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 16/17C Chinese Porcelain Kraak Wanli Plate Flying Horse
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate with a beautiful scene of a flying Horse
With a nice empty rim.
Wanli, Tianqi or Chongzhen Period 1590 – 1640
These kind of dishes are will described...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Porcelain 17th C Ming Dynasty Serving Dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful serving dish in blue and white with a typical ming period landscape scene. The shape of this piece is highly unusual, we found serving dishes from the same period in all ki...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Style Coffee Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese low rectangular coffee table made in walnut. Ming style.
A fine and elegant example of classical Chinese furniture in cabinet-maker quality.
Jiangsu Province 1860-1880.
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rare Kosometsuke Antique Chinese 16/17c Ming Dynasty Plate China Porcelain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful dish in blue and white. This is a Jingdezhen made dish made for the Japanese market. Kosometsuke.
The rim of the dish is in the shape of a flower, the dis is overall sha...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
1970s Ming Style Carved Walnut Draw Leaf Alter / Console Tables by Drexel, Pair
By Drexel
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of 1970S flip top console tables with Ming styling by Drexel Heritage. They open and slide into great serving surfaces! Form, function and fun!
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Asian Standing Carved and Ebonized Floor Mirror with Gilt Details
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large scale square frame with staggered panels surrounding the center mirror. A top and bottom panel on the front are decorated with gilt foliate scrolled motifs. The back with thr...
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Stone Buddha’s Head
Located in New York, NY
A master-carved Chinese stone head of Buddha featuring a serene face with Fine sculpted features, flanked by long pendulous ear lobes. This impotent...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Silver Buddhist Statue with Gold Plated Bronze Lotus Stand
Located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Rare combination of a silver Buddha and a gilt pedestal.
The meticulous workmanship is superb.
With the sign of ???? (Manufactured in era of Yongle emperor) on the bottom.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Silver, Bronze
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style 1920s Red and Black Lacquered Drum Stool or Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style red and black lacquered drum stool from the early 20th century, with chinoiserie decor. Created in China during the first quarter of the 20th century, this Ming style drum stool will make for an excellent drinks table or plant Stand. Boasting a lovely black and red lacquered patina, the stool features a shaped top adorned with a delicate chinoiserie scene. This top is resting on a waisted apron, raised on an arching drum base with side stretchers. Ideal thanks to its versatile quality, this Chinese lacquered stool...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Unusual 17th C. Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Square Dish Turquoise Bird Flowers
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely and unusual square serving dish from the late Ming period. Jingdezhen made for the Japanese market, Ming dynasty, Tianqi or Chongzhen period (1621-1644)....
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 Jingdezhen Wanli Period Chinese Porcelain Kraak Dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large late Ming dynasty Wanli period blue and white kraak ware export porcelain deep charger. Decorated in the centre within an eight-pointed medallion wi...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
15th-16th Century Ming Dynasty Cabinet. Red Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare and well-preserved 16th century cupboard / cabinet.
Detailed carved top section depicting a floral leaf design and people in polychrome lacquer.
Front with red lacquer, pair of ...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Five Color Hand Painted Dragon Small Pot, Ming Period
Located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Small jar with lid made in the five-color hand painting commonly used in Ming Dynasty Wanli Period.
Presumed to have been used for storing tea leaves.
...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Style Chromed Steel Officials Hat Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent reimagined Chinese Ming style officials hat chair beautifully crafted from steel with a smooth, thick, seamless chromed finish. The armchair...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Prussian Blue Lacquered Chinese Drum Stool
Located in Houston, TX
1940s Prussian Blue hardwood Ming style drum stool.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
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
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 of Asian Cypress Side Tables
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A pair of Chinese cypress square side tables in Ming style with shaped apron and curved feet.
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Cypress
Chinese Red Lacquered Sideboard
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beijing "Altar" sideboard in original red lacquer with three drawers.
Below, pair of doors with sides that can be opened.
The lacquer color has a natural patina with a clear lacquer ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Ming/Transitional Chinese Porcelain Plate, European House, Rare Piece
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
I really found something intriguing. This plate decorated with what are often seen as European houses. Something seen on Transitional Kraak plates and bowls. I borrowed a few picture...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Style 1920s Horseshoe Back Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style 1920s horseshoe back bamboo armchairs a pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style horseshoe back armchairs from the early 20th century, with fretwork moti...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, 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
Pair of Ming Dynasty Bowls with Pattern of Interlocking Hexagons
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Ming Dynasty Bowls with Pattern of Interlocking Hexagons, Wanli period (1572-1620).
This handsome pair of bowls with a slightly fluted rim features an outer pattern of hexago...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Antique Chinese 19th Century Cabinet
Located in Kastrup, DK
A large Chinese cabinet with original lacquer.
Two doors, fitted with traditional central hardware, open to reveal inner shelves. At the bottom th...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Buddhist Lions and Attendants, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fantastic pair of large Chinese tileworks sancai glazed Buddhistic lions and attendants, late Ming Dynasty, first half of the 17th century, Shanxi, China. Presented on custom 20th century wood and lacquer table-form stands.
This pair of lions and attendants portray Buddhist lions...
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
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
Pair Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Dignitary Figures
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Ming dynasty sancai blue glazed pottery figures.
Circa 1500 AD Ming Dynasty
I have owned over 250 ming tomb figures including over 80...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine pair of fine black lacquer end tables with shelves. Very elegant and fine black lacquer end tables, beautiful form and color...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Wanli / Tianqi Playing Go Landscape Plate
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
15-7-19-1-2
Typical late Ming landscape dish. A very nice example!
Condition
Overall condition A (Very good) rimfritting, filled chip and 2 hairlines. Size 160 mm
Period...
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
Chinese Carved Wood Long Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elaborate and finely carved bench in a pleasing Chestnut tone wood. Scrolled crest rail ends and arm ends. With four carved panels on the back with floral and fruit vines. A reeded skirt rail and with a shaped and carved running band of leafy vines. Innner sides carved with complimentary leafy motifs. The reeded back frame with square supports. The Bench is quite sturdy and surprisingly comfortable.
L. 75", Depth 21", H. 33 1/2"
Condition: Please see all detail photos. Signs of age include scrapes on the left arm end, repair to right arm end, stable age crack to left-side facing seat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
18th Century Black Lacquer Table
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This elegant black lacquer long table has a waist decorated with the elongated begonia done in open style carving. The top is a solid piece of wood...
Category
18th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
Collection of 16th Century Chinese Mirrors
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Collection of 16th century Chinese bronze mirrors. Ming Dynasty ca 1550, China.
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer end tables. Simple and elegant form. Beautiful color and form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Architect...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Large Hand-Painted Chinese Enamel And Gilt Decorated Porcelain Bowl
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite large Hand-Painted Chinese Enamel And Gilt Decorated Porcelain Bowl with beautiful flower, birds and branches scenes. Hand-painted and numbered. No cracks or chips. Meas...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Enamel
A large wood Buddha/Guanyin with traces of pigments Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
By Master
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
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
Jumu Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Jumu console table. Simple and elegant form with straight leg. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many time...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Cloisonné Chinese Dragon Enamel Bowl
Located in London, GB
A charming Vintage Chinese cloisonné bowl.
This intricately designed bowl was made using traditional methods, and boasts beautiful deta...
Category
1960s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
Chinese 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
Pair of Chinese Carved Demi-Lune Consoles or Center Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of Demi-Lune Consoles made with dowels to be joined as a Hexagonal Base Center Table if desired. The wood tops over dark stained and carved bases in a sophisticated antiqued Lacquer finish...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
BROYHILL PREMIER Chinoiserie Ming Style Tri-Fold Dresser Mirror
By Broyhill
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Chinoiserie Ming style tri-fold dresser mirror by Broyhill Premier. Hardwood, burlwood and black lacquer with brass accents. Features bevel edge center mirror with a traditional M...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of Chinese Solid Rosewood Faux Rattan Garden Style Stools or Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Chinese solid Rosewood hand crafted, hand carved Faux Rattan / vine Garden Style Stools or Side Tables in great vintage condition. May be used as side tables or ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Chinoiserie Style Ming Chow Leg Console Table, Attributed to Schnadig
Located in Southampton, NJ
Stunning chinoiserie chow leg Ming style sofa table with two beveled glass inserts and burl wood inlays. They are attributed to Schnadig Furniture I...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Smoked Glass, Wood, Burl
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Wood Horseman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Hand Carved Glazed Wood Horse with Rider
22 tall x 22 w x 5.5 d
Preowned Original vintage unrestored condition. Vintage p...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Chinese Ming Ceramic Provincial Jar Celadon Glaze, Early 17th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Chinese hand-thrown ceramic provincial jar with a light celadon glaze which we date to the Ming period of the early 17th century or possibly earlier.
The jar is hand potted...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Porcelain Plate 17th Century Lotus Fishing Ming Dynasty Tianqi/Chongzhen
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A blue and white late Ming or Transitional plate with a nice and rare decoration
15-7-19-1-14
Condition
Overall condition good rimfritting and 1 chip and 1 hairli...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large and Narrow Chinese Altar Console, 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Large and narrow Chinese altar console, 20th century
Scrolling and geometrical motifs
Nicely distressed patina, with dark red/burgundy hue
We ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Single Drawer Blue Lacquer Table with Horse Hoof Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style blue lacquer side table from the early 20th century with single drawer and horse hoof legs. Created in China during the ear...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer end tables. Simple and elegant form. Beautiful color and form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Architect...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Vintage Karl Springer Canvas Wrapped Side Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Fabulous vintage canvas wrapped Ming style side table, attributed to Karl Springer, 1970's. The table is a vibrant shade of cream with nice text...
Category
1970s North American Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Canvas
Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Carved Back Elmwood Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Early 20th century Chinese elmwood armchairs with finely carved back and elongated arms and legs.
Measure 30" wide at the legs ends, 25" wide the arms, 27" in depth, 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Pair of Vintage Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Waisted Side Tables with Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden side tables from the early 20th century, with carved aprons, humpback stretchers and horse hoof legs. Created in China during the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese 17th Century Porcelain Ming/Transitional Plate Boys with Bird
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate.
A late Ming Ko-Sometsuke porcelain dish, Wanli or Tianqi period, 1600-1627.
This Kaiseki blue and white porcelain serving dish is decorated with two ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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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