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.
Set of 6 Henredon Ming Styled Walnut Dining Chairs with Cane Seats
Located in Pasadena, TX
These chairs are made by Henredon Furniture.. They're made of walnut and have cane seats. The chairs also have custom made upholstered seat cushions. The arms are pleasantly sculpted...
Cane, Walnut
$3,781 / 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
Ming Treasures Yoke Back Gold/Silver Leaf Dining Chairs by Drexel Heritage Set o
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage “Ming Treasures” line yoke back dining chairs by Drexel Heritage composed of gold & silver leaf or “gliver” finished hardwood frames & square foam filled lo...
Silk, Cane, Foam, Wood
$1,600Sale Price / set|30% Off
Set of Six Guanmaoyi Yokeback Dining Chairs, circa 1960s
Located in Peabody, MA
A set of six Classic Chinese Guanmaoyi yokeback chairs in lacquered elmwood consisting of two armchairs and four sides. These elegant high back chairs are named for their resemblance...
Wood
Late 20th Ming Style Indonesian Dining Armed Chairs Natural Teak w/ Black Seats
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage Ming style Indonesian dining armed chairs comprised of natural teak frames & upholstered drop in seats. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and...
Canvas, Teak
Chinese Ming Style Chromed Steel Officials Hat Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent reimagined Chinese Ming style officials hat chair beautifully crafted from steel with a smooth, thick, seamless chromed finish. The armchair...
Steel, Chrome
Set of Six Rare Brass Dining Side Chairs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of rare design brass chairs. Low profile HEAVY brass dining chairs.
Brass
$2,995 / set
H 42.75 in W 19.5 in D 22.75 in
Henredon Style French Regency Louis XVI Carved Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six French Regency Louis XVI style dining chairs In the manner of Henredon USA, Circa 1960s Carved solid walnut frames, with caned backs and upholstered seats. ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$822Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 36 in W 22 in D 22 in
Pair Late 20th Century Kindel Cherry Draper Dining Side Cafe Chairs
By Dorothy Draper, Kindel Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
Dorothy Draper designed the original of this chair in 1945 for the Café and rooms at The Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia. The swirling lines of the back splat, the French inspired ...
Upholstery, Cherry
$4,785 / set
H 32.09 in W 18.31 in D 16.54 in
Antique Regency Mahogany Dining Chairs – Set of Six with Cane Seats
Located in Suffolk, GB
A very elegant set of antique English Regency mahogany dining chairs consisting of five singles and one carver, retaining their original cane seats and attractive brass mounts. Beaut...
Mahogany
$3,895 / set
H 39.75 in W 23 in D 23 in
20th-C. Georgian Style Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs - Set Of Eight
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome set of Georgian style carved mahogany dining set. The upholstery is vintage and is a cut velvet. It does show a bit of wear, but there are no holes. The carved fr...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$5,500 / set
H 40.95 in W 18.12 in D 18.71 in
Eight Ladderback Dining Chairs with Rush Seats, Europe late 20th century
Located in Utrecht, NL
Over the 20th century, European designers fused traditional crafting techniques and styles with modern materials, design, and industry. The ladder-back chair was one of the most popu...
Rush, Wood
$3,100 / set
H 42 in W 18 in D 21 in
Set of Six Midcentury Ladder Back Dining Chairs, Niels Koefoed Style
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful set of six vintage modern dining chairs feature high ladder back rests, angled back legs, and a thick cushioned seat covered in black vinyl. A very sleek design inspir...
Faux Leather, Walnut
$5,880 / set
H 36.75 in W 16.75 in D 19 in
1930s French Art Deco Walnut Dining Chairs W/ Cane Seats - Set of 8
Located in Astoria, NY
A traditional set of eight 1930s French Art Deco dining chairs, sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully handcrafted from solid walnut, these chairs feature an elegantly carved bac...
Cane, Walnut
Set of Six W2 Dining Chairs by Hans Wegner
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of six W2 chairs designed in 1953 by Hans Wegner for C. M. Madsen, Denmark. Solid teak wood and new upholstery with tan leather.
Leather, Teak
Set of 6 Brutalist dining chairs, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Robust brutalist dining chairs with solid wooden frames and newly upholstered seats in a fresh and cosy boucle fabric. Cool interlocking frames with bent backrests. 1960s - Germa...
Bouclé, Oak
Set of 4 "China Chairs" for Fritz Hansen by Hans Wegner
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 8 rosewood toned, cherry wood "China Chairs" for Fritz Hansen by Hans Wegner. Produced by Fritz Hansen, Denmark. Two chairs from 1982. 6 chairs purchased together with pre 197...
Cherry
$2,316Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 39.5 in W 25 in D 20 in
Set of 8 Henredon Georgian Style Dining Chairs
By Henredon
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This impressive set of eight Henredon dining chairs exemplifies the refinement and craftsmanship associated with Georgian revival furniture. The set includes six side chairs and two ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of Six Chinese Elm Yoke Back Official's Hat Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous set of six ming style Chinese carved Guanmaoyi yoke back chairs or official's hat chairs crafted from radiant elm hardwood. The chairs feature a raffia or grasscloth seat wi...
Grasscloth, Raffia, Elm
Sold
H 38 in W 22 in D 18 in
6 Mid Century Chinese Rosewood Ming Style Imperial Chinoiserie Dining Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Six mid 20th century Chinese Ming style dining chairs. Made of rosewood featuring bentwood form with imperial crest and carved accents. Silk cushions in...
Silk, Rosewood
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
Ming Style Traditional Chinese 8 Piece Honey Rosewood Dining Set-Hand Carved
By James Mont
Located in Southampton, NJ
Solid Honey rosewood, 60 inch round bird & flower carved 7 piece dining set and lazy Susan. Handsome solid rosewood Oriental dining room table wit...
Rosewood
Set of Four Asian High Back Ming Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of Back Ming Chairs. They are in good vintage condition and need touching up. circa 1980s dimensions: 18"w x 17.5"d x 39.5"t seat height 18"
Set of Seven Chinese Ming Dining Chairs by Drexel
Set of Four Chinese Ming Dining Chairs by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive set of four carved mahogany dining chairs made in the Chinese ming style by Henredon. Featuring carved backsplats with a cloud motif. The seats have a cane insert and are ...
Cane, Mahogany
Yoke Crest Ming Style Chairs, Set of Eight
Located in Austin, TX
Yoke crest armless chairs, in hard-to-find set of eight. Traces of old dark red/brown lacquer and wax stamps give great patina. Surprisingly comfortable. Shanix province, China, circ...
Elm