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
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Elm Cabinet with Doors, Drawers and Removable Panel
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming dynasty style elmwood antique cabinet from the 19th century, with two doors, drawers and lower removable panel. Crafted in China during ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Natural Wood Two-Door Cabinet with Floral Décor and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Ming Dynasty style natural wood two-door cabinet from the mid-20th century, with floral décor and hidden drawers. This mid-century cabinet, crafted in the style of the Ming...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Antique Screen Set of 4, Ming Style with Flower Pegs
Located in Somis, CA
This is a set of beautiful, all original, rare, 19th-early 20th century Ming style Chinese antique window screens. The simple, elegant design is ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique 17C Chinese Porcelain Ming China Swatow Zhanghou Blue Ground
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very beautiful plate, rare monochrome blue ground. Great study material.
Condition
Overall Condition; 2 large crackle line in central plate, 1 running out in a hai...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Early 19th Century Chinese 'Lazy Chairs' in Walnut and Black Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of 'Lazy Chairs' in walnut, black lacquer with a natural cracked wear that gives the chairs an exciting and artistic look.
Ming style, early 19th century China.
The term 'Lazy'...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Lacquer
Chinese Ming Style Vintage Natural Wood Side Table with Humpback Stretcher
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Chinese Ming dynasty style natural wood side table from the mid-20th century, with humpbacked stretcher, rich grain and cylindrical l...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Porcelain Bowl Ko-Akae Famille Verte Marked Figures in
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated bowl. Late Ming. Underglaze blue and overglaze enamels. The mark is unusually inside the bowl, it is a Chenghua mark. The bowl is later period.
A scene of ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Style Elm Altar Cabinet with Carved Sides, Drawers and Doors
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming dynasty style altar cabinet from the 19th century, with everted flanges, two drawers over double doors and carved sides. Behold the resplendent allure of this antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style altar cabinet, a 19th-century treasure from the Qing Dynasty period that exudes an aura of serene elegance. Marrying graceful lines with exquisite craftsmanship, this cabinet is a quintessential piece for those who wish to infuse their living spaces with a touch of timeless oriental charm.
The cabinet’s rectangular top is beautifully flanked by two everted flanges, crafting a dignified silhouette. Below the top, an understated yet sophisticated façade reveals two drawers adorned with delicate brass teardrop pulls. The drawers’ simplistic beauty is harmoniously balanced by the double doors beneath, which feature a captivating round medallion lock.
One's gaze is irresistibly drawn to the cabinet’s sides, intricately carved with scrolled motifs that reflect the craftsmanship and artistry of the Qing Dynasty. The cabinet offers convenient storage space within, providing a functional elegance to any room.
Standing tall on straight legs, the cabinet's carved apron adds an additional layer of refined details. The patina, rich with stories of yesteryears, enhances the cabinet's enigmatic appeal.
Measuring 34.5 inches high without the everted flanges, this Chinese altar cabinet...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Set of Refine Ming Dynasty Green Glazed Attendants and a Sedan Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
A set of very refined green glazed attendants and one sedan chair, each with benevolent facial expression, beautiful colors and lines, Ming dynasty 1368-1644. Three glazed attendants...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Chinese Ming Style Elm Wardrobe with Two Doors, Hidden Drawers and Carved Skirt
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming dynasty style elmwood wardrobe from the early 20th century, with two doors, hidden drawers and carved skirt. Born in China during the early years of the 20th century, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Chinese Antique Ming Dynasty Style Scholar's Lamp-Hanger Chair with Rattan Inset
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style antique scholar's chair from the early 20th century, with inset rattan back splat and seat. Born in China during the early years of the 20th century, thi...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Wood
Chinese Ochre Brown Glazed Martaban Jar, Ming Dynasty, 15th-16th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and large Chinese brown ochre glazed stoneware storage jar, commonly known as a Martaban or Martavan jar, Ming dynasty, 15th-16th century.
The elegant ovoid jar with a slen...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Early Ming Dynasty Chinese Buddha Statue, circa 14th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late Yuan to early Ming Chinese terracotta gilt and polychrome painted Buddha figure, he is dressed in thick robes, his hair arranged in ty...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese Ming Celestial Mingqi Horse Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
This hand carved Chinese wooden horse is a type of centuries-old burial figurine known as míngqì. Depicting the pleasures of daily life, míngqì f...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Antique Ming Style Side Table with Humpback Stretcher and Brown Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming dynasty style wooden side table from the early 20th century, with humpbacked stretcher and cylindrical legs. Originally conceived as a stool in China where it...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fine Antique Imperial Chinese Red Silk Rug with Phoenixes
Located in Milan, IT
A very rare silk Ningxia carpet with an unusual lacquer red background decorated at the centre by a large phoenix and surrounded by four smaller phoenixes in the corners. The phoenix...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Silk
Ming Style Altar Table with Everted Flanges, Cloud Motifs and Mythical Creatures
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style altar console table with carved apron, everted flanges, cloud motifs and mythical creatures. Attracting our attention with its elegant lines and skillful...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Teak Ming Style Waisted Stool with Chow Legs and Distressed Finish
Located in Yonkers, NY
A contemporary Ming style Thai painted teak waisted stool with chow legs and carved apron. Charming us with its elegant lines and distressed finish, this Ming style stool...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Ming Furniture
Materials
Teak
Vintage Thai Teak Coffee Table with Mint Green Distressed Finish and Chow Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Ming dynasty style Thai teak wood coffee table from the mid-20th century, with mint green crackled design and chow legs. Born in Thailand during the midcentury period, this...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Five Chinese Antique Screens Ming Style
Located in Somis, CA
A set of beautiful Chinese antique screens in natural finish. Each of the five screens has a middle section featuring a different flower, symbo...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Miniature Thai Temple
Located in New York, NY
A hand carved miniature Thai temple in wood, painted gold and red with finely carved details. A model for a temple of the Mon people in southern Burma. 80 ...
Category
1920s Thai Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Ceramic Ox Bow Tomb Votive Chair
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese green glazed ceramic votive chair.
Ming Dynasty 1368 A.D.–1644 A.D. Originally purchsed from Gracie Gallery, New York City; original label on base.
Provenance: A P...
Category
Early 1600s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
16th-17th Century Chinese Pine Center Table with Carvings and Decorations
Located in Kastrup, DK
16th-17th century center table from 'Shanxi Province, China with 1 drawer.
Made of pine and with original polychrome lacquer.
Original condition. Rare piece of furniture.
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Ming dynasty Martaban 39 Inch Stoneware Storage Vase with Dragons
Located in Dallas, TX
Large Martaban Ming dynasty stoneware storage vase with dragons, 14th century. Beautiful Ochoa and yellow-brown glaze with decorated dragons and Ming clouds. Applied snail or dragon ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Set of 3 Early 20th Century Chinese Green Glazed Candlesticks
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A set of 3 green glazed ceramic candlesticks. All three similar but in a different size (28 cm high, 11 and 19 or in inches 11, 4.3 and 7.5). The glaze wonderfully aged and of a eleg...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Antique Screen Set of 5 Cube Ming Design
Located in Somis, CA
Set of five 19th century Ming style Chinese antique window screens featuring stylized, hand-carved ruyi and small cube design. The cubes are form...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese 17th Century Porcelain Ming Transitional China Plate Zhangzhou Verte
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate. Ming period. South Chinese Ming Zhangzhou Swatow. Three friends of winter with birds
21-10-19-1-8
Three friends of winter with birds
...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Ming Goatskin Side Table in Brown
By Jimeco ltda
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This Ming side table has its unique look due to the brown white goatskin material. The curved legs as well as the detailed sides show the high level of craftsmanship of this unique p...
Category
20th Century Colombian Ming Furniture
Materials
Goatskin
Ming Dynasty Period Cast Bronze Hue Shaped Urn in an Archaist Style
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine old urn cast as an honorific nod to the ancient past of China was made circa 1600-1650. The shape or Hue was a common and well-represented form in the Han dynasty in pottery and bronze. This urn shows thin casting to the walls with incorporated toe tia or facial masks...
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Unusual Framed 17th Century Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Flowers Plate and Box
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate framed and therefore becoming a painting. You can hang it on the wall for display as if being a painting :) Never seen before.
18-2-19-1-19
Conditio...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Antique Rose Chairs Pair Armchairs
Located in Somis, CA
The famed Rose chair's legacy began in the Song dynasty when they were wider and shorter. Ming dynasty revolutionized the ancient chairs by elevating and st...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
16th Century Stone Pillar, Sianxi, China
Located in New York, NY
A carved stone pillar from Shanxi, China, circa 1560.
Mounted on a heptagonal wood base.
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Ming Dynasty Bronze Luohan with Deer
Located in Dallas, TX
A very whimsical and spirited Luohan from calls in the beasts of the forest as to protect them from harm. These bronzes are rare but come up for sale from time to time. This piece sh...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Ming Dynasty Chinese Mural Painting of Buddha Flanked by Attendants
Located in Chicago, IL
This rare mural was painted in China over four centuries ago, and is an exquisite example of Buddhist art. The enlightened Buddha is shown standing at the center of the painting, dre...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Porcelain Figural Dish Late Ming Tianqi or CHongzhen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate with a scene figures in a landscape
10-8-19-1-6
Condition
/ Overall Condition. Rimfritting, only. 206mm
Period
17th century Ming (1368 - 1620)
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese 17th Century Porcelain Ming Jiajing Marked and Period Plate
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate. Jiajing marked and most likely of the period. Or maybe Wanli
15-6-18-by-4
Condition:
Overall condition B (Good used).2 small hairlines and 1 ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain 17th Century Ming Transitional Plate Landscape and Box
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate. A late Ming Ko-Sometsuke porcelain dish, Tianqi or Chongzhen period, 1621-1644. Stunning scene.
17-1-19-1-2
Condition:
Overall condition A+ (Very go...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Fine Ju Mu Wood Scholar's Cabinet
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant tapered ju mu wood scholar's cabinet, elegant form, beautiful wood grain, 19th century, We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appe...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ming Dynasty Celadon Glazed Charger
Located in Stamford, CT
Ming dynasty celadon glazed charger having fluted interior with plain well center.
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Fine Leather Trunk on Stand
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine leather trunk on detachable stand with brass fitting, beautiful color and texture, elegant form and lines.
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Pale Blue Antique Chinese Rug
Located in New York, NY
Enchanting early 20th century highly decorative Chinese Peking rug with an abrashed light blue field The wool and feel of the rug is very soft on the feet. It has a silky sheen to it...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Chinese Elmwood Dark Patina Dengguayi Scholar's Lamp Armchair with Pierced Splat
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style elmwood scholar's lamp-hanger armchair from the late 19th century, with carved splat, dark patina, curving arms and side stretchers. Born in China in the...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair of Vintage Cream Lacquered James Mont Style Ming Horseshoe Lounge Chairs
By James Mont
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Quality pair of vintage decorator cream lacquered Asian inspired lounge chairs. The pair features solid wood frames, cream lacquered finish, horseshoe barrel backs, burgundy and gold...
Category
1970s American Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Carved, Painted and Giltwood Amitayus Buddha
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful and serene Chinese Ming dynasty carved wood figure of the Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of long life, and a form of Amitabha Buddha. He is seated in dhyanassana, dressed in...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Wanli Bowl Unusual Decoration and Box
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
26-3-19-1-11
A very nice bowl with unusual decoration. Wanli period.
Condition:
Overall condition a (Very good) rimfritting and small hairline, size: 169mm x 63mm
Period:
16th c...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Ming Dynasty Style Wedding Armchairs with Curving Arms and Woven Rattan Seats
Located in Yonkers, NY
A near pair of Chinese Ming dynasty style vintage wedding armchairs from the mid-20th century, with woven rattan seats, curving armrests and natural wood patina. Born in China during...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Wood
#6 Antique Chinese Porcelain Tianqi Chongzhen 16/17C Ming Peony Plate Marked
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated set of plate from circa 1620-1650. With box. The dishes are beautifully designed with peony flowers
4-12-18-1-3
Condition
Overall Condition, 4 with rimfr...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese 19th Century Elmwood Center Hall Table with Ming Dynasty Stone Inset
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese 19th century elmwood center hall table with Ming dynasty 15th or 16th century courtyard stone inset. Born in China during the 19th century, this elegant center table...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Antique Bronze Bust of Buddha, Thailand Ayutthaya, circa 18th Century
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This is a finely modeled and perfectly casted dark green patinated bust of Buddha. He has a serene smile, elongated eyes and long earlobes. The hair is fashioned in snail shell curls...
Category
18th Century Thai Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Transitional China Plate Zhangzhou Verte
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very nicely decorated plate. Ming period. South Chinese Ming ZHangzhou Swatow. Scene of boat on a sea
22-10-19-1-1
Condition
Overall condition; Rimfritting, ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Later 20th Century Chinese Blonde Wood Official's Hat or Yoke Back Chairs, Pair
Located in Austin, TX
A stunning pair of 20th century Chinese yoke back armchairs crafted of cypress, baimu.
The chairs of typical style and construction, and k...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Cypress
Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Glazed Charger
Located in Stamford, CT
Longquan celadon glazed charger having fluted rim with well centre and incised stylized decoration. Ming dynasty. Underside with burnt orange firing m...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Chinese Ming Style Armchairs with Dali Marble Inset
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning pair of Chinese carved hardwood armchairs made in the Ming style featuring an open fretwork Greek Key design, frame and an inset back splat with Dali marble...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Chinese Red Lacquered Console Table with Gilt Accents and Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style red lacquered altar console table from the 19th century, with everted flanges, carved apron and gilt accents. Born in China during the 19th cent...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Dish with Geometric Design, 15th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A heavily potted and richly glazed celadon dish, Longquan kilns, early Ming Dynasty, mid 15th century, China.
The large dish glazed in a deep olive cela...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
18th Century Chinese Ancient Elm Single Drawer Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
Ancient elm single drawer table from Shanghai, circa 18th century.
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
19th Century Chinese Southern Administrator's Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
A fine 19th century Chinese huali (rosewood) Southern Administrator's armchair with gently curved crestrail and arms, four-spindle backsplat, brass fittings, woven cane seat, and tra...
Category
1850s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Orientalist Rug with Floral Motifs in Bone and Blue Tones
Located in New York, NY
This graphic and sophisticated Ming rug was realized in China, circa 1880. Presented against a black background, the circular rug presents sprigs of cherry blossoms resting in a vase...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Cotton
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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