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.
19th C. Chinese Ming Style Elm Coffer / Low Cabinet / Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
19th Century Chinese Ming Style Elm Coffer / Low Cabinet / Bench Measures 45" in width, 15" in depth and 17" tall.
Hardwood, Elm
$1,200Sale Price|36% Off
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
18th Century Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Cabinet with Original Décor
Located in Kastrup, DK
A stunning Chinese tapered cabinet from the 18th century, black lacquered with original gilt chinoiserie motifs. Created in China during the Qi...
Elm
Chinese Antique Side Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Elm wood Side Cabinet. Ming style clean lines side cabinet night stand. Elmwood Side cabinet with shelf inside. Traditional timeless design with a modern sensibility. This is a great cabinet for small places, nightstand, end table for sofa...
Elm
$825Sale Price|70% Off
Glass Linen Cabinet with Carved Wood
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful 20th century solid wood custom linen press with glass door. The cabinet is constructed with three frame members, among them two are inset with choice elm woods that form the sides. The elm woods with grains of swirls and sweeps resemble the Chinese mountain and water scene. The unique front...
Wood
Early 20th Century Asian Style Petite Pipe and Tobacco Cabinet
Located in Doylestown, PA
Asian style petite pipe and tobacco cabinet, early 20th century. This Ming style cabinet features a single tiger maple panel door with original Fen...
Brass
Antique Asian Storage Chest, Heavy Wood with Iron Latch, Circa 1900
Located in Wilmington, DE
Vintage Antique Asian Storage/Blanket/ Hope Chest with Heavy Iron Latch Offered is an excellent example of Asian influence and design; a heavy wood storage chest. Features a single ...
Iron
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
Ming Dynasty Style Cabinet with Gilt Carved Court and Work Scenes
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming dynasty style cabinet from the 19th century, with two pairs of double doors, two drawers, carved giltwood motifs and red accents. Born in China during the 19th century, this wooden cabinet captures our attention with its contrast of colors and delicately carved motifs. Presenting a linear silhouette, the cabinet is adorned with court scenes on the left panel and work scenes on the right. This gilt décor stands out beautifully on the dark ground, while other carved panels are highlighted by a red ground in the lower section. Two pairs of double doors total open to reveal a convenient storage space, the lower ones hiding inner drawers. Carved on the apron, the cabinet is resting on four straight legs. With its clean lines and skillfully carved decor, this Ming style cabinet...
Wood
James Mont Style Asian Modern Solid Rosewood Dry Bar Cabinet Or Server
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1970s James Mont inspired dry bar cabinet or server. It is solid rosewood and very heavy. It has interior drawers. The back is finished as well. It is believed to have been...
Brass
Elm Cabinet with Original Red Lacquer, China c. 1860
Located in Kastrup, DK
This well-preserved Ming-style cabinet, dating from around 1860. It is crafted from elm wood and retains its original red lacquer, which has developed a beautiful natural patina over...
Metal
Pair Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood Side Table Cabinets with Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood Side Table Cabinets with protective Glass Tops. Pristine vintage condition with very light signs of use. Feature a single t...
Brass
Vintage Natural Wood Two-Door Cabinet with Floral Décor and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Ming Dynasty style natural wood two-door cabinet from the mid-20th century, with floral décor and hidden drawers. This mid-century cabinet, crafted in the style of the Ming...
Wood
Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood Coffe Table with Protective Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood cocktail Table with protective Glass Top. Pristine vintage condition with very light signs of use. Measures 40" in width, 20" in d...
Brass
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Century Furniture Sabota Collection Buffet
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a rare piece of Century Furniture. It's designed by Raymond Sabota for their Sabota line of furniture. It's hand-painted in a distressed fashion...
Wood, Paint
Early 20th C. Antique Dental Cabinet
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this beautiful and amazing cabinet built for the medical field, specifically dentists. 11 drawers. Recently restored. All drawers open easily.
Pine
$6,325
H 72 in W 47 in D 22 in
Qing Dynasty Two-Door Cabinet with Hand-Painted Décor and Original Black Lacquer
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing dynasty two-door elmwood cabinet from the 19th century, with original black lacquer and hand-painted decor. Created during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this exquisite...
Wood, Elm
Chinese Two Door Side Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
This two-door side cabinet has a classic, square-corner design with clean lines and minimal decoration. The small cabinet is crafted of elm with traditional joinery methods, faced wi...
Elm
$2,385
H 24.22 in W 23.82 in D 16.15 in
STUNNING VINTAGE CHINESE CHINOISERIE GEISHA GIRLS LACQUER SiDE CABINET SOAPSTONE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Chinese side cabinet with native scenes of Geisha girls carved out of soapstone and deco...
Wood
Late 19th Century Large Cabinet from Shanxi, China
Located in Singapore, SG
Originally a black lacquer cabinet, but much of the lacquer have peeled off, revealing the lovely wood underneath. Only the middle doors open, the panels on the left and right are se...
Iron
Early 20th Century Hardware Cabinet in Grey
Located in Dekalb, IL
Oak industrial apothecary cabinet with original brass hardware. This piece features an all-wooden construction with industrial gray paint applied to the face. Each drawer includes o...
Wood
19th Century Chinese Tapered Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
19th century painted tapered Chinese cabinet. Having elaborate panels with gilt painting and raised moldings. Warm red lacquer adorned with black lacquer and gilt painting. Framing the panels recessed into the molding are remnants of crushed seashell used...
Cypress, Fir
Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Inlaid Side Cabinet
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality rosewood inlaid side cabinet having a quality rosewood inlaid shaped pediment above a pair of astral bevelled edge glazed doors opening to reveal two glass ...
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Spanish Utilitarian Pine Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A charming early 20th century utilitarian cabinet in pine with characterful cantilevered form and decorative brass hardware. Four sets of double doors open to reveal ample storage wi...
Pine
Chinese Mother of Pearl and Hardstone Decorated Lacquered Side Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
A Chinese Mother of Pearl and Hardstone Decorated Lacquered Side Cabinet. Protective glass top. Adjustable shelf. Measure 24" in width, 12" in width and 32 in height.
Stone
$6,675
H 71 in W 50 in D 22 in
Chinese Red Lacquered Qing Dynasty 19th Century Cabinet with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period red lacquered cabinet from the 19th century, with chinoiserie décor. Created in China during the Qing dynasty, this cabinet captures our attention with ...
Wood
$6,325
H 72.25 in W 46.25 in D 22 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red Lacquer Cabinet with Gold Chinoiseries
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period original red lacquer cabinet from the 19th century, with gilt Chinoiserie décor. Created in China during the...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Elmwood Display Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
The superb quality of this Chinese elmwood cabinet is largely due to the exceptional finish. The old brown finish has slight red undertones and is accentuated by a hand buffed finish...
Elm, Paint
Sold
H 47.5 in W 28.5 in D 14.5 in
Mid-Century Chinese Ming Style Lingerie / Storage / Jewelry Cabinets - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Ming style green and gilt storage cabinets. They are styled to mimic a chest or box on stand. The pair are in very good condition. The cabinets would make great sto...
Brass
Pair of Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets on Ming Style Stands
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets on Ming Style Stands
Wood
Sold
H 77.3 in W 26 in D 13 in
James Mont Asian Modern Style Burl & Brass Vitrines / Display Cabinets - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are a good looking pair of James Mont Asian modern style burl and brass vitrines or display cabinets. They were manufactured by Century. The cabinets of a lit interior and four...
Brass
Sold
H 51.5 in W 34 in D 18.5 in
Vintage Chinese Black Lacquer Hand Painted Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet Duck Scene
Located in Dayton, OH
A quaint 20th century chinoiserie Ming style lacquered wardrobe / tv cabinet. Features a beautiful hand painted scene along the front with two ducks amidst a flowery meadow. The hard...
Hardwood, Lacquer
Ming Style Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Ming style cabinet made of jumü wood (southern elm) slightly conical (typical of Ming design). Pair of doors and sides in one piece of wood, surroun...
Brass
Etagere Cabinet, Ming Style
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant etagere cabinet in Ming style. Made in walnut with burgundy lacquer finish Frame with elegant profiles. Lower part has a double door with metal fi...
Walnut
Cabinet in Original Black Lacquer, Shanxi Province, 1820-1830
Located in Kastrup, DK
Original black lacquer cabinet with a pair of doors. The front with a layer of "thick varnish" this is used to attach the thick varnish, first the canvas and after the "varnish pa...
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 19.5 in D 12.5 in
Vintage Asian Black Lacquer Elm Ming Style Altar Cabinet Oriental Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century black lacquer elm altar storage cabinet, bedside table or console. Traditional ming style form with 2 doors that open to a divided interior with two drawers. Gre...
Elm, Lacquer
Sold
H 36 in W 40.5 in D 15.5 in
Chinese Ming Style Elm Wood Gold Leaf Two Door Tang Media Console Cabinet 36"
Located in Dayton, OH
Ming (1368-1644) furniture style is characterized by its simple, clean, and pleasing lines. This reproduction Elmwood Ming cabinet is a fine example of the spare, elegant design. Han...
Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Scholar's Cabinet Glass Curio
Located in Somis, CA
A late 19th century solid wood Chinese scholar's cabinet with glass doors and removable shelves. The glass doors with elegant black lacquered frames are mounted on dowels adorned wit...
Wood
Sold
H 70.75 in W 37 in D 23 in
Red Lacquer Ming Style Early 20th Century Cabinet with Hidden Apothecary Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style red lacquer cabinet from the early 20th century, with hidden apothecary drawers. Created in China during the early years of the 20th century, this Ming style cabinet...
Wood