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.
$3,500Sale Price|36% Off
Black Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer sideboard with two pairs of doors, Two pairs of drawers and shelves inside, metal fitting
Lacquer
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
Antique Chinese Elm Tall Sideboard Cabinet Cupboard
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinese Elm Tall Sideboard Cabinet Cupboard
Elm
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
$4,711
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
Founders Furniture Co Walnut Sideboard
Located in Hanover, MA
1960's Founders Furniture Co. model 21301-48, F-16 sideboard with two cabinet compartments and four double doors with cast bronze finish hardware. The le...
Bronze
$4,995
H 46 in W 60 in D 19.5 in
R. J. Horner Style Renaissance Revival Oak Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, Circa 1890s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Victorian or Renaissance Revival sideboard, hunt board, credenza, or bar cabinet In the manner of R.J. Horner & Co. USA, Circa 1890s Quarter sawn oak, with ...
Oak
$2,355
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
$3,846
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
J.C. Mahey Brass Black Lacquered Sideboard Bar Cabinet 1970s
By Roche Bobois, Jean Claude Mahey
Located in Paris, IDF
A timeless vintage piece, this mid-century cabinet bar sideboard feels imposing and glamourous, with thick, straight lines of brass adorning its exterior of reflective black lacquer. Glossy black lacquer, paired with bright brass accents, feels crisp and luxe. Its boxy, simple style, featuring four doors and one drawers, is typical of both the 1970s and designer Jean Claude Mahey for Roche Bobois design. The two external doors...
Brass
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
$4,586
H 32.68 in W 80.32 in D 16.93 in
Antique Four-Door Sideboard in Blackened Elm, Shanxi, China, circa 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Crafted in Shanxi province over 90 years ago, this understated four-door sideboard embodies the quiet elegance of northern Chinese carpentry. Made from old elm wood and finished in...
Elm
$3,711
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
Tall Pine Sideboard Cabinet, Sweden circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Tall Swedish pine sideboard with attractive curved sides, one narrow drawer over four cabinet doors. The curved long cabinet doors make this cabinet a special find, along with the al...
Pine
Pinewood Sideboard, circa 1960, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Pinewood sideboard Two-door with four central drawers and spindled legs France, circa 1960 Very good vintage condition.
Iron
19th Century Elm Chinese Sideboard
Located in Billingshurst, GB
Mid-19th century elm Chinese sideboard finished in clear matte lacquer over reddish brown well patinated original color. The framed panel construction has relief dragon carving spand...
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
Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Lacquer
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer Sideboards or Console Tables, Two Sideboards
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair , two sideboards, refined and elegant black lacquer sideboards, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring p...
Lacquer
Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Lacquer
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 Black Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Lacquer
Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard or Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Lacquer
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
Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Lacquer
Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard or Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Lacquer
Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard or Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Lacquer