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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
Ming Style 2 Door Wood Cabinet with Carved Drawer
Located in Pasadena, TX
This wooden 2-drawer 2-door cabinet is a striking example of antique Chinese craftsmanship, featuring solid wood construction and intricate hand-carved floral panels on the top drawe...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid 20th Century Ebonized Rosewood Ming Style Horseshoe Back Lounge Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid 20th Century Ebonized Rosewood Ming Style horseshoe back lounge chair. Measures 29.5" in width, 25" in depth and 29" in height. Seat height is 14" and ATM height is 23.5". Seat ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture

Materials

Rosewood, Paint

Exceptional Pair of Chinese Armchairs in Ming Style
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

A large wood Buddha/Guanyin with traces of pigments Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
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

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

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

Reference Chinese Porcelain Book - Kraak Porcelain: A Moment in the History o
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Maura Rinaldi Kraak Porcelain: A Moment in the History of Trade 98 colour and black and white plates, maps and drawings, bibliography and index. Foreword by Dr. Christian J.A. Jorg,...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Pair of Chinese Glazed Earthenware Covered Martaban Storage Jars
Located in Forney, TX
A large and most impressive pair of antique / vintage Chinese glazed earthenware covered Martaban storage jars, having sand and ochre brown glaze palette, incised with auspicious myt...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

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

Pair Ming Style Wooden Stools in Velvet with Fringe Detail
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair Ming Style Wooden stools with knife edge upholstered velvet seats and Fringe details. The pair, asian inspired wooden bases, are perfectly suited for many spaces. a nice addit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Ming Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Upholstery

Antique Wanli Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Plate 2 Deers Classic Design
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely potted and painted kraak plate of a desirable quality. Stunning piece with beautiful and classical scene. Absolute top Quality kraak ware Condition some fleebites to ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Japanese Meiji Bronze Koro on Stand
Located in Astoria, NY
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Koro on Stand, late 19th century, in three sections, decorated with various birds and foliage, dragons, and masks, on scrolled feet. 66" H x 13" W x 13" D.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Large Nanban 19C Edo Period Japanese Plate Charger Japan ca 1800-1830
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice shaped polychrome dish. Unusual shape and painting. With overglaze blue. Absolute top quality. Marked with Ju character (felicitation or longevity) at base. late Edo per...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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 Food Presentation Covered Box
Located in Forney, TX
A remarkable antique food box from the Shanxi province, North China, late Ming (1368-1644) to early Qing (1644-1912) Dynasty. An extraordinary e...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

Chinese Ming Dynasty Terracotta Court Official Statuette, Original Polychromy
Located in Yonkers, NY
A petite Chinese Ming dynasty green glazed terracotta court official figurine from the 15th or 16th century, with original polychromy. Attracting our eye with its vibrant polychromy,...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Large Bronze Vase Ming Dynasty Style Archaic Geometric Decoration 15th Century
Located in Taranto, IT
Large Vase In embossed Bronze with geometric decoration of Archaic inspiration , China, Ming Dynasty style 19th Century. In very good conservative condition, patina due to age . He...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique 1680-1700 Chinese Porcelain Plate Kangxi Blue White Chenghua Mark
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this fantastic Chinese Porcelain Plate Kangxi period. Fantastic decoration in blue and white and marked with Chenghua at the base. Please enjoy Condition Some rimf...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Asian Hard Stone Disc
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Chinese hard stone disc on black metal stand, beautiful form, color and texture. Measures: 7" wide, 8.2" total height included stand. Stone disc itself...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Stone

17c Antique Chinese Porcelain Master of the Rocks Dish Early Kangxi Period
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this nice Chinese porcelain dish from the Kangxi period. It has a dark cobalt blue river landscape scene in master of the rocks style. The base with bamboo and a 4 ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Ming Style Bamboo Horseshoe Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic pair of 20th century Chinese export bamboo chairs featuring a gracefully curved horseshoe back ending with out swept hooks. Constructed in the Ming dynasty style with a deco...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Large Martaban Storage Jar
Located in Savannah, GA
A large brown glazed Martaban storage jar, c. 17th-18th century. Tapering ovoid form with molded sides depicting dragons, cranes and floral ornamentation. Six dragon head looped ...
Category

18th Century Burmese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Shonzui Porcelain Cup, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful bowl in blue and white. Shonzui marked and style, but 19th c japanese. With matching storage box Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: C...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Box, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Box, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam, circa 1500. A globular form with concave depression on center of the flat lid, decorated with flower blossom on center sur...
Category

16th Century Vietnamese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

1960s Chinese Decorative Mahogany Hand Carved Wood Table Lamp
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Hand Carved Mahogany Wood Chinese Table Lamp No shade. Double socket with matching wood finial 30.25 h x 9 w x 5.5 d Unmarked Original vintage unrestored condition. Refer to im...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Antique Imperial Chinese Red Silk Rug with Phoenixes
Located in Milan, IT
A very rare silk Ningxia carpet with an unusual lacquer red background decorated at the centre by a large phoenix and surrounded by four smaller phoenixes in the corners. The phoenix...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Silk

Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Box, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Annamese Blue and White Ceramic Box, Chu Dau kiln, Vietnam, circa 1500. A covered flat top circular box with lid decoration in under glaze cobalt blue of a peony blossom with leafy b...
Category

16th Century Vietnamese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Ming Revival Immortal Qing or Republic Chinese Statue, 1900 Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
China, finely carved statue of an immortal, in the style of Ming period pieces. Ca 1900. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Condition: Han...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood Side Table Cabinets with Glass Top
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Mid 20th Century Ming Style Rosewood Side Table Cabinets with protective Glass Tops. Pristine vintage condition with very light signs of use. Feature a single t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Monumental Imari-Style Orange, White and Blue Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese monumental orange, white and blue porcelain floor vase celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, decorated with medallion...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

HUGE 47.5cm Antique Ming Chinese Porcelain Kraak Plate Whagon Wheel Ducks
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese blue and white kraak porcelain Dish Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Or Transitional 1650 With raised slightly scattered rim. Unglazed base. A very nicely potted and painted kraa...
Category

17th Century Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese 16/17C Chinese Porcelain Dish Swatow landscape Pagode Enamel
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large Ming Dynasty Zhangzhou (Swatow) Ware Charger – c.1600 – Red, Green & Turquoise Enamels An exceptional and richly decorated large Zhangzhou (Swatow) ware charger, dating to the...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Incense Burner Butterflies Tianqi Unusual, 17th C.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this lovely and unusual Chinese porcelain incense burner from the late Ming period, Tianqi period most probably. Jingdezhen made for ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Ming Dynasty Polychrome Lacquer and Gilt Iron Figure of Ananda
Located in Austin, TX
Ananda is portrayed in a typical fashion, as a youthful monk with a shaved head and dressed in simple robes. He stands upon a double lotus pedestal with hands clasped in front of him...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Iron

Chinese Ming Dynasty Lacquered and Gilt Bronze Bodhisattva, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
Chinese late Ming dynasty bronze figure of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, also known as Guanyin (Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Kuan Yin), 17th century, China  The figure well cast in two ...
Category

Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Blue & White Swatow Ware Bowl, 17th C.
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Blue and White Swatow Ware Bowl, Ming Dynasty, 17th century, with hand-painted floral central medallion and geometric border. 2.75" H x 12.25" Diameter. Provenance: From an U...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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 American Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Tapestry, Chenille, Cane, Walnut

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

Two Bowls with knot shaped design on inside, Ming Era(15th century)
Located in seoul, KR
Two Bowls from the Ming dynasty cargo. A piece identical pattern is included on page 119 of the title 'The Age of Discovery: Asian Ceramics Found Along the Maritime Silk Road'. Peri...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Indonesian Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Stunning Ming Period Male Deity Sculpture – 14th–17th Century China
Located in Fukuoka, JP
A rare and evocative wooden sculpture of a male deity, dating to the Ming dynasty (14th–17th century), China. The figure’s calm expression and dignified posture reflect the spiritual...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Yellow and Turquoise Genre Vignette Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese vases with turquoise interiors, and yellow and turquoise grounds decorated in purple and blue floral designs, framing central, richly depicted genre vignettes wrappin...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Two Blue & White Porcelain Glazed Yuan-Style Weights
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Two Chinese Blue & White under glazed porcelain weights in the Yuan (1279-1368) style but probably later. The weights are of tapered square-section shape with a rounded pierced top w...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Huge Zaccagnini Pottery Mid Century Italian Ming Lamp Vintage 1950's Turquoise
Located in Wilton, CT
Huge Zaccagnini pottery square lamp with bands of Ming themed decor, flanges at the corners, and fabulous turquoise glaze, circa 1950's. Approx. 39" high overall, 24" to top of pottery, 11" square. 3 way switch. Glass bulb cover/shade holder. Heavy lamp...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

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

Leaf Shaped Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Porcelain 17c Ming Dynasty serving dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this beautiful leaf shaped serving dish on four feet in blue and white. Visible is a typically painted scene for this period. Mountain landscape with a house in the ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

1970s Ming Style Carved Walnut Draw Leaf Alter / Console Tables by Drexel, Pair
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

A Chinese blue and white porcelain Dish of beautiful shape and design. With a st
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese blue and white porcelain Dish of beautiful shape and design. With a stunning waterfall scene. Early 17th century, marked at base. Condition kintsugi restored spot at rima...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Pair of Horse Shoe Back Armchairs, China, circa 1900
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of very interesting horse shoe back armchairs, China, circa 1900. Chinese elm with carved decorations on the back and front. Beautiful patina.
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm

Pair of Armchairs "Official Back", circa 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

Chinese Carved Wood Teaching Buddha in Ming Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
A statue of standing Buddha (Shakyamuni), finely carved out a single block of wood (might be cypress based on the wood grains). Attired in a flowing robe with open chest, the Buddha ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

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

Jumu Wood Asian Kang Low Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Jumu wood antiques Asian Kang low table, can be use large coffee table or side table or bench seating with relief carving on the aprons. The table is very sturdy and can be use for ...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Small Cizhou Glazed Figure of a Daoist Deity, Song to Ming Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
A small and charming Chinese cizhou ware glazed pottery figure of a Taoist deity or official, Song to Ming Dynasty, 13th - 15th century, China, ex. Christi...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Extremely Rare Late Ming Dynasty Elm and Burl Altar Table
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant and graceful cabriole legged, high waisted altar table with scrolling apron, set upon a waisted platform. The top featuring a floating center panel of finely figured nanmu...
Category

Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Burl, Elm, Lacquer

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

Mid Century Ming Style Coffee Table with Black Lacquer & Burlwood Top
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century Ming style coffee table features hardwood construction, original black lacquer finish, beautiful burlwood top, Ming style detailing on legs and base, and protective ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Burl, Lacquer

Antique Chinese Porcelain 17C Porcelain Ming Wanli Kraak Lotus Flowers Pond
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Rare and nicely decorated dish on footring, spreading sides circular rim. Ca 1590-1620. With a central scene of a Lotus pond, the sides with anhua/moulded decoration of...
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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