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.
Chinese Ming Dynasty Antique Sancai Glazed Attendants Tomb Figure Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of large antique Chinese polychrome ceramic attendants, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Outstanding 500+ year old Sancai glazed earthenware pottery tomb figures, exceptionally executed figural form, exquisitely detailed, one holding a teapot, the other holding a charger, rising on rare sculptural plinth...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Ming Style Sacai Glazed Pottery Figure of a Horse China with C.O.A.
Located in New York, NY
Realized between 1368AD-1644 AD, this stunning documented horse figurine was realized in China during the Ming period. Executed using a Sacai glaze, the sculpture offers a cream colo...
Ceramic
Polychrome wooden statue depicting Guanyin Bodhisattva, Ming, 16th century
Located in Milano, IT
In a realm where time stands still, there exists a 16th-century masterpiece, a sculpture of unparalleled beauty that transports you to the heart of the Ming dynasty. Here, in a place of reverence and artistry, sits the Chinese Bodhisattva Guanyin, the embodiment of compassion, enshrined in a form of breathtaking elegance. Guanyin's divine presence is unveiled as he is seated in padmasana, the lotus position, a symbol of purity and enlightenment. His regal robes...
Wood
$640Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.25 in W 1.75 in D 2.5 in
Antique Franz Bergman Austrian Vienna Bronze Cold Paint Night Watchman Figure
Located in San Diego, CA
Very tough to find Vienna bronze of a night watchman and is by Franz Bergman. The bronze figure dates from the late 1800s-early 1900s. Has cold paint ac...
Bronze
Cast Iron Horse Doorstop Signed Hunter
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast iron horse doorstop Signed Hunter. Copyright 1949. VA Metal Crafters, Waynesboro, VA.
Iron
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.5 in W 7 in D 4.5 in
Two Carved Mayan Deity Limestone Architectural Carvings or Elements
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Two carved Mayan deity limestone architectural carvings or / elements, 19th century or older The larger measures 7" W x 5.5" H x 4.5" D with a 2.5" protrusion The smaller measures ...
Limestone
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in W 2.5 in D 2 in
Russian Carved Coachman 18-Karat Gold Enamel Lapis Figure Manner of Fabergé
By Peter Carl Fabergé, Modern Fabergé
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite hand carved Russian hard stone "Coachman" sculpture figure dating from the early 1900s. In the manner of Fabergé. Made of solid lapis lazuli. Beard is made of gray obsidian...
Lapis Lazuli
$6,000Sale Price|40% Off
H 3.5 in W 6.5 in D 3.5 in
Genuine 1880s Albany Slip Glazed Anna Pottery Stoneware Pig Flask
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Albany slip glazed Anna pottery stoneware pig flask by Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna. Anatomically correct prone pig. In sized inscriptions "Fine Old Burmann Inn" and alongside "Lard Oil Drill". Underside flask opening under tail. Anna Pottery was s operative by the Kirkpatrick brothers between 1859 and 1896. They took part in art exhibitions such as Philadelphia Centennial in 1876 and the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago 1893. In 1938 the first inscription of Anna pottery was published in the New York Historical Society. Pieces of Anna pottery pigs...
Pottery
Antique Wooden Lay Figure or Mannequin
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Exceptional small Wooden Artist Mannequin Model from Italy, 19 th Century, very fine sculpting of the body and features of the face, polychrome rests of painting of the male face, wa...
Fruitwood
$325
H 2 in W 5.5 in D 1.5 in
Antique English Irish Setter Dog Figural Verdigris Bronze Figurine Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique solid bronze with a verdigris finish Irish/English Setter hunting dog figurine or sculpture circa 1930s. I am not able to find a signature or makers mark. Great patina and co...
Bronze
19th Century Wooden Rocking Horse
Located in Sheffield, MA
The 19th century charming and rustic rocking horse now mounted on two straight boards is made of handcrafted wood pieces cleverly assembled, and has a leather saddle, reins and stirrups. A great addition for those who collect Early American country antiques...
Wood
$3,362
H 51 in W 19 in D 49 in
Large Chinese Tang Dynasty Style Sancai Glazed Pottery Horse, circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
True in all its elements to the original examples which date from the early Chinese Tang period. The black glazed horse is naturalistically modelled. It stands on a rectangular base ...
Pottery
Gothic sculpted panel in oak from the 16th century, Belgium
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 16th century / wooden sculpted panel / oak / Gothic / Rustic / Antique A panel in oak wood enriched with Gothic graphic carvings. Hand carved in Belgium in the 16th centur...
Oak
18th Century Wooden Cross, Guanajuato, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Wooden cross Guanajuato, Mexico Wood, paint 22 x 13 inches, (56 cm x 33 cm) 18th century A wonderful old wooden cross with a painted crucified Christ figure, an angel, possibly Mary Magdelene...
Wood, Paint
$2,589
H 23.23 in W 11.82 in D 7.09 in
17th Century Italian Polychrome Carved Wood Statue Of Saint Florian
Located in Bilzen, BE
A fine quality 17th century Italian polychrome carved wood Saint Florian Saint Florian (Latin: Florianus; 250 – c. 304 AD) was a Christian holy man a...
Wood
Sold
H 7.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
Vintage Oriental Woodcraft Taiwan Ming Chess Checker Table Top Game Board
Located in Dayton, OH
A handmade kiln dried hardwood tabletop chess board with ming styling featuring a sliding drawer that holds plastic chess and checkers pieces. Made in Keelung Taiwan by Oriental Woodcraft LTD. Measures: board- 24" x 24" x 7.5" H king...
Plastic, Hardwood
Sold
H 8 in W 3 in D 3 in
Important Ancient Chinese Zodiac Figure Holding a Dragon, Ming Dynasty 1368-1644
Located in South Burlington, VT
Important ancient Chinese Zodiac figure holding a dragon, Ming dynasty, 1368-1644 This interesting zodiac figure is one in a series of twelve (12) tomb figures each brandishing a d...
Pottery
Sold
H 8 in W 3 in D 3 in
Important Ancient Chinese Zodiac Figure Holding a Horse, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644
Located in South Burlington, VT
Important ancient Chinese Zodiac figure holding a horse, Ming dynasty, 1368-1644 This interesting zodiac figure is one in a series of twelve (12) tomb figures each brandishing a di...
Pottery, Ceramic