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
An Impressive Large Celadon Charger, 20th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An Impressive Large Celadon Charger, 20th Century
Provenance: Private Melbourne Collection
Dimension: Height: 8.5 cm Diameter: 76 cm
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Celadon
CHINESE MING DYNASTY Triangle Palace Arm Chair Upholstered Seating RED
Located in Peoria, AZ
EYE-CATCHER!
MING DYNASTY
TRIANGLE ARM CHAIR!
RED ENAMEL & SILK
EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY
DIMENSIONS: APPROX. 28" TALL BY 20" WIDE
This phenomenally rare Ming dynasty styled palace arm chair is simply superb! The epitome of dramatic ornamental design for the style conscious interior! One can't take ones eyes off this beautiful red triangle shaped chair!
This would be wonderful in an Asian themed setting or as a style break in almost any decor. As a stand alone piece it has the necessary drama to work additional interest and detail into any open space.
The condition is very fine vintage. Upholstery tacks...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
A Chinese Deep Brown Glazed Footed Bowl, 15th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Chinese Deep Brown Glazed Footed Bowl, 15th Century
Provenance: The Collection of Dr. John Yu AC
Dimension: Height: 7.3 cm. Dimension: 15.5 cm
Dr. Yu was the Founding Chair of V...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese Altar Table in Tortoise Shell in the manner of Baker, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, PA
A stunning Chinese Altar Table in the manner of Baker Furniture Company, 20th Century. This Tortoise Shell Finished Console has great scale and is impressive in person. The altar tab...
Category
1980s American Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Porcelain Blue&White Dragon Bowl Fu Gui Chang Chun Mark Ming 17c
Located in Richmond, CA
This exceptional blue and white dragon bowl, dating back to the late Ming Dynasty, is a remarkable piece from an unique period in Chinese p...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Black Lacquered and Brass Horseshoe Back Lounge Chairs Style of James Mont
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of Asian modern black lacquered horseshoe back lounge chairs with brass fittings in the style of James Mont in all original beautiful glowing condition. Century Furniture Compan...
Category
20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Elegant Antique Chinese Carved and Gilt Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Striking and decorative tall wall panels carved and gilt with overall openwork large scrolled acanthus leaves in relief, each leaf with raised ribs edg...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Large Pair of Chinese Candle Holders in a Patinated Verdagris Finish
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of Chinese bronze candle stands candlesticks in a patinated and verdigris finish. These large and impressive candle holders have three foo dog legs and a dragon wrappe...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1960s Mother Guardian Foo Dog Pair
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
Exceptionally avant garde style approaching surrealist, bulging eyes and rich hued glazes; extremely rare to find as a pair, meant to be tile-roof finials.
Breath taking and large ...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Large Chinese Blue And White Vase In Meiping Shape, China Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Saverne, Grand Est
Large Meiping-shaped porcelain vase with underglaze blue decoration of a dragon pursuing the sacred pearl.
This rotating decoration of the dragon over the entire body of the vase was...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rustic Antique Chinese Altar Or Console Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Asian table with aged raised graining which adds texture to the Rustic presentation. Traditional form with upraised ends, scrolled decoration to the apron and sides, good weig...
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 20th-C. Ming Style Red Lacquer & Brass Credenza / Media Cabinet By Sligh
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a killer credenza! It has Asian styling with decorative brass hardware. The red lacquer finish is piped in black. It has quite a bit of storage and is in very good condition....
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Horseshoe Back Armchairs
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pair of elegant horseshoe back armchairs. Beautiful form and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in " ARCHITECTURE DIGEST ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fine Jumu Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
A simple and elegant fine jumu wood console table, simple plain apron with four straight legs.
We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Century Chair Company Ming Foot Wood Bench With Mokum La Palma Seat
Located in west palm beach, FL
Striking mix of old and new! This incredible tagged vintage Century Chair Company wood Ming foot bench has been completely restored with a new bench frame an...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Chinese Green Monochrome Meiping Vase
Located in Savannah, GA
A Chinese monochrome porcelain meiping vase in crackled lime-green glaze with apocryphal Chenghua mark.
10 ½ inches wide by 17 inches tall
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Jun Ware Porcelain Tripod Censer Light Blue Crackle Glaze Ming
Located in Richmond, CA
This antique Chinese censer is a remarkable example of Tang-style Jun ware, a highly esteemed ceramic art form. The piece features a compressed circular body, elegantly transitioning into a ribbed neck that culminates in a dished rim. The form is both classic and functional, designed to serve as a censer for incense burning.
What sets this censer apart is its extraordinary glaze work. The base layer is a crackled light...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Large Single Gourd Vase Lamp, Olive Glazed, Christopher Spitzmiller
Located in Richmond, London
Christopher Spitzmiller's iconic Large Single Gourd lamp of large proportions, in the style of Chinese Ming dynasty vases. Entirely handmade in Chri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Ming Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf, Brass
Blue And White Large Decorative Bowl Circa 1900’s
Located in Jupiter, FL
This is an absolutely stunning blue and white Bowl- I’m not sure what dynasty this is that I did a lot of research it is believed to be late 19th century. In person this is truly stu...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Wood
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
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
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
Vintage Chinese Black Lacquer Hand Painted Armoire Wardrobe Cabinet Duck Scene
Located in Dayton, OH
A quaint 20th century chinoiserie Ming style lacquered wardrobe / tv cabinet. Features a beautiful hand painted scene along the front with two ducks amidst a flowery meadow. The hard...
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
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
Vintage Asian Elmwood Coffee Table
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A super chic and beautiful vintage Asian elmwood coffee table with scalloped apron.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Large Carved and Gilt Decorated Chinese Screen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and intricate Asian carved and gilt panel that may be utilized as an architectural element, wall decoration or screen. In one piece with six panels with four recessed section...
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Carved Vintage Silver Jewelry Cabinet Collector Chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
Intricately carved serving vintage silver jewelry buffet cabinet chest of drawers from Southeast Asia, circa 1960s. Features beautiful Chinese w...
Category
19th Century Southeast Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Porcelain Plate Ming Dynasty Tianqi/Chongzhen, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Blue & White late ming / transitional plate with a nice and rare decoration
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Region of Origin: China
Period: 17th century Tran...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Tripod Censer Monster Paw Feet 17c Ming
Located in Richmond, CA
This antique Ming Chinese tripod censer is a masterful example of blue and white porcelain artistry. The censer features a well-proportioned body that is underglaze decorated with th...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables with Gilt Motif
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of elegant black lacquer square end tables with gilt motif, beautiful form and color, We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Chinese Porcelain Plate Ming Dynasty Tianqi/Chongzhen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Blue & White late ming / transitional plate with a nice and rare anhua decoration
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Region of Origin: China
Period: 17th centur...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Period Chinese Porcelain Dish Charger Deer and Crane Antique Marked Ming, 16 C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large and very nice Blue and White Charger/Dish from the Ming Period. Jiajing. Absolute cool item marked Ming
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain
Period: 17th century Qing (...
Category
17th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Late Ming c.a Antique Carpet with emperor on clouds
Located in Milano, IT
Behold, a magnificent antique carpet from the late Ming Dynasty period, a true testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of ancient China. Crafted from the finest wool and meticulo...
Category
Early 1700s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Rare Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Kosometsuke Dish OX, ca 1600-1660
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Porcelain dish with underglaze blue. Scene of a lovely Ox or Cow in a landscape.
Ming dynasty, Tianqi or Chongzhen period (1621-1644)
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Taste Tianqi/Chongzhen Dish Porcelain Ming Plate China Old
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate. Late Ming. Prunus blossom and Dragonfly great symbolism
Symbol of Winter, corresponding to the month of January. One of the "Three Friends of Winter"....
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Polychrome wooden statue depicting Guanyin Bodhisattva, Ming, 16th century
Located in Milano, IT
In a realm where time stands still, there exists a 16th-century masterpiece, a sculpture of unparalleled beauty that transports you to the heart of the Ming dynasty. Here, in a place...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Blue And White Dish, China Jiajing Period
Located in Saverne, Grand Est
Slightly lobed dish with flared rim with blue decoration under cover of two deers. Tiny chips on the border (usual for porcelain from this period), otherwise perfect condition !
Chin...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Ming Swatow Zhangzhou Crackle Verte Charger Colour, Ca 1600
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice and rare bowl with central scene of a bird in a landscape.
Great piece; In good condition.
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Region of Origin: China
...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Taste Tianqi/Chongzhen Dish Porcelain Ming Plate China Old, 17 C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate. Late Ming. Prunus blossom and butterfly great symbolism
Symbol of Winter, corresponding to the month of January. One of the "Three Friends of Winter"....
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Ming Style Blue and White BW Bunch Of Lotus Charger 19c Qing
Located in Richmond, CA
An antique Chinese porcelain charger, hand decorated in underglaze blue and white, exemplifying the revered Ming style. The focal point, a central medallion within a double circle bo...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Taoist bronze figure China, Ming dynasty, 16th century
Located in Milano, IT
In the heart of ancient China, within the resplendent Ming dynasty, a masterpiece was cast in bronze, a testament to a culture steeped in mysticism and spirituality. This Taoist bron...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Chinese Porcelain Late Ming or Transitional Plate Landscape
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Blue & White Ko-sometsuke plate with a landscape scene
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Region of Origin: China
Period: 17th century Ming (1368 - 1620)
Age: ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Plate China Porcelain, 17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful dish in blue and white. This is a Jingdezhen made dish made for the Japanese market. Kosometsuke.
With a floral and bird decoration. Base with a chenghua mark
The base is...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Kosometsuke Plate Hare Moon, ca 1600-1640
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
It's 17th century chinese porcelain, Ming period, made for the Japanese market.
This unusual Kosumetsuke plate was used for the tea ceremony. Very nice
Heavily potted
Additional ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer console table with five drawers, brass fitting. Simple form and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared man...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
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
Rare Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Ko Akae Floral Dish, ca 1600-1660
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Dish with iron-red, green, aubergine, yellow, brown and black with an insect in flight above flowering peony issuing from rockwork, the rim with flower sprays reserved on diaper-patt...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Kosometsuke Plates Boat & Fisher, ca1600-1660
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Porcelain dish with underglaze blue lake scene. Visible is a figure in a boat who seems to be a fisherman but is also playing the flute. Another figure is sitting in pagode which is ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Liu Hai Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Plate Porcelain, 16/17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful dish in blue and white. This is a Jingdezhen made dish made for the Japanese market. Kosometsuke. Central scene of Liu Hai and the toad.
No mark
Ad...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Asian Style Celadon Glazed Jars As Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Lovely ribbed jars in a soft celadon glaze. With black mounts and bases. Matching celadon ball finials and white fabric shades.
H. 30", Diam. 7 1/2", shade ...
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming/Transitional Dish Brown White Glaze Scene, 17thC
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate with beautiful Brown Glaze and an underglaze scene in white. The rim covered with a metal ring. Dated to the late Ming or transitional period.
The back...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Cabinet in Original Black Lacquer, Shanxi Province, 1820-1830
Located in Kastrup, DK
Original black lacquer cabinet with a pair of doors.
The front with a layer of "thick varnish" this is used to attach the thick varnish, first the canvas and after the "varnish pa...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers and pair of doors. Very elegant and fine quality. Beautiful color and simple form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant fin...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Chinese Jade Figure of Guanyin
Located in Bradenton, FL
Most likely Ming 15th/16th Century, carved chicken bone jade figure of a standing Guanyin (Quanyin) holding a scroll in one hand, prayer beads in the other. Affixed to carved wood ba...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Organic Material
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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