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.
Pair of Thai Benjarong Lidded Porcelain Jars Vibrantly Hand Painted and Gilded
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., a stunning pair of large Thai Benjarong lidded porcelain jars, vibrantly enameled by hand and embellished with 18 carat gold. One marked on und...
Gold, Enamel
$1,349Sale Price|45% Off
Antique Ming Chinese Porcelain Tazza on Foot Landscape Scene, Early 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Tazza Early 17th Century Sharing with you this lovely and unusual tazza on tall, spreading stem with flat, unglazed base. Low cup with flaring rim. Decorated in underglaze blue is a...
Porcelain
Ming Dynasty Celadon Glazed Charger
Located in Stamford, CT
Ming dynasty celadon glazed charger having fluted interior with plain well center.
Ceramic
$1,220Sale Price|59% Off
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
$2,424Sale Price|20% Off
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
$1,500Sale Price / set|39% Off
Pair of Ming Dynasty Bowls with Pattern of Interlocking Hexagons
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Ming Dynasty Bowls with Pattern of Interlocking Hexagons, Wanli period (1572-1620). This handsome pair of bowls with a slightly fluted rim features an outer pattern of hexago...
Porcelain
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
$495 / item
H 2.25 in Dm 4.75 in
2 Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowls from the Ship Wrecked "Tek Sing"
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In 1822 the Chinese Junk "Tek Sing" or true star sank in the south China sea, where the ship and its cargo remained until salvaged in 1999. These antique blue...
Porcelain
Japanese Porcelain Charger finely Hand Painted, Meiji Period circa 1880
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality, hand decorated Japanese porcelain charger, large plate or bowl with an Imari pattern, dating to the late 19th centur...
Porcelain
Chinese Celadon Glazed Lotus Charger, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A sublime Chinese celadon glazed shallow dish or charger, Qing Dynasty, mid 18th century, China. Beautifully glazed, with a carved decoration of a group of lotus, leaves, stalks and blossoms. The interior wall with radiating S-shaped lines, a motif that is repeated on the wide rim of the dish. The back undecorated. Glazed all-over with an even bright celadon glaze, with some attractive areas of crackle. Ex. Butterfield's, San Francisco. Plate stand for display...
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. Under the base, we can read “Xia Fang'' & ''Ding Hai”. 12th-...
Stoneware
Kangxi Famille Verte Porcelain Large Dish, Qing Dynasty, 17th/18th c
Located in Austin, TX
A large and magnificent Chinese famille verte enameled porcelain large dish or charger, Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period (1662 - 1722), circa 1700, China. The shallow, shaped dish of fo...
Enamel
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
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
Pair Antique 19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Plates, circa 1890's
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain plates, circa 1890's.
Porcelain
$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
$15,000 / set
H 0.5 in Dm 8.75 in
Pair of 18th Century Chinese & Meissen Famille Verte Porcelain Plates
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of famille verte porcelain plates, the left made in China during the Kangxi period (r. 1662–1722) and the right a copy by Meissen made circa 1740. Chinese porcelain has alw...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte Pillows
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Export Famille Verte pillows, Rare to find a pair, each one decorated with figures in landscape, opposing, presents...
Porcelain
20th Century, Chinese Porcelain Plates
Located in Miami, FL
20th century, Chinese porcelain plates
Ceramic
17th C Ming Plates
Located in Nijlen, BE
A set of Chinese porcelain from the Ming Dynasty. (1368-1644) Period 17th century. Beautiful shades of color from blue-white to celadon. Each plate with cast iron base incl. Availabl...
Porcelain
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 Kraak Plate Deers Ming Period
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely potted and painted kraak plate of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with beautiful scene of deers in a landscape. Absolute top Quality kraak ware Additional inf...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Kraak Plate Deers, Ming Period
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely potted and painted kraak plate of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with beautiful scene of deers in a landscape. Absolute top Quality kraak ware Additional inf...
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
17th C Ming Plates
Located in Nijlen, BE
A set of Chinese porcelain from the Ming Dynasty. (1368-1644) Period 17th century. Beautiful shades of color from blue-white to celadon. Each plate with cast iron base incl. Availabl...
Porcelain
Sold
H 4.34 in Dm 8.39 in
Large Antique Chinese Porcelain Jiajing - Wanli period 1560-1580 Bowl with Crane
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely decorated piece. A rare type China Jingdezhen kilns Ming Dynastie, Jiajing reign (1522-1566) Provenance: - Private collection Netherlands Condition Condition: Very good, so...
Porcelain
Circa 1573-1619 Wanli, Ming Dynasty, Kraak Lobed Dish
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1573-1619 Wanli, Ming Dynasty, Kraak lobed dish, Chinese export. Blue & white porcelain. Central reserve of 2 pheasants among flowers & rocks. Border of bulbs & leaves. Provena...
Porcelain
Circa 1550 Late Ming Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Bowl
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1550 late Ming Dynasty blue & white porcelain bowl, Chinese. Elegantly flaring rim with "Dahlia Zhara" entwined inner & outer underglaze blue decoration. For the Persian market...
Porcelain
Chinese Stoneware Jar Celadon fluted detail, Ming Dynasty 14th to 16th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very old interesting provincial Chinese stoneware Celadon Jar, probably Longquan, with fluted or ribbed decoration, which we date to the Ming Dynasty, between the 14th and 16th Centuries. The Jar has an interesting circular baluster shape with an open everted rim and low foot. It has been decorated with moulded vertical flutes or ribs to its lower half. The base is concave and fairly deep. The Jar has a mossy-olive green colour having a celadon glaze which runs from the base to the upper rim as it would have been glazed upside down, with some glaze around the top section of the inner rim. Unglazed parts fire to a terracotta brown colour at the rim, lower body and the foot rim. 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...
Stoneware