Ming Furniture
MING STYLE
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.
53
773
11
2
to
138
515
180
786
785
786
196,396
118,638
42,960
32,828
15,675
11,723
10,691
10,354
9,617
8,802
7,405
7,046
6,406
6,093
5,931
5,301
4,859
3,654
333
126
314
13
76
65
102
8
1
12
1
3
6
13
5
356
301
149
98
92
678
629
611
48
42
6
5
4
3
3
Style: Ming
Large Pair of Chinese Glazed Earthenware Covered Martaban Storage Jars
Located in Forney, TX
A large and most impressive pair of antique / vintage Chinese glazed earthenware covered Martaban storage jars, having sand and ochre brown glaze palette, incised with auspicious myt...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Pair of Burton Ching Ltd Red Lacquered Chinese Square Tables
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Burton Ching Ltd Red Lacquered Chinese Square Tables
Category
2010s American Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Chinese Lacquered Coffee Table
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning large vintage Chinese Ming Dynasty style coffee table, 20th century, in black lacquer with gilt accents, and intricate colorful hand painted and incised design to the rect...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Pair J.L. George Ming Style Rosewood Bedside Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of J. L George Ming Style Rosewood Bedside Tables in great vintage condition.
Measures 22" in width, 15: in depth and 26.5" in height. Feature one drawer...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Patinated 19th Century Wooden Cabinet from Shanxi Province
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Discover a piece of history with this exquisite 19th-century cabinet from China's Shanxi province. Key features include:
Authentic: Over 100 years old wood
Material: Handcrafted elm...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
1970s Vintage Broyhill Ming Dynasty Collection Chinoiserie Bar
By Broyhill
Located in Charleston, SC
Broyhill "Ming Dynasty" Premier Collection buffet server / bar. This beautiful piece features a solid wood frame of dark stained maple with olive ash burlwood insets surrounded by bo...
Category
1970s American Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Maple, Burl
A Remarkable Pair Of Painted Asian Garden Stools With Animal Motif
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Pair of Hexagonal Ceramic Garden Stools with inset panels in fine muted colors depicting various Animals and Flowers. Included in the raised depictions are Bamboo, Birds, Peonies, ...
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Yumu Wood Rattan Top Low Table
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular Antique Ming style Yumu (elm) wood Chow Leg coffee cocktail table. Solid Yumu (Elm) wood with a woven rattan top inset. Full of character and charm Antique Chinese ...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Elm
Pair Of Chinese Hand Painted Blue And White Ginger Jars With Foo Lions
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large and very decorative pair of porcelain lidded Ginger Jars with Foo Lions amongst Flowers and Vining decorative motifs. Fine quality made porcelain.
Dimensions: 20" high by 10.5...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Massive And Magnificent Antique Chinese Basket As Cocktail Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare and extraordinary Antique octagonal Carry Basket thoughtfully re-purposed as a Cocktail Table. Once likely used for linen or clothing storage, the Basket retains its capacity ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Antique Japanese/Chinese Gilt Imari Arita Porcelain Rice Bowls & Covers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of antique Imari porcelain rice bowls and covers
Likely Japanese but possibly Chinese.
Each decorated to the exterior with intricate gilt flowers and vines on a painted...
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
An Exceptional French Polished Rosewood Altar Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rosewood Altar Table with a particularly elegant and strong traditional form with upswept ends, fine graining and particularly beautiful graining...
Category
20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
James Mont Ming Style Cocktail Table With Brass Insets
By James Mont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
James Mont cocktail table in the Ming style with brass insets on the top surface. Original painted finish with very unique brass Insets and a lowers shelf. This is an extremely rare ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ming Dynasty Style Four Chinese Ceremonial Chairs
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as it provides detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our items.
This series of four b...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm, Lacquer, Paint
Red Lacquer Desk
Located in Greenwich, CT
Red lacquer desk with three drawers with pierce carvings motif.
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
A 17th C. Chinese Chongzhen Blue & White Minyao “Peoples Wares” Porcelain Saucer
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The central field showing a medallion of overlapping petal motifs, radiating out to auspicious Chou character (twisted peach tree) & lotus blossom designs, segmented by undulating li...
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Lacquered Elm Storage Cabinet Armoire Wardrobe
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Ming style wedding cabinet / cupboard / armoire / wardrobe. Made of Elm featuring a dark red / brown lacquered finish with two doors that open to reveal...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
Fine Minimalist Antique Peking Chinese Rug with Tone-on-Tone Pattern
Located in Milan, IT
The minimalist effect achieved by this Chinese carpet is very much favoured by decorators outfitting many of today’s most stylish interiors. The field is decorated by a subtle tone o...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Decorative Pair Of Chinese Polychrome Glazed Ducks
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The pair of open mouth ducks in reclining position in predominantly spinach and egg with blue and famille rose hued feathers. One incised 4 and the other 5 as shown.
Dimensions: 14”...
Category
20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Mid Century Henredon Ming Style Walnut Side Tables
By Henredon
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Mid Century Henrendon Furniture Ming Style Walnut Side Tables. Measure 26" in width, 26" in depth and 25.5" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
2 Vintage Chinoiserie Purple Lacquer Ming Style Slat Back Side Accent Chairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage Chinese Chinoiserie ming style side chairs featuring purple lacquer with slat backs.
Dimensions:
41.5" x 20" x 18", seat 18"
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Simple black lacquer console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Fine Jumu Console Table with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu wood console table with four drawers and brass fitting. Simple and elegant form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Ming Dynasty Chinese Earthenware Horse Sculpture Míngqì Tomb Figure
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce 600 year old (approx) Chinese pottery Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) large glazed earthenware míngqì tomb figure, modeled as horse sculpture with saddle, stirrups, and integral ba...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Teak Ming Style Whitewash Coffee Table with Chow Legs and Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A teak wood Ming style whitewash coffee table from the 20th century with chow legs and weathered patina. This vintage teak wood coffee table, styled in the Ming tradition and finishe...
Category
20th Century Thai Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Architectural Terracotta Roof Tile Figure Qilin Foo Dog pr
Located in Forney, TX
A remarkable pair of large Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) earthenware Imperial roof decorations - ornamental architectural terracotta roof tile beasts.
15th/16th century or earlier, Northern China, most likely Forbidden City, Dongcheng District, Beijing, figural pottery modeled as mythical qilin (foo dog / guardian lion), the crouching beast with legs back and flaming body depicted ready to pounce. Retaining partial remnants of the red wax export seal, indicating they are authentic and were legally exported out of the country.
Dimensions: (approx)
Largest: 18" Tall, 19" Wide, 8" Deep
History:
Chinese roof tiles have been a part of Chinese architecture for over 2,000 years. These unique and beautifully crafted tiles have become an integral part of traditional Chinese culture, and have gained international recognition for their beauty and cultural significance. In this article, we will explore the different types of Chinese roof tiles, their construction, cultural significance, preservation and restoration techniques, and modern uses.
Chinese imperial roof decorations or roof charms or roof-figures (Chinese: 檐獸/檐兽; pinyin: yán shòu) or "walking beasts" (Chinese: 走獸/走兽; pinyin: zǒu shòu) or "crouching beasts" (Chinese: 蹲獸/蹲兽; pinyin: Dūn shòu) were statutes placed along the ridge line of official buildings of the Chinese empire. Only official buildings (palaces, government buildings, and some temples) were permitted to use such roof decorations.
Occasionally arranged in an outward marching procession with various different examples, the number and type indicating the importance of the duties performed within the building or within the courtyard protected by a gate. With a maximum number of nine, the mythical beast was one of the highest in rank, thus modeled set to pounce upon the man and lower ranking creatures, ready to devour them should they stray from performing their duties with faithfulness and rectitude
The Design and Construction of Chinese Roofs:
The roof design is an important aspect of Chinese architecture, with each component of the roof playing a specific role. Chinese roof tiles fit into the overall design of the roof and are placed on top of wooden supports called purlins. The interlocking system of Chinese roof tiles ensures that they stay in place and prevent leaks. Ridge tiles...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware, Terracotta
Fine Jumu Console Table with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu console table with three drawers. Very elegant and fine quality. Beautiful color and simple form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeare...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
20th Century Chinese Ming Style Teak Square Side Table Sculpture Stand Stool 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Chinese Ming style accent table. Make from teak with a square frame over contoured apron and traditional form legs.
Dimensions:
19.5" x 19.5" x 18"h
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Teak
Antique Chinese Elm Tall Sideboard Cabinet Cupboard
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinese Elm Tall Sideboard Cabinet Cupboard
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer console table with five drawers, brass fitting. Simple form and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared man...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Pair of Antique Chinese Shiwan Ware Pottery Statue Lamps
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique Chinese Shiwan Ware Pottery Statue Lamps
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Pair of Chinese Ming Style Bamboo Horseshoe Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic pair of 20th century Chinese export bamboo chairs featuring a gracefully curved horseshoe back ending with out swept hooks. Constructed in the Ming dynasty style with a deco...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Chow Leg Low Kang Coffee Table with Distressed Black Finish, Midcentury
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chow leg low Kang coffee table from the mid 20th century with custom black distressed finish. Elevate your living space with the timeless sophistication of this mid-20th century Ch...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of fine black lacquer end tables with one drawer with shelf, brass ring pull. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in " ARCHITECTURE DIGEST...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Chinese Shanxi Ming Red Lacquer Elm Carved Chest Storage Trunk Sideboard
Located in Dayton, OH
Late Qing Dynasty red lacquer Storage Chest or sideboard. Made in Shanxi North Eastern China, circa 1880s. Features a simple rectangular frame with two doors at the center flanked by...
Category
1880s Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm, Lacquer
A Pair of Chinoiserie Dark Brown Coromandel Lacquer Square Low Tables
Located in New York, NY
Each top incised with dragon and phoenix decoration; on Ming style legs.
Category
Late 20th Century French Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Pair of Ming Style Red Chinoiserie Console Tables or Center Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Ming Style Red Chinoiserie Console Tables or Center Table
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ugo Zaccagnini Ming Style Cocoa Banded Off White Glazed Pottery Lamp, C. 1960
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Ugo Zaccagnini Handled Pottery Table Lamp with Far Eastern influence. Featuring a textured squat urn form with matte Dark Brown ring handle, dragons and Greek Key designs in relief, ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Baluster Form Vase
Located in Doylestown, PA
Blue and white baluster form porcelain vase with Zhongfeng mark on base, c. 1960s.
Beautiful vase with a sweeping mountainous scene and unique calligraphy script. A unique Chinese p...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Chow Legs Distressed Black Coffee Table with Crackle Orange Finish
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Chinese Ming Dynasty style distressed black chow legs coffee table with crackle orange finish. Step into a world where ancient elegance meets modern restoration with this v...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Shandong Ming Style Red Lacquer Elm Carved Chest Storage Trunk
Located in Dayton, OH
Late Qing Dynasty Red Lacquered Elm Trunk. Made in Shandong East China, late 19th century. Feature a rectangular body with dovetail construction at the corners and lower carved rel...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
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...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique 19th Century Chinese Shandong Ming Style Elm Painted Money Trunk Chest
Located in Dayton, OH
Late Qing Dynasty iridescent painted Elm Money Trunk / Storage Chest. Made in Shandong East China, circa 1870s. Features two upper compartments and lower cabinet for accessory storag...
Category
1870s Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm, Paint
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer console table with five drawers, brass fitting. Simple form and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared man...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Large Gilt Bronze Buddha Young Shakyimuni Statue 31 Lb
Located in Somis, CA
The magnificent 31 lb bronze Buddha statue, crafted in the Ming dynasty style, captivates with its timeless beauty and serene presence. Depicting a young Shakyamuni, the statue exude...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table, very elegant, simple form and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Architecture Digest...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Large Paint Decorated Chinese Trunk As Cocktail Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very decorative and bell made Asian Trunk made from a type of Asian Elm. The chest in an antiqued honey tone stain. The front decorated with a panel with figures in an interior and...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Black Lacquer Console Table with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Black lacquer console table with two drawers and brass fitting with hoof feet. Simple and elegant form.
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Side / Lamp Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese antique ming style side lamp table from the late 19th century. Elm wood with original dark lacquer with natural age-related patina.
Features ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Gold Lacquered Ming Dynasty Style Chow Leg Coffee Table with Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ming Dynasty style gold lacquered chow leg coffee table with carved apron. This vintage Ming Dynasty style coffee table, exquisitely refinished to highlight its historic charm, is ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Carved Wood Stone Top Table or Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elaborately carved dark stained wood stand with a purple variegated stone inset top, foliate scrolls and openwork bands with geometric motifs. Raised on tall legs with claw feet. The...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Pair of Thai Benjarong Lidded Porcelain Jars Vibrantly Hand Painted and Gilded
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., a stunning pair of large Thai Benjarong lidded porcelain jars, vibrantly enameled by hand and embellished with 18 carat gold. One marked on und...
Category
1980s Thai Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Gold, Enamel
Ming furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Ming furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Ming furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, George Zee, Broyhill, and Baker Furniture Company. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $195 and tops out at $690,000 while the average work can sell for $2,941.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Chest Of Drawers Victorian Antique Furniture
Curved Glass Cabinet Wood
Chest Drawers Curved Front
Corner Cabinet With Glass Shelves
Danish Large Desk
Distressed Furniture Antique White Paint
Dressing Mirror Used
Double Door Set
Entry Cabinet Drawers
Curved Front Chest Of Drawers
Entry Mirror And Table Set
Chinese Antique Green Glaze Ceramics
Chinoiserie Painted Cabinet
Escutcheon Midcentury
Framed Embroidered Textiles
Enamel French Clock Sets
1930s Kitchen Cabinet
Chest Of Drawers In Black Midcentury