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.
Ming Treasures Fishbowl Pedestal Base Dining Table Drexel Heritage Round Glass
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Magnificent vintage Chinoiserie “Ming Treasures” line fishbowl pedestal base dining table by Drexel Heritage Made in Taiwan, hand painted in Hong Kong composed of hand painted & ...
Brass, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Rosewood Round Ming Dining Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A round Ming style dining table with a carved octagonal pedestal base, made of rosewood. The table skirt is decorated with squared scrolls, and...
Glass, Rosewood
Round Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular dining table with a painted cast concrete sculptural base with a round beveled glass top. Light and airy, this table would look fabulous with either traditional or cont...
Concrete
Rosewood & Steel Dining Table, 1970s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Rosewood & Steel Dining Table, 1970s Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes is included. If the wooden packaging is needed (crates or boxes) for US and International Shippin...
Steel
$5,995
H 29 in W 141.5 in D 45.5 in
Drexel Heritage Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Oak and Burl Wood Dining Table
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency extension dining table By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1960s Oak, with inlaid burl wood parquet top. Measures: 75.5"W x 45.5"D x 29"...
Burl, Oak
Round Dining Table
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Very nice dining table in Scandinavian style. The edges of the table are processed into different surfaces (shapes of gemstone) and represent the central piece. The legs of the tab...
Hardwood
Drexel Dateline Mid Century Walnut Dining Table
By Drexel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Drexel Dateline mid century walnut dining table The table measures: 24 wide x 24 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 23.5 inches All piec...
Walnut
$3,295
H 30.5 in W 77 in D 41.5 in
Chinese Chinoiserie Dining Table Rosewood & Mother of Pearl Round to Oval
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Chinese Chinoiserie dining table comprised of Rosewood & Mother of Pearl (m-o-p) round top with 2 leaves, converting it to a small oval with one leaf and large oval with 2 leaves. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. This Asian style table is in excellent vintage condition with the exception of a small missing piece of m-o-p on the top which we have repaired by filling with wood filler and painting with a pearlized paint. You can still see the spot when looking for it but doesn’t show overall. There was also a nick on the inside edge of one of the leaves that has been filled. The whole top and leaves have been scuffed and given a coat of poly for durability. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-Late 20th Century. Mother of Pearl comes predominantly from the shell of the pearl oyster, freshwater pearl mussel, and abalone… making this table a true GEM!! This is a GORGEOUS Chinese rosewood dining table...
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
$5,995
H 28.5 in W 110 in D 45 in
Drexel Heritage Georgian Banded Mahogany Double Pedestal Extension Dining Table
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian or Regency style double pedestal extension dining table By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous banded mahogany top, with carved mahogany pedestals, a...
Brass
$4,995
H 29.25 in W 116 in D 42 in
Drexel Heritage Mid-Century Modern Burled Walnut Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency extension dining table By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1960s Beautiful burled...
Walnut, Burl
$5,995
H 29.75 in W 97.5 in D 41.75 in
Drexel Georgian Mahogany Double Pedestal Extension Dining Table, Refinished
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian or Regency style double pedestal extension dining table By Drexel USA, Circa 1950s Gorgeous mahogany, with carved mahogany pedestals, and brass-capped feet...
Brass
$5,995
H 29.5 in W 98 in D 42 in
Drexel Georgian Double Pedestal Extension Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian or Regency style double pedestal extension dining table By Drexel USA, 1949 Gorgeous mahogany, with carved solid mahogany pedestals, and brass-capped feet....
Brass
$4,495
H 29.13 in W 141.25 in D 46.25 in
Drexel Heritage Mid-Century Modern Oak and Burl Wood Dining Table, Refinished
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency extension dining table By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1970s Carved oak, with bur...
Oak, Burl
Burl Walnut Three Extension Boards Single Pedestal Round Dining Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Burl Walnut three extension boards single pedestal round dining table three (3) table leaves measure 21 inches across.
Mahogany
Calligraphy Table, Ming Style
Located in Kastrup, DK
Calligraphy table (worktable) Ming style approx. 1800. Wings under the tabletop, rounded bars between round legs. Bottom with some burgundy lacquer,...
Elm
Monumental Dining Table from Reclaimed Elm
Located in Chicago, IL
This impressively-scaled table is made from Elmwood salvaged from old doors and structural beams found in a traditional Chinese house. The shape of the table is inspired by Chinese "scholar's furniture" of the ming and Qing Dynasties -it is simple and without decoration. The surface is remarkable -the wood retains its original deeply grooved and aged surface and remnants of old black tree sap lacquer. It feels old because it IS old. However, it has been enhanced with an inky stain and then finished in genuine French polish. This gives it a uniform color and surface sheen, despite the old texture underneath. Where old black lacquer remained it was retained. Where it was absent, new color was added. The underside of the table is unfinished and shows the wood as it originally looked. Traditional Chinese joinery is clearly in evidence and no nails or screws were used. it is a remarkable hybrid of old wood, construction, and surface skin integrated into an entirely new form. The dining table seats 10...
Elm
Ming Rosewood Dining Table & 10 Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Ming style dining table and ten chairs made of solid rosewood. The oval shaped table has beveled panels and is decorated with squared scrolls...
Rosewood
Sold
H 30 in W 48 in D 48 in
Antique Chinese Ming Rosewood Chinoiserie Extendable Dining Table with Storage
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Ming Rosewood dining table. Made of solid rosewood with a hexagonal shaped base that extends and opens to reveal interior sto...
Rosewood
Sold
H 30 in W 120 in D 44 in
Drexel Heritage Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Extension Dining Table, 1970s
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exquisite Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie extension dining table by Drexel Heritage "Ming Treasures" Collection USA, circa 1970s Mah...
Mahogany, Paint
Sold
H 62 in W 40 in D 29 in
1980s White Furniture Mahogany & Burl Mandarin Ming Dining Table Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
1980s White Furniture Company Mandarin dining table, 330-12. Rectangular form with mahogany and burlwood top. Includes 2 leafs for extensions. ...
Mahogany, Burl
Sold
H 29 in W 70 in D 35 in
Mid-Century Modern Lacquered Skin Extension Game Table Karl Springer Attributed
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Mid-Century Modern lacquered goatskin wrapped game table that converts to a dining table and is attributed to designer Karl Springer. The ...
Brass
McGuire Round Cerused Oak Dining or Centre Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous genuine McGuire round oak dining or centre table. Features a cerused oak finish in a rich, dark stain. The table has a subtle Asian Ming style design with graceful curves. T...
Glass, Oak, Lacquer
Sold
H 29 in W 50 in D 50 in
Drexel Ming Style Faux Bamboo Oval Dining Table Two Toned Finish & Two Leaves
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome two-toned Ming style oval dining table with two aproned leaves and faux bamboo legs and edge by Drexel in the style of Chin Hua. It is in wonderful vintage condition with no...
Faux Bamboo, Wood
McGuire Asian Style Ebonized Hardwood Extending Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary round ebonized hardwood dining table with three 18 inch extending leaves. Produced by McGuire with an Asian influence design. Constructed from hardwood, probably oak wi...
Hardwood, Lacquer
Sold
H 28 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
Drexel Heritage Ming Treasures Porcelain Chinese Urn Pedestal Dining Table Base
By Drexel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drexel heritage Ming treasures porcelain Chinese urn pedestal dining table base. No top. Item features painted porcelain pedestal base with Asian ...
Brass
Fine Black Lacquer Console Table with Drawers
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with drawers, very elegant, simple and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture...
Lacquer