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.
$1,250Sale Price|30% Off
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...
Wood
Pair of Chinese Stone Finials with Peaches and Persimmons, 17th/18th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
Over four hundred years ago, these rare stone finials once adorned the garden or courtyard of a traditional Qing-dynasty home. Hand-carved in Shanxi province, they offer a rare glimp...
Limestone
Antique Asian Temple Stone Relief Carved Architectural Element
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent, rare, one of a kind, ancient Asian temple stone architectural panel, likely frieze fragment. Born in Asia, pre-18th century, most likely mu...
Stone
XXL Wooden Crankshaft Molds
Located in Weesp, NL
Pair of early 20th century crankshaft molds tagged with part numbers. An impressive pair of large-scale sculptural art / Industrial pieces. Measurements: H 140 x W 57 x D 16 cm. Th...
Wood
Victorian Over Door Architectural Element
Located in Hanover, MA
Victorian over-door architectural element in distressed old paint. Wired on verso for hanging on a wall or simply place on top of a tallboy. From a Beacon Hill, Boston townhouse.
Wood
17th Century Stone Capital
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A large 17th century French capital on a associated base. Sculpted front and sides, flat backside. Great to decorate a garden or display indoors.
Sandstone
Teakwood Architectural Temple Pediment
Located in Chicago, IL
This giant architectural element once graced the pediment of a Northern Thai temple. It is from Chiang, Mai, Thailand and entirely made from Teakwood, which is naturally resistant ...
Teak
Large Water Fountain in Ceramic Mineral Finish
Located in Madrid, ES
Water fountain in hand painted ceramic. Decorative ceramic fountain antique finish.
Ceramic
$1,050Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 23.43 in W 7.09 in D 3.55 in
Pair of French 17th Century Weathered Oak Renaissance Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered oak Renaissance ornaments that most likely once adorned a half timbered house in Normandy. France, 17th century. Weathered, small losses Measurement here below a...
Oak
19th Century Asian Architectural Fragment
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A 19th century Asian stone architectural fragment. This intriguing sculpture probably had a utilitarian function as a water deposit. As often in China prac...
Stone
$6,800Sale Price|30% Off
H 24 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Hand Carved Stone Finial Architectural Element Medici Urn Center Piece Antiques
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Finial Architectural Element Medici Urn Center Piece Antiques . Early 1800’s Hand Carved Stone Medici finial. to mount on garden post by a gate or simply using it ...
Stone
Puerto Rico Oval Water Meter Cover
Located in New York, NY
Puerto Rico Oval Water Meter Cover. Vintage cast iron oval Puerto Rico water meter cover; chestnut brown iron meter cover manufactured by Ford Meter Box Company, Wabash, Indiana. Ha...
Iron
Monumental Well in the Louis XIV Style, 20th Century
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This monumental stone fountain canopy was made identical to the fountain of the Chateau of the Black Prince in Lormont. Dated from the 20th century, four columns with grooved barrels crowned with ionic capitals with flowers and stylized foliage are supporting the imperial stone roof which is carved as an imitation of the tortoiseshell slate. A domed frieze carved with foliage is surmounted by a denticulated cornice and a frieze decorated with Greek waves...
Stone
Antique Asian Architectural Relief Carved Stone Frieze Panel
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional architectural high relief hand carved stone band of running scroll decoration frieze panel, with beautiful scrollwork, representing wind or water, and mythological creature, perhaps a dragon or grotesque griffin. The characters in the center may be Asian hieroglyphs (Japanese kanji). The top side has a dovetail joinery cutout from where it would have attached and fit into place before cementing it in place. 19th century or earlier. This antique architectural salvage building element is a beautiful and artful display of history, and a quick way to add texture, character, rustic charm and interest. Will make a wonderful decorative object within your home or office. Provenance: Personal property of Genshiro Kawamoto. A Japanese real estate billionaire and avid art collector who owned numerous multi-million dollar properties in Hawaii and was building one of the most expensive homes in Hawaii prior to his tax evasion arrest, followed by prison sentence in Japan. He had bought multiple properties to convert into museums in order to display his personal decorative arts collection, but due to his legal and financial problems, his items were all auctioned...
Stone
$579Sale Price|43% Off
H 8.47 in W 4.73 in D 5.12 in
French, 17th / 18th Century Carved Stone Angel Head Ornament
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered hand carved stone angel head ornament that once adorned a facade. France, circa 1650-1750. Weathered. Measurement includes the wooden base.
Stone
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Dragon Roof Tiles
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Weathered pair of Chinese dragon roof tiles hand-crafted from terracotta style pottery. Made in the Ming Dynasty style featuring a worn-off glazed fi...
Pottery
Sandstone Relief with Auspicious Symbols
Located in Chicago, IL
This sandstone carving once added grace and beauty to a wall surrounding a private residence or temple. The panel is mounted with a metal mount and stands on a wooden plinth. The car...
Sandstone
Set of Four Chinese Geometric Lattice Window Panels
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Assembled set of four Chinese window panels featuring a geometric open fretwork lattice design. Similar in size with one narrow 18 inch panel and ...
Wood