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
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
Antique Chinese Ming Style 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...
Bronze
$4,758
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
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
$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
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 22 in D 24 in
Antique European Biedermeier Walnut Armchair, circa 1820
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Biedermeier armchair offers walnut frame with upholstered back and seat, S-scroll and reeded arms, raised on slightly flared and square legs, circa 1820 Measures: 35" H x ...
Fabric, Walnut, Wood
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
Extremely Rare Late Ming Dynasty Elm and Burl Altar Table
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant and graceful cabriole legged, high waisted altar table with scrolling apron, set upon a waisted platform. The top featuring a floating center panel of finely figured nanmu...
Burl, Elm, Lacquer
$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
$528Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 21.75 in W 32 in D 15.75 in
Asian Solid Wood Ming Style Coffee 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...
Wood
$52,980 / set
H 102 in W 44.5 in D 20.25 in
Pair of Chinese Painted Compound Cabinets, Late Ming Dynasty
Located in Chicago, IL
Seamlessly constructed and lacquered black, this pair of spectacular Ming-dynasty compound cabinets provided the perfect blank canvas for painted scen...
Brass
$2,995 / set
H 38 in W 23.75 in D 17 in
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Style 1920s Horseshoe Back Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style 1920s horseshoe back bamboo armchairs a pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style horseshoe back armchairs from the early 20th century, with fretwork moti...
Wood, Bamboo
Chinese Hardwood Altar Table, Ming Dynasty Style with Fretwork
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A Chinese hardwood altar table, showcasing the elegance and architectural style associated with traditional Ming dynasty design. The long, rectangular top is framed by gently upturne...
Hardwood
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