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.
Style: Ming
Color: Brown
Set of Six Chinese Dining Chairs in Ming Style
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage set of Chinese in Ming style dining chairs in solid wood. Glossy redwood frames - two with arms, and four without. Includes teal color...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Wanli-Era Cast Iron Bell
Located in Chicago, IL
A cast iron bell, when struck with a wooden beam, announced the time of day to villagers. This monumental example is covered in relief casts of chrysant...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Ming Dynasty Style Wooden Wedding Chair with Carved Medallion and Curving Arms
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden wedding chair from the early 20th century, with carved medallion, curving armrests and natural wood patina. Born in China during the earl...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Design Glazed Terracotta Tricolor Prancing Horse Sculpture on Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming dynasty style glazed terracotta prancing horse figure from the 20th century with polychrome finish. Crafted in the Ming style, this small terracotta prancing horse att...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Persian-style Annamese stoneware, late 15th century.
Located in seoul, KR
Stoneware decorated with Persian-style colors and patterns, and it is highly likely that this Annamese pottery intended for export was produced to meet Middle Eastern demand.
Dates : 15th century Le Dynasty
Region : North Annam
Type : Stoneware Dish
Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Hoi An Ship
Reference : Double checked with reference to the original catalogue
Butterfield Treasures Hoi An Hoard Auction Catalogs / San Francisco Butterfields 2000
* Vietnamese trade ceramics
Around the mid-14th century, Vietnam developed its ceramics production technology by producing blue and white porcelain, and began to export it overseas. During this period, China Ming Dynasty implemented a policy of lifting the ban from 1371 to 1657 and restricted foreign trade. This served as a good opportunity in the trade history of Vietnamese ceramics, and ceramic exports...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Vietnamese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Chinese Rosewood Garden Seat
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese rosewood barrel shaped garden seat with a burl rosewood top. From the Republic period, in the Ming Dynasty taste.
China, circa 1912-1949.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Grande Buddha Cinese in Legno
By Ebanista
Located in Brescia, IT
Grande scultura di un Buddha in legno scolpito e laccato in policromia di bella proporzione e colore.
Scultura riprodotta nel novecento con precisione e ottima qualità .
Lo stato di ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Horse Shoe Back Armchairs, China, circa 1900
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of very interesting horse shoe back armchairs, China, circa 1900. Chinese elm with carved decorations on the back and front. Beautiful patina.
Category
1910s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare 19th Century Chinese Altar Table
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Rare and unusually wide 19th century Chinese altar table in elm with an beautiful patinated surface with remaining traces of the old lacquer. Ca 1800 China.
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Small Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Decorative Bowl
Located in Jupiter, FL
Chinese Cloisonne bowl dragon early 20th century turquoise blue dragon. Could be depiction of Qing Dynasty though I am unsure of that.
Stand included.
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Enamel
Pair of Tall Cabinets with Square Corners and Carved with Lipped Moulding
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
The wonderful pair of square corner cabinets, carved with lipped moulding on the front posts, two doors decorated in sections with carved embossed cartouches within the carved lipped...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Ming Dynasty Antique Sancai Glazed Attendants Tomb Figure Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of large antique Chinese polychrome ceramic attendants, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Outstanding 500+ year old Sancai glazed earthenware pottery tomb figures, exceptionally executed figural form, exquisitely detailed, one holding a teapot, the other holding a charger, rising on rare sculptural plinth...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware
1960s Chinese Decorative Mahogany Hand Carved Wood Table Lamp
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Hand Carved Mahogany Wood Chinese Table Lamp
No shade.
Double socket with matching wood finial
30.25 h x 9 w x 5.5 d
Unmarked
Original vintage unrestored condition.
Refer to im...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Antique Chinese Official's Hat Armchairs
Located in 10 Chater Road, HK
PAIR OF FINE RECTANGULAR BACK ARMCHAIRS
The chairs with circular-sectioned crest rail, pipe-joined to the back side posts, decorated with inner shaped flanges and supported by a...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Max Kuehne Chinese Ming Style Coffee Table
By Max Kuehne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ming style coffee table in a lacquered finish with carved floral decoration and silver leaf tone. Signed by Max Kuehne a German born artist who worked in America became part of the Rockport artist...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Peach wood & Hard Cane Coffee Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese 19th century daybed / coffee table / end of bed bench.
Crafted in peach wood with a central woven rattan top panel insert mounted on a wooden board, making it sturdy enough ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Fruitwood
Chinese Ming Style Ceramic Roof Tile Fragment, Nicely Mounted
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Chinese Ming style polychrome ceramic roof tile fragment of a warrior on a dragon with metal spear, nicely mounted to a custom solid acrylic stand. Probably dates to the 18th/...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Red Lacquered Ming Style Lined Small Chest or Trunk
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique Chinese red lacquered Ming style lined small chest or trunk, circa 1920.
This handsome chest features unique oversized brass hardware, a fabric lined interior and two side h...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rare antique Ming Dynasty Period Painting With Flowers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Ming dynasty period painting, China 1365-1644.
Oil or tempera painted on thin canvas (or silk), mounted on wood. The painting displays a vase of...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Fine Jumu Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 19th C. Ming Carved Ebonized and Giltwood Trifold Table Screen
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 19th Century Ming Style Carved, Ebonized and Giltwood Trifold Table Screen in great condition.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Late 20th Century Asian Ming Style Lighted Curio Cabinet
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Ming style curio cabinet, unbranded, similar quality to Drexel or Henredon. Nutwood, decorative brass hardware, dual glass front doors, glass side panels, pagoda like top and Ming feet...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Arm Chairs, a Pair
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage pair of Chinese Ming style lacquered wood arm chairs with seat cushions. The chinoiserie design features a splat back, low arms w...
Category
1970s Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Ming Style Indonesian Dining Armed Chairs Natural Teak w/ Black Seats
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage Ming style Indonesian dining armed chairs comprised of natural teak frames & upholstered drop in seats. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and...
Category
Late 20th Century Indonesian Ming Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Teak
Ebonized Ming Style Coffee Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
72? Ebonized Ming coffee table
A vintage Chinese Ming dynasty style coffee table from the mid-20th century, with recessed...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Ming Furniture
Materials
Ash
Chinese blond hardwood stool in the Ming taste, 1800-25
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese Yumu wood (Northern Chinese elm) stool in the Ming taste. The waisted and bull nose frame and panel top is engaged to the rounded framing elements including the leg posts. Th...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
19th Century Alter Table in Peach wood China
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small alter / communion table in peach wood from the Zhejiang Province of China. Original condition with red lacquer with age-related patina.
Ming sty...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Six-Panel Rosewood Carved Lattice Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic Chinese six-panel Rosewood carved lattice folding screen. Features intricate geometric patterns with Greek key motif. Each panel is 17.5 inches wide and has a contrasting o...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late 20th Century Vintage Regency Ming Grasscloth Console Table
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Regency console table. A chic Grasscloth finish with Ming legs. Currently black, but easy to change the color to suit ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
20th c. Modern Ming Horseshoe Chairs With Caned Seats Custom Cushions
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant pair of lounge chairs in the manner of designer Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection. Solid bent walnut sculpted forms feature gorgeous caned seats and new custom ...
Category
1970s Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Tapestry, Chenille, Cane, Walnut
Ming Dynasty Carved Ancestor Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Marvel at the exquisite artistry of this carved wood Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) ancestor figure—a captivating depiction of a seated man adorned in the distinguished attire o...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Vintage Asian Carved Hard Stone Urns on Stands with Intricate Detail
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage pair of Asian hand carved hard stone urns with intricate detail of dragons, scenery and Asian symbols on wood bases.
Category
Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Chinese Ming Style Red Lacquer Console Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A freestanding ming style console table.
The table features humpback stretchers, horse hoof feet and original red lacquer with natural age-related patina.
Presumably made of iron...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Mid Century Henredon Ming Nightstands Michael Taylor
By Henredon
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Ebonised bracket Ming style base 3 drawers mid-century nightstands by Henredon. Classic Michael Taylor double ring pulls. Custom glass tops for surface protection.
Category
1970s Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
1970s Ming Style Rosewood Horseshoe Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consideration is Pair of rosewood horseshoe chairs.
Chairs are in good condition.
They measure 23"W x 19"D x 39"H. Seat is 20" high.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Pair Of Chinese Vintage Horseshoe Back Hardwood Armchairs
Located in Norwood, NJ
A pair of Chinese hardwood horseshoe back armchairs, each curved back with downswept arms and outswept hand grips, centering on an elegant shaped carved splat, flanked by cylindrical...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Carved Table Screen
Located in Kastrup, DK
A rare 16-17th cenury Ming Dynasty standing table screen. Untoched original condition.
Hand carved wood, the panel is carved with relief details depicting a dragon, cranes, mythical...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Japanese Kyokuroku Folding Chairs
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of Japanese red lacquered folding meditation armchair for monks.
Pair of kyokuroku chairs in original red lacquer with gilt carvings and embossed brass hardware.
One chair wit...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chinese Carved Wood Teaching Buddha in Ming Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
A statue of standing Buddha (Shakyamuni), finely carved out a single block of wood (might be cypress based on the wood grains). Attired in a flowing robe with open chest, the Buddha ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Guan Yin Figure Early Ming Dynasty
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare Chinese Guan Yin figure, early Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Beautifully painted carved wood retaining a significant amount of its apparently or...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Armchairs "Official Back", circa 1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of "Official Back" armchairs. In Chinese "Yoku Back"
Untouched made in elm wood, burgundy lacquer and natural age-related patina with clear lacquer as surface finish.
Called "...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair of Ming Wooden Hibachi Table/Planter on Pedestal with Brass Hardware
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Ming wooden Hibachi table/planter on pedestal with brass hardware.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Style Coffee Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese low rectangular coffee table made in walnut. Ming style.
A fine and elegant example of classical Chinese furniture in cabinet-maker quality.
Jiangsu Province 1860-1880.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1970s Ming Style Carved Walnut Draw Leaf Alter / Console Tables by Drexel, Pair
By Drexel
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of 1970S flip top console tables with Ming styling by Drexel Heritage. They open and slide into great serving surfaces! Form, function and fun!
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style 1920s Red and Black Lacquered Drum Stool or Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style red and black lacquered drum stool from the early 20th century, with chinoiserie decor. Created in China during the first quarter of the 20th century, this Ming style drum stool will make for an excellent drinks table or plant Stand. Boasting a lovely black and red lacquered patina, the stool features a shaped top adorned with a delicate chinoiserie scene. This top is resting on a waisted apron, raised on an arching drum base with side stretchers. Ideal thanks to its versatile quality, this Chinese lacquered stool...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Jumu Square Side Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Jumu wood square side table with relief carving on apron and stretchers on hoof feet. Price is for the table only.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Asian Cypress Side Tables
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A pair of Chinese cypress square side tables in Ming style with shaped apron and curved feet.
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Cypress
Chinese Red Lacquered Sideboard
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beijing "Altar" sideboard in original red lacquer with three drawers.
Below, pair of doors with sides that can be opened.
The lacquer color has a natural patina with a clear lacquer ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Style 1920s Horseshoe Back Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style 1920s horseshoe back bamboo armchairs a pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style horseshoe back armchairs from the early 20th century, with fretwork moti...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Large Antique Chinese 19th Century Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
A large Chinese cabinet with original lacquer.
Two doors, fitted with traditional central hardware, open to reveal inner shelves. At the bottom th...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Dignitary Figures
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Ming dynasty sancai blue glazed pottery figures.
Circa 1500 AD Ming Dynasty
I have owned over 250 ming tomb figures including over 80...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Chinese Antique Table Ming Style Console Side Table
Located in Somis, CA
A solid wood table in Ming dynasty style. The solid top is set in a floating panel structure joined by mitered tenons and mortises. A narrow waist connects the top to the set of two ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Carved Wood Long Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elaborate and finely carved bench in a pleasing Chestnut tone wood. Scrolled crest rail ends and arm ends. With four carved panels on the back with floral and fruit vines. A reeded skirt rail and with a shaped and carved running band of leafy vines. Innner sides carved with complimentary leafy motifs. The reeded back frame with square supports. The Bench is quite sturdy and surprisingly comfortable.
L. 75", Depth 21", H. 33 1/2"
Condition: Please see all detail photos. Signs of age include scrapes on the left arm end, repair to right arm end, stable age crack to left-side facing seat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Brass Filing
Yellow Wood Cabinet
Mid Century Knoll Office Chair
United Furniture Company Chest Of Drawers
Bedside Cabinets Modern
Bedside Modern Cabinets
Wood Shop Sign
Blue Commodes And Chest Of Drawers
Wood Dutch Cabinet
Wood Fluted Column
Yellow Neoclassical
Cabinet 1930 Vintage
Carved Wood Black Cabinet
Ebonized Display
Vintage House Key
Vintage House Keys
Case Pieces And Storage With Paw Feet
Vintage English Cottage