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
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 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
19th c, Ming Style Hardwood Long Benches With Cloud Spandrels - A Pair
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c., China,. A beautifully constructed pair of carved wood benches. The rectangular top is over inset legs topped with carved cloud spandrels and join...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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 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
Chinese Ming Dynasty Period Male Foo Dog Guardian Lion Hand-Carved Sculpture
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) hand-carved stone Foo Dog guardian lion sculpture depicting a male placing his paw atop a ball. Created in Ch...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
Large Ming Dynasty Cizhou Hand Painted Vessel
Located in London, GB
Cizhou stoneware vessel, dating to the Ming dynasty, 17th century.
Traditional urn-shaped stoneware, decorated with dark brown brushwork on a ligh...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
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
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
Longquan Vase Ceramic China Ming Era
Located in Milano, IT
Longquan vase with baluster shape and celadon-colored background, finely engraved in bands, in the upper part with plane tree leaves motifs, side grips in the shape of stylized cloud...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Antique Chinese Scenic Painted Carved Wood Doors, 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinese scenic painted carved wood doors. Each door is beautifully carved on one side and candles painted on the other side with mang Ming sty...
Category
19th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
1970s, Ming Style One Drawer Side Tables with Protective Glass Tops, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
A pair of 1970s Ming style one drawer side tables with protective glass tops in very good vintage condition. 100% All real hard wood. Rock solid pieces. Protective Smoke glass tops.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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
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
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
1960s George Zee Rosewood Chinoiserie Flip Top Bar Server
By George Zee
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Fabulous mid century flip top server/bar by George Zee of Hong Kong. From the estate of an executive of the Ford Foundation. Purchased in Hong Kong while on business in the 1960’s.
Exceptional craftsmanship, solid as a rock. Double doors open to expose shelving along with 3 drawers. Ample storage. Brass hinges,unique joinery and detailed carved flush pulls...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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
Large Antique Chinese Porcelain Famille Verte Dish Flowers Landscape Kangxi
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
A Large 'Chinese Verte' export porcelain deep dish
Kangxi period
Painted with enamels of the famille verte palette with reserves of flowers,...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
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
Mahogany Ming Chinese Altar Table, Early 20th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A mahogany Ming Chinese altar table with sides carved and decorative carvings on legs, Early 20th Century.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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 17th/18th Century Huanghuali Document Box with Baitong Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Chinese Huanghuali document box with baitong mounts
Late Ming/Early Qing dynasty, 17th/18th century
H. 6 x W. 34.8 x D. 17.5 cm
Proven...
Category
Late 17th 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
Late 20th Century Asian Ming Style Lighted Curio Cabinet
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Ming style curio cabinet, unbranded, similar quality to Drexel or Henredon. Nutwood, decorative brass hardware, dual glass front doors, glass side panels, pagoda like top and Ming feet...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
George Zee Rosewood Chinese Chippendale Sectional Sofa
By George Zee
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Phenomenal mid century George Zee Teak sectional. Superb detailing in fretwork with classic Ming legs. Versatile in placement. Solid and heavy. From the estate of an executive with T...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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
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
Ming Dynasty Style Daybed/Coffee Table
Located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Made in China during the mid-19th century, its original purpose was as an "Opium Bed." The top features a woven rattan insert. The piece is finished in red lacquer, showing an age-r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Rattan, 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
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Simple black lacquer console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "Architecture Digest...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Abalone, Lacquer
Chinese Abacus Solid Brass Set of Two
Located in Somis, CA
A set of 2 beautiful, solid brass abacuses. Fine constructed, the rectangular frame divided into an upper and lower deck with a beam, each deck with 17 ( ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
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 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
Ming Dynasty Style Vintage Elm Waisted Table with Humpbacked Stretcher
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ming Dynasty style vintage waisted altar console table from the mid-20th century, with horsehoof legs and humpbacked stretcher. Delve into the elegance of classical Chinese design ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
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
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Antique Chinese Pictural Embroidery with Silk and Metal
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Exquisite Early 20th Century Chinese Embroidery
Discover a stunning piece of art from the early 20th century – a Chinese embroidery masterpiece. This work of art features a mythologi...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
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
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
Antique Chinese Pictorial Tapestry with Traditional Crane Design
Located in Dallas, TX
77548, antique Chinese pictorial tapestry with traditional crane design. This hand knotted wool antique Chinese pictorial tapestry features a large red-crowned crane design set against an abrashed neutral field. The crane is depicted standing on one leg with its wings outstretched while perched atop a cliff alongside several bamboo plants. The crane is one of the most widely used symbols throughout Chinese art and literature and figures heavily in Chinese mythology. The creature is thought to represent longevity, immortality, nobility, and fidelity. It is often represented alongside bamboo, as it is in this piece, another symbol of longevity. The warm sepia backdrop recalls ancient Chinese scrolls...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Chinese Ming Dynasty 17th Century Glazed Terracotta Sancai Temple Roof Tile
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty period temple roof tile from the 17th century, with turquoise glaze, bird and flower motifs. Created in China during the Ming Dynasty which ruled from 1368 to ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Ming Dynasty Bronze Gu Beaker Vase
Located in Dallas, TX
Chinese bronze vase, Gu, the trumpet-shaped upper section cast with four blades filled with archaic designs. Center and lower sections depicting Toadies with very intricate backgroun...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Very Rare Ming Dynasty Porcelain Ewer with Ottoman Gem-Set Tombak Mounts
Located in London, GB
Very rare Ming dynasty porcelain ewer with ottoman gem-set tombak mounts
Chinese and Turkish, 16th/17th century
Measures: Tombak: height 20cm,...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Brass
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
A Ming Style Cinnabar Lacquer and Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular top with attractive craquelure, raised on shaped legs; with brass trimming to edges.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
Set #5 Kosometsuke Antique Chinese 17c Ming Dynasty Plates China Porcelain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
A set of 5 Small Ming Porcelain Dishes in the Japanese Taste, Late Ming Period, Tianqi or Early Chongzhen c.1620 – 1630. These small Transitional porcelain...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming Style Bronze Metal Seated Buddha
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive Chinese bronze metal Buddha sculpture depicted sitting. Beautifully crafted in the Ming style with intricate details. The bronze has a rich patinated finish with verdigris.
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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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