Ming Paintings

MING STYLE

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.

Style: Ming

Antique Chinese Imperial Emperor Ancestral Painting on Silk

$3,360Sale Price|20% Off

Antique Chinese Imperial Emperor Ancestral Painting on Silk

Located in Miami, FL

Imperial Majesty: 19th-Century Ming Dynasty Emperor Silk Painting This exquisite silk painting, dating back to the 19th century, depicts a majestic Ming Dynasty emperor in all his regalia. Hand-painted with meticulous detail and presented in a beautiful frame, this artwork showcases the rich tradition of Chinese silk painting. The vibrant colors and intricate brushwork capture the emperor's imperial stature and the grandeur of the Ming Dynasty. The painting's subject matter and artistic style make it a captivating addition to any collection. Dimensions: Framed measurements: 24 3/4" W x 31" H x 1 1/4" D Condition: Very good antique condition. This Antique Chinese Imperial Emperor Ancestral Painting...

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Silk, Wood, Paint

Japanese Painting. Bird and Flower. 19th century copy of Lu Ji by Ogata Tomin.

$7,500

Japanese Painting. Bird and Flower. 19th century copy of Lu Ji by Ogata Tomin.

Located in Kyoto, JP

Ogata Tomin (1839 -1895) Birds in a spring landscape Ink and colour on silk. Inscription reads: “Copy of Lu Ji, painted with heartfelt appreciation” “Painted by Tomin Ogat...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Silk

Rare antique Ming Dynasty Period Painting With Flowers

$14,620

Rare antique Ming Dynasty Period Painting With Flowers

Located in Kastrup, DK

Large Ming dynasty period painting, China 1365-1644. Oil or tempera painted on thin canvas (or silk), mounted on wood. The painting displays a vase of...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Chinese Patriarch and Matriarch Ancestral Scroll Painting

$2,640Sale Price|44% Off

H 76 in W 48 in D 1 in

Chinese Patriarch and Matriarch Ancestral Scroll Painting

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Magnificent Chinese scroll ancestor painting showing patriarch and matriarch of a high ranking status civil official. This unusual scroll depicts the dignitary couple seated below a ...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

19th Century Japanese Edo Six Panel Kano School Landscape Screen

$8,500

H 55 in W 111 in D 0.75 in

19th Century Japanese Edo Six Panel Kano School Landscape Screen

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Late Edo period 19th century Japanese six-panel landscape screen featuring a cypress tree over a flowering hibiscus with a pair of hototogisu birds. Kano school painted with ink and ...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Silk, Wood, Paper

Large Antique Anglo-Indian Painting on Woven Fabric Portraying A Female Dancer

$2,500Sale Price|57% Off

H 66 in W 102 in D 0.25 in

Large Antique Anglo-Indian Painting on Woven Fabric Portraying A Female Dancer

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This very large and well executed painting on a woven fabric is unsigned and likely done by a European artist in the late 19th century or early 20th century. The painting is done in ...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Japanese Watercolor Painting of Two Geisha, Signed, Late 20th Century

$1,500

H 10.75 in W 9.5 in D 0.13 in

Vintage Japanese Watercolor Painting of Two Geisha, Signed, Late 20th Century

Located in Chatham, ON

Vintage watercolor painting of two Geisha under an umbrella - watercolor over graphite with gold gilt border - signed upper right (unidentified artist/maker...

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Ming Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Set of Four Japanese Reverse Paintings

$1,150 / set

H 51 in W 24 in D 2.5 in

Set of Four Japanese Reverse Paintings

Located in Locust Valley, NY

Set of four Japanese reverse paintings.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Ming Paintings

Materials

Glass

Pair of Japanese Costume Portraits Painted on Silk, 1920's

$1,527

H 33.47 in W 11.82 in D 0.79 in

Pair of Japanese Costume Portraits Painted on Silk, 1920's

Located in London, GB

Two portraits of Japanese man and women in traditional costume painted on silk, circa 1920, in their original frames. Details show the exquisite tradit...

Category

1920s Japanese Vintage Ming Paintings

Materials

Wood

Antique Signed Janson Belgium Oil on Canvas Painting of Young Boy Smoking

$1,041

H 16.93 in W 14.77 in D 1.38 in

Antique Signed Janson Belgium Oil on Canvas Painting of Young Boy Smoking

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1930's Belgium oil on canvas of young boy smoking which is part of a suite Please note the delivery fee listed is jus...

Category

1930s Belgian Vintage Ming Paintings

Materials

Canvas

Italian Orientalist Oil on Canvas Painting

$1,200

H 23 in W 20 in D 2 in

Italian Orientalist Oil on Canvas Painting

Located in Cypress, CA

Italian orientalist oil on canvas painting. 20th century. The fine oil painting depicting an orientalist woman dressed in traditional garments w...

Category

20th Century Italian Ming Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

1980s Chinese Pair of Oil on Canvas Bonsai Paintings from a Private Collection

$1,509

H 10.83 in W 7.49 in D 0.12 in

1980s Chinese Pair of Oil on Canvas Bonsai Paintings from a Private Collection

Located in Marbella, ES

1980s Chinese pair of oil on canvas bonsai paintings from a private collection. Dimensions each: 27.5 x 19cm.

Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Paintings

Materials

Wood

Rare Triptych Scroll Paintings by Watanabe Seitei Meiji Period

$12,000

H 4.75 in W 26.75 in D 9 in

Rare Triptych Scroll Paintings by Watanabe Seitei Meiji Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

A set of three paintings of ink and watercolor on silk mounted within brocade borders as scrolls by Watanabe Seitei (1851-1918). This is a very rare an...

Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Brocade, Silk, Wood

Antique Still Life Fruits Oil on Canvas English Oil Painting Giltwood Frame

$1,189 / set

H 14.25 in W 16.25 in D 14.25 in

Antique Still Life Fruits Oil on Canvas English Oil Painting Giltwood Frame

Located in Dublin, Ireland

An exceptionally fine quality example of an elaborately framed English Still Life of fruits Oil Painting on canvas, in the style of Oliver Clare or Eloise Harriet Stannard, second qu...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

19th Century Japanese Six Panel Screen: Silver Moon Rising Over Summer Field

$63,250

H 47.5 in W 109 in D 0.75 in

19th Century Japanese Six Panel Screen: Silver Moon Rising Over Summer Field

Located in Hudson, NY

Japanese Six Panel Screen: Silver Moon Rising Over Summer Field. Rimpa Style painting of a moon rising over summer flowers and grasses, including cockscomb and blue bellflowers. Pa...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Gold Leaf

Previously Available Items

16th Century Tibetan Thangka Painting

Sold

H 40 in W 27 in D 1 in

16th Century Tibetan Thangka Painting

Located in Chicago, IL

An incredible and rare 16th century (Ming Dynasty) Tibetan Thangka depicting the Medicine Buddha seated on a lotus throne with an alms bowl in one hand, and his other hand with outstretched fingers touching the ground, feeling the pulse of the Earth. The Buddha is surrounded by dozens of monks seated...

Category

16th Century Tibetan Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Linen, Paint

Ming Dynasty Chinese Mural Painting of Buddha Flanked by Attendants

Sold

H 28.75 in W 44.25 in D 2.25 in

Ming Dynasty Chinese Mural Painting of Buddha Flanked by Attendants

Located in Chicago, IL

This rare mural was painted in China over four centuries ago, and is an exquisite example of Buddhist art. The enlightened Buddha is shown standing at the center of the painting, dre...

Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Paintings

Materials

Wood

Ming paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Ming paintings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paintings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Ming paintings made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for paintings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,700 and tops out at $13,431 while the average work can sell for $8,590.