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Ming Ceramics

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 Tomb Funeral Pottery Bed Model
Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Bed Model

Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Bed Model

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Chinese stoneware day bed model circa Ming dynasty (15th-17th century). The miniature models were traditionally made as burial offering objects. Pottery models of daily life necess...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Antique Chinese Porcelain Ca 1600-1640 Kosometsuke Plate Shou Lao 8 Immortals
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ca 1600-1640 Kosometsuke Plate Shou Lao 8 Immortals

Antique Chinese Porcelain Ca 1600-1640 Kosometsuke Plate Shou Lao 8 Immortals

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely and rare Chinese porcelain plate from the early 17th century. Central scene of the well known Shou Lao, God of Longevity, flying on a crane among the clouds. In the front of him are the 8...

Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1500
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1500

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1500

Located in Chicago, IL

This elegant ceramic vessel is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bottle originally used for storing oil or sauces. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the bottle has a gracefully curved form kn...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Chinese 17th Century Blue White Shunzhi / Kangxi Lotus Pond Porcelain
Antique Chinese 17th Century Blue White Shunzhi / Kangxi Lotus Pond Porcelain

Antique Chinese 17th Century Blue White Shunzhi / Kangxi Lotus Pond Porcelain

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

A very nicely and rare decorated plate. Transitional / Early Qing, late 17th century. Decorated with lotus pond Condition 1 line, 2 small glaze line to rim (1 only visible out...

Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese 17th Century Kosometsuke Tianqi/Chongzhen Dish Porcelain Playing
Antique Chinese 17th Century Kosometsuke Tianqi/Chongzhen Dish Porcelain Playing

Antique Chinese 17th Century Kosometsuke Tianqi/Chongzhen Dish Porcelain Playing

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

A very nicely decorated plate. Late Ming. Boys playing For similar examples of this listing see: S. Marchant & Son (2008). Ming Porcelain for the Japanese Market: ko-sometsuke ...

Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese 17c Kosometsuke Tianqi/Chongzhen Porcelain Boys in Lands
Antique Chinese 17c Kosometsuke Tianqi/Chongzhen Porcelain Boys in Lands

Antique Chinese 17c Kosometsuke Tianqi/Chongzhen Porcelain Boys in Lands

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

A very nicely decorated plate. Late Ming. Condition: 2 line and rimfritting/mushikui. Size: 146 x 30mm Period: 17th century transitional (1620-1661).

Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Wanli Chinese Plate Rare Decoration
Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Wanli Chinese Plate Rare Decoration

Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming Wanli Chinese Plate Rare Decoration

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

A very nicely decorated plate with a rare size 14-11-18-1-1 Condition Overall condition a (Good) lots of rimfrits as to be expected from this type of kraak porcelain. ...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Jin Dynasty Cizhou Ware Crouching Tiger Pottery Pillow, 12th-century, China
Jin Dynasty Cizhou Ware Crouching Tiger Pottery Pillow, 12th-century, China

Jin Dynasty Cizhou Ware Crouching Tiger Pottery Pillow, 12th-century, China

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Chinese Jin Dynasty 12th Century Cizhou Ware Crouching Tiger Pottery Pillow .Tiger pillow, Jin dynasty, 12th century (circa 1150) The pillow is assembled ...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

A Chinese Deep Brown Glazed Footed Bowl, 15th Century
A Chinese Deep Brown Glazed Footed Bowl, 15th Century

A Chinese Deep Brown Glazed Footed Bowl, 15th Century

Located in ARMADALE, VIC

A Chinese Deep Brown Glazed Footed Bowl, 15th Century Provenance: The Collection of Dr. John Yu AC Dimension: Height: 7.3 cm. Dimension: 15.5 cm Dr. Yu was the Founding Chair of V...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Stoneware Funeral Shrine Model and Figure Ming Dynasty
Chinese Stoneware Funeral Shrine Model and Figure Ming Dynasty

Chinese Stoneware Funeral Shrine Model and Figure Ming Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A stoneware shrine model with a figurine made in Ming dynasty (15th-17th century) in China and used as funeral burial objects. It is not known whether the two objects were originally associated, but they display similar glaze and oxidation and were in the same collection. The stoneware building is an architectural rendering of a typical ancestor shrine used at the time. It features a single room behind an elaborate front with double doors, under a multiple layered eaves. There are great architectural and decorative details throughout. The green glaze shows a wonderful silvery oxidation, an indication that the piece was buried in the ground. The side appears to be glazed lightly originally and some scrape marks and oxidized glaze residues remains. The back is unglazed. The figure is a typical tomb figurine...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Chair Models
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Chair Models

Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Tomb Funeral Pottery Chair Models

Located in Atlanta, GA

A pair of Chinese stoneware horseshoe cross chairs circa Ming dynasty (15th-17th century). The miniature models were traditionally made as burial offeri...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Rice Bowl, c. 1550
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Rice Bowl, c. 1550

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Rice Bowl, c. 1550

Located in Chicago, IL

This Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bowl is attributed to the kilns of Yunnan province, painted in dark cobalt underglaze with floral motifs and sweeping brushstrokes. Dated to the 15th/16...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Earthenware

Chinese Ming Celadon Oil Bottle, c. 1500
Chinese Ming Celadon Oil Bottle, c. 1500

Chinese Ming Celadon Oil Bottle, c. 1500

Located in Chicago, IL

This petite ceramic vessel is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bottle originally used for storing cooking oil or condiments. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the bottle has a gracefully cur...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Earthenware

Chinese Ceramic Glazed Guardian Ming Dynasty
Chinese Ceramic Glazed Guardian Ming Dynasty

Chinese Ceramic Glazed Guardian Ming Dynasty

Located in Atlanta, GA

A stoneware figure depicting a seated armored warrior with a striking pose circa 15th-17th century. He is likely one of the four heavenly kings, th...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1500
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1500

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1500

Located in Chicago, IL

This elegant ceramic vessel is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bottle originally used for storing oil or sauces. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the small bottle has a gracefully curved f...

Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Earthenware

A Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Polychrome Porcelain Dish, circa 1620
A Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Polychrome Porcelain Dish, circa 1620

A Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Polychrome Porcelain Dish, circa 1620

Located in London, GB

A large Chinese Ming Dynasty polychrome porcelain dish, circa 1620. Late Ming Dynasty. Painted in turquoise, black and red enamels with a central 'Split Pagoda' pattern scene, the cavetto with four landscape vignettes alternating with stylised seals. Many Mid-Century studio potters were inspired by the shapes and designs of ancient Chinese and Ming pottery. We believe this dish is a good example of this, which is why it will fit with both antique and modern interiors, making it the perfect cross-collecting piece. See Bonhams Lot 168 from Asian Art sale...

Category

1620s Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Wanli / Tianqi Kosometsuke Plate 1600-1644 Porcelain Ming Monk
Antique Chinese Wanli / Tianqi Kosometsuke Plate 1600-1644 Porcelain Ming Monk

Antique Chinese Wanli / Tianqi Kosometsuke Plate 1600-1644 Porcelain Ming Monk

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Lovely plate great scene of a monk Marked at base. Condition 1 line to rim and some rimfritting/mushikui. 2 firing flaws in base, 1 next to rim and 1 in circle. Size: 188 x 23...

Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Impressive Terracotta Funerary Procession - Ming Dynasty, China '1368-1644 AD'
Impressive Terracotta Funerary Procession - Ming Dynasty, China '1368-1644 AD'

Impressive Terracotta Funerary Procession - Ming Dynasty, China '1368-1644 AD'

Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon

Impressive Funeral Ensamble of 10 Terracotta Glazed Figures in green and caramel colors depicting a votive procession with a palanquin, his four carriers, a horse, a stableman, two musicians, and an offering carrier. This ensemble is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, and Certificate of Expertise by Jean-Yves Nathan - Specialist in Asian Arts for the CEDEA (The European Confederation of Art Experts). Burial figurines of graceful dancers, mystical beasts, and everyday objects reveal both how people in early China approached death and how they lived. Since people viewed the afterlife as an extension of worldly life, these figurines, called mingqi, sometimes referred as “spirit utensils” or “vessels of ghosts” disclose details of routine existence and provide insights into belief systems over a thousand-year period. The Ming dynasty was the ruling dynasty of China – then known as the Empire of the Great Ming – for 276 years (1368–1644 AD). Founded by Chu Yuan-chang, the rebel leader that was successful in removing the mongols from the throne. Chinese control was re-asserted in China and eastern Asia. Literature became more important, schools were created, and the justice system was reformed. The Ming dynasty is described by some as "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history,” was the last imperial dynasty in China ruled by ethnic Han Chinese. The practice of burying ceramic objects with the deceased went into decline from the 10th to the 14th Century AD. There was a revival in placing miniature representations of glazed terracotta objects such a furniture, food offerings, horses, miniature statues...

Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Ceramics

Materials

Terracotta

Ming ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Ming ceramics for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage ceramics created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Ming ceramics 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 ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $919 and tops out at $35,634 while the average work can sell for $2,480.