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.
Pair of Thai Benjarong Lidded Porcelain Jars Vibrantly Hand Painted and Gilded
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., a stunning pair of large Thai Benjarong lidded porcelain jars, vibrantly enameled by hand and embellished with 18 carat gold. One marked on und...
Gold, Enamel
$1,500Sale Price / set|39% Off
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...
Porcelain
$495 / item
H 2.25 in Dm 4.75 in
2 Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowls from the Ship Wrecked "Tek Sing"
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In 1822 the Chinese Junk "Tek Sing" or true star sank in the south China sea, where the ship and its cargo remained until salvaged in 1999. These antique blue...
Porcelain
Kangxi Famille Verte Porcelain Large Dish, Qing Dynasty, 17th/18th c
Located in Austin, TX
A large and magnificent Chinese famille verte enameled porcelain large dish or charger, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period (1662 - 1722), circa 1700, China. The shallow, shaped dish of fo...
Enamel
Pair Antique 19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Plates, circa 1890's
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain plates, circa 1890's.
Porcelain
$15,000 / set
H 0.5 in Dm 8.75 in
Pair of 18th Century Chinese & Meissen Famille Verte Porcelain Plates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of famille verte porcelain plates, the left made in China during the Kangxi period (r. 1662–1722) and the right a copy by Meissen made circa 1740. Chinese porcelain has alw...
Porcelain
Multi-Color Porcelain O-Jar with Lid
By Erin Turkoglu
Located in Helsinki, FI
O-Jar is a sculptural hand made porcelain vessel. A soft pink colored matte porcelain body is complemented with an oversized ball cap. The inside of the...
Porcelain
Meissen Porcelain Reticulated Plate With Hand-Painted Floral And Gilded
Located in Norwood, NJ
A superb example of Meissen craftsmanship, this hand-painted porcelain plate features a finely reticulated border of raised grape leaves and vines, accented throughout with hand-appl...
Porcelain
$1,500
H 5.12 in W 9.06 in D 5.12 in
Meissen Porcelain Lidded Tureen with Hand-Painted Flowers and Gold Edge
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen porcelain lidded tureen with hand-painted flowers and gold edge. Lid modelled with flowers and foliage. 1920s. Measures: 22 x 13 x 13 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped...
Porcelain
$300
H 1.58 in Dm 3.15 in
Antique Lidded Box in Hand Painted Porcelain with Flowers and Gold Decoration
Located in København, Copenhagen
Antique lidded box in hand painted porcelain with flowers and gold decoration on a purple background. Sevres style, early 20th century. Measures:...
Porcelain
$595 / set
H 2.5 in Dm 4.75 in
4 Old or Antique Signed Kakufuku Japanese Kaikemon Imari Porcelain Rice Bowls
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 4 Japanese Imari porcelain bowls Each decorated throughout with kaikemon blue, red, and green natural scenes and extensive gilding. Marked to the base with a blue underglaze maker's mark for Kakufuku. Simply a fine set of Japanese rice bowls...
Porcelain
Antique Blue & White Fitzhugh Pattern Chinese Export Porcelain Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain plate in the Fitzhugh pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue with floral devices to the face, an...
Porcelain
Old or Antique Chinese Export Famille Rose Plate with Basket of Flowers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine old or antique Chinese export porcelain plate In the Famille Rose style. Decorated throughout with enamel floral decoration in primarily pink against a white ground. ...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Pillows
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte pillows, Rare to find a pair, each one decorated with figures in landscape, opposing, presents...
Porcelain
17th C Ming Plates
Located in Nijlen, BE
A set of Chinese porcelain from the Ming Dynasty. (1368-1644) Period 17th century. Beautiful shades of color from blue-white to celadon. Each plate with cast iron base incl. Availabl...
Porcelain
17th C Ming Plates
Located in Nijlen, BE
A set of Chinese porcelain from the Ming Dynasty. (1368-1644) Period 17th century. Beautiful shades of color from blue-white to celadon. Each plate with cast iron base incl. Availabl...
Porcelain
Circa 1573-1619 Wanli, Ming Dynasty, Kraak Lobed Dish
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1573-1619 Wanli, Ming Dynasty, Kraak lobed dish, Chinese export. Blue & white porcelain. Central reserve of 2 pheasants among flowers & rocks. Border of bulbs & leaves. Provena...
Porcelain
Circa 1550 Late Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1550 late Ming Dynasty blue & white porcelain bowl, Chinese. Elegantly flaring rim with "Dahlia Zhara" entwined inner & outer underglaze blue decoration. For the Persian market...
Porcelain
2nd Quarter 20th Century Pink Egg Shell Chinese Porcelain Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
2nd quarter 20th century pink egg shell porcelain vase, Chinese, Republic period. Longqing dynasty chop mark. The base rim has gilding covering sev...
Porcelain
Chinese Porcelain Dish or Deep Plate Blue and White, Ming Wanli circa 1600
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese Export porcelain Dish or Deep Plate hand painted in a typical Blue and white pattern, made during the reign of Wanli (1573 to 1620). The dish is fairly heavily potted on a low foot and a well cut foot rim. The glaze is fairly thick with a lovely blue tinge to it. It is very well painted in many shades of cobalt blue, ranging from a very light silver-grey to a very dark blue, almost black. The hand painted design has a central large Kylin in a garden setting. The Kylin or qilin is a Chinese unicorn...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.75 in Dm 10.2 in
Kraak Chinese Porcelain Dish or Deep Plate Blue and White, Ming Wanli circa 1600
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful Kraak or Kraak-ware Chinese Export porcelain Dish or Deep Plate hand painted in a typical Blue and white pattern, made during the reign of Wanli (1573 to 162...
Porcelain
Chinese Two Blue & White Porcelain Glazed Yuan-Style Weights
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Two Chinese Blue & White under glazed porcelain weights in the Yuan (1279-1368) style but probably later. The weights are of tapered square-section shape with a rounded pierced top w...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.125 in W 4.5 in D 4.75 in
Antique Meissen Gold Ming Court Dragon Chinoiserie Tea Cup & Saucer Swords
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Meissen scalloped porcelain demitasse cup and saucer, numbered B117 with gold and red dot Chinese Court dragons. Measures: Saucer - 4.75...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.03 in Dm 5.99 in
Antique Pair Chinese Porcelain Late Ming 1600-1640 Tianqi Chongzhen Gnarled Pine
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A blue & white Kosometsuke plate with a lovely scene of a gnarled pine tree. A gnarled pine tree, which may represent either survival in a harsh political environment or the unconqu...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain 17C Porcelain Ming Wanli Kraak Lotus Pond
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Rare and nicely decorated dish on footring, spreading sides circular rim. Ca 1590-1620. With a central scene of a Lotus pond, the sides with anhua/moulded decoration of flowers. ...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Ming Swatow Zhangzhou Verte Charger Colour, Ca 1600
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Great piece; Well known pattern. Faded but still very nice. Pictured in: The So-Called Swatow Wares The So-Called Swatow Wares Jorge Welsh (ed.) Condition 2 lines, chips/frits....
Porcelain