Ming Decorative Objects
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 Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Wood Horseman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Hand Carved Glazed Wood Horse with Rider
22 tall x 22 w x 5.5 d
Preowned Original vintage unrestored condition. Vintage p...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Ming Dynasty Terracotta Courtsman Statuette with Original Polychromy
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty painted terracotta courtsman figure with original polychromy. Attracting our eye with its weathered appearance and subtle polychromy, this Ming Dynasty terracotta courtsman figure exudes historical charm and elegance. This exquisite statuette, dating from the Chinese Ming Dynasty, features a courtsman resting on a hexagonal base, providing a stable and aesthetically pleasing foundation. Topped with a simple headdress and clothed in a long, flowing robe, the figure showcases a slight movement of the hips, creating a sense of liveliness and grace.
His right arm is extended in a gesture, while his left arm remains hidden under his clothes, adding an element of mystery and sophistication. The original polychromy, though weathered, adds a touch of vibrant color that enhances the figure's visual appeal and historical authenticity.
This Chinese courtsman figure will make for an exquisite decorative addition to any home. Its refined elegance and rich cultural heritage make it a versatile piece, perfect for placing on a commode, side table, or shelf. Whether in a living room, study, or entryway, this Ming Dynasty figure will bring a touch of ancient Chinese artistry and timeless beauty to any interior space.
With its harmonious blend of form and function, this painted terracotta courtsman figure celebrates the enduring appeal of Ming Dynasty art...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Chinese Scroll Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Stained leather covered wood in deep oxblood and dark brown tones. With three stitched plaques with raised characters on the front. A brass mount with lock on the front (lacking the ...
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather, Wood
Pair Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Dignitary Figures
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Ming dynasty sancai blue glazed pottery figures.
Circa 1500 AD Ming Dynasty
I have owned over 250 ming tomb figures including over 80...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Ming Dynasty Hand Carved Stone Monkey Sculpture with Infant Monkey
Located in Yonkers, NY
A 19th century Chinese Ming dynasty hand carved stone monkey sculpture. This Chinese sculpture features a monkey figure, sitting on a rock formation, holding a square item, perhaps a...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Chinese Monumental Imari-Style Orange, White and Blue Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese monumental orange, white and blue porcelain floor vase celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, decorated with medallion...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Wanli Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Plate Fenghuang and Pagoda
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely potted and painted kraak plate of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with beautiful and rare scene.
Absolute top Quality kraak ware
Condition
some fritting to r...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$2,727 Sale Price
20% Off
Leaf Shaped Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Porcelain 17c Ming Dynasty serving dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this beautiful leaf shaped serving dish on four feet in blue and white.
Visible is a typically painted scene for this period. Mountain landscape with a house in the ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$5,995 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 19th century Dutch Delft Earthenware Plate Delftware Porceleine Klauw
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
Nice Dutch Delft blue plate with nice decoration Porceleyne Claeuw Delft - 1658=1840
In 19th with Willem III as a child
18th century.
Diameter: 232 cm.
Condition: Good
...
Category
17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Antique 18th century Dutch Delft Earthenware Plate Delftware Based On Ch
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nice Dutch Delft blue plates with nice decoration of the month of august
In 18th c chinese style
18th century.
Diameter: 23 cm.
Condition: Typical rimflaws
Condition
Good condition...
Category
17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Dynasty Terracotta Court Official Statuette, Original Polychromy
Located in Yonkers, NY
A petite Chinese Ming dynasty green glazed terracotta court official figurine from the 15th or 16th century, with original polychromy. Attracting our eye with its vibrant polychromy,...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese White and Blue Raised Rose Design Octagonal Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese blue and white porcelain vase with an octagonal, faceted shape wrapped in blue bands featuring white iconography at the base and concave top, framing a center area that alter...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Dish Kosometsuke Fisherman
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this nice Chinese porcelain dish from the early 17th century. Once again Jingdezhen made but for the Japanese market, Kosomets...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$3,688 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Ming Kosometsuke Chinese Porcelain Dish Literati Hongwu Marked
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A chinese Tianqi period, 17th century dish, Jingdezhen Kilns.
Diameter: 17 CM
This porcelain dish is depicting motif of Coin 洪武通宝 Hong Wu Tong Bao (coin of Emperor Hongwu) and auspi...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$4,073 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Pair 17th C Dehua Blanc de Chine Whistles European figures on a horse
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A pair of Shunzhi or Kangxi Blanc de Chine Porcelain figures on horses.
Blanc de Chine Statues like these were made in the kilns of Dehua in Fujian province.
These are rare example...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$2,535 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Chinese Porcelain Hatcher Cargo Kraak Ghendi porcelain South China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nicely decorated kraak Ghendi with a geometrical decoration. The piece was part of the Hatcher Collection. Auctioned by Christies Amsterdam in 1984. It is in very good condition.
The Hatcher Junk...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$3,496 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Wanli Period Bowl Flowers Landscape
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely Ming period Bowl in nice display condition.
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Decoration Type / Colour: Kraak
Region of Origin: China
Emperor: Wanli (1572...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$1,185 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Chinese Ming Dynasty Carved Wood Budda
Located in Dallas, TX
A carved wood Budda from the Shanxi region, made during the Ming Dynasty. The carved figure has an ancient polychrome finish.
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Stucco
Tianqi Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Porcelain 17c Ming Dynasty Ni Zan
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this beautiful dish
Visible is a typically painted scene for this period. Mountain landscape with bamboo and clouds house in the right centre. The shape is very nice...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$1,189 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Ming Period Xieyi Yuan Poem Landscape Chinese Porcelain Kaiseki Dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely potted and painted blue and white Kosometsuke Kaiseki dish plate of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with design of a landscape in the style of the yuan painter ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$8,494 Sale Price
20% Off
Ming Dynasty Polychrome Lacquer and Gilt Iron Figure of Ananda
Located in Austin, TX
Ananda is portrayed in a typical fashion, as a youthful monk with a shaved head and dressed in simple robes. He stands upon a double lotus pedestal with hands clasped in front of him...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Pair of Chinese Yellow and Turquoise Genre Vignette Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese vases with turquoise interiors, and yellow and turquoise grounds decorated in purple and blue floral designs, framing central, richly depicted genre vignettes wrappin...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antiquer 17th C Dehua Blanc de Chine Whistles European figure and Cat Dutchman
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Shunzhi or Kangxi Blanc de Chine Porcelain European figure in sitting position. Its also a whistle.
Blanc de Chine Statues like these were made in the kilns of Dehua in Fujian pro...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$1,574 Sale Price
20% Off
Ming Dynasty Bronze Figure of the Infant Buddha
Located in Austin, TX
A rare and unusual Chinese Ming Dynasty bronze figure of the Buddha as an infant. The young Prince Siddhartha, who would grow up to become the Buddha, is portrayed standing, one hand pointing to the sky, the other to the ground. He is naked, save for a baby apron...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Ming Dynasty Songzi Guanyin with Child
Located in Dallas, TX
A Chinese Fahua glazed pottery figure of Songzi Guanyin with child. A rare yellow, turquoise and green glazed statue of Guanyin with downward gaze h...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
$1,440 Sale Price
46% Off
Chinese Sancai Glazed Buddhist Arhat, Ming Dynasty, c. 1600
Located in Chicago, IL
This imposing figure is the head of an Arhat, a Buddhist devotee who has attained enlightenment, also called a “Luohan.” The eighteen original Arhat are the personal disciples of Buddha and the guardians of Buddhist adherents. Each is represented with a unique disposition, posture, and distinctive symbol.
This exquisitely formed monumental ceramic Arhat dates to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and has likely been separated from its original full body sculpture...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Antique Chinese Hongzhi or Zhengde Dish Fish, 15th/16th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated and highly unusual dish from the 15th/16th century. The dish is beautifully designed with a beautiful fish in the centre.
9-1-23-1-1
Additional information:...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$5,764 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Chinese Porcelain Kosometsuke Ladies in Meeting Plate Marked, 17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated kosometsuke plate with an unusual scene of 4 Ladies in a garden, seems like they have a meeting. A pot with a plant in the middle lower part of the scene and ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$4,803 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Pair of Red Glazed Porcelain Vases
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of Porcelain Asian Vases with subtle form, good weight and striking presentation. With Red glazed exteriors and Brown contrasting interiors. Very good condition and marked on ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$295 / set
Antique Chinese Porcelain Late Ming or Transitional Plate Landscape
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Blue & White Ko-sometsuke plate with a landscape scene
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Region of Origin: China
Period: 17th century Ming (1368 - 1620)
Age: ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$958 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Dish Kosometsuke Fisherman
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this nice Chinese porcelain dish from the early 17th century. Once again Jingdezhen made but for the Japanese market, Kosometsuke. Visible is a landscape scene with ...
Category
17th Century Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$3,185 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of 2 Antique Japanese Ming Style Porcelain Ghendis Arita Kraak, Ca 1670
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nice edo period, 1670-1680 examples. With a landscape scene. The rim beautifully painted. The base is blank.
Unmarked at base
Arita ware, also known as A...
Category
17th Century Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$3,285 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Assembled Chinese Late Yuan / Early Ming Dynasty Bronze Garniture
Located in Austin, TX
Consisting of a large baluster vase (H: 14.25") with arrow handles and a near pair of smaller baluster vases with mythical beast loop handles.
The large vase, of yuhuchunping form, ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Imari-Style Orange and Blue Monumental Ceramic Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese orange, white and blue monumental floor vase celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, decorated with medallions of bloom...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Miniature Mingqi Skirted Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This miniature ceramic table is from Shanxi Province and may have been made to represent Mingqi, a type of ancient Chinese burial good. Mingqi were plac...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Period Chinese Porcelain Dish Charger Deer and Crane Antique Marked Ming, 16 C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large and very nice Blue and White Charger/Dish from the Ming Period. Jiajing. Absolute cool item marked Ming
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain
Period: 17th century Qing (...
Category
17th Century Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$1,055 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Ming Period Arabesque Chinese Porcelain Dish Sacred Mushroom
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely potted and painted blue and white Kosometsuke plate of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with design of Turkish style Arabesque pattern and central a Lingzhi Fung...
Category
17th Century Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$3,550 Sale Price
20% Off
Ming Period Antique Arabesque Chinese Porcelain Dish Sacred Mushroom
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely potted and painted blue and white Kosometsuke plate of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with design of Turkish style Arabesque pattern and central a Lingzhi Fung...
Category
17th Century Asian Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$1,185 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare Annamese Stoneware with underglaze Blue and Painted Green, 15-16th Century
Located in seoul, KR
This Annamese ceramic plate features a central floral motif rendered in underglaze blue, complemented by delicate green-painted leaves—an innovative characteristic of Annamese ceramics of the time. The rim is adorned with swirling cloud patterns and additional stylized floral designs.
The use of green overpainting, a distinctive element in Annamese ceramics, parallels similar examples documented in The Age of Discovery: Asian Ceramics Found Along the Maritime Silk Road, particularly on pages 59, 64, and 66 of the Annamese ship catalog. Such pieces were widely traded along the Maritime Silk Road, showcasing the rich cultural exchange between Vietnam and other regions.
Year/Period : 15th century
Region : North Vietnam, Vietnam
Type : Dish
Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Hoi An Ship
1) Butterfield Treasures Hoi An Hoard Auction Catalogs / San Francisco Butterfields 2000
2) Asian Ceramic Found along Maritime Silk Route / National Maritime Museum of Korea
* Vietnamese trade ceramics
Around the mid-14th century, Vietnam developed its ceramics production technology by producing blue and white porcelain, and began to export it overseas. During this period, China Ming Dynasty implemented a policy of lifting the ban from 1371 to 1657 and restricted foreign trade. This served as a good opportunity in the trade history of Vietnamese ceramics, and ceramic exports...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Vietnamese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
$2,994 Sale Price
40% Off
Asian Shoulder Yolk Basket
Located in Dallas, TX
The Brendan Bass Estate Collection pays homage to the beauty of vintage and antique
pieces, each artfully concealing endless stories collected through the generations in which they ...
Category
20th Century Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker
Japanese sweetmeat set of Kosometsuke dishes. Vintage/modern copy after
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nice sweetmeat set of Kosometsuke dishes. Japanese vintage/modern copy after Chinese ming example.
All with stamp mark to the base.
Pictures of the origi...
Category
20th Century Japanese Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$2,247 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Blue and White and Raised Rose Pattern Octagonal Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese blue and white porcelain vase with an octagonal, faceted shape wrapped in blue bands featuring white iconography at the base and convex top, framing a center area that altern...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
A Pair of Small 19 Century Chinese Patinated Bronze Statues of Gods or Deities
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of exceptional small patinated bronze castings of a male and female Chinese Deities or Gods possibly representing Shouxing God of Longevity Immortality and Good Fortune, and G...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Figure of a Seated Luohan, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644
Located in Torino, IT
Cast seated wearing a simple robe with his right hand resting on the hilt of a snake-entwined sword, the left hand held aloft, his face with meditative expre...
Category
Early 1600s Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain River Landscape Dish Kosometsuke Market
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing new arrival. An amazing Blue and white porcelain dish, Kosometsuke for the Japanese Market. Very interesting.
China, Ming dynasty.
Decorated in the centre with a river lan...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Serving Dish Ming Dynasty, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful serving dish in blue and white with central a reverse decorated floral lotus scene, the walls with branches and the border with geometric design.
The base has a six charact...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Price Upon Request
Ming decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Ming decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Ming decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include and Colin Burn Art. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $228 and tops out at $690,000 while the average work can sell for $3,151.
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