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.
$1,263 / item
19th Century Yoke Back Chair
Located in Nijlen, BE
Elegant Yoke-back chairs of fine quality with soft patina. These yoke-back chairs have no armrests which made them popular at banquets or large dinner parties. They were light weight...
Elm
$1,250Sale Price / set|50% Off
19th Century Chinese Horseshoe Round Back Chairs All Original a Pair
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of large, sold wood, all original, early 19th century Chinese Provincial Horseshoe Chairs. The solid, 2" thick, rounded crest rail is constructed with one single continuous be...
Wood
Ming Dynasty Style Four Chinese Ceremonial Chairs
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as it provides detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our items. This series of four b...
Hardwood
Ming Dynasty Style Elmwood Wedding Chair with Curving Back and Carved Splat
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ming Dynasty style elmwood wedding chair from circa 1900, with carved panels on the splat, curved arms, and gooseneck front posts. This early 20th-century Ming Dynasty style weddin...
Elm
$2,800Sale Price / set|38% Off
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...
Elm, Wood
$3,500Sale Price / set|27% Off
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...
Wood
$2,230Sale Price / set|40% Off
Pair of Japanese Kyokuroku Folding Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Japanese red lacquered folding meditation armchair for monks. Pair of kyokuroku chairs in original red lacquer with gilt carvings and embossed brass hardware. One chair wit...
Brass
$3,837 / set
Set of Six Chinese Dining Chairs in Ming Style
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage set of Chinese in Ming style dining chairs in solid wood. Glossy redwood frames - two with arms, and four without. Includes teal color...
Wood
$3,500 / set
Pair of Elm Wood Children Armchairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of elmwood children armchairs with relief carving, simple and beautiful form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has be...
Wood
Pair of Early 19th Century Chinese 'Lazy Chairs' in Walnut and Black Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of 'Lazy Chairs' in walnut, black lacquer with a natural cracked wear that gives the chairs an exciting and artistic look. Ming style, early 19th century China. The term 'Lazy'...
Walnut, Lacquer
Pair of Early 19th Century Chinese 'Lazy Chairs' in Walnut and Black Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of 'Lazy Chairs' in walnut, black lacquer with a natural cracked wear that gives the chairs an exciting and artistic look. Ming style, early 19th century China. The term 'Laz...
Walnut, Lacquer
Oriental Chinese Side Chair
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Asian Chinese Ming style side chair in solid wood. Handcrafted in Hong Kong. Great to use as en entry chair, side chair or office chair. Very g...
Wood
$7,143 / set
H 31.3 in W 18.19 in D 21.34 in
Set of 4 Marcel Breuer Cesca Metal and Wood Mid-Century Modern Chairs, C. 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This set of four Cesca chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer, is a true testament to the iconic Bauhaus movement of the 20th century. Manufactured in Italy by an unknown manufacturer cir...
Metal
" Klismos"chair, 19th century
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
"Klismos" chair Stained walnut Of unusual design, the chair has a curved back attached to the seat by a triple support, Square seat, saber feet. England or Northern Europe, mid or late 19th century A design developed by the Greeks in the 5th century BC, the Klismos chair...
Wood
$1,900
H 39 in W 23.5 in D 18.5 in
Ming Dynasty Style Wedding Chair with Carved Medallion and Curving Arms
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden wedding chair from the early 20th century, with carved medallion, curving armrests and natural wood patina. The chair’s open back is eleg...
Wood
$4,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 42 in W 31 in D 23 in
Lovely Pair of Flower Back Grosfeld House Armchairs Hollywood Regency
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A spectacular pair of Grosfeld House chairs featuring a flower shaped backrest, channeled arms and an intricate carved wooden frame. A rare and completely stunning pair of chairs fro...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set Of Four Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th century set of four faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale chairs. Set includes one armchair and three matching side chairs. Chairs feature intricately carved frames supported by taper...
Faux Bamboo
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Huanghuali Horseshoe Back Armchairs
Located in Water Mill, NY
Pair of 19th century Chinese Huanghuali horseshoe back Armchair, with very good patina. Some restoration. Contact dealer for more information.
Chinese Red Lacquer Official's Chair, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
The defining characteristic of a Chinese Officials Chair is the way that the back crest rail turns continuously into the back posts. Our artisan...
Elm, Lacquer
$716Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 15.75 in D 14.97 in
19th Century Victorian Mahogany Chair with Oval Hand Carved Back
Located in Sofia, BG
Attractive nineteenth century mahogany hall chair. Hand carved oval back with lovely elegant decorations and a seat raised on turned reeded legs. England, circa 1880.
Mahogany
19th Century Miniature Chairs
Located in Madrid, ES
19th Century Miniature Chairs CHAIRS POSSIBLY MADE FOR DOLLS OR SAMPLES FOR SALE. THEY ARE FROM THE XIX CENTURY MADE IN MAHOGANY. VERY GOOD STATE. MEA...
Wood
$5,500
H 30 in W 21.5 in D 20 in
English Regency Period 19th Century Mahogany Horseshoe Back Upholstered Armchair
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Regency period mahogany horseshoe back armchair from the 19th century, with balusters, large scrolling arms, carved volutes, turned legs, petite casters and red upholstery...
Brass, Other
$4,800 / set
H 37.41 in W 22.84 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Mahogany Armchairs by Gaston Poisson
Located in Long Island City, NY
Gaston Poisson - A Pair of fine French Art Deco mahogany bridge armchairs. Arm height is 26 1/2"
Upholstery, Mahogany
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Lacquered Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Chinese Chippendale style lacquered chair. Vintage Chinese Chippendale style chair in a gorgeous green lacquered finish. This Chino...
Wood
Pair of Vintage in the Style of Chinese Horseshoe Wooden Folding Chairs
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Introducing the 19th-century Vintage in the Style of Chinese Horseshoe Wooden Folding Chairs. Chinese Horseshoe Chairs initially crafted as seats of distinction, were exclusively res...
Wood, Fabric, Thread, Paint
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Arm Chairs, a Pair
Located in Raymondville, TX
A vintage pair of Chinese Ming style lacquered wood arm chairs with seat cushions. The chinoiserie design features a splat back, low arms w...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Fine Black Lacquer Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer yoke back armchair. Beautiful color, form and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared ...
Lacquer
1970s Ming Style Arm Chairs by Baker Furniture Company, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a vintage pair of Ming style arm chairs by Baker Furniture. The ivory lacquer is vintage, and the blue marbleized upholstery is new. They a...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Chinese Mahogany Armchairs 1950s
Located in Asaa, DK
Pair of Chinese Mahogany armchairs 1950s Set of handcrafted Chinese armchairs in Ming style. This type of chair has been produced in China since the Ming Dynasty Period. Beautifully curved lines and horseshoe shaped arm- and backrest. Slender and light construction with round legs. Very comfortable. This model was later a significant inspiration to among others Danish architect Hans J. Wegner when he designed the The China Chair. This specific set was purchased in China and imported to Denmark in the 1950s. Two light blue cushions...
Mahogany
Sold
H 40 in W 22.5 in D 21.5 in
6 1980s White Furniture Mahogany & Burl Mandarin Ming Chinoiserie Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Six vintage 1980s Mandarin dining chairs by White Furniture. Made of mahogany and burl, with Ming style form. Featuring burled and pierced back splat and woven rattan/caned seat.
Upholstery, Rattan, Mahogany, Burl
Sold
H 39.5 in W 24 in D 22 in
Chinese Ming James Mont Style Chinoiserie Occasional Chairs Having Chong Legs
By James Mont
Located in Southampton, NJ
A beautiful pair of Ming Style chairs having sculptural mahogany Chong legs under highback seats with scenic Chinese upholstery. Seat cushions clip at the back so they won’t slide. V...
Cotton, Silk, Mahogany
Sold
H 42.13 in W 19.3 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Mid-19th Century Chinese Ming Style Chairs in Jumu Wood with Wicker Seat
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of chairs made of Jumù wood (Southern Elm) Ming style. From Jiangsu Province, circa 1840-1860. Sold as a pair.
Wicker, Wood
Pair of Black Lacquer Folding Chairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of black lacquer folding chairs. Simple and elegant black lacquer folding chairs, beautiful form and lines. We carry fine quality furn...
Lacquer
Pair of Antique Chinese Horseshoe Back Elm Armchairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of Chinese hardwood horseshoe back armchairs, each curved back with downswept arms and outswept hand grips, centring an elegant shaped pierced splat, flanked by cylindrical st...
Elm
Pair of Qing Dynasty Armchairs
Located in Chicago, IL
This early Qing Dynasty pair of official's hat armchairs is from Shanxi, China and dates to the early 1900s. Though made during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912), the design of the chai...
Elm
Breuton Ming-Inspired Mandarin Lipstick Red Chromed Steel Armchairs
By Stanley Jay Friedman, Brueton
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous Ming-inspired armchairby Brueton. lipstick, red sinuous line that meet the ground with a chromed steel cuff on each the foot. Show stopper.. I would recommend reupholstering...
Wood