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.
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...
Marble
Antique Pair of Late Ming Dynasty Silk Road Carved Stone Guardian Lions
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare pair of large Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions. Originated from a house of a mandarin (a public official in the Chinese Empire), located on The Silk Road. Here they were placed in front of the gate, with the gate doors mounted on the base behind the lions. The pair consist of a male with a ball on his back, and a female holding a puppy. The ball represents the world and the puppy represents nature or a nurturing spirit. One stand lightly carved with a horse, the other with a deer. The front of the stand is carved with camel...
Stone
Antique Ming Revival Immortal Qing or Republic Chinese Statue, 1900 Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
China, finely carved statue of an immortal, in the style of Ming period pieces. Ca 1900. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Condition: Han...
Porcelain
Catalog Gerard Hawthorn Oriental Art Chinese Art Porcelain Bronze Statue, 17/18c
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Hawthorn oriental art catalogue. Great research catalog. Additional information: Material: Paper Type: Statues Region of Origin: China Period: 17th century, 18th century China Dynas...
Paper
$19,200Sale Price|60% Off
China Antique Pair "Spirit Path" Horse Sculptures, Ming Dynasty 500 Years Old
Located in South Burlington, VT
China, a monumental pair (2) of 500 year old lime stone “Spirit Path” Equine horse head sculptures. Ming dynasty, (1368-1644 CE). Please view our video. A pair of near life size and robust head sections with fine, wavy combed manes, well defined mouths, ears, nostrils, and ornamental bridles, all carved in a medium to dark gray limestone with considerable weathering to surfaces. The smaller head with a later inscription on bottom and signed “Zhuang”. Formerly exhibited “Treasures from Asia”, Shelburne Vermont, Shelburne Art Center, 2006. Originally found in the vicinity of the village of Chuan near Luoyang City, Henan Provance, China. Each mounted on a custom iron display stand. Dimensions: A the smaller 32.5cm, 13” high and 62.5cm, 25” in length and with display stand, 60cm, 24” high; b the larger 37.5cm, 15” high and 67.5cm, 27” in length and with display stand 65cm, 26” high. Please view additional photographs from our Chinese antiquities catalog 35 Years Collecting 35 Treasures, page 60. History: Placing stone animals and human figures along spirit paths in front of important tombs can be traced back at least to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), some two thousand years ago. In ancient times, stone animals and human figures placed before imperial tombs symbolized royal power and privilege in addition to decorative functions. Life size “spirit path” stone horse sculptures are known and can be viewed from Ming dynasty tombs including thirteen imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty scattered over an area of forty square kilometers in Changping District to the northwest of Beijing. The first Ming tomb...
Limestone
$3,894
H 14.57 in W 19.3 in D 13 in
Large Carved Stone Sculpture, Agra Style, India, Circa 1500, 200 lbs
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
M/222 - Museal stone high relief Gandhara from India (actual Nord Pakistan): a very rare piece , mounted on a robust iron base. Ask Your architect where ...
Stone
Tranquil Chinese Stone Bodhisattva Head
Located in Chicago, IL
Exuding an energy of calm and tranquility, this larger-than-life stone bust depicts a Buddhist bodhisattva in serene meditation. A disciple of the Buddha, a bodhisattva is a compassi...
Limestone
Bronze Lion Statues
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage pair of exquisite sculpted lions sitting on balls. Perfect for your driveway entrance. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Bronze
Pair of 18th Century Italian Carved Wood Figures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 18th century Italian carved wood figures. Originally polychromed and now aged to a shabby chic look.
Wood
Antique Neoclassical Carved Marble Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Neoclassical carved marble horse head sculpture. Dating to circa 1780, this hand-carved sculpture would make a striking decorative piec...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Monumental Continental Horse Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
Very impressive plaster reproduction of a classical Trojan horse artifact housed in the British Museum in London. Most likely executed in the early 20th century by a gipsoteca (plast...
Plaster, Resin
Bronze Flying Lady Statue Art Nouveau Spirit of Ecstacy
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous art nouveau style bronze rendition of the Flying Lady Also referred to as the Spirit of Ecstacy and the original is by Charles Skyes (this is a later recasting from the orig...
Bronze
Pair of 18th Century French Limestone Lions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent pair of 18th century French Hand Carved Limestone Lions. The base measurement is 11.5 inches.
Limestone
$32,900Sale Price|30% Off
H 44.5 in W 16 in D 20 in
Pair 18th C. Hand Carved Marble Figures Lions Sculptures Garden Statues
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair 18th C. Carved Marble Terracotta Figures Lions Sculptures Garden Statues LA . Rare large Pair of early 18th century carved marble terracotta Figures of regal lions, holding an i...
Stone, Marble
Antique Roman / Etruscan Style Statue
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique Roman / Etruscan style pottery partial statue. Robed figure in draped fabric. Measures: 7.5 inches in height. Exact age unknown, the pieces in t...
Terracotta
$30,000Sale Price|36% Off
H 36 in W 33 in D 14 in
Pair Carved Stone Figures Of Hunting Dogs Garden Antique Statuary Animal Lovers
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair Carved Stone Figures Of Hunting Dogs Garden Antique Statuary Animal Lovers . PRICED FOR THE PAIR. beautiful Chateau De Chasse hand carved stone dogs large size mounted on top ...
Stone, Limestone, Metal
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15.5 in W 22.5 in D 8 in
Pair of English 20th Century Composition Reclining Lion Sculptures with Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English composition lion sculptures from the late 20th century, with weathered patina. Born in England during the late 20th century, each of this pair of composition lions ...
Composition
Sold
H 20.08 in W 33.47 in D 15.36 in
Pair of Chinese 16th-17th Century Carved Stone Guardian Lion Sculptures
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions from the 16-17th century. Very detailed. The pair consist of a male leaning his paw upon an e...
Lava
China Ancient 700 Year Old Stone Official Sculpture-unique garden choice
Located in South Burlington, VT
China, a rare and authentic and large ancient limestone torso bust fragment of a Chinese scholar official dating back to the Song dynasty 13th-14th ce...
Limestone
17th Century Carved Stone Lion Protector
Located in Chicago, IL
This seated sculpture was carved over 400 years ago during the Ming dynasty out of a single block of limestone. It was discovered in the Shanxi region of China and is believed to rep...
Limestone