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.
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
Jumu Wood Bench with Tapered Legs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Jumu wood bench with tapered legs, solid plank wood top with cloud motif apron. Top seating surface dimension is 43" wide, 6 1/2" deep With Tapered legs ...
Wood
Pair Ming Style Wooden Stools in Velvet with Fringe Detail
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair Ming Style Wooden stools with knife edge upholstered velvet seats and Fringe details. The pair, asian inspired wooden bases, are perfectly suited for many spaces. a nice addit...
Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Upholstery
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...
Wood
Red Lacquered Vintage Bench with A-Form Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage Ming Dynasty style red lacquer wooden bench from the mid 20th century with A-form base, carved spandrels and distressed finish. Embrace the timeless allure of this ...
Wood
Vintage Black Lacquered Ming Style Upholstered Bench
Located in Charleston, SC
Vintage Century Furniture Chin-Hua Chinese Ming lacquered Black Wood Bench. Offered is a stunning vintage Century Furniture Chin-Hua Ming wood bench...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Asian Ming Style Rosewood Upholstered Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An Asian influenced bench by top-quality furniture maker Century Furniture, from their "Chin Hua" line designed by Raymond K Sobota. Clear lacquered hardwood in a classic Ming design...
Upholstery, Rosewood
$2,950 / set
H 15 in W 17 in D 17 in
Trio of Square Upholstered Stools in Emerald Velvet and Pecan Probber Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This trio of stools have been lovingly reupholstered in a wonderful emerald velvet that enhances the beauty of the pecan wood base. These stools have casters that you can keep or I'l...
Velvet
$2,800
H 20.5 in W 67.5 in D 19.5 in
Long Vintage Italian Style Carved Wood Bench with Upholstered Seat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A well made carved wood bench from Italy. Fabric is original and very clean. Ready to use condition.
Fabric, Wood
Teak Wood Sculptural Bench, Carved Detailing, Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural teak wood bench with carved detailing on its seat. This teak wood bench features a wonderful organic form with a mix of wood textures and shades. Elevated by...
Wood, Teak
Black Leather Upholstered Rectangular X-Base Bench
By Established Lines, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Established Lines, mid century modern decor, solid stainless steel base rectangular X base bench in black leather upholstery.
Stainless Steel
$4,800
H 10.63 in W 48.04 in D 22.05 in
Antique Javanese Burl Wood Bench Hand-Carved Sculptural Seat, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This exceptional antique Javanese bench is a striking fusion of function and sculpture. The gracefully curved seat has been hand-carved from a single solid block of burl wood, its or...
Wood, Teak
Mid-century vintage Empire style newly upholstered benches/pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of mid-century vintage empire inspired walnut benches. These handcrafted walnut benches have dovetail construction with a carved circular medallion in the center on ot...
Wood
$4,300
H 31.5 in W 53.875 in D 16.625 in
A Hepplewhite Style Black and Ochre Painted Upholstered Window Bench
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular seat and outward scrolling arms upholsted in a Neoclassical green and yellow woven fabric; the painted frame decorated with foliate and interlaced scrollwork decorati...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Paint
Upholstered Tufted Bench Style of Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered tufted bench style of Robsjohn-Gibbings. Black lacquered wood legs with a newly upholstered linen-blend fabric.
Upholstery, Wood
Louis XVI Style Upholstered Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Louis XVI style bench with gesso and wood gilt construction, carved egg and dart trim, carved foliate fluted legs. The bench upholstered in silk fabric. Dimensions: 34 1/2" W, 15 1/...
Gesso, Fabric, Wood
$5,975 / set
H 18 in W 21.25 in D 15.25 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern X-Form Stools in Gauffraged Smoked Bronze Velvet
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern stools were realized in the United States, circa 1950. They feature tapered and ringed sculptural stylized saber legs, suggesting bamboo, tha...
Velvet, Walnut
$6,940 / item
H 16.38 in W 94.49 in D 14.57 in
Wedge, Black Cedar Wood Bench with Red Iron Base, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (1.8) Bench made of a single block of scented cedar with a simple and linear geometrical sha...
Iron
$3,580 / item
H 17.72 in W 61.03 in D 17.72 in
Tsuki Bench – Contemporary Upholstered Bench with Refined Wooden Details
Located in Baguim Do Monte, PT
The Tsuki Bench embodies softness and balance, fully upholstered with refined details in oak or walnut. Its gentle curves and clean lines evoke the calm presence of moonlight, bringi...
Fabric, Oak, Walnut
19th Century Chinese Ming Style Walnut & Bamboo Bench
Located in Kastrup, DK
A 19th century Chinese Ming style bench with a walnut frame and a top composed of bamboo slats. Square legs joined with stretchers. In original good ...
Bamboo, Walnut
Antique Chinese Tieli Wood Waterfall Bench or Small Coffee Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique Chinese waterfall bench or coffee table. Wonderful Ming style bench or coffee table boasting exceptional craftsmanship with chunky dovetail c...
Wood
White Painted Vintage Wooden Ming Style Bench with A-Form Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage Ming Dynasty style white painted wooden bench from the mid 20th century with A-form base, carved spandrels and distressed finish. Created in China during the Midcen...
Wood
19th c, Ming Style Hardwood Long Benches With Cloud Spandrels - A Pair
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c., China,. A beautifully constructed pair of carved wood benches. The rectangular top is over inset legs topped with carved cloud spandrels and join...
Wood
19th Century Red Lacquer Bench From China's Zhejiang Province
Located in Kastrup, DK
Red lacquer Ming style bench from China's Zhejiang province. Dated to the late 19th century this bench has a beautiful natural age patina, highlighte...
Wood
Chinese Antique Bench Solid Wood Ming Style Spring Bench
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful, solid wood, 19th century antique bench from the region south of China's YangZi River. Solid single board inset in floating panel structure. Cinched waist. Geometric acce...
Wood
Antique Ming Temple Bench with Carved Details 17'th Ctr.
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare 16th-17th century bench in elm with hand carved details. Original condition with a great patina. Shanxi Province, China, 1500-1600. Ming Dynasty. Benches like this were seen in...
Elm
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Elmwood Low Altar Table with Carved Spandrels
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style elmwood low altar table with carved spandrels and humpbacked side stretchers. Featuring a rectangular top, this Chinese lo...
Elm
Sold
H 25 in W 76 in D 13 in
Antique Chinese Black Lacquered Bench with Hidden Storage, Rattan and Gilt Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style black lacquered low console table with hidden storage and rattan inset from the 20th century with everted flanges, perfect to be used as a bench...
Wood
Antique Chinese Black Lacquered Bench with Hidden Storage and Gilt Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese low console table from the early 20th century with black lacquer finish gilded accents, hidden storage and everted flanges, perfect to be used as a bench. We curre...
Wood
Chinese Antique Bench Coffee Table Solid Wood
Located in Somis, CA
Superb value! A beautiful solid wood bench from the 19th century south of China's YangZi River. Solid single board inset in "floating panel" structure. Cinched waist. Geometric accen...
Wood
Chinese Antique Solid Wood Bench, Ming Style Spring Bench
Located in Somis, CA
Superb value! A beautiful solid wood bench from the 19th century south of China's YangZi River. Solid single board inset in "floating panel" structure...
Wood