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
Antique Asian Incised and Glazed Clay Covered Bowl or Incense Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique and possibly ancient incised Asian Ceramic Container or Incense Box. The piece with a deep Gray glazed surface incised with intricate floral and scrolling pattern with the...
Category
18th Century Asian Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Clay
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...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Brass
Chinese Blue and White Yuan or Ming Dynasty Yuhuchunping Ceramic Porcelain Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful Yuan (1271-1368) or Ming (1368-1644) Dynasty antique Chinese blue and white yuhuchunping (yuhuchun) pear shaped dehua porcelain vase. The vase features a rounded body wi...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Pottery, Paint
Very Fine Chinese Porcelain Vase Mounted as Table Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Chinese porcelain vase mounted as a lamp with a round tiered gilt bronze or brass base embossed with berries and leaves. The lamp with cameos and panels of florals and birds that are...
Category
20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Early Chinese Carpet with Stylized Lotus Flowers and Leaf Stems
Located in Milan, IT
The extremely rare and monumental, ivory background large carpet shown here is decorated by an harmonious pattern of blue and light blue scrolling lotus flowers connected to each oth...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
Chinese Antique Gourd-Shaped Blue and White Porcelain Vase, Ming Period
Located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo
The bottom sign tells this vase was made in the era of Xuande emperor.
The characteristic Arabic pattern is Influenced by the Silk Road trade in Ming p...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Antique 1680-1700 Chinese Porcelain Plate Kangxi Blue White Chenghua Mark
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this fantastic Chinese Porcelain Plate
Kangxi period.
Fantastic decoration in blue and white and marked with Chenghua at the base.
Please enjoy
Condition
Some rimf...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Annamese Stoneware with underglaze Blue and Painted Green, 15-16th Century
Located in seoul, KR
A bird on a tree. Stoneware with underglaze blue and painted green. The leaves were creatively expressed with green-glaze.
The use of green overpainting, a distinctive element in Annamese ceramics, parallels similar examples documented in The Age of Discovery: Asian Ceramics Found Along the Maritime Silk Road, particularly on pages 59, 64, and 66 of the Annamese ship catalog. Such pieces were widely traded along the Maritime Silk Road, showcasing the rich cultural exchange between Vietnam and other regions.
Dates : 15th century Le Dynasty
Region : North Annam, Vietnam
Type : Dish
Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Hoi An Ship
Reference : Double checked with reference to the original catalogue
1) Butterfield Treasures Hoi An Hoard Auction Catalogs / San Francisco Butterfields 2000
2) Asian Ceramic Found along Maritime Silk Route / National Maritime Museum of Korea
* Vietnamese trade ceramics
Around the mid-14th century, Vietnam developed its ceramics production technology by producing blue and white porcelain, and began to export it overseas. During this period, China Ming Dynasty implemented a policy of lifting the ban from 1371 to 1657 and restricted foreign trade. This served as a good opportunity in the trade history of Vietnamese ceramics, and ceramic exports...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Vietnamese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Ming Style Chinese Chair
Located in Milano, IT
This Chinese chair, dating from the late 1800s and crafted in the Ming style, is a fascinating example of traditional Chinese art and craftsmanship. The da...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,788
32CM Antique Chinese 16/17C Chinese Porcelain Dish Swatow Monochrome
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely monochrome Swatow/Zhangzhou dish. Brown glaze color.
It's quite unusual to see a swatow dish only with craquele, without scene or incised decoration.
Great reference p...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
6 Elegant Ming Dynasty Court Attendants in Glazed Terracotta, China 1368-1644 AD
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A fine set of a six court attendants as in the Forbidden City of Beijing, elegantly dressed in a Green & Red Daopao – a traditional men’s formal attire from the Ming Dynasty dated 1368-1643 A.D. – with glazed robes and Red Pigment remains in their hat and belts. They stand in an honorary posture atop a red plinth, some with orifices in their hands, where spirit objects were placed to comfort or satisfy the deceased. The heads are detachable, as often seen on the larger figures from this period.
They are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, and Certificate of Expertise by Jean-Yves Nathan - a leading authority specialized in Far East Archaeology from 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 Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Ming Tianqi Chinese Porcelain Kosometsuke Plate Luohan and Marked Base
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
Sharing with you this Chinese porcelain deep dish from the early 17th century which measures 20.5CM in diameter.
The central image shows a Buddhist or Daoist sage (likely...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Daybed in the Manner of Ming Style
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative daybed, designed circa 1920–30, presumably in England and inspired by Chinese Ming-style furniture.
The piece features a newly upholstered seat with a loose, tailored cush...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Ming Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
18th or 19th Century Elm Doors with Iron Hardware Made into a Ming Coffee Table
Located in Yonkers, NY
18th or 19th century elm doors with iron hardware, fashioned into a large Ming style coffee table. Created during the Qing Dynasty in the...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Iron
Japanese Painting. Bird and Flower. 19th century copy of Lu Ji by Ogata Tomin.
Located in Kyoto, JP
Ogata Tomin (1839 -1895)
Birds in a spring landscape
Ink and colour on silk.
Inscription reads:
“Copy of Lu Ji, painted with heartfelt appreciation”
“Painted by Tomin Ogat...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Silk
Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Charger Eagle and Goat Yin Yang Harmony
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you 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...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$15,872 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Chinese Ming Stone Table, c. 1500-1600
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese 16-17th century Ming stone table carved from a solid piece of stone. This table has a traditional scalloped apron and legs ending in scrolled feet.
In well-preserved origi...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Stone
34.7CM Antique 18C Dutch Delft Earthenware Plate Delftware Based On Chinese P
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A charming and generously sized 18th-century Dutch Delft blue and white plate, inspired by Chinese porcelain designs of the Kangxi period. The central scene features a beautifully st...
Category
17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Asian Amber Glass Vase or Urn
Located in Plainview, NY
A highly decorative vintage Asian amber glass vase or lid urn. The urn features a handcrafted flower brass design in the center of the vase, a round wooden base in black and gilt decorated. The lid of the urn is in the shape of a sword holder...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Ming Furniture
Materials
Art Glass, Wood
$1,200 Sale Price
52% Off
Pair of Walnut Ming Style End Tables
Located in Pasadena, TX
This pair of walnut end tables were made in the Ming style.
They have a carved design in every corner of the skirt.
This carved design follows along he legs giving these tables an As...
Category
Late 20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$1,900 / set
Ming Dynasty Style Pear Wood Buddhist Niche, 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Ming Dynasty Style Pear Wood Buddhist Niche
A finely made wooden Buddhist niche crafted from yellow pear wood, produced in the 20th century in the style of Ming Dynasty devotional f...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Style Bronze Metal Seated Buddha
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive Chinese bronze metal Buddha sculpture depicted sitting. Beautifully crafted in the Ming style with intricate details. The bronze has a rich pat...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Ming Style Rosewood Coffee Table with Rectangular Glass Inset Top Made in China
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Ming style rosewood coffee table with rectangular glass inset top, made in China. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Glass, Rosewood
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 Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Large late Ming dynasty Wanli period blue and white kraak ware export porcelain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely potted and painted blue and white Kosometsuke plate of a desirable cobalt blue! Stunning piece with design of Turkish style Arabesque pattern and central a Lingzhi Fung...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,707 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Ming Period Chinese Porcelain Landscape Figural Dish Kosometsuke
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this lovely early 17th century Kosometsuke dish, made for the Japanese market. We simply fell in love with it. The painting style is very typical for this period but...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$4,043 Sale Price
20% Off
Chinese Ming Dynasty Carved Table Screen
Located in Kastrup, DK
A rare 16-17th cenury Ming Dynasty standing table screen. Untoched original condition.
Hand carved wood, the panel is carved with relief details depicting a dragon, cranes, mythical...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Wine Bottle, c. 1550
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant yet unrefined, this ceramic wine bottle from Yunnan province is a testament to the wabi-sabi beauty of provincial Chinese pottery. Dated to the 15th/16th century, the bottle ...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Antique Ming Period Kosometsuke Landscape Chinese Porcelain Kaiseki Dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very happy and delighted with this new arrival. A very nicely potted, shaped and painted blue and white Kosometsuke piece in nice cobalt blue!
Visible in the pictures is a lidded box...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$11,865 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare Pair Wanli Miniature Chinese Blue
White Ewers ca1600 Bird
Floral Decor
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Rare Pair of Late Wanli Period Miniature Chinese Porcelain Ewers (ca. 1600–1620)
A charming and unusual pair of miniature blue and white ewers, beautifully hand-painted with bird an...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 2 Antique Japanese Ming Style Porcelain Ghendis Arita Kraak, Ca 1670
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this very nice edo period, 1670-1680 examples. With a landscape scene. The rim beautifully painted. The base is blank.
Unmarked at base
Arita ware, also known as A...
Category
17th Century Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$3,260 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Chinese Jade Figure of Guanyin
Located in Bradenton, FL
Most likely Ming 15th/16th Century, carved chicken bone jade figure of a standing Guanyin (Quanyin) holding a scroll in one hand, prayer beads in the other. Affixed to carved wood ba...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Organic Material
Chinese Ming Dynasty Longquan Celadon Peony Deep Dish, 14th-15th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful Chinese celadon glazed deep dish with an impressed peony design to the center, Ming Dynasty, circa 1400, Longquan kilns, China.
The lovey dish covered in an attractive ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Set of 3 Chinese Rosewood Garden Stools or Side Tables
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Vintage Chinese Rosewood Garden Stools or Side Tables, circa 1920's
Elegant design, great functionality , finely executed and High Quality !
Note : could be sold as a pair or i...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Pair of Chinese Solid Rosewood Faux Rattan Garden Style Stools or Side Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
An exquisite Pair of Chinese solid Rosewood hand crafted, hand carved Faux Rattan / vine Garden Style Stools or Side Tables in great vintage condition. May be used as side tables or ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Ming Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood, Rattan
Chinese Ming Dynasty Lacquered and Gilt Bronze Bodhisattva, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
Chinese late Ming dynasty bronze figure of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, also known as Guanyin (Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Kuan Yin), 17th century, China
The figure well cast in two ...
Category
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Rare Chinese Porcelain Ming Period Ko Akae Floral Dish, ca 1600-1660
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Dish with iron-red, green, aubergine, yellow, brown and black with an insect in flight above flowering peony issuing from rockwork, the rim with flower sprays reserved on diaper-patt...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$3,118 Sale Price
20% Off
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
China Antique Pair "Spirit Path" Horse Sculptures, Ming Dynasty 500 Years Old
Located in South Burlington, VT
China, a monumental pair (2) of 500 year old lime stone “Spirit Path” Equine horse head sculptures.
Ming dynasty, (1368-1644 CE).
Please view our video.
A pair of near life size and robust head sections with fine, wavy combed manes, well defined mouths, ears, nostrils, and ornamental bridles, all carved in a medium to dark gray limestone with considerable weathering to surfaces. The smaller head with a later inscription on bottom and signed “Zhuang”.
Formerly exhibited “Treasures from Asia”, Shelburne Vermont, Shelburne Art Center, 2006. Originally found in the vicinity of the village of Chuan near Luoyang City, Henan Provance, China.
Each mounted on a custom iron display stand.
Dimensions:
A the smaller 32.5cm, 13” high and 62.5cm, 25” in length and with display stand, 60cm, 24” high;
b the larger 37.5cm, 15” high and 67.5cm, 27” in length and with display stand
65cm, 26” high.
Please view additional photographs from our Chinese antiquities catalog 35 Years Collecting 35 Treasures, page 60.
History:
Placing stone animals and human figures along spirit paths in front of 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. Life size “spirit path” stone horse sculptures are known and can be viewed from Ming dynasty tombs including thirteen imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty scattered over an area of forty square kilometers in Changping District to the northwest of Beijing.
The first Ming tomb...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Limestone
$19,200 Sale Price
60% Off
Pair of Walnut and Black Lacquer Chin Hua End Tables with Ming Style Legs
Located in Pasadena, TX
The tables are raised on four Ming style legs with horse hoofed feet connected to one another through humpbacked stretchers. With its elegant Ming style lines these pieces will be a ...
Category
20th Century American Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,520 Sale Price / set
35% Off
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
$3,089 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Chinese 17C Porcelain Ming/Transitional Dish Green Glaze Carved
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 period. But could also be around 17...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,113 Sale Price
49% Off
Chinese Ming Dynasty Carved, Painted and Giltwood Amitayus Buddha
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful and serene Chinese Ming dynasty carved wood figure of the Buddha Amitayus, the Buddha of long life, and a form of Amitabha Buddha. He is seated in dhyanassana, dressed in...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Blue and White Style Dutch Delftware Earthenware Charger, 18th Century
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: 25.2 cm.
Condition: Typical rimflaws
A beautiful, antique Delft plate...
Category
17th Century Dutch Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$1,181 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Buddhist Alter Shrine 17-16
th Century
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Buddhist alter shrine, made in pine wood.
Rich on carved figural sceneries.
Original polychrome lacquer, beautiful and untouched condition.
From Shanxi Province in China.
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair Large Chinese Ming Dynasty Glazed and Painted Pottery Figures, 16th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A striking pair of large Chinese glazed and painted pottery figures, Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644), circa 16th century, China.
The impressive and realistically modeled figures each portrayed standing upright upon a sancai (three color) glazed pedestal of kang table form.
The man is dressed in a short black surcoat over a long robe and pants, a smart cap upon his head. His face is warm and welcoming, with wide eyes and a slight smile on his lips. He holds his hands out in front of him, palms up, almost as if shrugging, though presumably originally holding an object or offering, now lost.
The woman of slightly smaller stature, and dressed in a longer surcoat over a long robe and skirt. She wears a fitted cap upon her head. Her hands also held out in front, grasping long lost objects. Her face is slightly more severe, with a somewhat pinched look, and slight frown upon her lips.
The size of these figures is remarkable, as is the realism and attention to detail, almost as if they were modeled after real people, as opposed to the more common and generic Ming Dynasty pottery...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Ming Period Large Pottery Horse with Saddle (15-16th Century)
Located in seoul, KR
The figure stands on a rectangular base. The horse is depicted in a poised stance, with strong, muscular legs and a slightly bowed head. The mane is carefully sculpted with deep, flowing grooves, adding a dynamic texture to the piece. The head features expressive details, including a well-defined muzzle, flared nostrils. The bridle and harness are delicately painted in faded green, contrasting against the creamy beige body. The saddle is adorned with intricate details, including decorative tassels and a textured pattern, indicative of the elaborate tack used in the Ming period.
Traces of original polychrome pigments in green, black, and ochre remain on the surface, hinting at the sculpture’s once-vibrant appearance. The weathered patina and areas of flaking paint add to its historical authenticity, reflecting centuries of age. The overall craftsmanship and detailing exemplify the Ming Dynasty’s refined ceramic artistry, making this piece a remarkable representation of of asian culture during this period.
Period: Ming Dynasty
Medium: Green, black, and ochre glazed Pottery
Type: Figure
Condition : Good(chips on the upper saddle.)
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference : Asian Civilisations Museum - Accession No. C-1384 / 1994-00441 - Ming Dynasty Figure of Horse
(Type : Closely Related)
* Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Figures
Ming Dynasty glazed pottery figures are renowned for their bold color palette, intricate detailing, and lifelike forms, distinguishing them from earlier traditions. These figures, which depict officials, warriors, animals, and mythical creatures, are characterized by high-gloss lead-based glazes in green, amber, ochre, and sancai (three-color) combinations. The thickly applied glaze pools in recesses, creating depth and enhancing sculptural details. With dynamic postures, expressive facial features, and meticulously rendered drapery, these figures reflect the period’s advancement in ceramic craftsmanship, offering a greater sense of movement and realism compared to the rigid and stylized forms of earlier dynasties.
A defining characteristic of Ming glazed pottery is its elaborate surface detailing, often achieved through raised relief elements and contrasting glazes. Equestrian figures, for example, feature carefully sculpted saddles, harnesses, and decorative embellishments, while human figures are adorned with intricate robes and headdresses. The large scale of these tomb figures, often more imposing than those from previous periods, underscores the increasing importance of funerary art during the Ming era. Unlike later Qing Dynasty figures...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Chinese Ming Dynasty Bronze Nanhai Guanyin, 16th/17th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A decidingly charming Chinese polychromed and gilt cast bronze figure of Nanhai Guanyin, Guanyin of the South Sea, Ming Dynasty, 16th/17th century, China.
Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, is portrayed here as a beatific figure seated upon a raised lotus pedestal over waves. Guanyin is dressed in heavy robes, and wears an elaborate headdress. The small figure of Amitabha Buddha in the headdress positively identifies this figure as Guanyin.
Guanyin rests one hand in his lap, holding a cup of pure water said to be able to alleviate all suffering. His other hand is raised, holding a willow branch which is used to sprinkle the healing waters.
The two lotus blossoms to either side of Guanyin would originally have supported figures of the acolytes...
Category
Early 1600s Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Ming Dynasty Style Four Chinese Ceremonial Chairs
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as it provides detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our items.
This series of four b...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Globular Porcelain Vases
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Antique Chinese (late 19th Century) famille rose globular porcelain vases decorated with cranes amid a tree growing from grasses surrounded by blooming pink and orange flower...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Liu Hai Kosometsuke Antique Chinese Ming Dynasty Plate Porcelain, 16/17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful dish in blue and white. This is a Jingdezhen made dish made for the Japanese market. Kosometsuke. Central scene of Liu Hai and the toad.
No mark
Ad...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$2,422 Sale Price
48% Off
Antique Early 17th Century Ming Chinese Porcelain Dish Fishnet Plum Pattern
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Chinese porcelain dish.
With design of plum blossoms against an overall fishnet pattern, also dots in repeat. Executed in underglaze blue and overglaze green and red.
Tianqi or Cho...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
$11,865 Sale Price
20% Off
Ming Style Rosewood Armchairs w/Pink Velvet Seat Cushions Made in China a Pair
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Ming style armchairs comprised of rosewood frames & removeable pink velvet seat cushions made in China a pair. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are v...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Rosewood
Chinese Ming Cobalt Brushed Storage Jar, c. 1500
Located in Chicago, IL
Warped by fire and eroded by time, this ceramic storage jar from Yunnan province is a testament to the wabi-sabi beauty of provincial Chinese pottery. Dated to the 15th/16th century,...
Category
16th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Antique Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Tripod Censer Monster Paw Feet 17c Ming
Located in Richmond, CA
This antique Ming Chinese tripod censer is a masterful example of blue and white porcelain artistry. The censer features a well-proportioned body that is ...
Category
17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Signed Chinese "Gu" Form Vase With Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Diminutive glazed Chinese Vase with simple folk painting of flowers in fresh tones of Salmon, Green and Yellow. Fine traditional form and signed under the glaze on the base. The Vase...
Category
20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Carved Back Elmwood Armchairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Early 20th century Chinese elmwood armchairs with finely carved back and elongated arms and legs.
Measure 30" wide at the legs ends, 25" wide the arms, 27" in depth, 37.5...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Furniture
Materials
Elm
Early Chinese Ningxia Rug with Lotus Flowers
Located in Milan, IT
A rare and beautiful early Chinese carpet characterized by an infinite repeat of parallel and offset rows of blue and ivory lotus blossoms, symbols of purity, on a two-tone yellow ba...
Category
Early 17th Century Chinese Antique Ming Furniture
Materials
Wool
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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