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.
Game table made of Noble Wood - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
19th-century Portuguese Noble Wood gaming table; made of Noble Wood; with a lyre-shaped column; resting on four curved legs with gilded metal castors. Interior lined with green felt....
Wood
Gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Game table - 19th century. Portuguese, 19th century; made of myrtle wood. Set on a turned column ending in four claw feet. Dimensions: 71x48x48 cm
Wood
Gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Gaming table - 19th century. Portuguese, 19th century; made of mahogany wood. Interior lined with felt cloth. Dimensions: 74x85x43 cm.
Wood
Game table made of Noble Wood
Located in Porto, PT
Portuguese Noble Wood gaming table; early 20th century, made of Noble Wood and other woods. Dimensions: 76x68x68 cm.
Wood
Noble Wood gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
19th-century Portuguese Noble Wood gaming table; made of Noble Wood with carvings. Interior lined with green felt. Small. Dimensions: 71x82x42 cm.
Wood
Noble Wood gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
19th-century Portuguese Noble Wood gaming table; made of Noble Wood inlay; resting on four smooth legs. Interior of the tabletop lined with green felt. Dimensions: 77x83x41 cm.
Wood
$1,717
Gaming table
Located in Porto, PT
Gaming table. Portuguese, 20th century; made of mahogany wood with satinwood inlays. Interior lined with green felt. Dimensions: 77x78.5x78.5 cm.
Wood
$2,748 / set
Pair of gaming tables - removed from auction.
Located in Porto, PT
Pair of gaming tables - withdrawn from auction. English; 20th century, made of mahogany wood. Dimensions: 52x45x45 cm.
Wood
Noble Wood gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
19th-century Portuguese Noble Wood gaming table. Made of oil-wood. Central column leg ending in 4 scrolled feet. Dimensions: 76x86x41 cm
Wood
Noble Wood gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
19th-century Portuguese Noble Wood gaming table; made of Noble Wood with satinwood inlays; central column; resting on four curved, zoomorphic legs; metal fittings with casters. Inter...
Wood
Anglo-Indian gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Anglo-Indian game table - 19th century. Anglo-Indian table from the 19th century in sissoo wood; openwork and carved. Interior lined with green felt; column and legs profusely decora...
Wood
Gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Game table - 19th century. English; 19th century; made of mahogany wood with four columns; ending in four claw feet. Metal fittings. Hinged top covered with green felt. Dimensions: 7...
Wood
$515
Gaming table
Located in Porto, PT
Gaming table. Portuguese; 20th century, made of mahogany and mahogany root wood; carved top. Interior lined with green felt. With four curved legs. Small traces of woodworm. Dimensio...
Wood
Gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Game table - 19th century. Portuguese, 19th century; made of mahogany and mahogany root wood. Central column leg ending in 4 scrolled feet. Interior of the tabletop lined with green ...
Wood
Gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Game table - 19th century. Portuguese, 19th century; made of mahogany wood with one drawer. Metal handles and hardware. Interior lined with green felt. Dimensions: 47x85x40 cm.
Wood
Game table made of Noble Wood - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
19th-century Portuguese Noble Wood gaming table; made of Noble Wood; resting on a central column; with gilded carvings; supported by four legs. Interior lined with green felt. Dimens...
Wood
Envelope-style gaming table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Game table envelope style - 19th century. Portuguese, 19th century; made of mahogany wood; with one drawer. Dimensions: 72x55x55 cm
Wood
1940's Oyster Burl-wood Game Table With Scalloped Detail
Located in New York, NY
Stunning 1940's oyster burl-wood and mahogany Italian game table with scalloped detail, with single drawer lightly restored with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Brass
19th Century French Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French game table is a masterful blend of form and function, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of the period. Made from fine walnut, the table f...
Walnut
$4,581 / set
H 31.11 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Italian Artisan Reproduction of the 1960s Game Table with 4 Chairs Wood Brass
Located in Prato, IT
Veneered in ebonized wood with gilded brass inserts. Gilded bronze applications. Fair condition: some scratches and small lacks Dimensions: cm W 80 x D 80 x H 79.
Ormolu, Brass
$15,966Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 30.32 in Dm 55.12 in
21st Century Wellesley Game Table Set Leather Wood by Wood Tailors Club
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
A prestigious member of one of the most exclusive Gentlemen's clubs in London, the 1st Duke of Willingdon was the tribute behind this timeless design. Envisioned for the discerning ...
Leather, Wood
$1,025
H 30.32 in W 33.08 in D 33.08 in
Vintage 1950s Game Table, Foldable Wood and Fabric, Netherlands
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage game table gaming table table 1950s Side table from the 1950s that can be rotated and unfolded into a gaming table. Features a handy storage space under the table. perio...
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century Walnut Half-Moon Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined early 19th century walnut half-moon game table, this elegant piece combines sophisticated design with exceptional versatility. In its closed position, the table presents as...
Walnut
19th Century French Tric Trac Game Table, Cherry wood
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early XIX century Tric Trac French Game Table, 1810-1820 France, Cherry wood Early XIX century Tric Trac game Table made of solid cherry wood wit...
Cherry
Jacques Adnet Green Leather and Wood Game Table, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning leather table by French designer Jacques Adnet. Green leather wrapped bamboo style legs with leather wrapped top and corners. Original wood tabletop. Brass detailing through...
Brass
19th/20th c Chinese Hardwood Game Table
Located in Milford, NH
A solid Chinese hardwood game table with slide out player drawers on all four sides, each with a sliding top for storing game pieces, cards, etc, and crossing supports under the tabl...
Hardwood
Vintage Wood and Rattan Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage wood and rattan game table captures the effortless sophistication of Mid-Century Modern design through its clean lines, warm natural materials, and refined craftsmanship...
Wood, Rattan
Bespoke Vintage Zebra Wood Multi Game Flip Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This hand crafted bespoke double sided, flip game table is incredible. The gorgeous zebra wood construction and leather tops really set this piece off. A truly unique piece. The t...
Zebra Wood
Venezia Game Table
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning table is the ideal surface to play backgammon, chess, and checkers in style. The wood structure is upholstered in leather and features removable legs, so that both sides of the beveled top can be used: a backgammon field with leather inlays on one side and an inlaid chessboard on the other. Under the top three leather-covered trays with compartments store the boxwood chess pawns, the maple and walnut backgammon...
Leather, Wood, Boxwood, Maple, Walnut
Vintage Coastal Pencil Reed Fretwork Game Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Coastal game table. Beautiful Ming design with rattan fretwork detail. Inset glass top. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Rattan, Reed, Glass
Vintage Coastal Lacquered Grasscloth Game Table After Karl Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Incredible vintage Coastal game table. Beautiful lacquered Grasscloth finish in a modified Ming shape. Done in the manner of Karl Springer. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Lacquer
Ming Square Table, circa 1890
Located in Somis, CA
An extraordinary 19th century oversize Ming square table. The table top is constructed of four frame members and rests on the waist and apron that connect to four rounded legs. Such ...
Wood
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
Sold
H 30 in W 35.25 in D 18.25 in
Superior 20th Century Anglo-Chinese Style Brass Inlaid Hardwood Game Table
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Fashioned in the classical Ming style with corner legs, small frieze and humpback stretchers these game table is a more modern elegant translation of the old Chinese tradition. Great...
Brass