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
Antique Chinese 17th Century Kosometsuke Tianqi/Chongzhen Dish Porcelain Playing
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate. Late Ming. Boys playing
For similar examples of this listing see:
S. Marchant & Son (2008). Ming Porcelain for the Japanese Market: ko-sometsuke ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,712 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Black Lacquer Painting Table
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This painting table from Shanxi retains most of its original black lacquer finish. The table top is of standard mitered frame construction with a floating panel. Both ends of the t...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
$2,000 Sale Price
50% Off
Chinese Stoneware Funeral Shrine Model and Figure Ming Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stoneware shrine model with a figurine made in Ming dynasty (15th-17th century) in China and used as funeral burial objects. It is not known whether the two objects were originally associated, but they display similar glaze and oxidation and were in the same collection. The stoneware building is an architectural rendering of a typical ancestor shrine used at the time. It features a single room behind an elaborate front with double doors, under a multiple layered eaves. There are great architectural and decorative details throughout. The green glaze shows a wonderful silvery oxidation, an indication that the piece was buried in the ground. The side appears to be glazed lightly originally and some scrape marks and oxidized glaze residues remains. The back is unglazed. The figure is a typical tomb figurine...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Antique Chinese Taste Kosometsuke Tianqi/Chongzhen Dish Porcelain Go players
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate. Late Ming. Go players in a mountain landscape under a palm tree and next to a pavillion. Dish on high foot.
For similar examples of this listing see...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,712 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Bed Model
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese stoneware day bed model circa Ming dynasty (15th-17th century). The miniature models were traditionally made as burial offering objects. Pottery models of daily life necess...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Chinese Interlocking Ring Stone Table, c. 1600
Located in Chicago, IL
Created over 400 years ago, this low table from the late Ming/early Qing dynasty was carved by hand from a single block of limestone. The table has aprons carved with interlocking rings...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Limestone
Vintage Boho Henredon Faux Finished Ming Console Cabinets - a Pair
By Henredon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite pair of vintage Henredon faux-finished Ming console cabinets combines timeless elegance with functional versatility. Showcasing a stunning marbled faux finish in rich ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
17th Century Ming Dynasty Carved Stone Barrel #02
Located in Chicago, IL
- Sold individually or as a pair -
17th Century Ming Dynasty carved stone barrel, with Foo Dog handles, floral reliefs and bat wing decoration. The Chinese symbol for bat and for go...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Marble
19th Century Asian Antique Leather Drum Stool Table
By Mingyu Xu Studio
Located in Burbank, CA
Beautiful antique drum for sale. From Asia, and well cared for. Has leather tops on both end, and still has the original rings on both ends. It's made of solid oak with a walnut fini...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Large Chinese Wooden Lacquered Box Decorated with Birds and Vegetal Motif
Located in Brea, CA
Chinese Art. A large wooden lacquered box decorated with birds and vegetal motif China, Ming dynasty, 17th century. 36cm x 6.5cm. Condition see more...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Imari-Style Orange and Blue Monumental Ceramic Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese orange, white and blue monumental floor vase celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, decorated with medallions of bloom...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
$5,281 Sale Price
35% Off
Chinese Ming Form Painting Table, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This Qing-dynasty painting table from Hunan province is a beautiful example of the elegance of Chinese furniture design. With its broad surface ideal for contemplating scrolls and pa...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
A 17th C. Chinese Chongzhen Blue & White Minyao “Peoples Wares” Porcelain Bowl
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
Urn Chinese Glazed Brown Ming China
Located in New York, NY
Urn Chinese Glazed Brown Ming China. A Glaced Ming Urn from China. Made during the Ming Period 1368-1644.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Chinese Miniature Mingqi Skirted Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This miniature ceramic table is from Shanxi Province and may have been made to represent Mingqi, a type of ancient Chinese burial good. Mingqi were plac...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair Of Ming Style Leather Lounge Chairs
Located in Hudson, NY
A spectacular and chic pair of Ming Style armchairs with embossed leather seats. Made from extremely hardwood with a gorgeous weathered patina through the ebony glaze.
The alligator ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Leather
Vintage Brass Ming Style Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage brass Ming style table lamp. The lamp is in good vintage condition with visible wear due to age and use. Lampshade in not included, circa 1980...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Swatow Lidded Boxes in the shape of Waves and Flowers, Late Ming Era(16-17th c)
Located in seoul, KR
Small green-glazed boxes from the late Ming dynasty cargo. Identical pieces are included on page 142, 143 of the Bin Thuan catalog titled 'The Age of Discove...
Category
16th Century Vietnamese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Blonde Chinese Horseshoe Armchairs Grand Tutor Oriental Country Antique Thrones
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous rare pair of large blonde Chinese bent-arm Horseshoe-back armchairs in lovely antique condition. Almost certainly made in Shandong Province in 19th Century China, these ex...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
17th Century Ming Dynasty Carved Stone Barrel #01
Located in Chicago, IL
17th Century Ming Dynasty carved marble garden seat with Foo Dog handles, floral reliefs and bat wing decoration.
The Chinese symbol for bat and fo...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Marble
Annamese Stoneware Miniature Vase and Jar, Hoi An Hoard, Late 15th C, Le Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
These ceramics feature finely detailed depictions of birds and cloud motifs using underglaze blue, showcasing an elegant and refined design. The vase portrays a bird in mid-flight, w...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Vietnamese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Bed Model
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese stoneware day bed model circa Ming dynasty (15th-17th century). The miniature models were traditionally made as burial offering objects. Pottery models of daily life necess...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Song to Ming Dynasty Cast Iron Daoist Buddhist Head
Located in Dallas, TX
Daoist sage, official, or possibly a Buddhist acolyte.
A large, thick and heavy cast iron statue of a head. Custom vintage carved hardwood stand finishes off this outstanding and decorative bust, circa 10th...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century Antique Pair of Chinese Handcarved Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese hand carved wood armchairs with original aged finish and bamboo seat. High back armchairs with a simple yet elegant Ming style. Natural Patina. Circa 1800s.
Property...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Catalog Gerard Hawthorn Oriental Art Chinese Art Porcelain Bronze Statue, 17/18c
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Hawthorn oriental art catalogue. Great research catalog.
Additional information:
Material: Paper
Type: Statues
Region of Origin: China
Period: 17th century, 18th century
China Dynas...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Paper
Antique Chinese Porcelain River Landscape Butterflies Dish Ko Akae, Early 17thC.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this new arrival. An amazing Blue and white porcelain dish with added enamels in red and green. For the Japanese Market. Very interesting piece with a riverlandscape scene wi...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$3,932 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Mid Century Ming Style End Table with Burl Top
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century Ming style end table features hardwood construction, black lacquer finish, beautiful burlwood top, unique Ming style detailing o...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Burl, Lacquer
Asian Shoulder Yolk Basket
Located in Dallas, TX
The Brendan Bass Estate Collection pays homage to the beauty of vintage and antique
pieces, each artfully concealing endless stories collected through the generations in which they ...
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Wicker
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Chair Models
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Chinese stoneware horseshoe cross chairs circa Ming dynasty (15th-17th century). The miniature models were traditionally made as burial offeri...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Japanese sweetmeat set of Kosometsuke dishes. Vintage/modern copy after
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nice sweetmeat set of Kosometsuke dishes. Japanese vintage/modern copy after Chinese ming example.
All with stamp mark to the base.
Pictures of the origi...
Category
20th Century Japanese Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,224 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Ceramic Glazed Guardian Ming Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stoneware figure depicting a seated armored warrior with a striking pose circa 15th-17th century. He is likely one of the four heavenly kings, th...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
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
$3,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Decorated Brown-Glazed Mataban Vase/Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Brown-Glazed Mataban Jar Vase
This large antique Chinese urn has six small figural handles made of beasts and multiple dragons carv...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Bronze Figure of a Seated Luohan, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644
Located in Torino, IT
Cast seated wearing a simple robe with his right hand resting on the hilt of a snake-entwined sword, the left hand held aloft, his face with meditative expre...
Category
Early 1600s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Blue and White and Raised Rose Pattern Octagonal Porcelain Vase
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese blue and white porcelain vase with an octagonal, faceted shape wrapped in blue bands featuring white iconography at the base and convex top, framing a center area that altern...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Paintings By The Poet Yan Zhen RARE 3-Volume Set 2008
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Yan Zhen born 1930 is a Chinese poet, painter, and calligrapher, best known in China for his writing. Yan has published over 30 works of literature, including poetry, prose, and fict...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair of Blue White Porcelain Vase With Gilt Silver Phoenix Dragons, 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The pair of Blue White Porcelain Vases with Gilt Silver Phoenix Dragons, dating from the 20th century, is an exquisite examples of decorative art, blending traditional Chinese porcel...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Silver
Antique Meiji Period 19 / 20C Japanese Porcelain Swan/Geese Charger Arita
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Haring with you this very nice piece with what seems to be 2 flying swans. They could also be Geese.
Unmarked at base.
Condition
Perfect, just some frits to base rim. Size: 37...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,188 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Boho Gilt Stopped European Trope Character Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Accentuate your space with our Vintage Boho Gilt tipped European Trope Character Bracket. This unique piece features gilt detailing and characterful design, blending Bohemian charm w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Resin, Wood
Vintage Regency Tortoise Glass Lamps on Brass Ming Plinths - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage Boho table lamps. Chic tortoise shell blown glass on a brass Ming plinth. Acquired from a Ft Lauderdale estate
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
Ming Dynasty Chinese Countryside Villa - TL Tested
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Extremely rare Chinese model of a countryside villa for the royal courtiers and ministries of the Ming Dynasty -1368-1644 AD- showing three guest houses and one main entry. The villa is surrounded by a cuadrangular wall painted with bucolic scenes of garden, mountains, and bamboo forests. The roof tiles are glazed in green enamel with yellow finials – as the ones in the forbidden city – typical from the Ming epoch. Truly a museum piece. The doors swivel and are painted in ochre. State of preservation: impeccable mint condition with original paintings, all of the original parts are complete, except for one house which is missing part of the plinth (broken during transport). Each part has been tested for authenticity, consisting of eight separate TL tests...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Set of Four Ming Musicians, 'Men'
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Ming musicians (men) 7.75h
A set of glazed musicians with drums and trumpets.
The base of the sculpture is 2 inches by 2.25 inches - the stand measures 3 inches by 3 inches.
Whi...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
$700 Sale Price / set
43% Off
Ming Dynasty Very Rare Wooden Bust of Lohan
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Very serene depiction of a Lohan carved in wood, eroded with the pass of time. Lohan is the Chinese term, derived from the Sanskrit word Arhan, for a disciple or follower of Buddha w...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Antique Ming Furniture
Ming Dynasty Celestial Deity Head Carved in Stone - China '1368-1644 AD'
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Wonderful celestial deity head with a jovial expression in stone with a finely engraved cap. It is mounted on a custom lucite base.
This piece is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, and Certificate of Expertise by Jean-Yves Nathan - Specialist in Asian Arts for the CEDEA (The European Confederation of Art Experts).
The Ming dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China – then known as the Empire of the Great Ming...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain River Landscape Dish Kosometsuke Market
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing new arrival. An amazing Blue and white porcelain dish, Kosometsuke for the Japanese Market. Very interesting.
China, Ming dynasty.
Decorated in the centre with a river lan...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Serving Dish Ming Dynasty, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful serving dish in blue and white with central a reverse decorated floral lotus scene, the walls with branches and the border with geometric design.
The base has a six charact...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Price Upon Request
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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