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Ming Furniture

MING STYLE

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.

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Style: Ming
1980s Modern Ming Style Console Table Att. Alessandro For Baker Fueniture
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale 1980s modern Ming style console table attributed to Italian designer Alessandro. Alessandro had a brief collaboration with Baker Furniture. It does have the Bak...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Composition, Brass

Mid-Century Asian Modern Ming Style Burl Wood Executive Desk By Lane
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century burl wood Asian modern desk by Lane Furniture. It has dovetail construction and is marked in the drawer. The drawers include one file drawer. The opening for a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer console table with five drawers, brass fitting. Simple form and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared man...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

'Kraak' Blue and White Large Porcelain Charger, 20.5", Wan Li Reign, circa 1610
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A museum calibre circa 1610 blue and white Chinese 'Kraak' charger or shallow bowl of massive scale, the round cavetto molded body with slightly scalloped flat rim boldly and exquisitely painted in vibrant underglaze blue with flowering peach, peony, and scroll-filled basket with protruding roots on a fenced terrace within an eight pointed scalloped medallion with ruyi-heads separating panels of starburst-lattice and fish-roe diaper, the rim with Rinaldi 'Border VII.2' having eight radiating panels filled with peach-sprays and auspicious symbols alternating with narrow swastika and tassel panels, the reverse painted with large 'ogival' or round panels with fungus and dots alternating with narrow panels containing stylized lingzhi motifs. An exceptionally fine example with the added rarity of an intact period (likely trader's or merchant's) wax seal. According to Hans van Baarsen...
Category

Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Asian Ming Carved Greek Key Ebonized Console Table
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage Asian inspired console table with carved apron. Knee clearance 23.75” The color will appear to be close to black in many interior settings although it it is actually a very d...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pomegranate Shaped Copper Red Glazed Vase, Yuan-Ming Period
Located in seoul, KR
This piece is a small ceramic vessel with a distinctive silhouette modeled after a pomegranate, notable for its full, well-balanced curves. The mouth, reminiscent of the fruit’s caly...
Category

16th Century Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Copper

Antique Wanli / Tianqi Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Chinese Taste Figural Plate
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this new arrival and very happy with it. Late Ming period Kraak plate of exceptional quality in cobalt blue of larger size. In general the piece is already of high q...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Red Lacquer Desk
Located in Greenwich, CT
Red lacquer desk with three drawers with pierce carvings motif.
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Simple black lacquer console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage 'Ming Style' Temple Jar Blue and White Glazed Porcelain
Located in Glasgow, GB
Vintage porcelain temple jar, handcrafted towards the end of the 20th century, in 1980s China Artistically decorated in a simple yet decorative Ming-era style. Its body features a figural scene perfectly realized in hand-painted cobalt blue enamel. Flying birds and floral motifs are interspersed between bold blue borders and graphic Chinese-style decorations. Coming together and creating a striking contrast against the luminous white underglaze porcelain. The porcelain jar measures 20 cm in height and 15 cm in diameter. It's in good condition for its age and use, bearing only x1 small chip to the lip of the temple jar. And is stamped on its underside with a 'Zhongguo Zhi Zao...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Ming Dynasty Ko-Sometsuke Wucai Porcelain Plate
Located in Newark, England
CHONGZHENG 1628-1644 From our Chinese collection, we are delighted to offer this rare example Chinese Ko-Sometsuke Wucai Porcelain Plate. The plate potted in porcelain ceramic of ci...
Category

Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Ming Square Table, circa 1890
Located in Somis, CA
An extraordinary 19th century oversize Ming square table. The table top is constructed of four frame members and rests on the waist and apron that connect to four rounded legs. Such ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Ming Wanli 1560-1590 Chinese Porcelain Swatow/Zhangzhou Bowl
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese blue and white porcelain bowl with cranes and flowers. end of the 16th century. Swatow —————————————————————————————————————— Condition 2 chips to rim and crackle lines. ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Horseshoe Chairs Oversize 19th Century
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of extra large, sold wood, 19th century Chinese Horseshoe Chairs. The solid, 2" thick, continuous rounded crest rail is composed of thre...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm, Wood

Ming Style Chinese Scholar's Cabinet
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful, Ming dynasty style scholar's cabinet. The doors and side panels are all solid single boards set with mitered, tenon and mortise construction. Two exterior and interior d...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Fine Jumu Console Table with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu console table with three drawers. Very elegant and fine quality. Beautiful color and simple form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeare...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

James Mont Style Black Lacquered Horsehoe Back Lounge Chairs by Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of Asian modern black lacquered horseshoe back lounge chairs with brass fittings by Century Furniture Company. All original beautiful glowing condition. Style of James Mont. Ci...
Category

20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Cizhou Glazed Wine Jar, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive glazed vessel dates to the mid-19th century and was used to store wine and spirits made from rice and other grains. The large jar has an elegant, tapered form and is ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Late 20th Century Ming Style Solid Rosewood Square Coffee Table w/ Chow Legs
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage Ming Cow leg style solid rosewood square coffee table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. We f...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Antique Ming Dynasty Chinese Earthenware Horse Sculpture Míngqì Tomb Figure
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce 600 year old (approx) Chinese pottery Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) large glazed earthenware míngqì tomb figure, modeled as horse sculpture with saddle, stirrups, and integral ba...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Asian Solid Wood Ming Style Table Bench
Located in Somis, CA
Beautiful solid wood table finished all around. Top is of mitered, tenon and mortise, solid single board floating panel construction. Cinched waist and 4 hoof feet legs. A pair of ve...
Category

2010s Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

A Rare Longquan Celadon 'Peony' Vase Yuan-Ming Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
This vase features a traditional vase coated with a clear and rich green celadon glaze. A fine network of crazing covers the surface. The neck is adorned with raised vine motifs, whi...
Category

15th Century and Earlier East Asian Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Celadon

Set of Refine Ming Dynasty Green Glazed Attendants and a Sedan Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
A set of very refined green glazed attendants and one sedan chair, each with benevolent facial expression, beautiful colors and lines, Ming dynasty 1368-1644. Three glazed attendants...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Large and Narrow Chinese Altar Console, 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Large and narrow Chinese altar console, 20th century Scrolling and geometrical motifs Nicely distressed patina, with dark red/burgundy hue We ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm

Chinese Porcelain Ming Provincial Jar or Vase Blue & White, Jiajing 16th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese handcrafted porcelain provincial jar or vase, all hand painted in cobalt blue and dating to the Ming period of the early 16th century or possibly earlier. The jar ...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Antique Chinese Ming Stone Table, c. 1500-1600
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese 16-17th century Ming stone table carved from a solid piece of stone. This table has a traditional scalloped apron and legs ending in scrolled feet. In well-preserved origi...
Category

Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Stone

Fine Red Lacquer Low Table with Fret Work Top
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine red lacquer low table / coffee table with fret work top, elegant fine red lacquer finished. Purchase red lacquer low table / coffee table also come with glass top that can place...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Ming Dynasty Period Golden Brown Glazed Martaban Water Jar with Tiger Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ming Dynasty period glazed ceramic Martaban water jar from the 17th century, with tiger motifs and petite handles. Created in China during the 17th century, this Ming Dynasty perio...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Chinese Antique Side Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Elm wood Side Cabinet. Ming style clean lines side cabinet night stand. Elmwood Side cabinet with shelf inside. Traditional timeless design with a modern sensibility. This is a great cabinet for small places, nightstand, end table for sofa...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm

Monumental Ming Dynsty Style Blue & White Anthropomorphic Horned Horse Deity
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental Ming Dynasty Style Blue & White Anthropomorphic Horned Horse Deity This imposing Chinese porcelain figure is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of the era. St...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Asian Style Petite Pipe and Tobacco Cabinet
Located in Doylestown, PA
Asian style petite pipe and tobacco cabinet, early 20th century. This Ming style cabinet features a single tiger maple panel door with original Fen...
Category

Early 20th Century Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Ca 1500 Antique raised moulded Goldfish dishes Chinese Porcelain China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated small dish, dating to ca 1500, Hongzhi or Zhengde period. The small saucer dish is decorated with a raised moulded goldfish coloured in orange-red enamel and...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid Century Henredon Ming Nightstands Michael Taylor
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Ebonised bracket Ming style base 3 drawers mid-century nightstands by Henredon. Classic Michael Taylor double ring pulls. Custom glass tops for surface protection.
Category

1970s Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Pair of Intricately Carved Marble Garden Foo Lion Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of opposing foo lions with elaborately carved curled fur and seated on bases. One places a paw on a ball, the other on an upside down baby foo lion. Overall fine time worn sur...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture

Materials

Marble

Antique early 20th century Dutch Delft Iznik Style Earthenware Vase ca 1910
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful bottle from De Porceleyne Fles dating from after 1910, part of the 'Nieuw Delfts' series, inspired by ceramics from the Middle and Near East (the Iznik style). The design...
Category

17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Ming Wanli 1600-1640 Chinese Porcelain Kosometsuke Plate Cows
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese blue and white porcelain Dish of beautiful shape and design. Visible is a scene of a sheperd with cows. A poem is also visible at the top. Early 17th century. Similar dishe...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Five Chinese Antique Screens Ming Style
Located in Somis, CA
A set of beautiful Chinese antique screens in natural finish. Each of the five screens has a middle section featuring a different flower, symbo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Carved Wood Long Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elaborate and finely carved bench in a pleasing Chestnut tone wood. Scrolled crest rail ends and arm ends. With four carved panels on the back with floral and fruit vines. A reeded skirt rail and with a shaped and carved running band of leafy vines. Innner sides carved with complimentary leafy motifs. The reeded back frame with square supports. The Bench is quite sturdy and surprisingly comfortable. L. 75", Depth 21", H. 33 1/2" Condition: Please see all detail photos. Signs of age include scrapes on the left arm end, repair to right arm end, stable age crack to left-side facing seat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue White Porcelain Bowl Islamic Market Circa 1550
Located in Portland, OR
A very good antique Chinese blue and white bowl for the Islamic market, late Ming dynasty, 16th century. The bowl having a flared r...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese antique white pottery vase/17th century/excavated vase/
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A Chinese vase made in the late Ming to early Qing dynasty (1600s). It was made in southern China (Fujian Province). It is an excavated item. In Japan, it is called an "anpin" vase. ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Pair of Late Ming Dynasty Silk Road Carved Stone Guardian Lions
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare pair of large Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions. Originated from a house of a mandarin (a public official in the Chinese Empire), located on The Silk Road. Here they were placed in front of the gate, with the gate doors mounted on the base behind the lions. The pair consist of a male with a ball on his back, and a female holding a puppy. The ball represents the world and the puppy represents nature or a nurturing spirit. One stand lightly carved with a horse, the other with a deer. The front of the stand is carved with camel...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Stone

Henredon Asian Modern Ming Style Faux Tortoise Drip Glaze Chest / Table / Trunk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love this piece. It is by Henredon. It is an Asian modern style chest with a high gloss faux tortoise finish. It is a low profile piece, so it would look great at the foot of a bed...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Wanli Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Quality Figural Plate with a Circles
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this new arrival and very happy with it. Late Ming period Kraak plate of exceptional quality in cobalt blue of larger size. In general the piece is already of high q...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Ming-Style Calligraphy Table with Original Black-Burgundy Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Ming-Style calligraphy work table with original burgundy-black lacquer From Jiangsu Province, 1800-1840. This table is in exceptionally well-preserved original condition. The ...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gracie Studio Ming Style Lacquered Eight Panel Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare, bespoke lacquered eight-panel coromandel screen made in the Ming Dynasty style by Gracie Studio artisans in New York. Modern custom-made coromandel...
Category

20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Chinese Vintage Horseshoe Back Hardwood Armchairs
Located in Norwood, NJ
A pair of Chinese hardwood horseshoe back armchairs, each curved back with downswept arms and outswept hand grips, centering on an elegant shaped carved splat, flanked by cylindrical...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer console table with five drawers, brass fitting. Simple form and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared man...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

A Large 'Longquan' Celadon Dish, Ming Dynasty, 15th century
Located in seoul, KR
The heavily potted dish is molded in the central roundel below the fluted cavetto and the everted rim with lipped edge, and is covered overall with a glaze of sea-green color, except for the unglazed ring on the base. The wood stand is not included with the item. Period: Ming Dynasty (1368~1644) Region: Longquan, China Medium: Celadon Type: Dish Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong Reference : 1) Christies NEW YORK 22–23 MAR 2018 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art - Lot 722 2) Sotheby's Paris 11 December 2020 - Arts d'Asie - Lot 8 (Price realised : 4,032 EUR / Type : Closely related) 3) Christies LONDON 21–28 MAY 2020 - The Art of China - Lot 31 (Price realised : 5,250 GBP / Type : Closely related) * Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Longquan celadon from the Ming Dynasty typically exhibits a more robust and heavier stoneware body compared to its Song Dynasty predecessors. The Ming era saw an evolution in celadon glaze, achieving a wider spectrum of green hues, from olive to bluish-greens. Ming celadons...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Celadon

Pair of Fine Horseshoe Back Armchairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of elegant horseshoe back armchairs. Beautiful color, form and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has be...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century White Lacquered Asian Modern James Mont Ming Style Credenza
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century James Mont inspired Ming style white lacquered credenza. It was manufactured by Sanford Furniture Company. It does have brass c...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Ming Style Floral Ceramic Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of Ming style ceramic table lamps. Hand painted with subtle pink peonies, sprigs of crab apple flowers, and pale green and beige leaves on a white background. Crab apple flowe...
Category

Late 20th Century Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

17th Century Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Style Blue and White Underglazed Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Glasgow, GB
A vintage blue and white 'Ming Style' ginger jar, crafted in China during the latter half of the 20th century. A smooth hexagonal-shaped body showcases the revered technique of Chin...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Fine Older Chinese Robe Rack in Cinnabar Paint
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine vintage robe rack with generous proportions having a good traditional form. There are two carved dragon head top elements that are powerfully carved, ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie Chow Leg Ming Style Sofa Console Table Attributed to Schnadig Intl
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning chinoiserie chow leg Ming style sofa table with two beveled glass inserts and burl wood inlays. They are attributed to Schnadig Furniture I...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Burl

Large Chinese Hand Woven Market Flower Basket
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and very decorative Chinese hand woven market flower basket with single center handle, cinched center and an over-cast edge stitch. Dimensions: 34 1/8" L, 17 3/4" W and 10 1...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Metal

Ming furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Ming furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Ming furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, George Zee, Broyhill, and Baker Furniture Company. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $195 and tops out at $690,000 while the average work can sell for $2,941.

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