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.
Antique Chinese Carved Wood Buddha Sculpture Lamp
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinese carved wood Buddha sculpture lamp. Later electrified with Lucite base and custom made shade. Additional information: Materia...
Lucite
Set of 3 Early 20th Century Chinese Green Glazed Candlesticks
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A set of 3 green glazed ceramic candlesticks. All three similar but in a different size (28 cm high, 11 and 19 or in inches 11, 4.3 and 7.5). The glaze wonderfully aged and of a eleg...
Ceramic
$533
H 15.36 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
French Antique Table Lamp Made with a Boat Wood Rudder, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Table lamp made circa 1960 with a boat rudder. The rudder is very old and has probably been in the water for some time. This gives the lamp a unique look, where the wood tells its ow...
Wood
$345
H 12.6 in W 4.73 in D 3.35 in
Chinese ceramic Green Glazed 'Shiwan' Opium Pillow, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Shiwan ceramic pillow of earthenware features a green glaze. Pillows in this shape were not only used by opium smokers but most typically were used fo...
Ceramic
$415
H 16.34 in W 3.94 in D 4.34 in
Chinese Ceramic Green Glazed 'Shiwan' Opium Pillow, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Shiwan ceramic pillow of earthenware features a green glaze with hints of blue. Pillows in this shape were not only used by opium smokers but most typ...
Ceramic
$545
H 5.52 in W 30.32 in D 4.73 in
Chinese Ceramic Green Glazed 'Shiwan' Opium Pillow, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Shiwan ceramic pillow (headrest) of earthenware features a green & blue glaze. Pillows in this shape were not only used by opium smokers but most typi...
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Flambe Glazed Bottle Vase
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A Chinese flambe glazed bottle vase with Jingdezhen Zhi seal mark, 20th century, in Qing style, with a purple-streaked upper section, seal ma...
Ceramic
$2,327
H 20.48 in W 11.03 in D 12.6 in
Large Organic Modern Table Lamp hand carved in Deep Blue stained Wood
Located in London, GB
Free form curvaceous sculptural table lamp in deep blue wood with black shade by Chris Wallis 2000, no 26 of a limited edition. The base is hand carved out of a solid plywood stained and lacquered which reveals the layers in an organic way like year rings...
Plywood
Pair of Antique Chinese Champlevé or Cloisonné Lamps
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of antique Chinese champlevé or cloisonné lamps. Lovely pair of antique Chinese bronze champlevé or cloisonné table lamps. Offered champleve or cloisonne lamps are executed in a lovely floral pattern of beautiful shades including chartreuse, turquoise, pinks and whites. These lamps are in very good antique condition and have been newly wired to U.S. specifications. Champlevé is an enameling technique in the decorative arts, where troughs or cells are carved, etched, or cast into the surface of a metal object...
Bronze, Enamel
Late 19th-Early 20th Century Chinese Roof Tile
Located in Houston, TX
Late 19th-Early 20th Century Chinese Roof Tile. Our lovely antique Chinese glazed pottery or porcelain roof tile depicts a warrior ridin...
Clay, Pottery
Pair of Chinese Ceramic Boudoir Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Diminutive Chinese vases mounted as lamps on decorative cast bronze bases. Both are in good working condition, one on off switch has been replac...
Bronze
Hand Carved Table Lamp in Fruit Wood
Located in Søborg, DK
Hand carved table lamp with in fruit wood with great attention to detail and with good proportions. Carved floral design with ribbons and in great condition with no chips or cracks. Great English country house style.
Fruitwood
$656Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.78 in Dm 7.88 in
A Chinese Oxblood Glazed Porcelain Vase, Republic Period, Early 20th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Chinese Oxblood Glazed Porcelain Vase, Republic Period, Early 20th Century Description: Features a rich, mottled red glaze. The deep, rich red color is achieved by using copper ox...
Porcelain
French Carved Wood Table Lamp by Charles Dudouyt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely carved wood table lamp from France, 1940s by Charles Dudouyt. Beautiful carved chevron design with original dark wood finish. New tapered linen shade and newly re-wired. Origi...
Linen, Wood
Sold
H 8 in W 3 in D 3 in
Important Ancient Chinese Zodiac Figure Holding a Rabbit, Ming Dynasty 1368-1644
Located in South Burlington, VT
Important Ancient Chinese Zodiac figure holding a RABBIT, Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644 This interesting zodiac figure is one in a series of twelve (12) tomb figures each brandishing a di...
Pottery