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.
$1,520Sale Price / set|35% Off
Pair of Walnut Top and Black Lacquer Chin Hua End Tables
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
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
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
$1,700 / 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
$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
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
Pair of Walnut and Tile Mosaic Side or End Tables
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice vintage Mid-Century Modern mosaic tops walnut end tables.
Stone
Pair of Stainless Steel Pedestals by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of heavy chrome-plated, stainless steel pedestals by Mastercraft, circa 1960s. Dining table height could be used a dining table supports, console or individual tables. Each is...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Art Deco White Lacquer End Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of end tables in white satin lacquer finish, USA, circa 1940.
Mahogany
$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 Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
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 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
$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 Regency Style Mahogany End Tables
Located in Essex, MA
Each with an inset brown leather over a single drawer. One with two handles the other with one. Klismos form legs with turned stretchers.
Leather, Mahogany
Chinoiserie Style Gilt and Black Lacquered End Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinoiserie Style Gilt and Black Lacquered End Table, with floral motif decoration and two tiers above casters. 27" H x 16" W x 14" D. Proven...
Wood, Lacquer
Art Deco Style Burl Wood End Table Mid Century Modern
Located in Atlanta, GA
Architectural Form Burlwood End Table, probably French, after a 1930s Art Deco design, we believe this table to be circa 1960s. It is a versatile size and can be used as an end or si...
Wood, Burl
Mid-Century Modern Glass Top Walnut End Table
Located in Trenton, NJ
Simple yet stylish mid-century modern side table features a striking sculptural wood base with a rounded edge glass top. Perfect end table as a seating side table or lamp table, addi...
Glass, Wood, Walnut
$5,600 / set
H 17 in W 24 in D 16 in
Pair of Chic 'Caisson' Solid Brass and Black Lacquer End Tables by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic 'Caisson' brass and black lacquer end tables by Design Frères. Solid (not plated) brass frames pared with durable lacquer tops (coasters still recommended). Great as end...
Brass
Pair of Burton Ching Ltd Red Lacquered Chinese Square Tables
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Burton Ching Ltd Red Lacquered Chinese Square Tables
Wood
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 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
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
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
2 Vintage 1980s Mahogany Asian Ming Style Oval Side End Accent Tables
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa 1980s pair of ming style side tables. Made of mahogany featuring Asian styling and oval tops.
Mahogany
Pair Parchment and Tessellated Horn End Tables
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Ming style lacquered goatskin and tessellated horn tables with drawer.
Horn, Goatskin
Exotic Wood Asian Style End Tables / Small Cabinets, a Pair
Located in Fulton, CA
A pair of exotic wood Chinese Ming style Asian cabinets each with 2 drawers and a cabinet below. Exceptional wood grain with brass hardware. Would work well as a pair of end tables o...
Wood
Sold
H 21.25 in W 25 in L 21.25 in
Chinoiserie Chow Leg Ming Style End Table Smoke Glass Top Insert Schnadig Furn
Located in Topeka, KS
Beautiful chinoiserie chow leg burl wood Ming style end table with smoke glass top insert attributed to Schnadig International Furniture. In wonderful vintage condition with only age appropriate wear and no outstanding flaws detected. Please see photos. Circa Late 20th century. NOTE: We have several other pieces from this collection listed here for sale in case you are interested Just look at the legs on this beauty! Although, these chow legs aren’t the only stunning points on this gorgeous end table. Look closer as well at its other fabulous details. The square tabletop has precise and detailed carvings which almost seem to raise the top and its beveled smoke glass inlay which is framed with gorgeous burl wood veneer with a lustrous finish. The chow legs are comprised of a beautiful wood that looks very much like Chinese Elmwood. This side table or end table is attributed to Schnadig Furniture...
Glass, Wood, Burl
Sold
H 22 in W 20 in D 20 in
Pair of Midcentury Chinese Ming Style Solid Mahogany End Tables by George Zee
By George Zee and Co, George Zee
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This fine pair of Chinese carved solid mahogany end tables and cabinets represent the great craftsmanship for which George Zee, Hong Kong, was...
Brass
Invisible Drum Stool by July Zhou
By July Zhou
Located in Chicago, IL
Each limited-edition signed Invisible drum stool by artist July Zhou is fashioned after a traditional Ming example. Unlike other Lucite furniture tha...
Lucite