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.
Antique Style Korean Tansu Butterfly Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Distinctive antique-style Korean tansu cabinet featuring traditional butterfly hardware and richly detailed craftsmanship inspired by classic Kore...
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
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
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
$1,375Sale Price|50% Off
Linen Chest Curio Cabinet Glass Door 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
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
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
$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
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
Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elaborate and finely detailed carved wood, and gold lacquered Shibayama cabinet (Chigaidansu). Having beautifully applied semi-precious stone and ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$476Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.11 in W 15.36 in D 14.57 in
Art Nouveau Pine Nightstand from the Early 20th Century with Stone Top
Located in Opole, PL
Art Nouveau Pine Nightstand from the Early 20th Century with Stone Top We present you an Art Nouveau nightstand circa 1910. This piece of furniture is made of pine and topped with a stone board...
Stone
$3,800
H 35.63 in W 53.75 in D 17.72 in
Japanese Antique Large Tansu 1860s-1920s / Sideboard Cabinet Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a large antique Japanese Tansu distinguished by its broad, stable proportions and its remarkably quiet presence, achieved through an almost complete absence of ornamentation....
Cedar
$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
$1,400
H 24.22 in W 20.08 in D 12.6 in
Japanese Antique Small Tansu 1900s-1940s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique Japanese small Tansu, distinguished by its unusually compact scale and beautifully balanced proportions. Considerably smaller than a typical Japanese Tansu, it is ...
Iron
$1,906
H 23.63 in W 33.47 in D 17.33 in
Japanese Antique Tansu 1860s-1920s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Antique Japanese tansu cabinet crafted in Japan during the Meiji period (late 19th to early 20th century). The sliding doors are made o...
Wood
Japanese Antique Cabinet 1920s-1940s / Tansu Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique cabinet from Japan. It is a piece of furniture with a refined and quiet presence, creating a calm atmosphere simply by being placed in a space. Its unadorned, simp...
Cedar
$4,000
H 50.01 in W 61.42 in D 29.93 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old large Tansu made in Japan. This furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The material used is cedar wood. The iron metal fittings in the center add an...
Iron
$4,500
H 34.65 in W 72.84 in D 28.35 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Primitive Cabinet / Sideboard Tansu / Wabi-Sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
Overview A masterful blend of historical resonance and rustic minimalism, this one-of-a-kind primitive cabinet is a testament to timeless Japanese craftsmanship. The centerpiece of t...
Cedar, Pine, Reclaimed Wood
Vintage Tansu Staircase Side Cabinet
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Vintage Tansu Staircase Side Cabinet from the mid 20th century with two drawers and double doors on each side. Bask in the fusion of Chinese craftsmanship with Japanese finesse as you make this two-sided staircase Tansu...
Wood
Chinese Qing Dynasty Cabinet with Original Décor
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Qing dynasty cabinet with original well preserved decorations. Red base lacquer with polychrome decorations, black lacquer on the sides. Top...
Elm
$1,500
H 31.25 in W 36 in D 17 in
Antique Korean Tansu Butterfly Cabinet or Chest Elm Wood with Brass Inlay
Located in Plainview, NY
A stunning late 19th century Campaign Korean tansu cabinet or chest. The Korean chest features 4 small drawers on top of a two door cabinet offeri...
Brass
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
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
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
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
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
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
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