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
Chinese Contemporary White Painted Wooden Ming Style Bench with A-Form Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese contemporary Ming Dynasty style white painted wooden bench with A-form base and carved spandrels. Our eye is immediately drawn to the soft white finish of this Ming style bench...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Exceptional Lacquered Chinese Console Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A finely constructed classic Asian console table with peg construction and handsome graining with a particularly brilliant polished lacquer finish. A fine long table with banded top ...
Category
20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ming Dynasty Period Scholar's Garden: Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Lacquer Kang Table
Located in Fukuoka, JP
Behold the splendor of Ming Dynasty artistry with this magnificent Kang table (SKU: ZD71), an exceptional piece of furniture from the 16th to 17th century. This table is not merely a...
Category
16th Century Japanese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 18th Century Chinese Low Table / Daybed
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Chinese , Low Table / Daybed dating to the latter part of the 18th century .
Solid elm wood , generous proportions , traditional design, solid thick single plank top with cleated ends , mortise and tenon construction. Wonderful colour and amazing surface patination .
The clean lines used in Chinese antique furniture...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
19th Century Chinese Scholar's Cabinet Glass Curio
Located in Somis, CA
A late 19th century solid wood Chinese scholar's cabinet with glass doors and removable shelves. The glass doors with elegant black lacquered frames are mounted on dowels adorned wit...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese garment rack textile hangers
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
FINE CLOTHES RACK
The top rail with scroll ends to prevent the clothing from sliding off, supported on side posts decorated with open-carved spandrels, braced with a central panel de...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Chinese Ming Stone Table, c. 1500-1600
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese 16-17th century Ming stone table carved from a solid piece of stone. This table has a traditional scalloped apron and legs ending in scrolled feet.
In well-preserved origi...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Antique Chinese Ming tapered round corner cabinet with central removable stuile
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
FINE TAPERED ROUND CORNER CABINET
The cabinet with protruding molded edge, supported by rounded side posts, a pair of paneled doors with central stile, opening to reveal three shelv...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique 19th Century Ming Style Cabinet in Peachwood
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant 19th century Ming style cabinet in crafted in peachwood.
The cabinet is divided into two parts: the upper section, equipped with a pair of doors featuring metal fittings, op...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
Original 19th C Chinese Partly Red Lacquered Three Drawer Storage Console Table
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This is a rarely seen authentic 19th century Chinese console table with three drawers under which there is a storage compartment. The top and the front is red lacquered, the ends are...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ming Dynasty Style Wooden Wedding Chair with Carved Medallion and Curving Arms
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden wedding chair from the early 20th century, with carved medallion, curving armrests and natural wood patina. Born in China during the earl...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Paint Decorated Chinese Trunk As Cocktail Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very decorative and bell made Asian Trunk made from a type of Asian Elm. The chest in an antiqued honey tone stain. The front decorated with a panel with figures in an interior and...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Carved Wood Stone Top Table or Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elaborately carved dark stained wood stand with a purple variegated stone inset top, foliate scrolls and openwork bands with geometric motifs. Raised on tall legs with claw feet. The...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
CHINESE MING DYNASTY Triangle Palace Arm Chair Upholstered Seating RED
Located in Peoria, AZ
EYE-CATCHER!
MING DYNASTY
TRIANGLE ARM CHAIR!
RED ENAMEL & SILK
EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY
DIMENSIONS: APPROX. 28" TALL BY 20" WIDE
This phenomenally rare Ming dynasty styled palace arm chair is simply superb! The epitome of dramatic ornamental design for the style conscious interior! One can't take ones eyes off this beautiful red triangle shaped chair!
This would be wonderful in an Asian themed setting or as a style break in almost any decor. As a stand alone piece it has the necessary drama to work additional interest and detail into any open space.
The condition is very fine vintage. Upholstery tacks...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
17th Century Huanghuali Book Stand
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This book stand is all original without any replacement pieces. The piece has very clean lines and a simple form typical of the Ming style which emphasizes purity of form. The two ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Antique Chinese Official's Hat Armchairs
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
PAIR OF FINE RECTANGULAR BACK ARMCHAIRS
The chairs with circular-sectioned crest rail, pipe-joined to the back side posts, decorated with inner shaped flanges and supported by a...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Pair of Tall Cabinets with Square Corners and Carved with Lipped Moulding
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
The wonderful pair of square corner cabinets, carved with lipped moulding on the front posts, two doors decorated in sections with carved embossed cartouches within the carved lipped...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Chinese Peach wood Coffee Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese 19th century daybed / coffee table / end of bed bench.
Crafted in peach wood with a central woven rattan top panel insert mounted on a wooden board, making it sturdy enough ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Fruitwood
Chinese Paint Decorated Trunk as Cocktail Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An ebonized wood trunk with painted decoration on the front. The center panel with ladies dressed in fine robes in an interior framed by florals. A visiting figure wearing a headdres...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Ming Style Red Lacquer Altar Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style altar cabinet with original red lacquer, with natural age-related patina.
The cabinet features a rectangular top with everted flanges, sitting above a f...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
Profusely Carved Asian Display Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elegant Asian display cabinet, profusely carved throughout with glass door with carved trim and surround that reveals two long and one short s...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Side Table with Humpback Stretcher
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style side table with humpback stretcher.
Chinese Ming Dynasty style side table from the mid 19th century with
hump...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Decorative Chinese Storage Chest As Cocktail Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Heavy wooden storage chest with chunky and prominent iron hardware. The chest opens from the front top with heavy 1" thick door and a large scalloped back-plate - no lock. Decorated ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Ming Dynasty Style Elmwood Wedding Chair with Curving Back and Carved Splat
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ming Dynasty style elmwood wedding chair from circa 1900, with carved panels on the splat, curved arms, and gooseneck front posts. This early 20th-century Ming Dynasty style weddin...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
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 Jiaoyi Folding Armchair In Jichimu, China Qing Dynasty
Located in Saverne, Grand Est
Extremely rare jiaoyi type armchair in jichimu, with a rounded horseshoe-shaped back.
The central band is openwork and carved with kilin and coiled shi dragon decoration. The front c...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
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
Exceptional Pair of Chinese Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Pair of very well crafted Chinese Hardwood Armchairs (Probably Stained Teak) with fine Scholar’s Object appeal. Quite comfortable with an all over smooth hand and particularly hand...
Category
1970s Asian Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
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
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 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
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
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
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
Antique Chinese Walnut Square Table with Humpback Stretchers & Horse Hoof Feet
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
FINE SQUARE TABLE
The table with a floating top panel, enclosed within an ice-plate edged frame, above a waist and plain apron, supported on square-sectioned legs, braced with hum...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Chinese Antique Table Ming Style Console Side Table
Located in Somis, CA
A solid wood table in Ming dynasty style. The solid top is set in a floating panel structure joined by mitered tenons and mortises. A narrow waist connects the top to the set of two ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Antique Chinese Ming Style Waisted Stool with Horsehoof Legs and Rattan Inset
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden waisted stool from the early 20th century, with rattan inset, horse hoof legs and cloud motifs. Born in China during the early years of t...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, 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 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
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
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
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
Ming Dynasty Style 19th Century Red Rose Console Cabinet with Everted Flanges
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ming Dynasty style red rose butterfly console cabinet from the 19th century, with everted flanges, double doors and carved panels. Step into the world of ancient elegance with this...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
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
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Wooden Coffee Table with Hand-Woven Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style square-shaped wooden coffee table from the 19th century, with original distressed finish and hand-woven rattan top. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period in the 19th century, this coffee table features the stylistic characteristic of the Ming Dynasty. The table presents a square top with woven rattan inset, adorned with a reeded edge on all sides. Showcasing its original finish with a nicely distressed patina revealing its age and use, the table is raised on four straight legs connected to one another through humpback stretchers. With its elegant Ming lines and great patina, this Qing Dynasty wood and rattan coffee table...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Wood
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
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
Six Posted Canopy Bed with Carved Fretwork Railings circa 1800 Suzhou Double Bed
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
Fine six-posted canopy bed.
The bed base with a rounded-front edged frame and a caned top, supported on circular-sectioned legs decorated with straight stretchers and vertical stru...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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
Ming Dynasty Style Daybed/Coffee Table
Located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Made in China during the mid-19th century, its original purpose was as an "Opium Bed." The top features a woven rattan insert. The piece is finished in red lacquer, showing an age-r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, 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
Pair of Armchairs "Official Back", c. 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
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
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, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood 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. 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 $350 and tops out at $52,980 while the average work can sell for $2,900.
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