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
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
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
White Blanc de Chine Porcelain Vase with Fruit, Leaves and Vines
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Blanc de Chine white ceramic porcelain vase with a generous relief of fruit (peaches), leaves and vines, circa 20th century, China. Dimensions: 6.5" diameter x 12.5" heig...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Waisted Side Table with Woven Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style waisted side table from the early 20th century, with woven rattan top, humpbacked stretcher and horse hoof legs. Born in China during the early ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, 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
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
Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Tomb Attendants with Zodiac Animals
Located in Dallas, TX
Ca. 1368-1644 AD. Ming Dynasty.
A fabulous set of two mould-made, glazed ceramic zodiac figures. Each wearing long draping gowns of rich green, yellow and orange hues. Each figure ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
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
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
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Antique Chinese Pictural Embroidery with Silk and Metal
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Exquisite Early 20th Century Chinese Embroidery
Discover a stunning piece of art from the early 20th century – a Chinese embroidery masterpiece. This work of art features a mythologi...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
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
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
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
Antique Chinese Ming Swatow Zhangzhou Crackle Celadon Charger, circa 1600
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Great piece; In good condition.
Chrysantemum flowers.
Great piece; In good condition.
A very nice and rare bowl with central scene of a bird in a landscape.
Condition
Ove...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Older Chinese Robe Rack in Cinnabar Paint
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine vintage robe rack with generous proportions having a good traditional form. There are two carved dragon head top elements that are powerfully carved, ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Terracotta Official Statuette with Original Polychromy
Located in Yonkers, NY
A petite Chinese Ming dynasty green glazed terracotta court official figurine from the 15th or 16th century, with original polychromy. Attracting our eye with its nice polychromy, th...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
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
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
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
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 Golden Brown Glazed Martaban Water Jar with Tiger Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period glazed ceramic Martaban water jar from the 17th century, with tiger motifs and petite handles. Created in China during the Ming Dynasty era, this Martaban water jar features a golden brown patina perfectly accented with a relief decor showcasing a frieze of passing tigers. Topped with petite handles circling around the base of the neck, this Chinese Ming Dynasty Martaban jar...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
Pair of Chinese Rosewood Carved Sofas or Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic pair of Chinese carved rosewood sofas or benches featuring geometric armrests and gently curved spindle backs. Each bench has a spring cushion constructed in the frame for ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Tall Attendant Figure, 16th-17th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A tall Chinese green and amber glazed figure of an attendant, Ming Dynasty, 16th-17th century, China.
The figure stands upon an integral plinth, dressed in long robes...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
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
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 Antique Ming Style Natural Wood Side Table with Humpback Stretcher
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming dynasty style natural wood side table from the early 20th century, with humpbacked stretcher, rich grain design and cylindrical legs. We currently have two ta...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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
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
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
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 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
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
Miniature Thai Temple
Located in New York, NY
A hand carved miniature Thai temple in wood, painted gold and red with finely carved details. A model for a temple of the Mon people in southern Burma. 80 ...
Category
1920s Thai Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Yellow and Russet Jade Mythical Beast, Ming Dynasty or Earlier
Located in Austin, TX
A superb Chinese yellow and russet nephrite jade carving of a mythical beast, Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) or earlier, China
The mythical beast is portrayed with feline features, i...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Jade
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 app...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Chinese Solid Single Board Console Table
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful 19th century console table in the Ming style. The solid wood table of mitre, tenon and mortise construction, has a thick single board top that displays stunning wood grai...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Early 20th Century Tianqiuping or Globular Cloisonné Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Large early 20th century tianqiuping or globular cloisonné vase. Highest quality enamel cloisonné, withe background with graphic scenes and floral pattern and with three large frame ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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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