Skip to main content

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.

to
168
435
253
757
8
3
197,855
114,768
43,107
32,801
16,200
11,888
10,663
10,506
9,812
8,962
7,248
6,725
6,494
6,444
6,139
5,713
4,881
3,764
390
107
260
11
65
61
72
10
1
11
1
4
5
9
2
2
355
300
223
90
68
665
609
562
47
44
768
766
768
5
4
3
2
2
Style: Ming
1980s Modern Ming Style Console Table Att. Alessandro For Baker Fueniture
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale 1980s modern Ming style console table attributed to Italian designer Alessandro. Alessandro had a brief collaboration with Baker Furniture. It does have the Bak...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Composition, Brass

Mid-Century Asian Modern Ming Style Burl Wood Executive Desk By Lane
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century burl wood Asian modern desk by Lane Furniture. It has dovetail construction and is marked in the drawer. The drawers include one file drawer. The opening for a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer console table with five drawers, brass fitting. Simple form and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared man...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Pomegranate Shaped Copper Red Glazed Vase, Yuan-Ming Period
Located in seoul, KR
This piece is a small ceramic vessel with a distinctive silhouette modeled after a pomegranate, notable for its full, well-balanced curves. The mouth, reminiscent of the fruit’s caly...
Category

16th Century Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Copper

James Mont Style Black Lacquered Horsehoe Back Lounge Chairs by Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of Asian modern black lacquered horseshoe back lounge chairs with brass fittings by Century Furniture Company. All original beautiful glowing condition. Style of James Mont. Ci...
Category

20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Ming Square Table, circa 1890
Located in Somis, CA
An extraordinary 19th century oversize Ming square table. The table top is constructed of four frame members and rests on the waist and apron that connect to four rounded legs. Such ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Vintage 'Ming Style' Temple Jar Blue and White Glazed Porcelain
Located in Glasgow, GB
Vintage porcelain temple jar, handcrafted towards the end of the 20th century, in 1980s China Artistically decorated in a simple yet decorative Ming-era style. Its body features a figural scene perfectly realized in hand-painted cobalt blue enamel. Flying birds and floral motifs are interspersed between bold blue borders and graphic Chinese-style decorations. Coming together and creating a striking contrast against the luminous white underglaze porcelain. The porcelain jar measures 20 cm in height and 15 cm in diameter. It's in good condition for its age and use, bearing only x1 small chip to the lip of the temple jar. And is stamped on its underside with a 'Zhongguo Zhi Zao...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Enamel

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

Mid Century Henredon Ming Nightstands Michael Taylor
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Ebonised bracket Ming style base 3 drawers mid-century nightstands by Henredon. Classic Michael Taylor double ring pulls. Custom glass tops for surface protection.
Category

1970s Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

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

A Large 'Longquan' Celadon Dish, Ming Dynasty, 15th century
Located in seoul, KR
The heavily potted dish is molded in the central roundel below the fluted cavetto and the everted rim with lipped edge, and is covered overall with a glaze of sea-green color, except for the unglazed ring on the base. The wood stand is not included with the item. Period: Ming Dynasty (1368~1644) Region: Longquan, China Medium: Celadon Type: Dish Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference : 1) Christies NEW YORK 22–23 MAR 2018 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art - Lot 722 2) Sotheby's Paris 11 December 2020 - Arts d'Asie - Lot 8 (Price realised : 4,032 EUR / Type : Closely related) 3) Christies LONDON 21–28 MAY 2020 - The Art of China - Lot 31 (Price realised : 5,250 GBP / Type : Closely related) * Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Longquan celadon from the Ming Dynasty typically exhibits a more robust and heavier stoneware body compared to its Song Dynasty predecessors. The Ming era saw an evolution in celadon glaze, achieving a wider spectrum of green hues, from olive to bluish-greens. Ming celadons...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Celadon

Red Lacquer Desk
Located in Greenwich, CT
Red lacquer desk with three drawers with pierce carvings motif.
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Mid-Century White Lacquered Asian Modern James Mont Ming Style Credenza
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century James Mont inspired Ming style white lacquered credenza. It was manufactured by Sanford Furniture Company. It does have brass c...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

Chinese Horseshoe Chairs Oversize 19th Century
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of extra large, sold wood, 19th century Chinese Horseshoe Chairs. The solid, 2" thick, continuous rounded crest rail is composed of thre...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm, Wood

Gracie Studio Ming Style Lacquered Eight Panel Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare, bespoke lacquered eight-panel coromandel screen made in the Ming Dynasty style by Gracie Studio artisans in New York. Modern custom-made coromandel...
Category

20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Ming Dynasty Ko-Sometsuke Wucai Porcelain Plate
Located in Newark, England
CHONGZHENG 1628-1644 From our Chinese collection, we are delighted to offer this rare example Chinese Ko-Sometsuke Wucai Porcelain Plate. The plate potted in porcelain ceramic of ci...
Category

Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Ming Provincial Jar or Vase Blue & White, Jiajing 16th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese handcrafted porcelain provincial jar or vase, all hand painted in cobalt blue and dating to the Ming period of the early 16th century or possibly earlier. The jar ...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Antique Chinese Imperial Emperor Ancestral Painting on Silk
Located in Miami, FL
Imperial Majesty: 19th-Century Ming Dynasty Emperor Silk Painting This exquisite silk painting, dating back to the 19th century, depicts a majestic Ming Dynasty emperor in all his regalia. Hand-painted with meticulous detail and presented in a beautiful frame, this artwork showcases the rich tradition of Chinese silk painting. The vibrant colors and intricate brushwork capture the emperor's imperial stature and the grandeur of the Ming Dynasty. The painting's subject matter and artistic style make it a captivating addition to any collection. Dimensions: Framed measurements: 24 3/4" W x 31" H x 1 1/4" D Condition: Very good antique condition. This Antique Chinese Imperial Emperor Ancestral Painting...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood, Paint

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

Ca 1500 Antique raised moulded Goldfish dishes Chinese Porcelain China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated small dish, dating to ca 1500, Hongzhi or Zhengde period. The small saucer dish is decorated with a raised moulded goldfish coloured in orange-red enamel and...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Fine Horseshoe Back Armchairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of elegant horseshoe back armchairs. Beautiful color, form and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has be...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique 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

Chinoiserie Ming Style Black Lacquer Sofa with Vintage Upholstery
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century Chinoiserie Ming Style sofa features solid wood construction with black lacquer finish, Chinese chippendale fretwork, and vintage whit...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer

Fine Chinese Four-Panel Carved And Painted Room Divider Screen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A substantial and impressive Chinese four panel low relief carved and painted room divider screen in pastel tones on black ground. Colorful painted relief decoration on the front fe...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Large Ming-Style Calligraphy Table with Original Black-Burgundy Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Ming-Style calligraphy work table with original burgundy-black lacquer From Jiangsu Province, 1800-1840. This table is in exceptionally well-preserved original condition. The ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese antique white pottery vase/17th century/excavated vase/
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A Chinese vase made in the late Ming to early Qing dynasty (1600s). It was made in southern China (Fujian Province). It is an excavated item. In Japan, it is called an "anpin" vase. ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Simple black lacquer console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Architecture Digest...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Buddhist Lions and Attendants, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fantastic pair of large Chinese tileworks sancai glazed Buddhistic lions and attendants, late Ming Dynasty, first half of the 17th century, Shanxi, China. Presented on custom 20th century wood and lacquer table-form stands. This pair of lions and attendants portray Buddhist lions...
Category

Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Antique Wanli / Tianqi Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Chinese Taste Figural Plate
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this new arrival and very happy with it. Late Ming period Kraak plate of exceptional quality in cobalt blue of larger size. In general the piece is already of high q...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Chinese Rosewood Garden Seat
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese rosewood barrel shaped garden seat with a burl rosewood top. From the Republic period, in the Ming Dynasty taste. China, circa 1912-1949.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Antique Chinese Pictorial Tapestry with Traditional Crane Design
Located in Dallas, TX
77548, antique Chinese pictorial tapestry with traditional crane design. This hand knotted wool antique Chinese pictorial tapestry features a large red-crowned crane design set against an abrashed neutral field. The crane is depicted standing on one leg with its wings outstretched while perched atop a cliff alongside several bamboo plants. The crane is one of the most widely used symbols throughout Chinese art and literature and figures heavily in Chinese mythology. The creature is thought to represent longevity, immortality, nobility, and fidelity. It is often represented alongside bamboo, as it is in this piece, another symbol of longevity. The warm sepia backdrop recalls ancient Chinese scrolls...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th Century Chinese Black Lacquered Ming Style Coffee Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Ming style coffee table crafted in elm wood with original black lacquer and natural patina, enhanced with a clear lacquer sur...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinoiserie Chow Leg Ming Style Sofa Console Table Attributed to Schnadig Intl
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning chinoiserie chow leg Ming style sofa table with two beveled glass inserts and burl wood inlays. They are attributed to Schnadig Furniture I...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Burl

Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Glazed Charger
Located in Stamford, CT
Longquan celadon glazed charger having fluted rim with well centre and incised stylized decoration. Ming dynasty. Underside with burnt orange firing m...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Fine Pair of Intricately 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

A Rare Longquan Celadon 'Peony' Vase Yuan-Ming Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
This vase features a traditional vase coated with a clear and rich green celadon glaze. A fine network of crazing covers the surface. The neck is adorned with raised vine motifs, whi...
Category

15th Century and Earlier East Asian Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Celadon

Ming Dynasty Sancai Glazed Dignitary Tomb Figures
Located in Dallas, TX
A Pair of Chinese Enameled Sancai Glazed Pottery Attendant Figures Representing Dignitaries. Ming Dynasty Period. Circa 1600AD Dimensions; 23 x 5.5 x 5.25 inches (58.4 x 13.7 x 13.3 ...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Set of Five Chinese Antique Screens Ming Style
Located in Somis, CA
A set of beautiful Chinese antique screens in natural finish. Each of the five screens has a middle section featuring a different flower, symbo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Two blue and white jars, officials in garden, Rabbit mark to base, Ming dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
17th century, painted in underglaze blue with eight figures including officials in a garden landscape, marked on the bottom with a sitting rabbit(blue hare), Transitional period(Late...
Category

17th Century Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

An Important Chinese Carved Wood Figure of Guanyin, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An Important Chinese Carved Wood Figure of Guanyin, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century Description: A dignified portrayal of the bodhisattva, respl...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Ca 1500 Antique raised moulded Goldfish dishes Chinese Porcelain China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated small dish, dating to ca 1500, Hongzhi or Zhengde period. The small saucer dish is decorated with a raised moulded goldfish coloured in orange-red enamel and...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Late 20th Century Ming Style Solid Rosewood Square Coffee Table w/ Chow Legs
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage Ming Cow leg style solid rosewood square coffee table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. We f...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Ming Style Chinese Scholar's Cabinet
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful, Ming dynasty style scholar's cabinet. The doors and side panels are all solid single boards set with mitered, tenon and mortise construction. Two exterior and interior d...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Monumental Ming Dynsty Style Blue & White Anthropomorphic Horned Horse Deity
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental Ming Dynasty Style Blue & White Anthropomorphic Horned Horse Deity This imposing Chinese porcelain figure is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of the era. St...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Max Kuehne Chinese Ming Style Coffee Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ming style coffee table in a lacquered finish with carved floral decoration and silver leaf tone. Signed by Max Kuehne a German born artist who worked in America became part of the Rockport artist...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Asian Modern Ming Style Lacquer and Brass Console Table by Baker Furniture
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a sleek modern Ming style console table by Baker Furniture Company. The piece has an espresso finish with a high gloss clear coat. The top has a faux marble painted inset str...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

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 Early 17th Century Ming Chinese Porcelain Dish Fishnet Plum Pattern
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese porcelain dish. With design of plum blossoms against an overall fishnet pattern, also dots in repeat. Executed in underglaze blue and overglaze green and red. Tianqi or Cho...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Chinese Martaban Ming Dynasty Stoneware Storage Vase with Dragons
Located in Dallas, TX
Large Martaban Ming dynasty stoneware storage vase with dragons, 14th century. Beautiful Ochoa and yellow brown glaze with decorated dragons and Ming clouds. Applied snail or dragon ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

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

Early Ming Dynasty Chinese Buddha Statue, circa 14th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late Yuan to early Ming Chinese terracotta gilt and polychrome painted Buddha figure, he is dressed in thick robes, his hair arranged in ty...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

A Rare Blue And White Octagonal Box And Cover, Ming Dynasty Wanli Six-Character
Located in seoul, KR
Numerous similar octagonal blue and white boxes with Wanli, Jiajing marks are housed in prestigious museum collections. An example in the Tokyo National Museum is featured in Illustr...
Category

16th Century Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Top Quality Wanli / Tianqi Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Crane Waves
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description A very nicely potted and painted early 17th century dish of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with unusal reverse decorated design. Visible are cranes, different k...
Category

17th Century Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Ming Dynasty Style Red Lacquered Console Cabinet with Doors and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style red lacquered console cabinet from the early 20th century, with five drawers and double doors. Born dur...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Ming Porcelain Early 17th Century Blue White Plate Charger Kraak Dish
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique Chinese porcelain blue and white Ming charger Blue and white ceramic deep dish. Material: Chinese porcelain, Ceramic Style: Chinese, Ming, Anti...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

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.

Recently Viewed

View All