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.
Intricately Carved Sandalwood Frame in Custom Display Frame
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A highly decorative Carved and Tassled Sandalwood Fan mounted on a Green Velvet background and fitted in a Gilt edged custom display frame. The Fan with...
Velvet, Wood, Sandalwood
$683 / set
Pair of Chinese suspension plates
Located in Porto, PT
Pair of Chinese hanging plaques. Chinese; Minguo period (1912-1949); made of exotic wood with wood and bone inlays. Dimensions: 44 cm x 42 cm
Wood
$2,849 / set
H 3.55 in Dm 12.8 in
Unmatching Pair of Majolica Ceramic Trompe L'oeil Crab Lobster Large Wall Plates
Located in Barcelona, ES
Extra large spider crab and lobster seafood plates wall decoration, Majolica, glazed ceramic. Portugal, 1950s Rare find. A colorful pair of fine Majolica glazed ceramic plates with s...
Majolica, Ceramic
Framed Antique Hand Carved Panel
Located in New York, NY
Antique hand carved panel from Toraja. Framed in a Minimalist black teak wood shadow box. This carving symbolizes the protection of the home....
Wood, Teak
Pair of Intricately Carved Wooden Wall Panels
Located in Dallas, TX
Globally sourced and carefully curated, the Le Monde collection of furnishings, home decor, sculptures, mirrors, wall panels, pots, vases, bowls, and other accessories celebrates cul...
Wood
$43,304
H 46.46 in W 43.31 in D 7.88 in
Museum-Quality Fossil Pecten Wall Feature (118 x 110 cm) – Custom Steel Frame
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
An extraordinary statement piece for high-end luxury interiors, this monumental fossilized scallop shell plaque (Pecten / Gigantopecten) measures an impressive 118 x 110 cm. Originat...
Stone, Limestone
Gold Gilt Chinese Fragment
Located in Tampa, FL
n exquisite Chinese architectural fragment, richly detailed in gold gilt with subtle traces of silver. This hand carved piece features a stylized bird soaring among swirling clouds a...
Wood
Pair of Spanish Puigdemont Ceramic Fish Wall Plates, 1960s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Decorative pair of hand-painted ceramic wall plates produced by Puigdemont in Spain, circa 1960s. Featuring two expressive stylized fish rendered in vivid enamel colors, these pieces...
Ceramic
Pair of Framed Neo-Classical Carved Wood Bas Relief Plaques
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of decorative bas-relief wall plaques in carved wood suggestive of bronze and featuring figures reminiscent of Greco-Roman art, set within a silver leafed wood frame. From an o...
Wood
Pair of Neoclassical Plaques
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and decorative pair of plaques after the classical Greek. Dimensions: D: 1" W: 34.5" H: 24" D: 1" W: 34" H: 24" CW4395.
Resin
$5,401
H 39.38 in W 55.12 in D 7.88 in
Rare Complete Collection of Spanish Army Lead Soldiers with Custom Display Case
Located in Madrid, ES
Exceptional and rare complete collection of hand-painted lead soldiers representing the Spanish Army from its early origins through the 20th century. The set illustrates the evolutio...
Metal
$3,742
H 37.41 in W 29.53 in D 1.19 in
Rare Custom One of a Kind Prototype Viscount David Linley Mirror 3D Affect Frame
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning one of a kind Viscount David Linley wall mirror A very good looking and well made piece, it was bought by my client by custom orde...
Mirror, Sycamore
MCM 1985 C Jere Brass Plated Bird Flock of Seagulls Wall Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous brass plated bird or flock of seagull’s wall sculpture signed C. Jere, 1985. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage ...
Metal, Brass
$650 / set
H 2.5 in W 3.75 in D 0.15 in
Collection of 1953 Bicycle License Plates, New Old Stock, Wall Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of 1953 bicycle license plates, American, circa 1953. These are new, old stock, and are from the estate of a salesman who sold toy lines in the 1950s. They are a colorful ...
Metal
$1,400
H 20 in W 24 in D 1.75 in
Fossil Fish (Mioplosus sp.) in Custom Walnut Frame, Green River Formation
Located in Tucson, AZ
DETAILS Specimen: Mioplosus sp. Geological Period: Eocene Age: 55 million years old Origin: Green River Formation - Wyoming, USA Dimensions (Fossil): L 14 x H 5 in (L 36 x H 13 cm) ...
Organic Material, Walnut
20th Century English Tennis Display Case Wall Plaque, Mahogany Frame
Located in Queens, NY
English (20th century) display case wall plaque with tennis racket and balls in mahogany frame.
Wood, Mahogany
$3,000
H 23.75 in W 28.75 in D 1.75 in
Fossil Fish (Diplomystus sp.) in Custom Walnut Frame, Green River Formation
Located in Tucson, AZ
DETAILS Specimen: Diplomystus sp. Geological Period: Eocene Age: 55 million years old Origin: Green River Formation - Wyoming, USA Dimensions (Fossil): L 16 x H 5.25 in (L 41 x H 13 ...
Organic Material, Walnut
Sold
H 8 in W 3 in D 3 in
Important Ancient Chinese Zodiac Figure Holding a Dog, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644
Located in South Burlington, VT
Important Ancient Chinese Zodiac figure holding a DOG, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 This interesting zodiac figure is one in a series of twelve (12) tomb figures each brandishing a diffe...
Pottery
Pair of Burmese Kamawa-sa Buddhist Texts Gold Leaf Frames, circa 1850
Located in Camden, ME
A rare pair of glass encased Burmese Kamawa-sa Buddhist texts consisting of 14 double sided unbound pages, made from thin sheets coated with layers of orange-red lacquer, which is ha...