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.
$1,500
Asian Hard Stone Disc
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Chinese hard stone disc on black metal stand, beautiful form, color and texture. Measures: 7" wide, 8.2" total height included stand. Stone disc itself...
Stone
Ming Period Stucco Head of a Court Lady with Original Paint Mounted on Stand
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period stucco head of a court lady from the 15th or 16th century, mounted on a wooden stand. Crafted in China during the Ming Dynasty, this stucco head is moun...
Wood, Stucco
$395
H 3.75 in W 2 in D 2 in
Thai Siam Bronze Temple Shrine Kamphaeng Phet Style Buddha Head on Marble Stand
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, little gem of a piece. Thai/ Siam meditating Buddha with serenely closed eyes in the Kamphaeng Phet style. The piece has a beautiful patina acquired over time. From a collection of Asian antiques. Would be a nice addition to any South-East Asian artifacts...
Marble, Bronze
Chinese Ming Style Bronze Metal Seated Buddha
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive Chinese bronze metal Buddha sculpture depicted sitting. Beautifully crafted in the Ming style with intricate details. The bronze has a rich pat...
Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Stone Disc
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A polished hardstone disc. Provenance unknown but probably a early 20th century Hawaiin Ulu Maika stoen. Ulu Maika is a ancient game simular to bowling played by the indigineaous Haw...
Stone
$4,784Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.87 in W 14.18 in D 14.57 in
Vase with Bronze Pot with Cloisone Technique and Plants of Hard Stones
Located in Marbella, ES
Vase with bronze pot with Cloisone technique and plants of hard stones.
Stone, Bronze
Chinese Prosperity Stone Disc, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This round stone disc originated in Shanxi province as an early 20th-century threshing wheel. Secured to a wooden axel that ran through the center, the stone was rolled across stalks...
Limestone
$352Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in W 6 in D 8 in
Asian Carved Jade Hard Stone Fruit Grape Bunch w/Leaves Decorative
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a realistically carved jade bunch of grapes with darker jade carved leaves. The stem network is wire wrapped with blue satin cord and the end where it would have been cut fro...
Jade
Large Antique Asian Wood Sculpture of the Laughing Buddha
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very large antique Asian wood carving of the iconic Laughing Buddha. The sculpture has great form, the Buddha with his right hand resting ...
Wood
Chinese Mottled Green Bi Disc
Located in Chicago, IL
The Chinese bi disc has a mysterious and spiritual history, and its function and significance remains uncertain. Thought to provide a conduit to the celestial plane, the bi disc is a...
Stone
Asian Carved Hard Stone Exotic Fruit W/Jade Leaves Banana?
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
Love the yellow green color of this fruit but I'm not sure if it is a banana or a fruit that looks like a small, skinny banana but it would be a wonderful, unusual fruit for a colle...
Stone, Jade
$448Sale Price / set|59% Off
H 2.5 in W 6 in D 7.5 in
Asian Carved Rose Quartz Stone Fruit Grape Bunches Jade Leaves Decorative a Pair
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
These are a lovely pair of carved rose quartz grape bunches with dark green jade leaves and wire stems that are wrapped with satin cord and have a f...
Rose Quartz
$4,200
H 14 in W 6.75 in D 5 in
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...
Gesso, Wood
$100Sale Price|20% Off
H 3 in W 5 in D 6 in
Asian Hard Stone Carved Exotic Yellow Fruit & Jade Leaves Decorative Piece
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an interesting shaped fruit with variegated yellow color with carved points and nicely carved green jade leaves, but I don't know the name of the fruit. The stems are green w...
Stone, Jade
Petite Ming Bronze Mirror with Ingot Knob, c. 1450
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown...
Bronze
Petite Ming Bronze Mirror with Ingot Knob, c. 1400
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown...
Bronze
Chinese Ming Bronze Mirror, c. 1450
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mirror's round form, double ring edge and un...
Bronze
Petite Ming Bronze Mirror with Ingot Knob, c. 1400
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown...
Bronze
Ming Bronze Mirror with Ingot Knob, c. 1450
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the m...
Bronze
19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Bi Disks, Set of 3
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional antique trio of hand carved Ming Dynasty Chinese bi disks, dated to the late 19th century, featuring three distinctive circular stones wit...
Stone
Sold
H 15 in W 9 in D 7 in
Chinese Ming Dynasty 18th Century Hand Carved Stone Head of a Buddhist Monk
Located in Yonkers, NY
A 17th or 18th century Ming dynasty hand carved head sculpture of a serene Buddhist monk on bronze stand. This head of a Buddhist monk was hand c...
Stone, Bronze
Chinese Ming Xian Spear Head
Located in Chicago, IL
This spearhead was once attached to a long bamboo pole to create the formidable Lang Xian spear, comparable to a medieval European pike. Especially formidable when held by an army of...
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Chinese Ming Dynasty Period Painted Terracotta Tile Mounted on Lucite Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period painted terracotta tile mounted on a Lucite base. Created during the Ming Dynasty that lasted from 1368-1644, this painted terracotta tile is mounted on...
Terracotta
Asian Hard Stone Disc
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Chinese hard stone disc on black metal stand, beautiful form, color and texture. 10" wide, 12" total height included stand.
Stone
Antique Chinese Opera Theatre Headdress in Turquoise with Red Pom Poms
Located in New York, NY
Chinese opera theatre headdress in turquoise papier mâché with red colored pom poms and faux pearls, early 20th century, mounted on a custom black painted metal base.
Metal, Wire
Chinese Ming Guanyin
Located in Chicago, IL
This statue depicts Guanyin: A bodhisattva known for her compassion. It is unusual to see Guanyin so beautifully cast in iron from the Ming period. The metal is wonderfully defined. ...
Iron