Ming Metalwork
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
Antique PAIR of Chinese Bronze Foo Dogs with Good Detail and colour, early 20thC
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a very good pair of antique Ming style Chinese foo or lion dog sculptures, sometimes called temple lions, made of bronze, with good detail, which we date to the late Qing or early Republic period of the 20th Century, Circa 1920.
These pieces are well cast with very good detail, showing wear and a good natural patination to the high points as expected from use and polishing over a long period, the lustrous copper bronze metal below. The places on the castings where one would not normally polish ( eg. the underside, the back and neck area) are fairly rough to the touch in keeping with their age
These are a substantial pair of bronzes, weighing over 900gm unpacked
These lovely pair of antique Chinese foo dogs...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
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 Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Ming Dynasty Period Cast Bronze Hue Shaped Urn in an Archaist Style
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine old urn cast as an honorific nod to the ancient past of China was made circa 1600-1650. The shape or Hue was a common and well-represented form in the Han dynasty in pottery and bronze. This urn shows thin casting to the walls with incorporated toe tia or facial masks...
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Gold Ornaments of Antique Chinese Buddha Statues / 17th-19th Centuries
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is thought to be part of the decoration of a gilt-bronze Buddha made in ancient China, from the late Ming to the Qing dynasties.
It is thought that it is probably an ornament t...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Metalwork
Materials
Copper
17th Century Chinese Ming Bronze Figure of a Boy
Located in Chicago, IL
Fine cast bronze figures created over 400 years ago during China's Ming dynasty are rare and highly appreciated. In this exceptional example, a spirited young boy stands on a lotus b...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
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 Metalwork
Materials
Iron
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The mythical beast with separately cast head with open mouth, bearing an apocryphal Ming mark to the underside, Qing dynasty, early 19th century
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Located in Torino, IT
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Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), China.
Guanyin is known to be the female bodhisattva of infinite compassion and mercy to East Asian Buddhism. Her full name is Guan Shi Yina; Guan means to observe, watch, or monitor, Shi means the world, Yin means sounds, specifically sounds of those who suffer. Thus, Guanyin is believed to be a compassionate being who watches for and responds to the people in the world who cry out for help. To be compassionate is the supreme Virtue of Mahayana Buddhism. She is also associated with vegetarianism, being an act of compassion toward animals. Guanyin was introduced to China as early as the 1st century AD and spread to Japan through Korea soon after Buddhism was first introduced into the country in the mid seventh century. Historically, the worship of Guanyin was represented as the male Indian Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who is portrayed as a healer to the sick and injured. When the worship of Avalokitesvara migrated into China it was worshiped in its masculine form. Since Avalokitesvara is considered to be the personification of compassion and kindness, and these traits are associated with the Chinese concept of Yin, the feminine aspect of creation, the representation of Avalokitesvara in China metamorphosed to an all female form around the twelfth century due to Taoist influence on Buddhism. Avalokitesvara has the largest number of forms and is the most popular Buddhist deity. Guanyin is thought to be neither male or female but in accordance with the lotus sutra the body can take on any form necessary to relieve suffering.
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Ming metalwork for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Ming metalwork for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage metalwork created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, building and garden elements, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Ming metalwork made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia 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 metalwork differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $255 and tops out at $24,780 while the average work can sell for $1,381.
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