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.
Small Red Chinese Console Sideboard, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
The red lacquered polished finish with contrasting black top on this small Chinese sideboard provides a modern look allowing it to serve well in a contemporary setting. The original...
Metal
$3,360Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Chinese Elm Tall Sideboard Cabinet Cupboard
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinese Elm Tall Sideboard Cabinet Cupboard
Elm
$2,365
H 33.86 in W 39.38 in D 16.54 in
Antique circa 1900 Chinese Export Burr Elm & Brass Engraved Sideboard Butterfly
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1900 Chinese Export burr elm sideboard A very good looking and well made decorative antique ...
Brass
$4,730
H 36.03 in W 53.75 in D 21.66 in
Antique circa 1860 French Hand Painted Pine Housekeepers Sideboard Cupboard
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very nice antique, made in France circa 1860, hand painted and ...
Pine
$3,851
H 49.22 in W 47.25 in D 13 in
ANTIQUE SWEDISH HAND PAINTED GROCERS GRAIN BIN SiDEBOARD HABERDASHERY CUPBOARD
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very nice antique, hand made in Sweden, Green Grocers grain bin top sideboard for fruits, vegetables an...
Wood
Mid-19th Century Red Lacquered Sideboard from Shanxi, China
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese 19th century sideboard cabinet with orginal lacquer. Front and top with deep dark red lacquer, sides with black lacquer. Features double bi-fold doors revealing a storage...
Brass
Circa 1780 George III Brandy Board or Small Sideboard
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1780 George III Brandy Board or Small Sideboard, English. Mahogany & mahogany veneers with superb shell scrolled inlaid spandrels on all drawers & the central arch. Lin...
Wood
$1,148
H 77.96 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Tall freestanding 1960 vintage teak corner cabinet with 3 shelves and a cupboard
Located in Markington, GB
Tall freestanding 1960s vintage teak corner cabinet featuring a beautifully simple Scandinavian-inspired design with clean architectural lines and warm richly grained teak throughout...
Teak
Reclaimed Elm Wood 4 Door Cabinet or Sideboard
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Reclaimed elm wood 4 door cabinet. These old elm timbers show in its most primal, natural form. The artisanal construction methods highlight the elm woods beautiful grain pattern &a...
Elm
19th Century Chinese Elmwood Sideboard Cabinet
Located in IT
Authentic 19th century Chinese sideboard cabinet handcrafted from solid elmwood with a beautifully aged dark patina and naturally distressed finish. Featuring three paneled cabinet d...
Elm
$4,201Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 68.71 in D 18.31 in
Vintage Country House Sideboard, Oriental, Chinese Elm, Side Cabinet, Circa 1960
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage country house sideboard. An Oriental, Chinese elm side cabinet, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Pleasingly ro...
Elm
Small American Empire Sideboard in Mahogany, circa 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A fine petite American Empire sideboard in mahogany and bookmatched figured mahogany. Features rectangular top over two drawers above base cabinet with two doors flanked by turned io...
Mahogany
$3,716
H 32.29 in W 72.25 in D 22.05 in
Antique Chinese Temple Alter Sideboard with Cupboards in Solid Teak Reddish
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Chinese alter sideboard with original finish A very good looking and naively made ant...
Teak
Antique Aged Elm Asian Sideboard
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
A clean, classic wood console, with 2 pairs of doors and forged iron ring pulls. The wabi sabi aesthetic and visible joinery is perfectly imperfect. This piece has a faded grayed blo...
Iron
Chinese Ming Style Alter Cabinet or Sideboard
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese Ming dynasty style altar cabinet or sideboard from Shanxi province, China. Elm and dark yellow lacquer with a beautiful age-related patina. Three drawers over two bi-fold d...
Elm
19th Century Red Lacquer Chinese Console Cabinet Sideboard
Located in Round Top, TX
The red lacquered polished finish on this Chinese sideboard or console provides a modern look allowing it to serve well in a contemporary setting. The original red painted finish wa...
Elm, Lacquer, Paint
Large Red Lacquer Chinese Sideboard Console, circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This magnificent sideboard makes an impressive visual statement due to its size (just under 7.5' long) and the remarkable color. It still maintains the original red paint, protected ...
Elm, Lacquer, Paint
Chinese Ming Style Red Lacquer Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style altar cabinet with original red lacquer, with natural age-related patina. The cabinet features a rectangular top with everted flanges, sitting above a f...
Metal
Fine Antique Chinese Elm 6 Drawer Sideboard
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A versatile and handsome Antique Cabinet in a deep Honey Tone Chinese Elm. Antique Chinese sideboard with 6 short drawers with a circular drop pull handle above 6 open storage compar...
Wood
Sold
H 33 in W 71 in D 20.5 in
Antique Mongolian Carved and Lacquered Altar Coffer Console Table Sideboard
Located in Dayton, OH
Ming inspired Altar coffer or console table, circa 1850s. Hand carved with a lacquered leather like upper surface. Features 3 drawers for storage and an open area underneath. Measure...
Hardwood, Lacquer
Beijing Sideboard
Located in Kastrup, DK
Alter sideboard (also called Beijing sideboard), original red varnish, beautiful patina. 3 drawers, pair of doors (side to doors can be opened). From the Shanxi Province, 1840-1860. ...
Elm
Sold
H 32.88 in W 70.48 in D 19.89 in
Rare Large Natural Timber Chinese Sideboard with Brass Mounts & Detailing Altar
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale lovely large vintage natural wood Chinese sideboard with engraved metal fittings A lovely decorative piece that offers a great deal of storage ...
Metal