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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.

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Style: Ming
Pair of Sarreid Ltd. Brass Asian & Campaign Style Side Tables or Coffee Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These Sarreid Ltd. side table date to the 1970s. They are unique in that they combine low profile modern styling with Asian and campaign influences. They are marked. The tables have ...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Cobalt Blue Serving Hot Water charger Chinese porcelain Arch of Noah
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Ready for dinner guys?⁠ ⁠ We would like to describe this piece as a hot water serving charger. We all know the hot water dishes but a piece of this size is quite unique, even though ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Kosometsuke 17C Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Kaiseki Dish Tianqi / Chongzhen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely and unusual Chinese porcelain Kaiseki dish from the late Ming period, Tianqi/Chongzhen period most. Jingdezhen made for the Japanese market. Origin: C...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Wanli / Tianqi Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Chinese Taste Figural Plate
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this new arrival and very happy with it. Late Ming period Kraak plate of exceptional quality in cobalt blue of larger size. In general the piece is already of high q...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Style Mahogany Stool with Cushion
Located in Germantown, MD
Chinese Mahogany Stool with thick Safari Theme Cushion Measures 21" in width, 17" in depth and 19.5" in height with Cushion and 16.5" in height without cushion.
Category

20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Wanli Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Plate 2 Deers Classic Design
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely potted and painted kraak plate of a desirable quality. Stunning piece with beautiful and classical scene. Absolute top Quality kraak ware Condition some fleebites to ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-18th Century Ming Style Chest in Black Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
18 century chest in original black lacquer. This Ming style chest is constructed of wood with multiple layers of original black and red lacquer, acco...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Scroll Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Stained leather covered wood in deep oxblood and dark brown tones. With three stitched plaques with raised characters on the front. A brass mount with lock on the front (lacking the ...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

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

Pair of Chinese Yellow and Natural Scene Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of antique Chinese (late 19th-early 20th Century) export porcelain yellow ceramic vases wrapped in large scale branches teeming with birds, flowers and foliage (PRICED AS PAIR)....
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Huge Zaccagnini Pottery Mid Century Italian Ming Lamp Vintage 1950's Turquoise
Located in Wilton, CT
Huge Zaccagnini pottery square lamp with bands of Ming themed decor, flanges at the corners, and fabulous turquoise glaze, circa 1950's. Approx. 39" high overall, 24" to top of pottery, 11" square. 3 way switch. Glass bulb cover/shade holder. Heavy lamp...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

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

Antique Large Nanban 19C Edo Period Japanese Plate Charger Japan ca 1800-1830
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice shaped polychrome dish. Unusual shape and painting. With overglaze blue. Absolute top quality. Marked with Ju character (felicitation or longevity) at base. late Edo per...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Petite Ming Bronze Mirror with Ingot Knob, c. 1400
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Petite Ming Bronze Mirror with Ingot Knob, c. 1400
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Ming Bronze Mirror with Ingot Knob, c. 1450
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the m...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Ming Celadon Bottle Vase, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic bottle is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) vessel originally used for serving rice wine or spirits. The small round bottle is beautiful in its imperfection, shaped with...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Wine Vessel, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic bottle is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) vessel originally used for serving rice wine or spirits. The gracefully curved form is known as a yuhuchunping, or pear-shape...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Vintage Chinese Horseshoe Back Armchair with Carved Splat and Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
Gracefully proportioned and sculptural in silhouette, this vintage Chinese horseshoe back armchair draws on centuries of tradition while offering a quiet, natural presence. The conti...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Porcelain Hatcher Cargo Kraak Ghendi Porcelain, South China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nicely decorated kraak Ghendi with a geometrical decoration. The piece was part of the Hatcher Collection. Auctioned by Christies Amsterdam in 1984. It is...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Black & Green Lacquer Consol Table, Shandong, 1830-1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese Altar console / side table with everted ends on the top, square legs with stretchers. Original lacquer, black with green lacquer top. Natural age-related patina which is high...
Category

1830s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Top Quality Wanli / Tianqi Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Crane Waves
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description A very nicely potted and painted early 17th century dish of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with unusal reverse decorated design. Visible are cranes, different k...
Category

17th Century Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Chrysanthemum Dish, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) plate is attributed to the kilns of Yunnan province, painted in cobalt underglaze with a chrysanthemum blossom and sweeping brushstrokes. Dated to the 1...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Chinese Porcelain Hatcher Cargo Kraak Ghendi porcelain South China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nicely decorated kraak Ghendi with a geometrical decoration. The piece was part of the Hatcher Collection. Auctioned by Christies Amsterdam in 1984. It is in very good condition. The Hatcher Junk...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Ming Dynasty Style Wooden Coffee Table with Hand-Woven Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style square-shaped wooden coffee table from the 19th century, with original distressed finish and hand-woven rattan top. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period in the 19th century, this coffee table features the stylistic characteristic of the Ming Dynasty. The table presents a square top with woven rattan inset, adorned with a reeded edge on all sides. Showcasing its original finish with a nicely distressed patina revealing its age and use, the table is raised on four straight legs connected to one another through humpback stretchers. With its elegant Ming lines and great patina, this Qing Dynasty wood and rattan coffee table...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Gold Ornaments of Antique Chinese Buddha Statues / 17th-19th Centuries
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is thought to be part of the decoration of a gilt-bronze Buddha made in ancient China, from the late Ming to the Qing dynasties. It is thought that it is probably an ornament t...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Copper

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

Chinese Ming style pear shaped monochrome vase with elephants heads
Located in DELFT, NL
With moulded elephant-head handles, connected by a band of geometric shapes and applied overal with a creamy yellow glaze suffused with a fine crackle. Condition: the rim polished a...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

1970s American Of Martinsville Burl Queen Anne Style Writing Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a burl writing table with Queen Anne styling. It has heavy brass hardware and is marked on the inside. It opens two nice storage drawers. Manufactured by American of Martinsv...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Porcelain Kosometsuke Ladies in Meeting Plate Marked, 17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated kosometsuke plate with an unusual scene of 4 Ladies in a garden, seems like they have a meeting. A pot with a plant in the middle lower part of the scene and ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Literatus & Attendant Charger Flies Whisk
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this new arrival. An amazing Blue and white porcelain dish, Kraak porcelain. ⁠ ⁠ China, Ming dynasty Wanli period (1572-1620),⁠ ⁠ Decorated in the centre with a literatus and...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Elm Audience Chair, c. 1850
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese audience chair in the Ming Dynasty taste. The chair is made from Northern Chinese Elm with traces of original black lacquer throughout. The chair has a frame and panel...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm

Ming Dynasty Chinese Console With Raffia Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ming Dynasty Chinese wood console table with taffia top. Beautiful simple carvings and dark original finish. Rare to have the original raffia surface. Very modern form for the Ming D...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Ming Style Black Lacquered Horseshoe Back Lounge Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is an Asian inspired black lacquered horseshoe back lounge chair with brass accents and bands adorning the piece. The chair is nicely upholstered in an elegant white fabric. D...
Category

20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique 16C Chinese Porcelain Phoenix Fenghuang Dish Cloud Motif Marked
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated Plate, 4th quarter 16th century. Small dish on footring, wide flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a striding phoenix in schematically rendered landscape with a cloud motif. The sides and rim are undecorated. On the base a mark in seal script, possibly shou (long life) Pictured in: A Selection from the Collection of Oriental Ceramics...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Food Presentation Covered Box
Located in Forney, TX
A remarkable antique food box from the Shanxi province, North China, late Ming (1368-1644) to early Qing (1644-1912) Dynasty. An extraordinary e...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Wanli Chinese Plate Rare Decoration
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate with a rare size 14-11-18-1-1 Condition Overall condition a (Good) lots of rimfrits as to be expected from this type of kraak porcelain. ...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Literatus and attendant Charger Flies W
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this new arrival. An amazing Blue and white porcelain dish, Kraak porcelain. ⁠ ⁠ China, Ming dynasty Wanli period (1572-1620),⁠ ⁠ Decorated in the centre with a lite...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Blue and White Porcelain Vases - Ming Double Gourd Urns
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Breathtaking pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain urns Double gourd form with intricate hand painted arabesques and motifs Classy pair ready to add light and oomph to any room Pl...
Category

1980s Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese 16/17C Chinese Porcelain Dish Swatow landscape Pagode Enamel
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large Ming Dynasty Zhangzhou (Swatow) Ware Charger – c.1600 – Red, Green & Turquoise Enamels An exceptional and richly decorated large Zhangzhou (Swatow) ware charger, dating to the...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Chinese blue and white porcelain Dish of beautiful shape and design. With a st
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese blue and white porcelain Dish of beautiful shape and design. With a stunning waterfall scene. Early 17th century, marked at base. Condition kintsugi restored spot at rima...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chongzhen Shunzhi Transitional Chinese Porcelain Ewer, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated and Ewer in underglaze blue. The globular body rises to a flared neck decorated with tulips and supported by a high handle. The main decoration depicts a nice...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Massive Chinese Tapering Armoire Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Chinese one piece wardrobe cabinet with tapering form, solidly constructed with peg joinery. Paneled and trimmed with brass lock as shown. The doors open to reveal vertical slat back...
Category

20th Century Asian Ming Furniture

Materials

Metal

Petit Chinese Ming Dynasty 17th Century Terracotta Granary with Verdigris Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A 17th century Chinese Ming Dynasty granary hand made from terracotta with a verdigris patina. This exquisite 17th century Chinese Ming Dynasty granary, meticulously handcrafted from...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

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

Asian hand carved Hexagonal Center Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Asian hand carved hexagonal center table distinguished by geometric forms and clean graceful lines featuring picture framed top with carved apro...
Category

20th Century Asian Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

A large wood Buddha/Guanyin with traces of pigments Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Located in Vienna, AT
A LARGE WOOD FIGURE OF GUANYIN WITH TRACES OF PIGMENTS MING DYNASTY (1368-1644) The bodhisattva is shown seated in padmasana, wearing long flowing ro...
Category

Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Asian Ming Style Rosewood Upholstered Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An Asian influenced bench by top-quality furniture maker Century Furniture, from their "Chin Hua" line designed by Raymond K Sobota. Clear lacquered hardwood in a classic Ming design...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Rosewood

Pair of Elm Wood Children Armchairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of elmwood children armchairs with relief carving, simple and beautiful form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has be...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Of Asian Wooden Abacus Form Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Each lamp is constructed of two fine wood abacuses attached in T shapes with brass mounts and repurposed as table lamps. They are mounted on scalloped wood bases with incurved feet. ...
Category

20th Century Asian Ming Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Jar, c. 1600
Located in Chicago, IL
This Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) storage jar is attributed to the kilns of Yunnan province, loosely decorated with cobalt underglaze in a manner typical of the region. Dated to the 15th...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Ming Style Rosewood End or Side Table with Glass Inset Top Made in China
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Ming style rosewood side or end table with square beveled edge glass inset top, made in China. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Glass, Rosewood

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1550
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant ceramic vessel is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bottle originally used for storing oil or sauces. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the bottle has a gracefully curved form kn...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Antique 18th century Dutch Delft Earthenware Plate Based Month of August Porc
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nice Dutch Delft blue plate with nice decoration of the month of august In 18th c chinese style 18th century. Diameter: 22 cm. Condition: Typical rimflaws and restoration Condition ...
Category

17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rare and Unusual Antique Kashgar Rug with Mughal Pattern
Located in Milan, IT
A very rare small format, very finely knotted antique rug from the oasis of Kashgar, located in eastern Turkestan. Distinguished by a unique soft red background and by an all-over pattern consisting of a trellis containing a directional floral blossom motif characteristic of the Indian Mughal Dynasty...
Category

Early 19th Century East Turkestani Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Ming Dynasty Wood-Carved Buddha and Soapstone Plinth
Located in Vienna, AT
In this listing you will find a rare original piece of historical craftsmanship. On sale is a religious statue of the Buddha. The figurine was attentivel...
Category

Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Pair of Ming Dynasty Horsemen Roof Tiles
Located in London, GB
A pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) sancai-glazed ridge tiles modelled as horse and rider. Both tiles are glazed in rich green and amber, the horses ...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Ming Dynasty Style Side Table with Humpback Stretcher and Brown Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Ming Dynasty style wooden side table from the early 20th century, with humpbacked stretcher and cylindrical legs. This Ming Dynasty style wooden side table from the early ...
Category

Early 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.

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