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.
Pair of George Zee Two Tier Rosewood End Tables, circa 1960s
By George Zee and Co, George Zee
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...
Rosewood
$1,900 / set
Pair of Walnut Ming Style End Tables
Located in Pasadena, TX
This pair of walnut end tables were made in the Ming style. They have a carved design in every corner of the skirt. This carved design follows along he legs giving these tables an As...
Walnut
$3,200 / set
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 app...
Lacquer
$756Sale Price|36% Off
Mid Century Ming Style End Table with Burl Top
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century Ming style end table features hardwood construction, black lacquer finish, beautiful burlwood top, unique Ming style detailing o...
Burl, Lacquer
$1,520Sale Price / set|35% Off
Pair of Walnut and Black Lacquer Chin Hua End Tables with Ming Style Legs
Located in Pasadena, TX
The tables are raised on four Ming style legs with horse hoofed feet connected to one another through humpbacked stretchers. With its elegant Ming style lines these pieces will be a ...
Wood
$2,200Sale Price|21% Off
Fine Leather Trunk on Stand
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine leather trunk on detachable stand with brass fitting, beautiful color and texture, elegant form and lines.
Wood, Leather
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Jumu End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Jumu wood end tables.
Wood
$1,950Sale Price|22% Off
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.
Wood
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.
Rosewood
Ming Style Pedestal Tables, Cerused Light Wood, Antique Pair, 1960s
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of sturdy, well made cerused light wood Ming style pedestals.
Wood
1970's Mid-Century Modern Burl-Wood Waterfall End Tables
Located in New York, NY
1970's Mid-Century Modern burlwood waterfall end tables with glass shelf and brass detail, fully restored with minor wear and patina due to age and ...
Brass
$1,800Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 17 in W 22 in D 22 in
Pair of Rosewood and Black Lacquer End Tables by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of rosewood and black lacquer end tables, designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, American, circa 1960s. They are a versatile size and can be used as side or end tables in ...
Rosewood, Wood
Pair of Smoked Lucite Cube End Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of dark smoked Lucite cube tables. Wonderfully square and recently polished, can be used as a split coffee table or unexpected end tables.
Lucite
$2,295 / set
H 22 in W 20 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Lane Step End Tables with Inlaid Walnut Burl Style
Located in Topeka, KS
Amazing Mid-Century Modern pair of Lane Alta Vista step table end tables style #1927 walnut with inlaid walnut burl squares in their centers. They are in wonderful condition. The tops have been refinished with a new coat of polyurethane applied. The legs retain their original finish and are in good condition. Please see photos. Dated on bottom. One November 15,1958 and one December 14, 1957. Oh, my goodness! What an incredible pair of mid-century modern Lane step tables...
Walnut, Burl
Pair of Italian End Tables on Scrolling Legs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of side tables, with painted finish, each having a square top with canted corners, of glass, raised on four double scrolling legs, on graduated ...
Glass, Wood
$595
H 19.5 in W 22 in D 22 in
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Style Brass X-Base Slate Top Side/End Table
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a Mid-Century Modern style vintage end table with a removable slate-top and an X-shaped brass base It is in good condition with some slight age wear including surface wear...
Slate, Brass
Provincial Chinese Guanyin Table Stand, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
For thousands of years, precious Chinese artworks have been elevated for display on fine wooden table stands. Recognized today as works of art in their own right, these display stands are typically finely carved, crafted of exquisite hardwoods, or designed with the refined proportions of larger furniture pieces. Resembling a low kang table, this waisted table...
Elm
Pair of Acrylic Cube End Tables
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Acrylic or Lucite end or side tables, American, circa 1980s. They are a versatile size and can be used as end or side tables, or as night stands. They were made without a bot...
Acrylic
Pair of Danish Modern End Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
A stylish and straightforward pair of Danish Modern rosewood end tables with square tapered legs and black composition tops framed with a low beaded rim. From the famed Copenhagen department store, Illums Bolighus, marked under each top. The perfect end tables next to your sofa, or placed in front as moveable coffee tables.
Rosewood
Vintage Century Chinoiserie Style Chin Hua Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 31 1/4 in W: 73 in D: 18 in Introduce timeless sophistication to your interior with this striking Vintage Chinoiserie Style Console Table from the iconic Chin Hua C...
Brass
Pair of Midcentury Travertine and Walnut End Tables
Located in Bantam, CT
Finish -Travertine; Walnut -Good vintage condition Dimensions "26" W x 32" D x 22"...
Travertine
$6,800 / set
H 20.5 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Roger Thibier French Gilded Iron Two Tier Side or End Tables, France, Circa 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Thibier French gilded wrought iron two level side or end tables with Neo classical feet. The total height is 20.5" H and the bottom shelf is 6" f...
Iron
A Pair of Chinoiserie Dark Brown Coromandel Lacquer Square Low Tables
Located in New York, NY
Each top incised with dragon and phoenix decoration; on Ming style legs.
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables with Gilt Motif
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of elegant black lacquer square end tables with gilt motif, beautiful form and color, We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in "...
Lacquer
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.
Cypress
Sold
H 29 in W 19.5 in D 12.5 in
Vintage Asian Black Lacquer Elm Ming Style Altar Cabinet Oriental Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century black lacquer elm altar storage cabinet, bedside table or console. Traditional ming style form with 2 doors that open to a divided interior with two drawers. Gre...
Elm, Lacquer
Bamboo End Table with Black Lacquer Top
Located in Greenwich, CT
An elegant round bamboo end table with black lacquer top, beautiful form and lattice fret work. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant fin...
Lacquer
Sold
H 22.5 in Dm 25 in
Century Furniture Chin Hua Burl Wood Black Lacquer Round Chinoiserie Side Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Century Furniture Chin Hua collection table. Made of burl wood and black lacquer featuring round form with chinoiserie / ...
Hardwood, Burl, Lacquer
Pair of Fine Black Lacquer End Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of fine black lacquer end tables with one drawer with shelf, brass ring pull. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many times in " ARCHITE...
Lacquer
Fine Black Lacquer Stool / End Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
An elegant black lacquer square stool / end table with hand painted gold gilt motif on the sides, We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared many ti...
Lacquer
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...
Lacquer
Red Lacquer Trunk
Located in Greenwich, CT
Red lacquer trunk with brass fittings.
Lacquer
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...
Lacquer
Sold
H 20 in W 16.5 in L 20 in
Antique Ming Style Elm Carved Asian Plant Stand Side Table Stool Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Ming dynasty style table. Made from elm with mortise and Tenon joints and intricately caved fretwork.
Elm