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
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
Ming Dynasty Celadon Glazed Charger
Located in Stamford, CT
Ming dynasty celadon glazed charger having fluted interior with plain well center.
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Ming Porcelain Dish, Blue and White, Wanli Circa 1600
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese Export Ming porcelain Dish or shallow Plate hand painted in a typical Blue and white pattern, made during the reign of Wanli (1573 to 1620). The dish is fairly hea...
Porcelain
17tth-century Japanese Porcelain Blue & White Kraak-style Dishes
Located in Downingtown, PA
Edo Elegance: Pair of Japanese Arita 'Kraak Style' Porcelain Dishes Edo Period, Circa 1680–1700 This spectacular pair of Japanese Arita porcelain blue and white dishes is a classic ...
Porcelain
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
$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
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
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
$285
H 1.58 in W 4.34 in D 1.97 in
Pair of White & Blue Chinese Ceramic / Porcelain Spoons, Double Happiness
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully hand-painted pair of Chinese blue & white ceramic spoons circa 1850. They bear double happiness signs and wonderful, sculptural shape. A gr...
Ceramic
$381Sale Price|46% Off
H 1.5 in Dm 12.15 in
Hand Decorated Japanese Porcelain Charger, Imari Pattern, Meiji Era 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
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Wanli / Tianqi Playing Go Landscape Plate
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
15-7-19-1-2 Typical late Ming landscape dish. A very nice example! Condition Overall condition A (Very good) rimfritting, filled chip and 2 hairlines. Size 160 mm Period...
Porcelain
$129 / item
H 0.71 in W 3.15 in D 10.24 in
Japanese Modern Incenso Incense Holders Raku Ceramics Green Copper
By LAAB Milano
Located in monza, Monza and Brianza
An extraordinary addition to a contemporary decor for a stunning visual allure, this incense holder features a raw, porous shape deftly handcrafted and fire with the Raku Japanese...
Ceramic
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
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
19th Century Japanese Hand-Painted Blue and White Porcelain Charger Plate
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese porcelain charger plate from the 19th century, with hand-painted blue and white blooming tree, rocky formation and bird décor. Created in Japan during the 19th century, th...
Porcelain
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
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
Chinese porcelain plate. 17th-century piece.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A Chinese porcelain plate that spent 400 years underwater after the shipwreck of the “Binh Thuan.” A Chinese piece from the 17th century. The price is for a single plate. We have 7...
Porcelain
$1,323
H 1 in Dm 16.5 in
19th Century Japanese Porcelain Imari Plate with Painted Blue and White Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Imari porcelain plate from the 19th century, with hand-painted blue and white tree, foliage and butterfly décor. Created in Japan during the 19th century, this Imari porce...
Porcelain
Large Blue and White Porcelain Peacock Bowl Vintage Collectible Japan
By Toyo
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage collectible large blue and white porcelain bowl. This beautiful Japanese bowl is hand painted in blue and white with a beautiful scene of a peacock on a tree. "Blue Peacock Collection". It features blue and white floral design with a peacock in the center, and brown-trimmed scalloped edge. If you are a lover of blue and white porcelain, this bowl is the perfect addition to your collection. Perfect for display or using as a centerpiece. Signed in the back. Measures: 2.5 inches tall, and is 10 inches in diameter. Condition, one small chip, see pictures. Toyo. Andrea by Sadek...
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 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