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.
XX Century Italian handmade Ming Dynasty-style solid 800 silver centerpiece
Located in VALENZA, IT
Antique Chinese Collection Ming Dynasty-style solid 800 silver centerpiece with a burnished band decorated with a cast band, then chiseled, enameled, and gilded with 24kt gold, depic...
Silver
Chinese Guangcai Export Porcelain Blue and Orange Koi Patterned Bowl
Located in Queens, NY
Antique Chinese Guangcai (Late 19th Century) export porcelain shallow, centerpiece bowl decorated with blue and orange patterned panels swirling around a center scene of a koi fish s...
Porcelain
$4,950
H 13.5 in Dm 10.5 in
Wonderful German 800 Sterling Silver Cherub Figural Centerpiece Lazarus Posen
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful german 800 sterling silver cherub figural centerpiece by Lazarus Posen, circa 1890 In the Rococo style, with a putti / cherub holding...
Silver
Dresden Porcelain Figural Centrepiece Raised Fruit Bowl
Located in Montreal, QC
This highly decorative footed bowl, reticulated and painted with flowers, is raised on a charmingly decorative base modelled with dancing putti ...
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Export Large Solid Silver Bowl, Cum Wo, c.1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late-19th century Chinese export solid silver very large bowl, of exceptionally fine quality and impressive size, intricately chased and embossed depicting a compendium of va...
Silver
Antique Blue & White Fitzhugh Pattern Chinese Export Porcelain Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese Export porcelain plate in the Fitzhugh pattern. Decorated in underglaze blue with floral devices to the face, an...
Porcelain
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.97 in Dm 14.57 in
Large Handmade Hammered Silver Centerpiece Bowl by Renzo Cassetti, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic large round shell shaped centerpiece completely handmade in hammered silver plate. This beautiful piece was designed by Renzo Cassetti in Italy in the 1970s and is signed i...
Silver Plate
Chinese Export Porcelain Handleless Tea Bowl and Saucer, Chinese Imari Pattern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late eighteenth century Chinese Export Porcelain handleless tea bowl and saucer referred to as "Chinese Imari". Hand decorated in iron red, underg...
Enamel
LATE 19th-EARLY 20th CENTURY ITALIAN SILVER CENTERPIECE
Located in Firenze, FI
Beautiful centerpiece made entirely of solid silver, of fine Florentine workmanship, marked with the "800" brand which confirms its quality. Dating from the late 19th-early 20th cent...
Silver
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in Dm 9 in
Ugo Bellini Silver Comport, Italian Neo-Renaissance, 800 Standard
Located in Montreal, QC
This large and well modelled comport is of exceptionally heavy gauge, well-designed and offered by the well- known craftsman, Ugo Bellini of Firenze. Standing on a lobed octofoil ba...
Silver
$504 / item
H 9.85 in W 9.85 in D 5.91 in
Ceramic Yellow Fish Handmade in Italy, centerpiece, choose one
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Mosche Bianche is glad to add those wonderful fishes to its collection. The fishes are all handmade and bespoke: choose the colors and shape you like! Our artisans can make also cust...
Ceramic
$2,650
H 6.75 in W 15.5 in D 8.5 in
Wonderful German 800 Sterling Silver Cachepot Planter Centerpiece Lazarus Posen
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Neoclassical German 800 Sterling Silver Cachepot / Planter / Centerpiece By LAZARUS POSEN, With Silver Plated Insert Liner
Silver
French Louis XVI Style Centerpiece in Silvered Bronze, 19th Century
Located in Montreal, Quebec
An elegant French 19th century Louis XVI style silvered bronze centerpiece with metal removable insert. The centerpiece is raised on columned feet and adorned in the neoclassical, Lo...
Bronze
$919
H 4.14 in W 12.21 in D 8.27 in
Herend Hungary Porcelain "Chinese Bouquet Apponyi Green" Fruit Bowl
By Herend
Located in Delft, NL
Herend Hungary porcelain "Chinese Bouquet Apponyi Green" fruit bowl Two handled footed fruit bowl with Chinese Bouquet Apponyi Green pattern and roses, raised on four branches feet....
Porcelain