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.
Mid-Century Asian Modern Ming Style Burl Wood Executive Desk By Lane
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century burl wood Asian modern desk by Lane Furniture. It has dovetail construction and is marked in the drawer. The drawers include one file drawer. The opening for a ...
Brass
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.
Cherry
Mid-Century Modern Style Walnut Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-Century Modern style walnut desk with a quarter veneered writing surface, a long drawer, brass capital, and raised on turned and tapered legs with br...
Brass
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk or Writing Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful and simply designed teak desk from Scandinavia circa 1970's. It features teak construction with finished back. Clean & ready to use condition. No drawer keys present but ...
Teak
Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Large Executive Desk by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Wood
Mid-Century Walnut and Burl Wood Executive Desk by Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A stunning mid-century modern executive desk, expertly crafted by Stow Davis in the 1960s in the United States. This piece showcases a beautiful burl wood top, elegantly wrapped in r...
Brass
$1,745 / item
H 29.53 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in
"Volpi" writing desk with drawer in natural Brazilian wood, office table
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Alfredo Volpi is a Brazilian painter who, throughout his career, experimented with geometric shapes, especially variations on flag shapes. The Volpi desk is inspired by the geometric...
Oak, Walnut
1970s Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk Styled After Knoll
By Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-Century Walnut and Chrome Executive Desk This refined mid-century executive desk is an elegant piece inspired by classic Knoll designs from the 1970s. Expertly crafted with a ri...
Chrome
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century walnut executive desk This desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance ...
Metal
Mid-Century Rosewood Floating Top Executive Desk by Fristho
By Kho Liang Ie, Fristho
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Executive desk by Fristho features a commanding floating rosewood top suspended 2.5 inches above dual cabinet bases. White lacquered supports create dramatic visual separation betwee...
Leather, Rosewood, Lacquer
$7,880
H 29.93 in W 84.65 in D 39.38 in
Mid-Century Modern Executive Free Standing Desk in the Style of Bodil Kjær, 1960
By Bodil Kjaer
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Executive Free Standing Desk in the Style of Bodil Kjær, Denmark, 1960s Striking and architectural, this exceptional mid-century executive desk was crafted in Den...
Stainless Steel
$2,995
H 42.88 in W 40.5 in D 21.5 in
Henkel Harris Georgian Solid Cherry Wood Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with slant front writing desk or secretary desk By Henkel Harris USA, 1991 Carved solid cherry wood, with original brass hardware. ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by Ramseur Furniture Co.
Located in Norwood, NJ
A sleek and sculptural mid-century walnut executive desk by Ramseur Furniture Company, crafted in the United States circa 1950s. This finely constructed piece features a gracefully c...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Hugh Acton Style Rosewood Executive Desk
By Hugh Acton
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Hugh Acton Style Rosewood Executive Desk. Featuring a straight line design, large rectangular rosewood top, floating black metal cabinets, fl...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 33.5 in W 56.5 in D 29.5 in
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Three Part 8 Drawer Elm Wood Scholar's Desk, 1970's
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Originally treated with linseed oil this Chinese Ming style scholar's desk retains the warm color and beautiful grain. The top is plank framed on all sides adding a look of quality c...
Brass
Black Lacquer Desk with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Black lacquer desk with drawers with straight legs and stretchers. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many t...
Lacquer
Black Lacquer Desk with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer desk with drawers with straight legs and stretchers. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared ...
Lacquer
Black Lacquer Desk with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer desk with drawers with straight legs and stretchers. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared ...
Lacquer
Sold
H 35 in W 36 in L 35 in
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Waisted Desk with Geometric Apron and Single Drawer
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style desk table with carved apron, single drawer and horse hoofed legs. Born in China, this Ming style table features a rectangular waisted top sitting above ...
Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 36 in D 19.5 in
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Elmwood Table with Single Drawer and Carved Apron
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming Dynasty style elmwood desk from the early 20th century, with single drawer, bronze butterfly hardware and horse hoofed feet. Born in China during the early years of th...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Natural Color Elm Wood Desk
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This late 19th century Chinese natural color elm wood desk features two center small drawers flanked by two deeper drawers. The legs are joined by a low lattice shelf in a traditiona...
Bronze
Red Lacquer Desk
Located in Greenwich, CT
Red lacquer desk with three drawers with pierce carvings motif.
Lacquer
Asian Red and Black Cabinet and Desk Suite of Two
Located in Somis, CA
Incredible value! Price is for both cabinet and desk! This beautiful cabinet is a great new example of Ming Dynasty's simple and elegant design in furniture making. Contrasting red a...
Wood
Elmwood Console Table / Desk
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elmwood console table / desk, framed top with plain apron with straight legs.
Wood