands with strokes and dashes that are reminiscent of the sonic sound waves present on the logo of the RKO motion picture company. The structural characteristics of this piece, together with the type of wool employed, indicate its origin to the district of Kansu, of which we know only fifteen examples. The field pattern is clearly a rendition of a tiger pelt...
Category
Early 19th Century East Turkestani Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Chinese Carved Wood Bodhisattva Guanyin, Late Ming Dynasty, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
An attractive carved wood figure of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, known as Guanyin in China, late Ming Dynasty, early 17th century, China.
Guanyi...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Wood
Set of Six Guanmaoyi Yokeback Dining Chairs, circa 1960s
Located in Peabody, MA
A set of six Classic Chinese Guanmaoyi yokeback chairs in lacquered elmwood consisting of two armchairs and four sides. These elegant high back chairs are named for their resemblance...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Asian Solid Wood Ming Style Table Bench
Located in Somis, CA
Beautiful solid wood table finished all around. Top is of mitered, tenon and mortise, solid single board floating panel construction. Cinched waist and 4 hoof feet legs. A pair of ve...
Category
2010s Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Asian Wood and Marble Drinks Table or Plant Stand, Small
Located in New York, NY
A Chinese carved hardwood table or stand with a rose marble top, circa late-19th century to early-20th century, China. Piece is a rich da...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Marble
Chinese Ming Dynasty Carved Wood Budda
Located in Dallas, TX
A carved wood Budda from the Shanxi region, made during the Ming Dynasty. The carved figure has an ancient polychrome finish.
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Very Fine Chinese Porcelain Vase Mounted as Table Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Chinese porcelain vase mounted as a lamp with a round tiered gilt bronze or brass base embossed with berries and leaves. The lamp with cameos and panels of florals and birds that are...
Category
20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century Ming Style Chest in Black Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
18 century chest in original black lacquer.
This Ming style chest is constructed of wood with multiple layers of original black and red lacquer, acco...
Category
Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Peony Deep Dish, 14th-15th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful Chinese celadon glazed deep dish with an impressed peony design to the center, Ming Dynasty, circa 1400, Longquan kilns, China.
The lovey dish covered in an attractive ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese 17th Century Blue White Shunzhi / Kangxi Lotus Pond Porcelain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely and rare decorated plate. Transitional / Early Qing, late 17th century.
Decorated with lotus pond
Condition
1 line, 2 small glaze line to rim (1 only visible out...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Asian Amber Glass Vase or Urn
Located in Plainview, NY
A highly decorative vintage Asian amber glass vase or lid urn. The urn features a handcrafted flower brass design in the center of the vase, a round wooden base in black and gilt decorated. The lid of the urn is in the shape of a sword holder...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Art Glass, Wood
Black & Green Lacquer Consol Table, Shandong, 1830-1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese Altar console / side table with everted ends on the top, square legs with stretchers.
Original lacquer, black with green lacquer top.
Natural age-related patina which is high...
Category
1830s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug with Ming Dynasty Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77449, antique Chinese Art Deco rug with Ming Dynasty style. This hand knotted wool antique Chinese Art Deco rug features a color-blocked field and border scheme festooned with asymm...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Fine Jumu Low Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu low table / coffee table. Table top is 46" wide 23" deep, from outside edge of legs is 49 1/2" wide 27" deep, 18" height. We carry f...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Elm Cabinet , Ming style
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cabinet, Ming style made in Jumo (Elm) wood.
From Suzhou China, located close to Shanghai. Was formerly the largest city in Jiangsu province. Each panel made of one piece of wood. "...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Thai Red Lacquer Waisted Coffee Table with Rattan Inset and Chow Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Thai coffee table from the mid-20th century with red lacquered finish, rattan inset and chow legs. Born in Thailand during the midcentury period, this coffee table features...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rattan
Antique Chinese Domestic Market circa 1600 Porcelain China Plate Magpie Birds
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice plate with a bird in a garden and a mark, early 17th century. Rare plate!
Symbolism
Magpie (xi que). The "bird of joy" and of good omen, brings joy, often married b...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique 16C Chinese Porcelain Phoenix Fenghuang Dish Cloud Motif Marked
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated Plate, 4th quarter 16th century.
Small dish on footring, wide flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a striding phoenix in schematically rendered landscape with a cloud motif. The sides and rim are undecorated. On the base a mark in seal script, possibly shou (long life)
Pictured in:
A Selection from the Collection of Oriental Ceramics...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Form Painting Table, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This Qing-dynasty painting table from Hunan province is a beautiful example of the elegance of Chinese furniture design. With its broad surface ideal for contemplating scrolls and pa...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Vases in Southern China / Small Vases / 16th to 17th Centuries
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is believed that pottery baked in southern China in the early Ming dynasty was imported into Japan.
It is a small size.
The upper part is slightly ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Large Jumu Wood Low Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Large Jumu wood low table, antique kang table, can be used as coffee table.
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Style Wooden Incense Stand with Cabriole Legs and Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming dynasty style square wooden waisted incense atand from the 19th century, with carved apron, cabriole legs and floor stretcher. Born in China during the 19th c...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Jumu Wood End Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Jumu wood end table with relief carving on apron and shelf and bottom stretchers.
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Schumacher Ming Vase Traditional Motif Multi-Color Two-Sided Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
Traditional motifs come out to play in this cheerful Ming vase design that evokes a definitive mood with its color way. A Schumacher Classics pattern featured as a decorative accent,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Ming Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Linen
Chinese Bronze Bell Shaped Censer Mounted With Buddhistic Lions
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual Chinese bronze censer of bell shape mounted with two Buddhist lions probably Ming 1368-1644. The censer is formed as a hollow bell with a wide rounded base and is decorate...
Category
16th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Chinese Porcelain 17th C Kosometsuke Umbrella Romantic Meeting Plate
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated kosometsuke plate with a rare scene suggesting an secret romantic meeting, a lady and umbrella-bearing gentleman closely together beneath a long overhanging p...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Ming Dynasty Style Chinese Elm Sang de Bœuf Console Table with Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style elm wood altar console table from the 19th century, with sang de bœuf patina and carved floral apron. Born in Chi...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Chinese Ebonized Hall Overmantle Mirror Carved Trumeau Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese ebonized Ming style hall, entry or over mantel mirror. Features ornate high relief scenes showing figures waterside by boat and inland Pagoda scene. Beveled. Measure:...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Hardwood
Asian Modern Style Credenza with Faux Malachite Accents by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large Asian style credenza by Henredon. It makes a bold decorating statement with it’s hand painted faux malachite drawer fronts. It is marked and in very good condition.
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Set of Five Stoneware Tomb Figurines of Musician Ming Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A group of five figurines made of terracotta and glazed in green and splash of yellow. These figurines of musicians were made as burial objects to be placed in the tomb, often as a l...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Butterfly Cabinet with Carved Spandrels and Doors
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden butterfly cabinet from the 19th century, with carved spandrels, drawers, doors and dark patina. Born in China during the 19th century, this exquis...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Wanli / Tianqi Kosometsuke Plate 1600-1644 Porcelain Ming Monk
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely plate great scene of a monk
Marked at base.
Condition
1 line to rim and some rimfritting/mushikui. 2 firing flaws in base, 1 next to rim and 1 in circle. Size: 188 x 23...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Enamel Bronze Mask Censer in the Shape of a Bell Bird, Japan, Edo or Meiji
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A tripod polychrome cloisonné incense burner, decorated with characters and masks. Unmarked, Japan, 19th century. Provenance: collection Nieuwenhove.
Condition
Overall ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Chinese Ming Style Elmwood Waisted Side Table with Horsehoof Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style elmwood waisted side table from the early 20th century, with woven rattan top and horse hoof legs. Born in China during the early years of the 2...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Elm
Vintage Thai Teak Coffee Table with Mint Green Distressed Finish and Chow Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Ming dynasty style Thai teak wood coffee table from the mid-20th century, with mint green crackled design and chow legs. Born in Thailand during the midcentury period, this...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Style Altar Table with Foliage Carved Frieze and Open Fretwork
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style altar console table from the 19th century, with scrolls-carved apron, and open fretwork motifs. Attracting our attention with its elegant lines and skilf...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th Century Set of 8 Chinese Silver Lacquer Bowls with Mother of Pearl Inlaid
Located in Brea, CA
A fine set of 8 pieces Chinese lacquered and mother of pearl inlaid bowls with silvered interiors from the 18th century Qing Dynast...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
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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