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.
Pair of Chinese Painted Compound Cabinets, Late Ming Dynasty
Located in Chicago, IL
Seamlessly constructed and lacquered black, this pair of spectacular Ming-dynasty compound cabinets provided the perfect blank canvas for painted scen...
Brass
Antique Chinese Ming Style 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...
Bronze
$1,450
H 20 in W 27.5 in D 20 in
Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Waisted Side Table with Woven Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style waisted side table from the early 20th century, with woven rattan top, humpbacked stretcher and horse hoof legs. Born in China during the early ...
Wood, Rattan
$2,075 / set
H 19.5 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of Vintage Ming Dynasty Style Waisted Side Tables with Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style wooden side tables from the early 20th century, with carved aprons, humpback stretchers and horse hoof legs. Created in China during the ...
Wood
$3,900
H 69.5 in W 43 in D 24 in
Chinese Wedding Cabinet Black on Red Lacquer with Circular Brass Medallion
Located in Hanover, MA
Chinese Qing Dynasty wedding cabinet in black lacquer with red accents featuring large circular brass medallion hardware on two 45 inch high doors above two drawers. The interior is...
Brass
$4,025
H 34.5 in W 57 in D 20.5 in
Ming Dynasty Style Red Lacquered Console Cabinet with Doors and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Ming Dynasty style red lacquered console cabinet from the early 20th century, with five drawers and double doors. Born dur...
Brass
15th-16th Century Ming Dynasty Cabinet. Red Lacquer
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare and well-preserved 16th century cupboard / cabinet. Detailed carved top section depicting a floral leaf design and people in polychrome lacquer. Front with red lacquer, pair of ...
Elm
$1,275
H 20.25 in W 19.75 in D 19.75 in
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Vintage Lamp Table with Humpback Stretchers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage side lamp table from the mid 20th century, with horse hoof feet and humpback stretchers. Created in China during the midcentury pe...
Wood
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Side Table with Humpback Stretcher
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style side table with humpback stretcher. Chinese Ming Dynasty style side table from the mid 19th century with hump...
Rosewood
Antique Red Lacquered Cabinet Armoire from Shanxi, China
Located in Round Top, TX
A hidden story lies just under the surface of this remarkable armoire. At first glance, one notices the perfect symmetry of the large cabinet. But take a moment to look deeper, you w...
Wood
$8,625
H 103.5 in W 56 in D 22 in
Vintage Elmwood Compound Wedding Wardrobe in Two Parts with Metal Hinges
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage elmwood compound wedding wardrobe in two parts, with two sets of double doors, lower drawers and metal hinges. Born during the mid-20th cent...
Metal
$2,995 / set
H 38 in W 23.75 in D 17 in
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Style 1920s Horseshoe Back Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style 1920s horseshoe back bamboo armchairs a pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style horseshoe back armchairs from the early 20th century, with fretwork moti...
Wood, Bamboo
Extremely Rare Late Ming Dynasty Elm and Burl Altar Table
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant and graceful cabriole legged, high waisted altar table with scrolling apron, set upon a waisted platform. The top featuring a floating center panel of finely figured nanmu...
Burl, Elm, Lacquer
Sold
H 49.5 in W 29.5 in D 13.75 in
Vintage Chinese Ming Style Lacquered Elm Storage Cabinet Armoire Wardrobe
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Ming style wedding cabinet / cupboard / armoire / wardrobe. Made of Elm featuring a dark red / brown lacquered finish with two doors that open to reveal...
Elm, Lacquer
Sold
H 79 in W 52 in D 22.5 in
Monumental Black Lacquer Carpathian Elm Burl Wedding Cabinet Linen Press Armoire
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive 20th century Ming Dynasty inspired lacquered elm wedding storage cabinet or wardrobe. Features a large frame finished in black along the front with inset Carpathian elm burl...
Elm, Lacquer
Vintage Regency Thomasville Armoire, Pair
By Thomasville
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage Ming armoires. Made by the iconic Thomasville group. Rich wood with bright brass Ming medallion hardware. Pull out table top makes these cabinets super useful. Perfect as armoire or even chic nightstands...
Brass
Sold
H 81.5 in W 42.52 in D 18.12 in
Chinese Ming Style Red Lacquered Wardrobe with Drawers and Shelves
Located in Kastrup, DK
Mid-19th century Chinese wardrobe. Red lacquer with a beautiful age-related patina. This slightly tapered cabinet features two bottom drawers with ring pull handles. The doors open...
Wood
Sold
H 65 in W 39.5 in L 65 in
Antique Chinese Red Elm Kitchen Cabinet Cupboard Ming Wedding Wardrobe Linens
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese Kitchen cabinet or cupboard. Made from Elm with intricate fretwork and finish in red, circa late 19th century. Features...
Elm, Paint
Sold
H 98 in W 46.5 in D 21.25 in
Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Compound Wedding Wardrobe with Carved Floral Skirt
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Ming dynasty style two-section compound wedding wardrobe, with carved floral skirt, two sets of double doors, lower drawers and brass hardwa...
Brass
Sold
H 68.5 in W 41.25 in D 26.5 in
Chinese Vintage Dark Green Wedding Cabinet with Two Doors and Drawers, 1950s
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage Chinese Ming dynasty dark green wedding cabinet from the mid-20th century, with two doors over two drawers. Born in China during the mid-century period, this exquisite wedding cabinet features two doors, beautifully accented with a circular face plate, chiseled with Chinese characters. Two exquisite metal pulls on cloudy-shaped backplates allow the doors to open to reveal inner shelves and hidden drawers offering great storage opportunities. The lower section presents two drawers with C-scroll handles, visually connected to the front legs thanks to carved spandrels. With its clean lines, and lovely dark green hue, this Chinese vintage wedding...
Wood
Antique Ming Style Chinese Cabinet
Located in Somis, CA
This beautiful antique Ming style cabinet has solid single-board doors and sides. Elegant thin line are typical of Ming influence. Interior storage ...
Brass
Fine Ju Mu Wood Scholar's Cabinet
Located in Greenwich, CT
A simple and elegant scholar's cabinet, brass fitting, two shelves and two drawers inside, beautiful form and wood grain.
Wood
Chinese Red Armoire Wedding Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful large antique Chinese red armoire wedding cabinets with plenty of storage and style for any room. The aging and patina are stunning.
Wood
Monumental Ming-Style Round-Corner Tapered Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
This expansive cabinet has a central stile and a hidden compartment. Inside the five paneled doors there are two shelves; the second shelf having two d...
Cypress, Lacquer
Fine Ju Mu Wood Scholar's Cabinet
Located in Greenwich, CT
A refined and elegant tapered ju mu wood scholar's cabinet, elegant form, beautiful wood grain, 19th century, We carry fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appe...
Wood