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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
Brass Bowl Planter Cachepot Jardinière Enamel Cloisonné, Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial brass and enamel Cloisonné bowl planter cachepot jardinière, in the Ming style, late 19th century to circa early-20th century, Asia, China. With authentic...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel

19th C. Chinese Ming Style Elm Coffer / Low Cabinet / Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Chinese Ming Style Elm Coffer / Low Cabinet / Bench Measures 45" in width, 15" in depth and 17" tall.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Elm

Very Large Vintage Asian Dragon Water Jar
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very large and striking Asian Water Jar with deep brown background field and having Ochre colored entwined dragons. An excellent focal point object f...
Category

20th Century Asian Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

1970s Ming Style Michel Taylor For Baker Furn. Console Alter Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is such a good size! This is burl wood console table design by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture as part of his Far East Collection. It is marked and in very good condition. M...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Burl

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

Vintage Asian Ming Carved Greek Key Ebonized Console Table
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage Asian inspired console table with carved apron. Knee clearance 23.75” The color will appear to be close to black in many interior settings although it it is actually a very d...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Patinated Bronze Tripod Censer with Double Handles
Located in San Francisco, CA
Patinated Bronze Tripod Censer with Double Handles Round bronze censer with three legs and upright double handles at the rim. The surface shows a smooth, aged patina. Marked on the ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

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

Pair Antique Ming Style Chinese Qing Carved Hardwood Gilt Lacquer Throne Chairs
Located in Portland, OR
A fine pair of antique late 19th/early 20th Century Chinese Ming style carved, lacquered & gilt throne armchairs, Qing dynasty, circa 1900. This very attractive pair of antique carve...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer

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

20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Jumu Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese 4-Panel Byobu Screen
Located in Astoria, NY
Japanese Four Panel Byobu Screen, with hand-painted scenes of flowers within gilt borders, chop seal marks to each panel. Larger panels: 38.75" H x 17.25" W x 1" D. Provenance: From ...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Ming Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paper

Large and Narrow Chinese Altar Console, 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Large and narrow Chinese altar console, 20th century Scrolling and geometrical motifs Nicely distressed patina, with dark red/burgundy hue We ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm

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

Ming Style Chinese Scholar's Cabinet
Ming Style Chinese Scholar's Cabinet
$1,200 Sale Price
36% Off
19th Century Chinese Horseshoe Round Back Chairs All Original a Pair
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of large, sold wood, all original, early 19th century Chinese Provincial Horseshoe Chairs. The solid, 2" thick, rounded crest rail is constructed with one single continuous be...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
$3,680 Sale Price
20% Off
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

Ming Square Table, circa 1890
Ming Square Table, circa 1890
$2,200 Sale Price
60% Off
Antique Ming Wanli 1560-1590 Chinese Porcelain Swatow/Zhangzhou Bowl
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese blue and white porcelain bowl with cranes and flowers. end of the 16th century. Swatow —————————————————————————————————————— Condition 2 chips to rim and crackle lines. ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Black Lacquer Console Table
Black Lacquer Console Table
$2,500 Sale Price
28% Off
Century Furniture Asian Ming Style Tall Red Lacquer Lighted Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in West Chester, PA
A rare Ming style tall lighted bar cabinet by Century Furniture of Distinction. Upper bifold doors open to reveal a mirrored back with three a...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood

Fine Red Lacquer Low Table with Fret Work Top
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine red lacquer low table / coffee table with fret work top, elegant fine red lacquer finished. Purchase red lacquer low table / coffee table also come with glass top that can place...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Antique 16th C Ming Jiajing bowl Chinese Porcelain Blue and white Landscape
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely bowl, painted with a landscape design. Dating: Jiajing, 16th century. Condition: some minimal rimfritting, 1 small chip to rim and firing bubble flaw n...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Celadon Jar, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
Warped by fire and eroded by time, this ceramic storage jar from Yunnan province is a testament to the wabi-sabi beauty of provincial Chinese pottery. Dated to the 15th/16th century,...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Rare Early Ming Dynasty Blue-and-White Porcelain Plates
Located in Fukuoka, JP
A fine group of early Ming dynasty (c. 15th century) porcelain dishes, hand-painted in cobalt blue underglaze with floral and foliate motifs. These plates were found in Japan, where ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

32CM Antique Chinese 16/17C Chinese Porcelain Dish Swatow Monochrome
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely monochrome Swatow/Zhangzhou dish. Brown glaze color. It's quite unusual to see a swatow dish only with craquele, without scene or incised decoration. Great reference p...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Asian Incised and Glazed Clay Covered Bowl or Incense Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique and possibly ancient incised Asian Ceramic Container or Incense Box. The piece with a deep Gray glazed surface incised with intricate floral and scrolling pattern with the...
Category

18th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Clay

Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

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

Antique Chinese 16/17C Ming Porcelain Dish Zhangzhou Swatow Fenghuang China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated large dish from around 1580-1630. Heavy and larger sized piece with beautiful decoration in red and green Similar piece in the literature, see pictures. Cond...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Glass Linen Cabinet with Carved Wood
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful 20th century solid wood custom linen press with glass door. The cabinet is constructed with three frame members, among them two are inset with choice elm woods that form the sides. The elm woods with grains of swirls and sweeps resemble the Chinese mountain and water scene. The unique front...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Ming Stone Table, c. 1500-1600
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese 16-17th century Ming stone table carved from a solid piece of stone. This table has a traditional scalloped apron and legs ending in scrolled feet. In well-preserved origi...
Category

Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Stone

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

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

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

A Chinese Longquan Celadon Lotus Bowl, Ming Dynasty
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Chinese Longquan Celadon Lotus Bowl, Ming Dynasty Diameter: 16.7 cm Height: 5.5 cm Provenance: The Collection of Dr. John Yu AC Dr. Yu was the Foundi...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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

Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Vintage Lamp Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage side lamp table from the mid 20th century, with horse hoof feet and humpback stretchers. Created in China during the midcentury pe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Antique Side Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Elm wood Side Cabinet. Ming style clean lines side cabinet night stand. Elmwood Side cabinet with shelf inside. Traditional timeless design with a modern sensibility. This is a great cabinet for small places, nightstand, end table for sofa...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm

Ming Dynasty Period Golden Brown Glazed Martaban Water Jar with Tiger Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ming Dynasty period glazed ceramic Martaban water jar from the 17th century, with tiger motifs and petite handles. Created in China during the 17th century, this Ming Dynasty perio...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair Mid Century Henredon Ming Style Walnut Side Tables
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

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

Pair of Vintage Ming Dynasty Style Waisted Side Tables with Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden side tables from the early 20th century, with carved aprons, humpback stretchers and horse hoof legs. Created in China during the ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese 17th C Wanli Ming Dynasty Plate Dish Porcelain Chenghua Marked
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description A rare Ming blue and white Porcelain dish. Great quality decoration Three Friends of Winter. Chenghua marked. Box included. Condit...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Bamboo & Orchids 4-Panel Byobu Screen
Located in Astoria, NY
Japanese Bamboo and Orchids Scene Four-Panel Byobu Screen, gouache on silk, with iron red six character mark on the lower right panel, in ebonized wood frame. 24" H x 39" W. Provenan...
Category

20th Century Japanese Ming Furniture

Materials

Silk, Hardwood

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

1960s Mother Guardian Foo Dog Pair
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
Exceptionally avant garde style approaching surrealist, bulging eyes and rich hued glazes; extremely rare to find as a pair, meant to be tile-roof finials. Breath taking and large ...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage 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

Chinese Carved Celadon and Russet Jade Mythical Animal, Ming Dynasty or Earlier
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and unusual carving of a mythical animal, possibly a pixiu, of celadon and russet nephrite jade, Ming Dynasty or earlier, China. The mythical animal masterfully carved as a...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Jade

Rustic Antique Chinese Altar Or Console Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Asian table with aged raised graining which adds texture to the Rustic presentation. Traditional form with upraised ends, scrolled decoration to the apron and sides, good weig...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Black Lacquered Wood Box - Imperial Dragons - Ming Period Wanli 17th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent box Imperial jewelry box in black lacquered wood decorated with dragons. This wonderful box is lacquered on a black background with patt...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer end tables. Simple and elegant form. Beautiful color and form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been app...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage Chinese Ming Style Black Lacquer & Cowhide Arm Chair, Mid-20th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage Chinese ming style black lacquer & cowhide arm chair. Additional information: Materials: cowhide, lacquer, wood. Color: black. Period: ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture

Materials

Cowhide, Wood

Antique Chinese Solid Single Board Console Table
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful 19th century console table in the Ming style. The solid wood table of mitre, tenon and mortise construction, has a thick single board top that...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Painted Compound Cabinets, Late Ming Dynasty
Located in Chicago, IL
Seamlessly constructed and lacquered black, this pair of spectacular Ming-dynasty compound cabinets provided the perfect blank canvas for painted scen...
Category

Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

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

18th Century Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Cabinet with Original Décor
Located in Kastrup, DK
A stunning Chinese tapered cabinet from the 18th century, black lacquered with original gilt chinoiserie motifs. Created in China during the Qi...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm

Polychrome wooden statue depicting Guanyin Bodhisattva, Ming, 16th century
Located in Milano, IT
In a realm where time stands still, there exists a 16th-century masterpiece, a sculpture of unparalleled beauty that transports you to the heart of the Ming dynasty. Here, in a place of reverence and artistry, sits the Chinese Bodhisattva Guanyin, the embodiment of compassion, enshrined in a form of breathtaking elegance. Guanyin's divine presence is unveiled as he is seated in padmasana, the lotus position, a symbol of purity and enlightenment. His regal robes...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Organic Modern Ming Style Grasscloth Wrapped Square Coffee Table Att. To Baker
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a white lacquered grasscloth wrapped coffee table with Ming styling attributed to Baker Furniture. It dates to the later part of the 20th century and is in very good condition.
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Grasscloth, Wood

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

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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