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.
Circa 1271-1368 Chinese Yuan Dynasty Celadon Glazed Pottery Libation Dish
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Chinese Yuan Dynasty celadon glazed pottery libation dish, circa 1271-1368. Red pottery. Longquan Region (SW China). Old repair. 4 9/16" x 1". We are a family business that has been...
Pottery
15th Century Thai Sawankhalok Celadon Glazed Pottery Jarlet
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
15th century Thai Sawankhalok celadon glazed pottery jarlet. Red pottery. Loop handles. Nibbles on base but exceptional glaze condition. Virtually identical & possibly Song Chinese o...
Pottery
Antique Chinese Martaban Stoneware Pot or Storage Jar from Ming Dynasty
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique Chinese Martaban Jars are made from thick heavy stoneware and functioned as storage containers and were used during the Ming dynasty. Chinese, Thai, Burmese, and Cambodian it...
Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
$40 / item
H 2.75 in Dm 2.5 in
Small 19th Century Antique French Ironstone Preserving Pots or Pots À Confiture
Located in Birmingham, AL
Hard to find small 19th century antique French ironstone preserving pots or pots à confiture, circa 1890s. These petite earthenware pots were ...
Pottery, Ironstone
Ming Dynasty Celadon Glazed Charger
Located in Stamford, CT
Ming dynasty celadon glazed charger having fluted interior with plain well center.
Ceramic
Spanish Terracotta Olive Jar or Vessel
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Andalusian Olive Oil Handled Jar in Terracotta _______________________________________________________________________ Hand-made terracotta preserving pot or jar with handles...
Ceramic, Terracotta, Earthenware
Monumental 19th C Italian Glazed Pottery Planter
Located in Hudson, NY
This very good Italian tin glazed pottery planter is in an antique brazier form. The form from antiquity was used as a source of heat and for the burni...
Earthenware
$542Sale Price|30% Off
H 9.25 in Dm 8 in
Mid-20th Century Hand-Thrown Studio Pottery Vessel, Citron Glaze, USA
Located in Wainscott, NY
Mid-20th Century Studio Pottery Vessel in Citron Hand-thrown studio pottery vessel, mid-20th century, finished in a luminous citron glaze with subtle tonal variation and fine speckl...
Clay
$2,125 / set
H 13.25 in W 12 in D 8 in
1970s Asian Chinese Export Fierce Facing Drip Glaze Pottery Foo Dogs, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are a personal favorite! This is a killer pair of 1970s large scale Chinese Export style foo dogs. I love the coloration with the brown and gold drip g...
Ceramic, Pottery
French Green Glazed Terracotta Pottery
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French earthenware confit pot with traditional green glaze and yellow interior. Old green painted repaired chips to rim. These ordinary earthenware vessels were once used daily in ...
Terracotta
$457Sale Price|75% Off
H 1.38 in Dm 6.6 in
Chinese Stoneware Bowl or Dish Longquan Celadon Incised, Yuan Dynasty 1271-1368
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very old interesting Chinese stoneware Longquan Celadon bowl or plate with incised decoration, which we date to the Yuan Dynasty, circa 1300. The bowl is well potted on a low foot. The bowl is an olive green colour having a celadon glaze with incised decoration to its centre of what looks like a flower stem and additionally three incised string lines to the outer wall. Unglazed parts fire to a terracotta brown colour as with the base section The piece is unmarked but for similar pieces see the superb book: Chinese Ceramics by He Li published by Thames & Hudson, 1996; pages 164 to 184. NOTES Longquan is a city in South west China. These wares were produced over a long time period from 959 to 1550; which covers the Northern Song, Southern Song...
Stoneware
Monumental Green Glazed Stoneware Oil Jar
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A monumental Oil Jar or large floor vase in a green glaze. It was purchased out of the estate of a long time antique dealer's home. He collected Catalina pottery but this is more rem...
Stoneware
19th Century Striped Western PA Cobalt Stoneware Jar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Western PA three stripe storage jar. Primitive feel looks great with nice deep blue stripes going all around the jar.
Pottery
Green Glazed Shiwan Pottery Teapots Qing Dynasty, 'Pair'
Located in Dallas, TX
A near pair of 19th century Sancai green glazed pottery teapots. Both with yoked handles, spouts and lids. Both also have the Republic era official government wax red seal signifying...
Pottery
Antique Stoneware Salt Glazed 9" Round Pottery Crock Pot with Blue Flower
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Stoneware Salt Glazed 9" Round Pottery Crock Pot with Blue Flower. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 8" H x 9" Diameter.
Stoneware
19th Century Islamic Blue and White Fritware Pottery Plate Signed by Maker
Located in COLMAR, FR
A mysterious, antique blue and white pottery plate. This is a fritware plate, hand-painted with a floral motif in underglaze cobalt blue...
Pottery
Four Chinese Ming Dynasty Tall Green Glazed Tomb Figures
Located in Dallas, TX
Four Chinese Ming dynasty (1573 - 1619) pottery tomb figures. Heads and hand detach for packing and traveling. The green glaze is beautiful and the condit...
Terracotta
Urn Glazed Pottery Ming China
Located in New York, NY
An urn in black glazed pottery made during the Ming period, 1368-1644, in China.
Pottery
Antique Khmer Vase/Amphora
Located in New York, NY
A classicly formed antique Khmer pottery vase/Amphora from the Khmer region of South East Asia. A sober form that provides a complement to a Mid-Century or modern environment.
Terracotta