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
Set of Six Chinese Dining Chairs in Ming Style
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage set of Chinese in Ming style dining chairs in solid wood. Glossy redwood frames - two with arms, and four without. Includes teal color...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Wanli-Era Cast Iron Bell
Located in Chicago, IL
A cast iron bell, when struck with a wooden beam, announced the time of day to villagers. This monumental example is covered in relief casts of chrysant...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
China Old Colorful Gilded Coromandel Pavillion And Warriors Screen
Located in South Burlington, VT
Handsome Chinese Four Panel Coromandel Hand Carved and Hand Gilded Wood Screen mounted on board.
Carved Wood panels with gilding depicting a pavilion scene with warriors and general...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Silk
Important Chinese Blue And White Dish, China Wanli Period
Located in Saverne, Grand Est
Slightly lobed dish in eight braces with flared rim with underglaze blue decoration of birds in a garden.
Usual frittings on the border and a fine hairline at 12 o'clock (invisible t...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Iron Bell with Dragon Handle, c. 1600
Located in Chicago, IL
This monumental Ming-dynasty bell once pealed in a Chinese village, sounding out in celebration or giving notice of important events. Expertly forged, the cast-iron bell is detailed with characters in intricate relief, and its exaggerated scallop rim is traced with oversized rivets. Covered in scales and ending in expressive faces, the bell's handle is cast in the form of a two-headed hong dragon, thought to be the embodiment of a rainbow and thus visible only after rainfall. Frosted with snow or lit from within by flickering candles, this sculptural bell takes on a magical presence in the winter garden.
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Two green glazed figures, Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
Located in seoul, KR
Statues of Chinese dignitaries crafted from terracotta, featuring glazes in green and ocher, are set on rectangular bases. The wide-sleeved robes and craftsmanship, along with the cy...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Antique Ming Dynasty Chinese Earthenware Horse Sculpture Míngqì Tomb Figure
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce 600 year old (approx) Chinese pottery Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) large glazed earthenware míngqì tomb figure, modeled as horse sculpture with saddle, stirrups, and integral ba...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Two Green Glazed Horses and Riders, Ming period(15-16th Century)
Located in seoul, KR
Statues of Chinese horse riders, featuring glazes in green, are set on rectangular bases.
Period: Ming Dynasty
Medium: Green-glazed Pottery
Type: Figure
Provenance : Acquired i...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Rare annamese cream glazed ewer, Vietnam, 11-15th century
Located in seoul, KR
Famous annamese cream glazed ceramic ewer covered with a cream glaze. Traces of excavation are clearly visible in the glaze.
Dates : Presumably Ly Dynasty (11-13th century)
Region ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Annamese Cylindrical Jar, Vietnam, 11-15th century
Located in seoul, KR
Famous annamese cylindrical jar with lid. Decor modeled in lotus petals, covered with a cream glaze.
Dates : Presumably Ly Dynasty (11-13th century)
Region : Vietnam
Type : Jar
Fou...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Black Lacquer Ming Console Table in the Style of James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Dallas, TX
Very handsome console or sofa table in the style of James Mont. Black lacquer Asian style base with brass trim and glass top. Beveled glass top sits on round brass corner finials. Ve...
Category
1970s North American Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Carved 'Longquan' Celadon-glazed Funerary vase and cover, Song dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The vase features a ribbed body, subtly enhancing its graceful contours, and is topped with a uniquely sculpted lid adorned with figurative elements.
Period : Song Dynasty
Type : Ce...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Celadon
James Mont Asian Modern Style Burl & Brass Vitrines / Display Cabinets - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are a good looking pair of James Mont Asian modern style burl and brass vitrines or display cabinets. They were manufactured by Century. The cabinets of a lit interior and four...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Small Qingbai Pear-Shaped Vase, Song-Yuan Dynasty(13-14th century)
Located in seoul, KR
This exquisite piece is a Qingbai ware from the Song to Yuan dynasty, and it appears to be an excavated artifact given its earthy encrustations, suggesting it has rested in the groun...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Ming Dynasty Polychromed Grey Stone Standing Buddha, Museum Mounted
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ming Dynasty Polychromed Grey Stone Standing Buddha, Museum Mounted
29.5 h 31h 10 w x 7 d
Base 9.25/7.5 deep
(1368-1644)
A Polychromed Grey ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Chinese bronze Monkey, 17th Century, Ming Dynasty.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
Chinese bronze figure of a Monkey, 17th Century, Ming Dynasty. The amusing study, cast as a seated monkey, about to devour a peach, held in his right hand.
His hair well delineated, ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Ming Dynasty Stone Guardian Statue, China, 17th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ming Dynasty stone foo dog from the revered Beijing Summer Palace, dating back to the end of the 17th century. This magnificent sculpture depicts a powerful lion, imbued with the myt...
Category
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
A Carved Qingbai 'Chrysanthemum' Vase, Song-Yuan Dynasty(13-14th century)
Located in seoul, KR
The ovoid body to a tall neck, the body decorated with a chrysanthemum meander, covered overall in a translucent pale blue glaze. Traces of excavation can be seen in the dirt marks o...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Two Bowls with knot shaped design on inside, Ming Era(15th century)
Located in seoul, KR
Two Bowls from the Ming dynasty cargo. A piece identical pattern is included on page 119 of the title 'The Age of Discovery: Asian Ceramics Found Along the Maritime Silk Road'.
Peri...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Black glazed bottle, Late Ming Era(16-17th century)
Located in seoul, KR
Black glazed bottle from the late Ming dynasty binh thuan cargo. An identical piece is included on page 146 of the Bin Thuan catalog titled 'The Age of Disco...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
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
Chinese Ming Dynasty Architectural Terracotta Roof Tile Figure Qilin Foo Dog pr
Located in Forney, TX
A remarkable pair of large Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) earthenware Imperial roof decorations - ornamental architectural terracotta roof tile beasts.
15th/16th century or earlier, North...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware, Terracotta
Mid Century Modern Baker Style Black Ming Sofa & Chair Custom Upholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Michael Taylor for Baker Black Ebonized Ming Sofa with Fretwork Back and Chair Set Custom Restored and Newly Upholstered - 2 Piece Set
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Bouclé, Wood
Vintage Boho Gilt Stopped European Trope Character Bracket
Located in west palm beach, FL
Accentuate your space with our Vintage Boho Gilt tipped European Trope Character Bracket. This unique piece features gilt detailing and characterful design, blending Bohemian charm w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Resin, Wood
Vintage Large Ming Style Glazed Light Celadon Green Fixed Ring Porcelain Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Large Ming Style Tall Porcelain Vase, it Features Urn or Bottle Shape with Fixed Ring with Dog Mask
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Celadon, Porcelain
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
1970s Michael Taylor For Henredon Asian Modern Credenza / Chest
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a walnut credenza with Ming styling designed by Michael Taylor for Henredon. It is in very good condition. The piece is marked, and the drawers have dovetail construction.
...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Swatow Lidded Boxes in the shape of Waves and Flowers, Late Ming Era(16-17th c)
Located in seoul, KR
Small green-glazed boxes from the late Ming dynasty cargo. Identical pieces are included on page 142, 143 of the Bin Thuan catalog titled 'The Age of Discove...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Pair of Small Jarlet with arabesque design, Late Ming Era(16-17th century)
Located in seoul, KR
Pair of jarlet from the late Ming dynasty cargo. An identical piece is included on page 145 of the Bin Thuan catalog titled 'The Age of Discovery: Asian Cera...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
2 Vintage Chinoiserie Purple Lacquer Ming Style Slat Back Side Accent Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage Chinese Chinoiserie ming style side chairs featuring purple lacquer with slat backs.
Dimensions:
41.5" x 20" x 18", seat 18"
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
Ming Style Asian Hardwood Coffee Table
Located in Fulton, CA
Ming style rectangular coffee table made entirely of a hardwood, appears to be rosewood. Warm glow to original finish. Excellent original condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Pair Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood Side Table Cabinets with Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood Side Table Cabinets with protective Glass Tops. Pristine vintage condition with very light signs of use.
Feature a single t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood Coffe Table with Protective Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood cocktail Table with protective Glass Top. Pristine vintage condition with very light signs of use.
Measures 40" in width, 20" in d...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Bowl with mandarin duck and lotus pattern design, Late Ming Era(16-17th century)
Located in seoul, KR
Bowl from the late Ming dynasty cargo. An identical piece is included on page 136 of the Bin Thuan catalog titled 'The Age of Discovery: Asian Ceramics Found...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Pair Mid Century Henredon Ming Style Walnut Side Tables
By Henredon
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Mid Century Henrendon Furniture Ming Style Walnut Side Tables. Measure 26" in width, 26" in depth and 25.5" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Qingbai Funerary Vases with Daoist figures, Southern Song-Yuan Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
A pair of large Qingbai jars from the Song or Yuan Dynasty, designed for tomb offerings, featuring tall proportions with short bodies and extended necks. These Mingqi jars, typically...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Pair of Small White porcelain Cup, Late Ming Era(16-17th Century)
Located in seoul, KR
Teacup from the late Ming dynasty shipwreck. An identical piece is included on page 141 of the Bin Thuan catalog titled Asian Ceramic Found along Maritime Si...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Cizhou Rectangular Pillow with Carved Decoration, Yuan Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
Cizhou ware is known for its robust forms and freely applied decoration, often featuring a white slip under clear glaze. The pillow is rectangular, with a slightly curved top surface to accommodate the head of the sleeper. The decoration on this pillow features an incised design, delineated with fine lines to create a clear and simplistic representation. The motif includes floral elements, likely peony or chrysanthemum, and foliage, which were popular during the Song and Yuan periods. The carving is subtle yet skillful, showing the artistry and aesthetic preferences of the era.
Period : Yuan Dynasty, 13th-14th Century
Type : Pillow
Medium : Cizhou Ware
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference :
1) Datong Museum - Cizhou Pillow...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Stoneware
Small Longquan Celadon 'Twin Fish' Dish, Southern Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The "twin fish" dishes, emblematic of fertility and marital joy, are also recognized as one of the Eight Buddhist symbols. These dishes were prominently produced by the Longquan kiln...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Celadon
Fine Jumu Console Table with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu wood console table with four drawers and brass fitting. Simple and elegant form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paintings By The Poet Yan Zhen RARE 3-Volume Set 2008
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Yan Zhen born 1930 is a Chinese poet, painter, and calligrapher, best known in China for his writing. Yan has published over 30 works of literature, including poetry, prose, and fict...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Paper
Standing Green Glazed Pottery Attendant Figure
Located in seoul, KR
This standing attendant male figure is dressed in a front-closing green robe, cinched at the waist with a sash tied in a knot. Atop his head sits a red hat. He adopts a formal pose o...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Simple black lacquer console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Large Blue And White Swatow Charger, Late Ming Era(17th century)
Located in seoul, KR
Famous late ming dynasty chinese blue and white swatow porcelain plate. Birds are depicted playing in nature with rocks. Compared to the same type of swatow porcelain, the blue color...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
A Ming Dynasty Patinated Bronze Relief Work Vase Turned to a Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Hailing from the Ming period in 16/17th century, this monumental bronze vase is a fine example of the auspicious decor and markings unique to Chinese furnishings. The vase is cast wi...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Qingbai Small Model of a Granary Set, Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
Two granary model porcelains. East Asia, This pottery representation of a granary sits on a layered base, topped with a conical lid that also acts as its roof, all finished in a grey...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
A Qingbai Carved Meiping Porcelain, Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
The vase exhibits a finely crafted structure, characterized by its wide shoulders and elongated, tapering sides, topped with a compact, ribbed cylindrical neck. Its exterior is adorn...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Michael Taylor for Henredon Asian Modern Ming Style Nightstands Side Tables -S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome pair of mahogany side tables designed by Michael Taylor for Henredon. They are in very good condition and are marked.
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Qingbai Yuhuchunping Vase Porcelain, Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
Covered with a fine bluish glaze, the body entirely decorated with an incised decoration of elegant leafy scrolls and blooming lotuses. "Yuhuchunping" translates to 'spring wine bott...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Teak Ming Style Whitewash Coffee Table with Chow Legs and Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A teak wood Ming style whitewash coffee table from the 20th century with chow legs and weathered patina. This vintage teak wood coffee table, styled in the Ming tradition and finishe...
Category
20th Century Thai Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Rare Moulded Dingyao 'Cranes And Fishes' Bowl, Northern Song - Jin Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
This bowl stands out for its detailed depiction of two fish amid soft spiral waves, bordered by two cranes within the bowl. The design's depth and clarity, from the lifelike portraya...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Fine Jumu Console Table with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu console table with three drawers. Very elegant and fine quality. Beautiful color and simple form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeare...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Rare Dingyao Green-Glazed Dragon Dish, Northern Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
This green-glazed bowl was finely crafted with an attention to detail that highlights the skill of the Cizhou green and Ding ware potter. Its delicate form has been adorned with a dr...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century Chinese Ming Style Teak Square Side Table Sculpture Stand Stool 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Chinese Ming style accent table. Make from teak with a square frame over contoured apron and traditional form legs.
Dimensions:
19.5" x 19.5" x 18"h
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Teak
Antique Decorated Brown-Glazed Mataban Vase/Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Brown-Glazed Mataban Jar Vase
This large antique Chinese urn has six small figural handles made of beasts and multiple dragons carv...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
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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