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Ming Decorative Objects

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
Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Shonzui Porcelain Cup, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful bowl in blue and white. Shonzui marked and style, but 19th c japanese. With matching storage box Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: C...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Petite Ming Shipwreck Box, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
The soft, matte texture and eroded wear of this petite porcelain box suggest it spent many years submerged in saltwater, likely excavated from a sunken trade ship carrying ceramic ex...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Petite Ming Shipwreck Box, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
The soft, matte texture and eroded wear of this petite porcelain box suggest the it spent many years submerged in saltwater, likely excavated from a sunken trade ship carrying cerami...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Petite Ming Shipwreck Medicine Jar, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
The eroded surface of this petite, Ming-dynasty medicine jar tells a story of trade, tradition and lost treasure. A porous, matte surface texture suggests the jar spent many years su...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Asian Hard Stone Disc
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Chinese hard stone disc on black metal stand, beautiful form, color and texture. Measures: 7" wide, 8.2" total height included stand. Stone disc itself...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

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 flower blossoms and sweeping brushstrokes. Dated to the 15th/...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Chinese Ming Celadon Lotus Bowl, c. 1550
Located in Chicago, IL
This earthenware bowl from the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644) is cloaked inside and out in an ashen celadon glaze, fired with cool grey color and fine crazing. Once used daily for foo...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Literatus Attendant Charger Flies Whisk
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this new arrival. An amazing Blue and white porcelain dish, Kraak porcelain. ⁠ ⁠ China, Ming dynasty Wanli period (1572-1620),⁠ ⁠ Decorated in the centre with a literatus and...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Two Bowls with knot shaped design on inside, Ming Era(15th century)
Located in seoul, KR
Two Bowls from the Ming dynasty cargo. A piece identical pattern is included on page 119 of the title 'The Age of Discovery: Asian Ceramics Found Along the Maritime Silk Road'. Peri...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Indonesian Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Pair Blue and White Porcelain Vases - Ming Double Gourd Urns
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Breathtaking pair of Chinese blue and white porcelain urns Double gourd form with intricate hand painted arabesques and motifs Classy pair ready to add light and oomph to any room Pl...
Category

1980s Vintage Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Petite Ming Shipwreck Medicine Jar, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
The eroded surface of this petite, Ming-dynasty medicine jar tells a story of trade, tradition and lost treasure. A matte texture and traces of marine life suggest the jar spent many...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Taoist bronze figure China, Ming dynasty, 16th century
Located in Milano, IT
In the heart of ancient China, within the resplendent Ming dynasty, a masterpiece was cast in bronze, a testament to a culture steeped in mysticism and spirituality. This Taoist bron...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Chinese Cloisonne Arrow Vase Early Possibly Ming 16th Century
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique Chinese cloisonne on copper arrow vase, possibly Ming Dynasty 16th century. Bottle form with pair of "arrow" tubes on either side of ...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Antique Chongzhen Shunzhi Transitional Chinese Porcelain Ewer, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated and Ewer in underglaze blue. The globular body rises to a flared neck decorated with tulips and supported by a high handle. The main decoration depicts a nice...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Style Blue and White Porcelain Moonflask Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese Ming Dynasty Xuande Period-style (late 19th Century) white porcelain vases with moonflask forms, blue floral and bird motifs and marks no...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Celadon Bottle Vase, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic bottle is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) vessel originally used for serving rice wine or spirits. The small round bottle is beautiful in its imperfection, shaped with...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Gold Ornaments of Antique Chinese Buddha Statues / 17th-19th Centuries
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is thought to be part of the decoration of a gilt-bronze Buddha made in ancient China, from the late Ming to the Qing dynasties. It is thought that it is probably an ornament t...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Wine Vessel, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic bottle is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) vessel originally used for serving rice wine or spirits. The gracefully curved form is known as a yuhuchunping, or pear-shape...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Antique early 20th century Dutch Delft Iznik Style Earthenware Jug ca 1910
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A small, beautifully shaped spherical jug with a slightly tapering neck by De Porceleyne Fles. Dated between 1910–1930, it belongs to the 'Nieuw Delfts' series, inspired by ceramics ...
Category

17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Lotus Petal Vase, c. 1400
Located in Chicago, IL
With its balanced silhouette and subdued color palette, this lotus offering vase from the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644) resonates calm and sophistication. Sculpted centuries ago in ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Charger Eagle and Goat Yin Yang Harmony
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this new arrival. An amazing Blue and white porcelain dish, Kraak porcelain. ⁠ ⁠ China, Ming dynasty Wanli period (1572-1620),⁠ ⁠ Decorated in the centre with a bird of prey ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Ming Dynasty Bronze Figure of the Infant Buddha
Located in Austin, TX
A rare and unusual Chinese Ming Dynasty bronze figure of the Buddha as an infant. The young Prince Siddhartha, who would grow up to become the Buddha, is portrayed standing, one hand pointing to the sky, the other to the ground. He is naked, save for a baby apron...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

36CM Antique 17/18th c Kraak Style Blue White Dutch Delftware Earthenware Cha.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Earthenware dish with a flat rim. Decorated in different shades of blue on a white tin glaze. Central scene of a grasshopper on a rock. These kind of dishes were made after Chinese K...
Category

17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Style Fahua Meiping Vase
Located in Basildon, GB
Chinese Ming Style Fahua Meiping Vase. The vase featuring raised lotus plants, carp and grasses emerging from waves, topped with a garland of beaded chains and precious objects aroun...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Late Ming or Transitional Plate Fisherman Turtle
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Blue & White Ko-sometsuke plate with a Fisherman trying to catch a turtle. very unusual Ko-Sometsuke plate! Catching a Turttle which was well known to live for a very long time, ha...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 18th century Dutch Delft Earthenware Plate Based Month of August Porc
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nice Dutch Delft blue plate with nice decoration of the month of august In 18th c chinese style 18th century. Diameter: 22 cm. Condition: Typical rimflaws and restoration Condition ...
Category

17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Food Presentation Covered Box
Located in Forney, TX
A remarkable antique food box from the Shanxi province, North China, late Ming (1368-1644) to early Qing (1644-1912) Dynasty. An extraordinary e...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Oil Bottle, c. 1550
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Chinese Monumental Imari-Style Orange, White and Blue Porcelain Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese monumental orange, white and blue porcelain floor vase celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, decorated with medallion...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Dynasty Terracotta Court Official Statuette, Original Polychromy
Located in Yonkers, NY
A petite Chinese Ming dynasty green glazed terracotta court official figurine from the 15th or 16th century, with original polychromy. Attracting our eye with its vibrant polychromy,...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Chinese Zhangzhou Swatow Slip Decoration Charger Ming Dynasty
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Unusual Majestic and Large Chinese Ming period Swatow Charger. It's quite difficult to catch the true color of this one in the studio, the photos outside with phone are therefore the...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Petite Ming Shipwreck Medicine Jar, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
The eroded surface of this petite, Ming-dynasty medicine jar tells a story of trade, tradition and lost treasure. A matte texture and traces of marine life suggest the jar spent many...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

A large wood Buddha/Guanyin with traces of pigments Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Located in Vienna, AT
A LARGE WOOD FIGURE OF GUANYIN WITH TRACES OF PIGMENTS MING DYNASTY (1368-1644) The bodhisattva is shown seated in padmasana, wearing long flowing ro...
Category

Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Blue White Porcelain Vase With Gilt Silver Phoenix Dragons, 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
The pair of Blue White Porcelain Vases with Gilt Silver Phoenix Dragons, dating from the 20th century, is an exquisite examples of decorative art, blending traditional Chinese porcel...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Petite Ming Shipwreck Medicine Jar, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
The eroded surface of this petite, Ming-dynasty medicine jar tells a story of trade, tradition and lost treasure. A matte texture and traces of marine life suggest the jar spent many...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Pair of Chinese Yellow and Turquoise Genre Vignette Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Chinese vases with turquoise interiors, and yellow and turquoise grounds decorated in purple and blue floral designs, framing central, richly depicted genre vignettes wrappin...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Hatcher Cargo Kraak Ghendi porcelain South China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nicely decorated kraak Ghendi with a geometrical decoration. The piece was part of the Hatcher Collection. Auctioned by Christies Amsterdam in 1984. It is in very good condition. The Hatcher Junk...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Scroll Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Stained leather covered wood in deep oxblood and dark brown tones. With three stitched plaques with raised characters on the front. A brass mount with lock on the front (lacking the ...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Wood

Chinese Ming Dynasty Hand Carved Stone Monkey Sculpture with Infant Monkey
Located in Yonkers, NY
A 19th century Chinese Ming dynasty hand carved stone monkey sculpture. This Chinese sculpture features a monkey figure, sitting on a rock formation, holding a square item, perhaps a...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Tianqi Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Porcelain 17c Ming Dynasty Ni Zan
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this beautiful dish Visible is a typically painted scene for this period. Mountain landscape with bamboo and clouds house in the right centre. The shape is very nice...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Wine Vessel, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite ceramic bottle is a Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) vessel originally used for serving rice wine or spirits. The gracefully curved form is known as a yuhuchunping, or pear-shape...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming/Transitional Dish Green Glaze Carved, 17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate with beautiful Green Glaze and a carved underglaze scene of flowers. Possibly Dated to the late Ming or transitional pe...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Late Ming or Transitional Plate Landscape
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Blue & White Ko-sometsuke plate with a landscape scene Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 17th century Ming (1368 - 1620) Age: ...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Dish Swatow Flower and Fenghuang, 16/17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated large dish from around 1600-1630. The robustly potted rounded sides rising from a short tapering foot to an everted rim, brightly decorated in Red and green w...
Category

17th Century Asian Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19th century Dutch Delft Earthenware Plate Delftware Porceleine Klauw
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Nice Dutch Delft blue plate with nice decoration Porceleyne Claeuw Delft - 1658=1840 In 19th with Willem III as a child 18th century. Diameter: 232 cm. Condition: Good ...
Category

17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Carved Wood Teaching Buddha in Ming Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
A statue of standing Buddha (Shakyamuni), finely carved out a single block of wood (might be cypress based on the wood grains). Attired in a flowing robe with open chest, the Buddha ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Porcelain Hatcher Cargo Kraak Ghendi Porcelain, South China
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nicely decorated kraak Ghendi with a geometrical decoration. The piece was part of the Hatcher Collection. Auctioned by Christies Amsterdam in 1984. It is...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Tianqi Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Porcelain 17c Ming Dynasty Ni Zan
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this beautiful dish Visible is a typically painted scene for this period. Mountain landscape with bamboo and clouds house in the right centre. The shape is very nice...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Ming Dynasty Songzi Guanyin with Child
Located in Dallas, TX
A Chinese Fahua glazed pottery figure of Songzi Guanyin with child. A rare yellow, turquoise and green glazed statue of Guanyin with downward gaze h...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Antique Chinese Porcelain 17th Century Ming period Boys and Bird dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely little dish from the Late Ming period. Blue and White Porcelain, Tianqi or Chongzhen Period c.1620-1635. The subject is of two young Chinese boys walking...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Ming/Transitional Dish Brown White Glaze Scene, 17thC
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated plate with beautiful Brown Glaze and an underglaze scene in white. The rim covered with a metal ring. Dated to the late Ming or transitional period. The back...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Ming Blue White Rice Bowl, c. 1600
Located in Chicago, IL
This Ming-dynasty (1368-1644) bowl is attributed to the kilns of Yunnan province, brushed with dark cobalt underglaze in a pattern of loops and spirals reminiscent of ancient bronze ...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Jiajing/Wanli Period Chinese Porcelain Dish Charger Floral Swatow
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large and very nice Blue and White Charger/Dish from the Jiajin/Wanli Period. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Emperor: Wanli (1572-1620...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Petite Ming Shipwreck Medicine Jar, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
The eroded surface of this petite, Ming-dynasty medicine jar tells a story of trade, tradition and lost treasure. A porous, matte surface texture suggests the jar spent many years su...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Petite Ming Shipwreck Medicine Jar, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
The eroded surface of this petite, Ming-dynasty medicine jar tells a story of trade, tradition and lost treasure. A matte texture and traces of marine life suggest the jar spent many...
Category

16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed Wood Horseman
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an antique Chinese Ming Dynasty hand carved glazed wood horse with rider. Dimensions: 22' H x 22" W x 5.5" D Delivery withi...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Dynasty Dish China Porcelain Unusual, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful dish in blue and white, late ming period Tianqi or Chongzhen. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Decoration Type / Colour: Blue & White, Ko-Sometsuke Re...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Imari-Style Orange and Blue Monumental Ceramic Urn
Located in Queens, NY
Chinese orange, white and blue monumental floor vase celebrating Japanese Imari ware in both palette and design, decorated with medallions of bloom...
Category

20th Century Chinese Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Chinese Porcelain Serving Dish Ming Dynasty, 17C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful serving dish in blue and white with central a reverse decorated floral lotus scene, the walls with branches and the border with geometric design. The base has a six charact...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Ming decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Ming decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Ming decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include and Colin Burn Art. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $228 and tops out at $690,000 while the average work can sell for $3,151.

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