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Ming Furniture

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.

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Style: Ming
Chinese Ming Dynasty Ko-Sometsuke Wucai Porcelain Plate
Located in Newark, England
CHONGZHENG 1628-1644 From our Chinese collection, we are delighted to offer this rare example Chinese Ko-Sometsuke Wucai Porcelain Plate. The plate potted in porcelain ceramic of ci...
Category

Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer console table with five drawers, brass fitting. Simple form and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared man...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

'Kraak' Blue and White Large Porcelain Charger, 20.5", Wan Li Reign, circa 1610
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A museum calibre circa 1610 blue and white Chinese 'Kraak' charger or shallow bowl of massive scale, the round cavetto molded body with slightly scalloped flat rim boldly and exquisitely painted in vibrant underglaze blue with flowering peach, peony, and scroll-filled basket with protruding roots on a fenced terrace within an eight pointed scalloped medallion with ruyi-heads separating panels of starburst-lattice and fish-roe diaper, the rim with Rinaldi 'Border VII.2' having eight radiating panels filled with peach-sprays and auspicious symbols alternating with narrow swastika and tassel panels, the reverse painted with large 'ogival' or round panels with fungus and dots alternating with narrow panels containing stylized lingzhi motifs. An exceptionally fine example with the added rarity of an intact period (likely trader's or merchant's) wax seal. According to Hans van Baarsen...
Category

Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Asian Ming Carved Greek Key Ebonized Console Table
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage Asian inspired console table with carved apron. Knee clearance 23.75” The color will appear to be close to black in many interior settings although it it is actually a very d...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Asian Modern Ming Style Burl Wood Executive Desk By Lane
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century burl wood Asian modern desk by Lane Furniture. It has dovetail construction and is marked in the drawer. The drawers include one file drawer. The opening for a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Simple black lacquer console table with waterfall legs, elegant color and lines
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers and pair of doors. Very elegant and fine quality. Beautiful color and simple form. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant fin...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Ming Style Chinese Scholar's Cabinet
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful, Ming dynasty style scholar's cabinet. The doors and side panels are all solid single boards set with mitered, tenon and mortise construction. Two exterior and interior d...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine black lacquer console table with four drawers, waterfall legs, brass fitting, elegant and simple form, beautiful lines. We carry ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Asian Modern Black Lacquered Horseshoe Back Lounge Chairs Style James Mont
Located in Rochester, NY
Pair of Asian modern black lacquered horseshoe back lounge chairs with brass fittings by Century Furniture Company. All original beautiful glowing condition. Style of James Mont. Ci...
Category

20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

James Mont Lacquered Horse Shoe Chairs w/ New Silk Upholstery by Century, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Opulent pair of large James Mont Ming style horseshoe lounge chairs made by Century Furniture. Designed by James Mont ,these chairs epitomize his over ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Horseshoe Chairs Oversize 19th Century
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of extra large, sold wood, 19th century Chinese Horseshoe Chairs. The solid, 2" thick, continuous rounded crest rail is composed of thre...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm, Wood

Pair of Ming Style Red Chinoiserie Console Tables or Center Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Ming Style Red Chinoiserie Console Tables or Center Table
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 20th Century Ming Style Solid Rosewood Square Coffee Table w/ Chow Legs
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage Ming Cow leg style solid rosewood square coffee table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. We f...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Ming Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century Chinese Scholar's Cabinet Glass Curio
Located in Somis, CA
A late 19th century solid wood Chinese scholar's cabinet with glass doors and removable shelves. The glass doors with elegant black lacquered frames are mounted on dowels adorned wit...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Asian Solid Wood Ming Style Table Bench
Located in Somis, CA
Beautiful solid wood table finished all around. Top is of mitered, tenon and mortise, solid single board floating panel construction. Cinched waist and 4 hoof feet legs. A pair of ve...
Category

2010s Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinese Antique Side Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Elm wood Side Cabinet. Ming style clean lines side cabinet night stand. Elmwood Side cabinet with shelf inside. Traditional timeless design with a modern sensibility. This is a great cabinet for small places, nightstand, end table for sofa...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Elm

Ca 1500 Antique raised moulded Goldfish dishes Chinese Porcelain China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated small dish, dating to ca 1500, Hongzhi or Zhengde period. The small saucer dish is decorated with a raised moulded goldfish coloured in orange-red enamel and...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

18th C Style Ming Chinese Bamboo Coffee Table by Burton-Ching
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th C Style Ming Chinese Bamboo Coffee Table by Burton-Ching?
Category

Early 2000s American Ming Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Important Ancient Chinese Effigy Pug Dog, Ming Dynasty 1368-1644
Located in South Burlington, VT
China, a carving of a canine “Pug”, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 CE Dimensions: 38 cm, 15” High Photographs taken indoors and out of doors for your viewing pleasure. The hand carved limestone beast shown on its haunches with naturalistic joyful expression and a well defined compact head, ears, noes, eyes, feet, and tail parted to one side on reverse with distinctive collar ornament seated four square on a thick base all-over showing a weathered surface from significant age. Formerly exhibited “Asia Week” New York City, Fuller Building, Hutton Gallery 2006. Provenance: ex collection luoyang, Henan Province, China. Includes custom display base as shown Catalog reference: 35 years collecting 35 treasures, Number 35, p.76 (photo) In ancient China, it is a well-known fact that several types of small dogs were bred and were favored pet gifts between emperors and kings including Lion Dogs, Pekingese and Lo-sze breeds. Some Lo-sze are pictured wearing collars with bells a frequent combination fancied by European royalty of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Lo-sze or pugs were prized for their compact body, good bones, flat face, square jaw, short coat, curled tail, side set back ears, and temperate disposition. History: Placing stone animals in important tombs can be traced back at least to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), some two thousand years ago. In ancient times, stone animals and human figures placed before imperial tombs symbolized royal power and privilege in addition to decorative functions. The first Ming tomb...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Limestone

A Rare Blue And White Octagonal Box And Cover, Ming Dynasty Wanli Six-Character
Located in seoul, KR
Numerous similar octagonal blue and white boxes with Wanli, Jiajing marks are housed in prestigious museum collections. An example in the Tokyo National Museum is featured in Illustr...
Category

16th Century Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

A Rare Large Wucai Dragons and Phoenix Jar, Ming dynasty Longqing Emperor
Located in seoul, KR
The blue dragon and the red dragon are depicted in dynamic postures, each extending its claws to grasp a ruyi pearl (如意珠). The phoenix is adorned with flowing feathers and delicate c...
Category

16th Century Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Unusual 17th Century Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Plate with added decoration
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely and unusual Chinese porcelain plate from the late Ming period. Ealry 17th century Jingdezhen made for the Japanese market with rare added color. Centra...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Jumu Low Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Jumu low table / coffee table. Table top is 46" wide 23" deep, from outside edge of legs is 49 1/2" wide 27" deep, 18" height. We carry f...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Enrique Garcel Tessellated Bone Cocktail Table
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century tessellated lacquered bone cocktail table.
Category

Late 20th Century Colombian Ming Furniture

Materials

Bone, Wood

Chinese Ming Style Blue and White Underglazed Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in Glasgow, GB
A vintage blue and white 'Ming Style' ginger jar, crafted in China during the latter half of the 20th century. A smooth hexagonal-shaped body showcases the revered technique of Chin...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Fine Black Lacquer Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer console table with five drawers, brass fitting. Simple form and beautiful color. We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared man...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Early 20th Century Asian Style Petite Pipe and Tobacco Cabinet
Located in Doylestown, PA
Asian style petite pipe and tobacco cabinet, early 20th century. This Ming style cabinet features a single tiger maple panel door with original Fen...
Category

Early 20th Century Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Fine Red Lacquer Low Table with Fret Work Top
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine red lacquer low table / coffee table with fret work top, elegant fine red lacquer finished. Purchase red lacquer low table / coffee table also come with glass top that can place...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage 'Ming Style' Temple Jar Blue and White Glazed Porcelain
Located in Glasgow, GB
Vintage porcelain temple jar, handcrafted towards the end of the 20th century, in 1980s China Artistically decorated in a simple yet decorative Ming-era style. Its body features a figural scene perfectly realized in hand-painted cobalt blue enamel. Flying birds and floral motifs are interspersed between bold blue borders and graphic Chinese-style decorations. Coming together and creating a striking contrast against the luminous white underglaze porcelain. The porcelain jar measures 20 cm in height and 15 cm in diameter. It's in good condition for its age and use, bearing only x1 small chip to the lip of the temple jar. And is stamped on its underside with a 'Zhongguo Zhi Zao...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Pair Mid Century Henredon Ming Style Walnut Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Mid Century Henrendon Furniture Ming Style Walnut Side Tables. Measure 26" in width, 26" in depth and 25.5" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Chinese Ming Porcelain Early 17th Century Blue White Plate Charger Kraak Dish
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique Chinese porcelain blue and white Ming charger Blue and white ceramic deep dish. Material: Chinese porcelain, Ceramic Style: Chinese, Ming, Anti...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Antique Ming Wanli 1600-1640 Chinese Porcelain Kosometsuke Plate Cows
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese blue and white porcelain Dish of beautiful shape and design. Visible is a scene of a sheperd with cows. A poem is also visible at the top. Early 17th century. Similar dishe...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Refine Ming Dynasty Green Glazed Attendants and a Sedan Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
A set of very refined green glazed attendants and one sedan chair, each with benevolent facial expression, beautiful colors and lines, Ming dynasty 1368-1644. Three glazed attendants...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Gracie Studio Ming Style Lacquered Eight Panel Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare, bespoke lacquered eight-panel coromandel screen made in the Ming Dynasty style by Gracie Studio artisans in New York. Modern custom-made coromandel...
Category

20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Blue White Porcelain Bowl Islamic Market Circa 1550
Located in Portland, OR
A very good antique Chinese blue and white bowl for the Islamic market, late Ming dynasty, 16th century. The bowl having a flared r...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Ca 1500 Antique raised moulded Goldfish dishes Chinese Porcelain China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated small dish, dating to ca 1500, Hongzhi or Zhengde period. The small saucer dish is decorated with a raised moulded goldfish coloured in orange-red enamel and...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Pair of Late Ming Dynasty Silk Road Carved Stone Guardian Lions
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare pair of large Chinese carved stone foo dog guardian lions. Originated from a house of a mandarin (a public official in the Chinese Empire), located on The Silk Road. Here they were placed in front of the gate, with the gate doors mounted on the base behind the lions. The pair consist of a male with a ball on his back, and a female holding a puppy. The ball represents the world and the puppy represents nature or a nurturing spirit. One stand lightly carved with a horse, the other with a deer. The front of the stand is carved with camel...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Stone

Very rare Kosometsuke Antique Chinese 17c Ming Dynasty Plate China Porcelain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful dish in blue and white, with added copper red. This is a Jingdezhen made dish made for the Japanese market. Kosometsuke. With a floral and bird decoration. Base with a che...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Carved Wood Long Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elaborate and finely carved bench in a pleasing Chestnut tone wood. Scrolled crest rail ends and arm ends. With four carved panels on the back with floral and fruit vines. A reeded skirt rail and with a shaped and carved running band of leafy vines. Innner sides carved with complimentary leafy motifs. The reeded back frame with square supports. The Bench is quite sturdy and surprisingly comfortable. L. 75", Depth 21", H. 33 1/2" Condition: Please see all detail photos. Signs of age include scrapes on the left arm end, repair to right arm end, stable age crack to left-side facing seat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Dish with Geometric Design, 15th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A heavily potted and richly glazed celadon dish, Longquan kilns, early Ming Dynasty, mid 15th century, China. The large dish glazed in a deep olive cela...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique 17th c Kraak Style Blue and White Style Dutch Delftware Earthenware
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Earthenware dish with a flat rim. Decorated in different shades of blue on a white tin glaze Condition Good with usual rimfritting and 1 crack. Size 25.6cm Period 18th century
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th C. Asian Wood Storage Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A classic Chinese two-door cabinet with two short over one long drawer. It opens to a printed paper lining with two shelves. Brass metal mounts. The wood has a warm honey tone and th...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Henredon Ming Nightstands Michael Taylor
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Ebonised bracket Ming style base 3 drawers mid-century nightstands by Henredon. Classic Michael Taylor double ring pulls. Custom glass tops for surface protection.
Category

1970s Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Wildwood Ming Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Ming style table lamp made by Wildwood. A ceramic vase is hand painted with gilt foliage, dotted with white flowers, against a smokey taupe background. It sits in a brass ring abov...
Category

1990s American Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Pair Of Chinese Vintage Horseshoe Back Hardwood Armchairs
Located in Norwood, NJ
A pair of Chinese hardwood horseshoe back armchairs, each curved back with downswept arms and outswept hand grips, centering on an elegant shaped carved splat, flanked by cylindrical...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Fine Black Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant black lacquer sideboard, framed top supported by square legs and joined by four drawers and two pairs of doors, brass fitting and ring pulls. We carry fine qual...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

A Rare Dingyao Green-Glazed Dragon Dish, Liao-Song Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
This green-glazed bowl was finely crafted with an attention to detail that highlights the skill of the Cizhou green and Ding ware potter. Its delicate form has been adorned with a dr...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Bi Disks, Set of 3
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional antique trio of hand carved Ming Dynasty Chinese bi disks, dated to the late 19th century, featuring three distinctive circular stones wit...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Stone

Set of Five Chinese Antique Screens Ming Style
Located in Somis, CA
A set of beautiful Chinese antique screens in natural finish. Each of the five screens has a middle section featuring a different flower, symbo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Chinese Rosewood Carved Sofas or Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic pair of Chinese carved rosewood sofas or benches featuring geometric armrests and gently curved spindle backs. Each bench has a spring cushion constructed in the frame for ...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Metal

Chinese Small Cizhou Glazed Figure of a Daoist Deity, Song to Ming Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
A small and charming Chinese cizhou ware glazed pottery figure of a Taoist deity or official, Song to Ming Dynasty, 13th - 15th century, China, ex. Christi...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Tomb Attendants with Zodiac Animals
Located in Dallas, TX
Ca. 1368-1644 AD. Ming Dynasty. A fabulous set of two mould-made, glazed ceramic zodiac figures. Each wearing long draping gowns of rich green, yellow and orange hues. Each figure ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Black Lacquer Sideboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
Elegant black lacquer sideboard with two pairs of doors, Two pairs of drawers and shelves inside, metal fitting
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Henredon Asian Modern Ming Style Faux Tortoise Drip Glaze Chest / Table / Trunk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love this piece. It is by Henredon. It is an Asian modern style chest with a high gloss faux tortoise finish. It is a low profile piece, so it would look great at the foot of a bed...
Category

Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture

Materials

Brass

Red Lacquer Desk
Located in Greenwich, CT
Red lacquer desk with three drawers with pierce carvings motif.
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Ming Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Carved Longquan Celadon Vase, Yuan-Ming Dynasty
Located in seoul, KR
A graceful baluster form with a flared mouth, a rounded body, and a slightly raised foot. The vase features two intricate handles in the shape of animal figures holding large looped ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture

Materials

Celadon

Ming furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Ming furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Ming furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, George Zee, Broyhill, and Baker Furniture Company. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $195 and tops out at $690,000 while the average work can sell for $2,941.

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