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.
Top Quality Wanli / Tianqi Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Crane Waves
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description A very nicely potted and painted early 17th century dish of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with unusal reverse decorated design. Visible are cranes, different k...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Ming period Kraak Bowl Deer Wanli or Tianqi Period
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated bowl Late 16th, early 17th century Ming period. Kraak scene with deer on outside and inside. Delicate and beautiful piece. Condition Some chips/fritting ...
Porcelain
Stoneware Chinese Bowl, Sung Period, 12th-14th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Little stoneware Chinese bowl in glazed stoneware. It is adorned with flower engravings. Period: 12th-14th century.
Stoneware
Stoneware Chinese Bowl, Sung Period, 12th-14th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Little stoneware Chinese bowl in glazed stoneware. It is adorned with flower engravings. Under the base, we can read “Xia Fang'' & ''Ding Hai”. 12th-...
Stoneware
Little Circular Chinese Stoneware Bowl Sung 1 Period, 12th-14th Century
Located in Roma, IT
A circular glazed stoneware adorned with cloud engravings. 12th-14th century – Sung period. This object is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation...
Stoneware
$499
H 6.75 in W 11 in D 10.5 in
Antique English Silver Plated Partitioned Serving Bowl or Condiment Dish
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique serving dish is hallmarked by an unknown English maker, and believed to date to approximately 1910-1920 and done in a Victorian style...
Silver Plate
Large Chinese Porcelain Famille Rose Medallion Bowl #10
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large colorful vintage Chinese export famille rose medallion porcelain bowl. Features classic oriental scenes with Chinese people throughout. Ov...
Porcelain
$516Sale Price|49% Off
H 1.11 in Dm 6.23 in
Chinese Kraak Period Plate or Dish-B Porcelain Blue & White, Ming Wanli Ca 1610
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand-painted Chinese Export Kraak porcelain blue and white Side Plate or Dish, which we date to the Ming, Wanli period,( 1573-1620 ), datin...
Porcelain
Large Antique Edwardian Quality Japanese Imari Bowl
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique Edwardian quality Japanese Imari bowl having a large circular bowl with quality hand painted decoration in wonderful red, blue, green, white and gold colours. In lovel...
Porcelain
$516Sale Price|52% Off
H 1.11 in Dm 6.23 in
Chinese Kraak period Plate or Dish Porcelain Blue and White, Ming Wanli, Ca 1610
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand-painted Chinese Export Kraak porcelain blue and white Side Plate or Dish, which we date to the Ming, Wanli period,( 1573-1620 ), datin...
Porcelain
$1,950 / set
H 2.13 in Dm 10.63 in
Pair of Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Islamic Market "Fitzhugh" Shallow Bowls
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Pair of rare and fine Antique Chinese export Porcelain "Fitzhugh" pattern shallow bowls with Arabic inscriptions on reverse side of bowls. Made for Islamic market Pair are very...
Porcelain
Antique Edwardian Quality Japanese Imari Bowl
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Edwardian quality Japanese Imari bowl having a quality scalloped shaped edge with wonderful hand painted panels in red, blue, green, gold and white colours. In lovely condit...
Ceramic
Mid 19th Century Chinese Serving Bowl Guangyu or Tongzhi Period
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large serving decorative bowl from China 1860- 1900. In excellent antique condition with minimal wear from age and use. Wear to the bottom edge. Depicting birds and purp...
Porcelain, Stoneware
Taylor & Company Antique Chinese Export Silver Bowl
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Chinese Export Silver bowl; an addition to our Chinese/Asian silverware collection This impressive Chinese Export Silver (CES) bowl has a plain circular form onto a plain collet foot. The body of this antique Chinese bowl is embellished with two embossed and chased traditional oriental undulating dragons amidst cloud designs, all on a matte background. The decoration to the body incorporates a vacant circular cartouche. The upper rim of this impressive CES bowl is encircled with an applied thread decorated border. The hallmarks struck to the underside of this fine bowl include: Maker's mark: T&Co (Taylor & Co*) Artisan workshop mark: REN XIN 仁信 (Canton) This impressive bowl has been independently tested using state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 900 standard silver. * Taylor & Co were a retail store but acted as agents, and were known for their locations in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tianjin. We are grateful to Adrien von Ferscht for his help in identifying this exceptional antique piece. Condition This antique Chinese bowl is a very good gauge of silver, excellent quality and in excellent condition, in keeping with age. The chased and embossed decoration is all very sharp. The CES hallmarks struck to the underside of the bowl are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this piece of antique Chinese silverware...
Silver
Sold
H 1.38 in Dm 1.86 in
Rarity 17C small Chinese Porcelain ‘Hatcher Cargo’ blue and white Box Christies
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Size doesn't matter Visible in the pictures is a very nice small box from the Hatcher Cargo. Mid 17th century Painted with chrysanthemum to the domed cover. Provenance: This litt...
Porcelain
HUGE 47.5cm Antique Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Plate Whagon Wheel Ducks
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese blue and white kraak porcelain Dish Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Or Transitional 1650 With raised slightly scattered rim. Unglazed base. A very nicely potted and painted kraa...
Porcelain
Antique Wanli Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Landscape Klapmuts EGRET Mark
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Sharing with you this new arrival and very happy with it. Visible is a Wanli period Kraak klapmuts in cobalt blue of larger size. In general the piece is already of high...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Hatcher Cargo Red Cliff Bowl Porcelain, China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nicely decorated bowl with a scene from “The Red Cliff” . The piece was part of the Hatcher Collection. Auctioned by Christies Amsterdam in 1984. It is in very good condition. Original Hatcher collection sticker at the base. The Hatcher Junk...
Porcelain
Vintage Cloisonné Chinese Dragon Enamel Bowl
Located in London, GB
A charming Vintage Chinese cloisonné bowl. This intricately designed bowl was made using traditional methods, and boasts beautiful deta...
Metal
Chinese Antique Pottery Bowl / Ming Dynasty '1368-1644' /Kintsugi/ Tea Bowl
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A pottery bowl made in the Ming dynasty of China (1368-1644). Probably around the 16th to 17th centuries. The kiln made is Cizhou ware. This is a kiln in Hebei province, about 500...
Pottery
Ancient Ginger Vase, Ming Dynasty, China, Early 17th Century
Located in Roma, IT
This Ginger Vase is an original decorative porcelain object realized in China by Chinese manufacture during the Ming dynasty, it was the ruling dynasty in ...
Porcelain