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.
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...
Pottery
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Wine Vessel, c. 1550
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate ceramic bottle is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) vessel originally used for serving rice wine or spirits. The gracefully curved form is known as a yuhuchunping, or pear-sha...
Earthenware
19th Century Storage Vase
Located in Nijlen, BE
Handmade hand-thrown Chinese pottery vase. A 19th-century version with plenty of character. Large, round vase with a relatively flat top and a narrow opening. Decorated with small,...
Earthenware
Chinese Ming Lotus Petal Vase, c. 1450
Located in Chicago, IL
With its balanced silhouette and subdued color palette, this lotus offering vase from the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644) resonates calm and sophistication. Sculpted centuries ago in ...
Earthenware
Chinese Ming Lotus Petal Vase, c. 1450
Located in Chicago, IL
With a graceful silhouette and subdued color, this lotus offering vase from the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644) resonates calm and sophistication. Sculpted centuries ago in Yunnan pro...
Earthenware
Ming Dynasty Bronze Gu Beaker Vase
Located in Dallas, TX
Chinese bronze vase, Gu, the trumpet-shaped upper section cast with four blades filled with archaic designs. Center and lower sections depicting Toadies with very intricate backgroun...
Bronze
$1,200Sale Price|52% Off
Vintage Asian Amber Glass Vase or Urn
Located in Plainview, NY
A highly decorative vintage Asian amber glass vase or lid urn. The urn features a handcrafted flower brass design in the center of the vase, a round wooden base in black and gilt decorated. The lid of the urn is in the shape of a sword holder...
Art Glass, Wood
Chinese Off-White and Botanical Design Globular Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese Qing Dynasty-style (late 19th Century) globular, off-white porcelain vase decorated with blooming flora and branches, and pink and purple decorative patterns around the neck....
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Wine Vessel, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic bottle is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) vessel originally used for serving rice wine or spirits. The gracefully curved form is known as a yuhuchunping, or pear-shape...
Earthenware
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant ceramic vessel is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bottle originally used for storing oil or sauces. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the small bottle has a gracefully curved f...
Earthenware
$3,200Sale Price / set|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...
Porcelain
Porcelain Vase Fruit, Leaves and Vines White Blanc de Chine
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Blanc de Chine white ceramic porcelain vase with a generous relief of fruit (peaches), leaves and vines, circa 20th century, China. Very good condition with no chips note...
Porcelain, Ceramic
Antique Chongzhen Shunzhi Transitional Chinese Porcelain Ewer, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated and Ewer in underglaze blue. The globular body rises to a flared neck decorated with tulips and supported by a high handle. The main decoration depicts a nice...
Porcelain
Rare Totai Shippo Pair Large Japanese Cloisonne On Porcelain Enamel Vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of rare symmetrical large antique Japanese, Ming era, Totai porcelain vases. Each vase has a globular shaped body and a fluted mouth. The exteriors of the wares are covered wi...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Blue and White Porcelain Moonflask Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese Ming Dynasty Xuande Period-style (late 19th Century) white porcelain vases with moonflask forms, blue floral and bird motifs and marks no...
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Style Fahua Meiping Vase, Hand-Painted Porcelain
Located in Basildon, GB
Chinese Ming Style Fahua Meiping Vase. The vase featuring raised lotus plants, carp and grasses emerging from waves, topped with a garland of beaded chains and precious objects aroun...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Arrow Vase Early Possibly Ming 16th Century
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique Chinese cloisonne on copper arrow vase, possibly Ming Dynasty 16th century. Bottle form with pair of "arrow" tubes on either side of ...
Copper
Chinese Ming Lotus Petal Vase, c. 1400
Located in Chicago, IL
With a graceful silhouette and subdued color palette, this lotus offering vase from the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644) resonates calm and sophistication. Sculpted centuries ago in Yu...
Earthenware
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Wine Vessel, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic bottle is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) vessel originally used for serving rice wine or spirits. The gracefully curved form is known as a yuhuchunping, or pear-shape...
Earthenware
$17,800 / set
Pair of Chinese Yellow and Natural Scene Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of antique Chinese (late 19th-early 20th Century) export porcelain yellow ceramic vases wrapped in large scale branches teeming with birds, flowers and foliage (PRICED AS PAIR)....
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Lotus Petal Vase, c. 1450
Located in Chicago, IL
With its balanced silhouette and subdued color palette, this lotus offering vase from the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644) resonates calm and sophistication. Sculpted centuries ago in ...
Earthenware
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...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Globular Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (late 19th Century) famille rose globular porcelain vases decorated with cranes amid a tree growing from grasses surrounded by blooming pink and orange flower...
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Lotus Petal Vase, c. 1400
Located in Chicago, IL
With its balanced silhouette and subdued color palette, this lotus offering vase from the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644) resonates calm and sophistication. Sculpted centuries ago in ...
Earthenware
Chinese Ming Celadon Oil Bottle, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic vessel is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bottle originally used for storing cooking oil or condiments. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the bottle has a gracefully cur...
Earthenware
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1550
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant ceramic vessel is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bottle originally used for storing oil or sauces. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the bottle has a gracefully curved form kn...
Earthenware
Pair Blue and White Porcelain Vases - Ming Double Gourd Urns
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Breathtaking pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain urns Double gourd form with intricate hand painted arabesques and motifs Classy pair ready to add light and oomph to any room Pl...
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
Urn Chinese Glazed Brown Ming China
Located in New York, NY
Urn Chinese Glazed Brown Ming China. A Glaced Ming Urn from China. Made during the Ming Period 1368-1644.
Pottery
Pair of Chinese Beige and Orange Fish Design Meiping Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese Ming/Jiajing-style beige porcelain vases with Meiping forms decorated in orange fish and flower motifs and geometric-patterned bands around the tops and bases, accent...
Porcelain
Vintage Boho Glazed Ceramic Tall Ming Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Boho Glazed ceramic vase. A classic Ming style in a black high gloss finish. Rests on a wooden plinth. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Ceramic
Pair of Blue White Porcelain Vase With Gilt Silver Phoenix Dragons, 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The pair of Blue White Porcelain Vases with Gilt Silver Phoenix Dragons, dating from the 20th century, is an exquisite examples of decorative art, blending traditional Chinese porcel...
Silver