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.
$719Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Chinese Ming-Style Armchair, Hand-Crafted Hardwood, Circa 1890
Located in San Carlos, CA
Elevate Your Space with Timeless Elegance! Discover the allure of our Chinese Ming-style Antique Chair, a true gem that effortlessly blends history with sophistication. This exquis...
Hardwood
$720Sale Price|40% Off
Chinese Elm Audience Chair, c. 1850
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese audience chair in the Ming Dynasty taste. The chair is made from Northern Chinese Elm with traces of original black lacquer throughout. The chair has a frame and panel...
Elm
Ming Dynasty Style Natural Wood Wedding Side Chair with Woven Rattan Seat
Located in Yonkers, NY
A single Chinese Ming dynasty style vintage wedding side chair from the mid-20th century, with woven rattan seat, curving back splat and natural wood patina. Born in China during the mid-century period, this elegant side chair...
Wood, Rattan
19thc Pair Swiss Elm Hall Chairs
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890 19thC Pair Swiss Elm Hall Chairs With pierced backs and cleated seats. Measures: W 35 x D 45 x H 93cm. Seat height 44.
Elm
$1,200Sale Price|36% Off
H 68.75 in W 45 in D 22.25 in
Ming Style Scholar's Cabinet, Hand-Carved Wood, 19th Century China
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...
Bronze
Pair of 18th Century Antique Elm Side Chairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A pair of mid 18th Century elm side chairs from the Georgian period, having a shaped rail above a decorative shaped splat with turned side supports, wonderfully figured plank seat wi...
Elm
$833Sale Price|30% Off
H 40 in W 24 in D 24 in
2 Hekman Chinese Chippendale Style Mahogany Spider Back Fretwork Armchairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage Hekman dining chairs. Made from mahogany featuring Chinese Chippendale styling with fretwork backs and serpentine arms. Hekman, Grand Rapids Michigan, 6-3146. 40" h x ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Traditional Victorian Balloon Back Side Chair, English, Circa 1850
Located in Incline Village, NV
Fine quality traditional form solid mahogany Victorian balloon back chair with "slip in" seat, upholstered in gold silk damask. Nicely carved do...
Damask, Mahogany
$2,280 / set
H 32 in W 21 in D 16.5 in
Pair of Chinese Merchant's Armchairs with Burlwood Inlay, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This pair of unusual 19th century armchairs likely once belonged to a prosperous merchant, as evidenced by the brass coin slot on each seat. Presiding over valuables stored in the tw...
Elm, Burl
$4,741
H 49.61 in W 25.6 in D 25.79 in
Rare circa 1880 Burmese Solid Hardwood Hand Carved Floral Chair High Back Ornate
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this absolutely stunning solid Rosewood hand carved high back low seat Burmese chair A truly stunning piece, this type of furniture is just about as ornate as ...
Hardwood
$1,200 / item
H 18.51 in W 19.3 in D 13 in
Hand-Crafted Sculptural Teak Wood Stool in Organic Modern Style
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural teak wood stool featuring a curved seat. The mix of wood textures and shades adds to its charm. Its neutral color and minimalist shape make it suitable for a...
Teak
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Side Table with Humpback Stretcher
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style side table with humpback stretcher. Chinese Ming Dynasty style side table from the mid 19th century with hump...
Rosewood
Leather and Elm Side Chair by Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in New York City, NY
Leather and elm side chair by Pierre Chapo.
Leather, Elm
$3,295 / set
H 38.25 in W 22.75 in D 18 in
Pair Antique Ming Style Chinese Qing Carved Hardwood Gilt Lacquer Throne Chairs
Located in Portland, OR
A fine pair of antique late 19th/early 20th Century Chinese Ming style carved, lacquered & gilt throne armchairs, Qing dynasty, circa 1900. This very attractive pair of antique carve...
Hardwood, Lacquer
15th-16th Century Ming Dynasty Cabinet. Red Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare and well-preserved 16th century cupboard / cabinet. Detailed carved top section depicting a floral leaf design and people in polychrome lacquer. Front with red lacquer, pair of ...
Elm
Pair of Ming Dynasty Style Side Chairs by Henredon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of vintage Henredon Ming Dynasty style side chairs with cane seats.
Cane, Wood
Sold
H 41.5 in W 18 in D 23.25 in
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Elm Ming Style Figural Arm Chair Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique late 19th century Ming style arm chair. Made of elm, featuring a figural mask on back of seat and carved dueling dragons on lower apron.
Elm
K'ang HSI Ming Vintage Asian Side Accent Chair
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a vintage side or accent chair, in the K'ang HSI Ming style. In good vintage condition. The dimensions are 21" W x 17" D x 42" B.H. x 21" S.H.
Wood
Invisible Drum Stool by July Zhou
By July Zhou
Located in Chicago, IL
Each limited-edition signed invisible drum stool by artist July Zhou is fashioned after a traditional Ming example. Unlike other Lucite furniture tha...
Lucite
Pair of Chinese Lacquered Chairs
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of Ming-style Chinese red lacquered chairs, circa 1890.
Wood
Red Lacquer Child's Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Beautiful red lacquer child's chair with fine pierce carving.
Lacquer
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.
Lacquer
Pair of Jumu Children Chairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of Jumu children chairs, simple and elegant form.
Wood
Sold
H 42 in W 21 in D 18 in
Set of Six 19th Century Chinese Rosewood Chairs in the Ming Dynasty Style
Located in San Francisco, CA
A set of six 19th century Chinese rosewood, ( Hong Mu ), chairs in the Ming Dynasty style. circa 1870. The elegant shape to the backs is functional to accommodate your back. An as...
Rosewood