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 Red Lacquered Ming Style Lined Small Chest or Trunk
Located in Doylestown, PA
Antique Chinese red lacquered Ming style lined small chest or trunk, circa 1920.
This handsome chest features unique oversized brass hardware, a fabric lined interior and two side h...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ming Style Side Table, USA 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exquisite Ming Style Side Table, a true gem from the USA dating back to the 1960s. This stunning piece of furniture effortlessly captures the essence of Ming Dynasty ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Rosewood Chinoiserie Coffee Cocktail Table Square 42"
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful Chinoiserie coffee table. Made from rosewood in classic Ming form with a square top over straight legs with inward flared feet. Brass plate along underside Marked NW.
...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Chinese Stoneware Jar Celadon fluted detail, Ming Dynasty 14th to 16th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very old interesting provincial Chinese stoneware Celadon Jar, probably Longquan, with fluted or ribbed decoration, which we date to the Ming Dynasty, between the 14th and 16th Centuries.
The Jar has an interesting circular baluster shape with an open everted rim and low foot. It has been decorated with moulded vertical flutes or ribs to its lower half. The base is concave and fairly deep.
The Jar has a mossy-olive green colour having a celadon glaze which runs from the base to the upper rim as it would have been glazed upside down, with some glaze around the top section of the inner rim. Unglazed parts fire to a terracotta brown colour at the rim, lower body and the foot rim.
The piece is unmarked but for similar pieces see the superb book: Chinese Ceramics by He Li published by Thames & Hudson, 1996; pages 164 to 184.
NOTES
Longquan is a city in South west China. These wares were produced over a long time period from 959 to 1550; which covers the Northern Song...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Chinese Ming Style Red Lacquer Altar 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
Pair Early 20th Century Chinese Ceramic Foo Dogs
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Low fired ceramic Chinese "Ming" style pair matching Foo Dogs with beautiful cracked and dripped glazed four color finish.
This beautiful couple Foo Dogs is visibly handmade because the prints of the fingers the artist are visible in the earthenware.
These Foo Dogs makes displayed in your place a great...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
2 Chinese Ming Style Hongmu Lion Head Chinoiserie Altar Throne Arm Chairs Pair
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage pair of James Monte / Qing Dynasty / Chinoiserie style armchairs featuring heavy faux bamboo and rattan frames with open reticulated design, accented with lion heads, animal ...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
Rare antique Ming Dynasty Period Painting
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Ming dynasty period painting, China 1365-1644.
Oil or tempera painted on thin canvas (or silk), mounted on wood. The painting displays a vase of...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Fine Jumu Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times ...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Arm Chairs, a Pair
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage pair of Chinese Ming style lacquered wood arm chairs with seat cushions. The chinoiserie design features a splat back, low arms w...
Category
1970s Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Vintage Lamp Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage side lamp table from the mid 20th century, with horse hoof feet and humpback stretchers. Created in China during the midcentury pe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Late 19th C. Ming Carved Ebonized and Giltwood Trifold Table Screen
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 19th Century Ming Style Carved, Ebonized and Giltwood Trifold Table Screen in great condition.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
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
Ming Cizhou Wine Jar, c. 1600
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive glazed vessel dates to the early 17th century and was used to store wine and spirits made from rice and other grains. The Ming-dynasty jar has an elegant, tapered for...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Ming Style Solid Rosewood Square Coffee Table w/ Chow Legs
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage Ming Cow leg style solid rosewood square coffee table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. We f...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Early-19th Century Antique Chinese Small Rug - 5'10'' X 3'3''
Located in Los Angeles, US
Antique Chinese Rugs, as opposed to most of the antique rug productions, were woven almost exclusively for internal consumption. Since they were mostly sheltered from European and We...
Category
Early 1900s Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Antique Chinese Porcelain 17th Century Kraak Porcelain Dish with Bird
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated kraak plate. Top Quality painting & rare scene
9-1-19-1-13
Condition
Overall condition B (Good used); Rimfritting, star hairline...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Antique Table Ming Style Console Side Table
Located in Somis, CA
A solid wood table in Ming dynasty style. The solid top is set in a floating panel structure joined by mitered tenons and mortises. A narrow waist connects the top to the set of two ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 20th Ming Style Indonesian Dining Armed Chairs Natural Teak w/ Black Seats
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage Ming style Indonesian dining armed chairs comprised of natural teak frames & upholstered drop in seats. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and...
Category
Late 20th Century Indonesian Ming Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Teak
Ming Cizhou Wine Jar, c. 1600
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressive glazed vessel dates to the early 17th century and was used to store wine and spirits made from rice and other grains. The Ming-dynasty jar has an elegant, tapered for...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Decorative Chinese Storage Chest As Cocktail Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Heavy wooden storage chest with chunky and prominent iron hardware. The chest opens from the front top with heavy 1" thick door and a large scalloped back-plate - no lock. Decorated ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Exceptional Pair of Chinese Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Pair of very well crafted Chinese Hardwood Armchairs (Probably Stained Teak) with fine Scholar’s Object appeal. Quite comfortable with an all over smooth hand and particularly hand...
Category
1970s Asian Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Wooden Deity Statue, China Ming Period
Located in Saverne, Grand Est
Statue of a Taoist god in wood, represented seated on a seat with armrests in the shape of heads of dragons. The face is really beautifully rendered, as well as the draping of the co...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fine Pair of Red Glazed Porcelain Vases
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of Porcelain Asian Vases with subtle form, good weight and striking presentation. With Red glazed exteriors and Brown contrasting interiors. Very good condition and marked on ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Ming Style Waisted Stool with Horsehoof Legs and Rattan Inset
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden waisted stool from the early 20th century, with rattan inset, horse hoof legs and cloud motifs. Born in China during the early years of t...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, Wood
Chinese Paint Decorated Trunk as Cocktail Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An ebonized wood trunk with painted decoration on the front. The center panel with ladies dressed in fine robes in an interior framed by florals. A visiting figure wearing a headdres...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Jiaoyi Folding Armchair In Jichimu, China Qing Dynasty
Located in Saverne, Grand Est
Extremely rare jiaoyi type armchair in jichimu, with a rounded horseshoe-shaped back.
The central band is openwork and carved with kilin and coiled shi dragon decoration. The front c...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
18th Century Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Cabinet with Original Décor
Located in Kastrup, DK
A stunning Chinese tapered cabinet from the 18th century, black lacquered with original gilt chinoiserie motifs.
Created in China during the Qi...
Category
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
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
Profusely Carved Asian Display Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elegant Asian display cabinet, profusely carved throughout with glass door with carved trim and surround that reveals two long and one short s...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Incense Holder / Jardiniere
Located in San Francisco, CA
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Incense Holder / Jardiniere. A substantial incense holder in the Chinese Ming style. Sides and bottom covered in a r...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Black Lacquer Console Table with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Black lacquer console table with two drawers and hoof feet.
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Distressed Red Lacquered Chinese Vintage Ming Style Bench with A-Form Base
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage Ming Dynasty style red lacquer wooden bench from the mid 20th century with A-form base, carved spandrels and distressed finish. Exuding...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
30.4cm Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Porcelain Dish 17 C Ming Literatus Children
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Condition
1 restuck piece with a line and with some paint of the repainting remaining. Lower part of the restuck piece is with kintsugi. Some fritting. Size 303x36mm diameterxhigh
...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Boho Glazed Ceramic Tall Ming Vase
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Boho Glazed ceramic vase. A classic Ming style in a black high gloss finish. Rests on a wooden plinth. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Chinese Granary Jar
Located in Yonkers, NY
A 17th century Antique Chinese Granary Jar hand made from terracotta with a verdigris patina. Unearth an enthralling piece of history with...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Black Lacquer & Cowhide Arm Chair, Mid-20th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage Chinese ming style black lacquer & cowhide arm chair.
Additional information:
Materials: cowhide, lacquer, wood.
Color: black.
Period: ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Cowhide, Wood
Set of Six Chinese Dining Chairs in Ming Style
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage set of Chinese in Ming style dining chairs in solid wood. Glossy redwood frames - two with arms, and four without. Includes teal color...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese blond hardwood stool in the Ming taste, 1800-25
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Chinese Yumu wood (Northern Chinese elm) stool in the Ming taste. The waisted and bull nose frame and panel top is engaged to the rounded framing elements including the leg posts. Th...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
20th c. Modern Ming Horseshoe Chairs With Caned Seats Custom Cushions
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant pair of lounge chairs in the manner of designer Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection. Solid bent walnut sculpted forms feature gorgeous caned seats and new custom ...
Category
1970s Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Tapestry, Chenille, Cane, Walnut
19th Century Islamic Blue and White Fritware Pottery Plate Signed by Maker
Located in COLMAR, FR
A mysterious, antique blue and white pottery plate. This is a fritware plate, hand-painted with a floral motif in underglaze cobalt blue...
Category
1860s Unknown Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Side Table with Humpback Stretcher
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style side table with humpback stretcher.
Chinese Ming Dynasty style side table from the mid 19th century with
hump...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Chinese Ming Porcelain Early 17th Century Blue White Plate Charger Kraak Dish
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique Chinese porcelain blue and white Ming charger
Blue and white ceramic deep dish.
Material: Chinese porcelain, Ceramic
Style: Chinese, Ming, Anti...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard or Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
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 petina through the ebony glaze.
The alligator...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Leather
16th-17th Century Chinese Ming Dynasty Fu Dog Censer Incense Vase
Located in Hampstead, QC
This is a rare Chinese Ming Dynasty bronze Fu Dog figural bronze tripod lidded censer used for incense. It has a Fu Dog or Qilin figural top lid with superbly carved details. The Fu ...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Wanli-Era Cast Iron Bell
Located in Chicago, IL
A cast iron bell, when struck with a wooden beam, announced the time of day to villagers. This monumental example is covered in relief casts of chrysant...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Ebonized Ming Style Coffee Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
72? Ebonized Ming coffee table
A vintage Chinese Ming dynasty style coffee table from the mid-20th century, with recessed...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Ming Furniture
Materials
Ash
Chinese Ming Dynasty 17th Century Hand Carved Stone Monkey Temple Sculpture
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period hand carved stone monkey temple sculpture from the 17th century, depicted seated and holding a round stone disc above its head. Created in China during the Ming Dynasty period which spanned from 1368 to 1644, this hand carved stone sculpture...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Jin Long 'Golden Dragon' 24K Gold and Diamond Olisbos Sculpture
Located in Halls Head, Western Australia
The Jin Long (Golden Dragon) is an electroformed 24K pure gold and fine diamond olisbos sculpture featuring a traditional Chinese dragon totem symbol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Ming Furniture
Materials
Gold
Chinese Ming Style Red Lacquer Console Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
A freestanding ming style console table.
The table features humpback stretchers, horse hoof feet and original red lacquer with natural age-related patina.
Presumably made of iron...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Chinese Longquan Celadon Ming Dynasty Porcelain Vase
Located in Bradenton, FL
Chinese Longquan Celadon Ming Dynasty Porcelain Vase.
Chinese antique Ming Dynasty celadon porcelain vase with leaf motif. Overall crackle glaze.
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Early Chinese Stone Budha Hand Fragment
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early Chinese stone Budha hand fragment.
A stone sculpture of a Buddha hand in a traditional gesture known as
Verada Mudra, meaning Compassion / Sincerity.
Once part of a large Buddha sculpture...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Pair Asian Ming Style Carved Mahogany Lounge Chairs, 1940-1960
Located in Rochester, NY
A very elegant pair of Asian Ming style hand carved mahogany hardwood lounge chairs in nicely aged original surface color w/ beautifully figured grain. Exceptional quality finely det...
Category
20th Century Singaporean Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany
Fine Jumu Wood Sideboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu wood sideboard with drawers and two pairs of open doors. Simple and elegant sideboard. Beautiful form and color. We carry fine quality fu...
Category
Late 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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