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
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
Mid Century Henredon Ming Nightstands Michael Taylor
By Henredon
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Ebonised bracket Ming style base 3 drawers mid-century nightstands by Henredon. Classic Michael Taylor double ring pulls. Custom glass tops for surface protection.
Category
1970s Vintage Ming Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
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
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 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
19th Century, Ming Style Official's Hat Chair
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese "Official's Hat Chair" in elmwood. Ming style.
Named "Official's Hat Chair" as the chair mimics the brimmed hats of Chinese government workers in th...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
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
Ming Style Floral Ceramic Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of Ming style ceramic table lamps. Hand painted with subtle pink peonies, sprigs of crab apple flowers, and pale green and beige leaves on a white background. Crab apple flowe...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
17th Century Ming Dynasty Carved Stone Barrel #02 (Pair or Individually)
Located in Chicago, IL
- Sold individually or as a pair -
17th Century Ming Dynasty carved stone barrel, with Foo Dog handles, floral reliefs and bat wing decoration. The Chinese symbol for bat and for go...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Marble
Ming Style Arm Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
James Mont Ming Style Lounge Chair
Solid wood ebonized frame with traditional Ming legs.
Rich burl back inset. Turquoise cushion.
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Burl
Pair of Armchairs "Official Back", c. 1840
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of "Official Back" armchairs. In Chinese "Yoku Back"
Untouched made in elm wood, burgundy lacquer and natural age-related patina with clear lacquer as surface finish.
Called "...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Antique Chinese 17th C Wanli Ming Dynasty Plate Dish Porcelain Chenghua Marked
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
A rare Ming blue and white Porcelain dish. Great quality decoration Three Friends of Winter. Chenghua marked.
Box included.
Condit...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Fine Square Red Lacquer Low Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
An simple and elegant square red lacquer square low table. Beautiful form, lines 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
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
BROYHILL PREMIER Chinoiserie Ming Style Credenza / Dresser
By Broyhill
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Ming style dresser or credenza by Broyhill Premier, from their "Ming" Collection. Maple, black lacquer, burlwood banded top & door fronts, br...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Chinese Ming Dynasty Bronze Nanhai Guanyin, 16th/17th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A decidingly charming Chinese polychromed and gilt cast bronze figure of Nanhai Guanyin, Guanyin of the South Sea, Ming Dynasty, 16th/17th century, China.
Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, is portrayed here as a beatific figure seated upon a raised lotus pedestal over waves. Guanyin is dressed in heavy robes, and wears an elaborate headdress. The small figure of Amitabha Buddha in the headdress positively identifies this figure as Guanyin.
Guanyin rests one hand in his lap, holding a cup of pure water said to be able to alleviate all suffering. His other hand is raised, holding a willow branch which is used to sprinkle the healing waters.
The two lotus blossoms to either side of Guanyin would originally have supported figures of the acolytes...
Category
Early 1600s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Antique Side Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Elm wood Side Cabinet. Ming style clean lines side cabinet night stand. Elmwood Side cabinet with shelf inside. Traditional timeless design with a modern sensibility. This is a great cabinet for small places, nightstand, end table for sofa...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Schumacher Ming Vase Traditional Motif Multi-Color Two-Sided Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
Traditional motifs come out to play in this cheerful Ming vase design that evokes a definitive mood with its color way. A Schumacher Classics pattern featured as a decorative accent,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Ming Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Linen
Antique Chinese Blackened Huanghuali Chair
Located in Cape Town, WC
This huanghuali chair from the Ming dynasty is a revised iteration from the previous Song dyntasty; in which archaistic expressions were drawn upon a...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Ming Style Chinese Natural Wood Horseshoe Armchair with Carved Splat and Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming dynasty style natural wood horseshoe back armchair from the mid 20th century, with carved splat and apron. Born in China during the mid-century period, this armchair c...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Ming Dynasty Horsemen Roof Tiles
Located in London, GB
A pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) sancai-glazed ridge tiles modelled as horse and rider. Both tiles are glazed in rich green and amber, the horses ...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Antique Chinese Imperial Emperor Ancestral Painting on Silk
Located in Miami, FL
Antique 19th century painting on silk depicting a Ming Dynasty Chinese emperor.
Beautifully executed with great details. Hand-painted o...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Silk, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Large Chinese Rosewood Center Table
Located in Dallas, TX
An exceptional carved rosewood center table in the Ming style in large old timber from the mid 20th century. This piece is very high quality and style.
It would easily work with Eu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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
Lacquer
Bixia Yuanjun Figure of Bronze Dated Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644
Located in London, GB
Bixia Yuanjun figure of bronze dated Ming Dynasty 1368-1644.
Base of hardwood.
Height excluding base 26cm;
Heigh including base 31cm.
Condition:
Corrosion on reverse/back;
...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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 Vases in Southern China / Small Vases / 16th to 17th Centuries
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is believed that pottery baked in southern China in the early Ming dynasty was imported into Japan.
It is a small size.
The upper part is slightly ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
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 Small Vase Cargo Shipwreck Wanli/Transitional Period, Circa 1625-40
By The Hatcher Collection
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand painted 17th century, late Ming dynasty, porcelain Jar or small Vase which we attribute to the Hatcher shipwreck cargo, this piece being from the Wanli /transitional period, circa 1625- 1640.
The Jar/ Vase is fairly thickly potted with a very white glaze to the porcelain.
It is decorated with a man and a boy stood against a tree with rocks, mountains and flying bats in the background all hand painted in various shades of a clear under-glaze cobalt blue. The irregular shaped head, bald high forehead, and straight pencilled beard with moustache support this date and period.
Notes: The Hatcher Cargo...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
1970s Ming Style Rosewood Horseshoe Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consideration is Pair of rosewood horseshoe chairs.
Chairs are in good condition.
They measure 23"W x 19"D x 39"H. Seat is 20" high.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage Asian Amber Glass Vase or Urn
Located in Plainview, NY
A highly decorative vintage Asian amber glass vase or lid urn. The urn features a handcrafted flower brass design in the center of the vase, a round wooden base in black and gilt decorated. The lid of the urn is in the shape of a sword holder...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Art Glass, Wood
Chinese Antique Carved and Painted Altar Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A notable late 19th century carved wood altar table in old red and black paint now worn to a nice patina with a particularly decorative form. The plank top with tenons and carved edg...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Chinese Red Lacquered End Table
Located in London, GB
Chinese red lacquered end table, dating to the 19th century designed in the Ming style.
Dimensions: H48 x W39.5 x D30 cm.
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Lacquer, Wood
17th Century Ming Dynasty Carved Stone Barrel #01
Located in Chicago, IL
17th Century Ming Dynasty carved marble garden seat with Foo Dog handles, floral reliefs and bat wing decoration.
The Chinese symbol for bat and fo...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Marble
Mid 20th Century Oak Chinese Ming Armchair with Rush Seat
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Chinese Ming style armchair, unbranded. Solid oak with a chestnut color finish, slender curved arms that form the crest rail, "V" shaped backres...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Rush, Oak
Antique Chinese 16/17C Chinese Porcelain Kraak Wanli Plate
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
A very nicely decorated plate with a beautiful scene of the Three Friends of Winter.
With a nice empty rim.
Wanli, Tianqi or Chong...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Coastal Cerused Knotty Pine Ming Coffee Table
Located in west palm beach, FL
Stunning vintage Ming coffee table. A beautiful high profile on a cerused knotty pine finish. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Category
Late 20th Century North American Ming Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of Large Scale Glazed Pottery Jar Form Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine pair of very large glazed pottery Jar Form Table Lamps mounted on turned wood bases. Large, ceramic, egg shaped table lamps have a white gr...
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Ceramic Ox Bow Tomb Votive Chair
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese green glazed ceramic votive chair.
Ming Dynasty 1368 A.D.–1644 A.D. Originally purchsed from Gracie Gallery, New York City; original label on base.
Provenance: A P...
Category
Early 1600s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of George Zee Two Tier Rosewood End Tables, circa 1960s
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consideration is this fabulous pair of vintage Rosewood carved end tables, by George Zee.
Stacked Ming style Chinese side table / end tables - hand crafted with kiln dried...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Chinese Carved and Painted Wood Sculpture of Guanyin
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful carving of Guanyin, shown standing on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a lobed wooden base. It was once used as a lamp, and can be rewired. Nice faded painted surface.
Guany...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Wanli Blue & White Porcelain Precious Objects Shallow Dish
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A good quality antique Chinese Ming period blue and white porcelain dish or bowl decorated with precious objects dating from the Wanli reign 1573 to 1619. This finely made bowl stand...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Ming period Dynasty Buddhist Incense Burner with a Rock Crystal Finial
Located in Hudson, NY
The Ming period or Great Ming Period is the last Han ruled dynasty in Chinese history. Considers a high mark culturally and influenced by great events at ho...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Rock Crystal
James Mont Lacquered Horse Shoe Chairs w/ New Silk Upholstery by Century, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Opulent pair of large James Mont Ming style horseshoe lounge chairs made by Century Furniture. Designed by James Mont ,these chairs epitomize his over ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ming Style Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Ming style ceramic table lamp in white. Decorated with hand painted iris and lily flowers with foliage in a golden brown color palette. Stands on a brown wooden base with four Ming...
Category
Late 20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Museum Quality Antique Chinese Pillar Rug with Lotus Flowers
Located in Milan, IT
A very unusual long and narrow pillar rug, decorated by large lotus flowers with tracery in a manner reminiscent of Ming period weavings. It is very finely ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
THOMASVILLE Burl Oak Asian Ming Influenced Parquetry End Side Tables - Pair
By Thomasville
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of Asian Ming influenced side tables by Thomasville. Oak with burl oak parquetry design to top, Ming style apron and legs. Made in North Carolina, USA, circa 1988.
Style #: ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Chinese Porcelain Lotus Ming 1600-1640 Tianqi Chongzhen Anhua Engraving
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
A Blue & White Kosometsuke plate with a lovely scene of a lotus and hidden engraved anhua decoration of flowers in the white aera. Just Superb!
Condition
3 Chips, 1 ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Chinese Antique Gourd-Shaped Blue and White Porcelain Vase, Ming Period
Located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo
The bottom sign tells this vase was made in the era of Xuande emperor.
The characteristic Arabic pattern is Influenced by the Silk Road trade in Ming p...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Vintage Thai Ming Style Low Drinks Table with Horsefoot Feet and Natural Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Ming Dynasty style Thai teak wood low drinks table from the mid-20th century with natural patina, carved apron and horse hoof extremities. Cr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Ming Furniture
Materials
Teak
Set of Five Stoneware Tomb Figurines of Musician Ming Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A group of five figurines made of terracotta and glazed in green and splash of yellow. These figurines of musicians were made as burial objects to be placed in the tomb, often as a l...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Oriental Chinese Side Chair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Asian Chinese Ming style side chair in solid wood.
Handcrafted in Hong Kong.
Great to use as en entry chair, side chair or office chair.
Very g...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fine Antique Blue Peking Imperial Dragon Carpet, Circa 1880
Located in Milan, IT
A central, five-clawed dragon (the symbol of both the forces of nature and the Chinese emperor), is surrounded by four other dragons, all floating on an indigo blue background. At bo...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Ming Dynasty Style 19th Century Red Rose Console Cabinet with Everted Flanges
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ming Dynasty style red rose butterfly console cabinet from the 19th century, with everted flanges, double doors and carved panels. Step into the world of ancient elegance with this...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
19th Ming Chinese Bronze Duck
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bronze standing duck.
Standing neck raised and mouth open with detailed feathers.
14.5 high.
Category
Late 18th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Asian Cherry Wood Five Drawer Desk with Brass Hardware
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Asian style cherry five drawer desk with Asian style brass hardware.
Category
20th Century Ming Furniture
Materials
Cherry
19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Bi Disks, Set of 3
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional antique trio of hand carved Ming Dynasty Chinese bi disks, dated to the late 19th century, featuring three distinctive circular stones wit...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
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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