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Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

JAPONISME STYLE

In the late 19th and early 20th century, France developed an enduring passion for Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship. Not only did this interpretation of Japanese culture — which became known as Japonisme — infuse fresh energy into French art and design, but it also radically transformed how Europeans, and subsequently the world, would come to understand visual culture. 

Until 1853, Japan had been closely guarded against foreign visitors for over two centuries. However, American Commodore Matthew C. Perry sailed into Japan that year and initiated the first of its treaties with the United States and Europe, thereby opening its borders and giving the West its first-ever look at Japanese design. 

For the next few decades, taken with Japonisme, sophisticated collectors in Paris, New York and elsewhere gorged themselves on lacquered screens, celadon ceramics and netsuke ornaments, along with artworks depicting various aspects of Japanese life. The East Asian country’s influence on Europe, particularly France, contributed to one of the most creatively prosperous periods in history, leaving an imprint on the Impressionist, Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, and inspiring artists like Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Vincent van Gogh as well as luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès. Japonisme emerged at the time when the ornate Renaissance Revival style was the most prominent mode of decorating in Europe, and Japanese aesthetics seemed strikingly modern and elegant in comparison. 

In addition to everyday practical objects from Japan, such as vases, tableware and decorative boxes, Japanese art, especially Japanese woodblock prints by masters of the ukiyo-e school, caught the eye of many artists — particularly those in the Art Nouveau poster community in 1880s Paris. The luscious organic colors associated with traditional Japanese design, motifs like cherry blossoms and carp and the vivid patterns found in woodblock prints, silks and more were adopted and appropriated by painters as well as ceramicists and those working in other fields of the decorative arts. Today, demand for Japanese lacquerware — furniture, trays, writing boxes, screens, incense burners — from the Edo period (1615–1868) and the late 19th century continues to be very strong among collectors.

Find a collection of antique Japonisme furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

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Style: Japonisme
Japan deer ryoshibako box Showa era Kawachi Hisaya
Located in PARIS, FR
Cedar wooden ryoshibako (or bunko) document box, decorated with deer and crane on the outer lid and bat on the inner lid in takamaki-e lacquer. As a wedding box, these animals are sy...
Category

20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Imari "Somenishiki Tsubakitakedutsu" Handmade incence holder
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-carved. A kouro is a vessel used for burning incense. The culture of fragrances was born in India and nurtured in China. In Japan, during the Muromachi period, the traditional c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Madowari Shoukamon" Handmade incence holder
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-carved. A kouro is a vessel used for burning incense. The culture of fragrances was born in India and nurtured in China. In Japan, during the Muromachi period, the traditional c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Imari "Somenishiki Sazankai" Handmade incence holder
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-carved. A kouro is a vessel used for burning incense. The culture of fragrances was born in India and nurtured in China. In Japan, during the Muromachi period, the traditional c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Imari "Sukash"i incence holder
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-carved. A kouro is a vessel used for burning incense. The culture of fragrances was born in India and nurtured in China. In Japan, during the Muromachi period, the traditional c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Somenishiki Seikaiha" Handmade green tea cup with lid
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-painted. Seikaiha is a pattern of waves and scales that symbolizes "an endless, peaceful future" and is one of the auspicious motifs in Japanese culture. Sometsuke or "blue and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Handmade "Ekaratsu tea" tea ceremony tools made in Japan
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Handmade. Karatsu ware is characterized by a simple and powerful impression, using roughly textured and coarse clay as its main material. It is one of the popular pottery production ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita/Imari "Aokoimari" Handmade ornamental vase
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. The vivid and thick green paint used in this artwork is now rare and precious. Ko-Imari refers to antique Imari porcelain produced during the Edo period, and Imari ware ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita/Imari "Iwakikyou" soup pot
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. The kikyo pattern has long been popular in porcelain painting and decoration.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita/Imari "Iwakikyou ornamental" Handmade vase with lid
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. The kikyo pattern has long been popular in porcelain painting and decoration.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Kinrante Houou 30 Gou" Handmade large plate
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. The phoenix is a symbol of peace and happiness, and is considered auspicious. Kinran-de is a technique that originated during the prosperous Genroku period of the Edo er...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Akadamiume 15 Gou" Handmade ornamental plate
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. The plum blossom is a motif that symbolizes patience, vitality, and the celebration of the New Year.
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Yamakage" Handmade vase
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. Using gradations of sometsuke (Japanese underglaze blue) to create a sense of depth and represent a mountain range.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Suichuuka" Handmade vase
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. Imagine a flower blooming in a vessel filled with water.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Koie" Handmade large plate
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. Decorative plates incorporate traditional designs that reflect the changing seasons. While staying true to tradition, new expressions suitable for the times are sought, a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Fuchijimon Kujaku 20 Gou" Handmade large plate
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. Peacocks are used to symbolize disaster avoidance and prosperity for descendants, making them a perfect subject for the world of decorative beauty. These dishes, rich in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Gokujou Madorikachou 18 Gou" handmade large plate
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Using a technique called "dami-e," the artist applies a heavy pigment to a large brush and paints onto the fabric, allowing the pigment to soak into the material as they work.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Hasami "Hori Egypt" Handmade art vase made in Japan
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Handmade. Keinosuke Nagano was a potter and also worked as an elementary school teacher.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Sarasa" lamp
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. Originally, Sarasa referred to cloth with floral and bird motifs painted on it. Choosing the right lighting is an important point in effectively enhancing the atmosphere ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Koimari Botan" lamp
Located in Shibuya City, JP
This is a hand-drawn piece. The fusion of pottery and a lamp is rare, and there are not many existing works of this kind. The choice of lighting is an important point to effectively ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita Planter cover
Located in Shibuya City, JP
The technique, reminiscent of Song dynasty red ceramics, used by Kakiemon is called "nigoshi-de" or "muddy brushstroke," which enhances the warm and childish charm of the piece by ap...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Akadami MadoriKujaku" planter cover
Located in Shibuya City, JP
"Dami" is a technique of drawing outlines on the surface and then filling the inside with a thick brush containing ink. This technique is used to create a sense of mismatch in both W...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Koimari" planter cover small
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. "Ko-Imari" does not refer to a pattern, but rather to ceramics made in the Hizen region during the Edo period. They have a mismatched feeling with both Western and Japane...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita ":Somenishiki Madori Souka" ornamental vase with lid
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-drawn. The pattern features representative flowers of pottery, such as the iris. "Sometsuke" is a type of porcelain ware where a design is first applied directly to the unglazed...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita/Imari "Hakuji Sukashi" botan vase
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Handmade. Each hole in the design is carefully created by hand, allowing you to appreciate the intricate beauty of the detailed craftsmanship.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Japanese Arita "Somenishiki Madori Houou" ornamental vase with lid
Located in Shibuya City, JP
This artwork is hand-painted and depicts a phoenix, a symbol of peace and happiness that is considered auspicious. The technique used is called sometsuke, which involves applying gla...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Arita "Koimari Houou" table S
Located in Shibuya City, JP
This is a handwritten piece. The phoenix is a symbol of peace, happiness, and good luck. "Ko-Imari" refers to the old Imari ware produced during the Edo period. Imari ware is a gener...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Imari "Somenishiki tsubakimaru" incence holder made in Japan
Located in Shibuya City, JP
Hand-carved. A kouro is a vessel used for burning incense. The culture of fragrances was born in India and nurtured in China. In Japan, during the Muromachi period, the traditional c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

A pair of bronze vases with Onagadori roosters
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of bronze vases adorned with inlays, decorated with two Onagadori roosters, known for their elegant length of tail. The roosters are represented perched on a plum branch. Signe...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japan bronze cicada sculpture okimono Meiji
Located in PARIS, FR
Bronze sculpture with dark brown patina of a cicada. The cicada (in Japanese, semi) is considered as a symbol of humanity. Together with a praying mantis and a spider, they represen...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japan ceramic inari fox Taisho era
Located in PARIS, FR
Ceramic sculpture of the white fox, messenger of Inari – the Shinto and Buddhist deity of harvest, rice and abundance. The Inari fox (kitsune) is a benevolent animal, a sign of pros...
Category

20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Japan bronze praying mantis insect sculpture okimono Meiji
Located in PARIS, FR
Dark brown patina bronze sculpture of a praying mantis. The praying mantis (in Japanese, kamakiri) is considered an auspicious symbol. Japan – Meiji era (1868-1912) Height: 0.79 in...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

2 Antique Tsukioka Kogyo Taema Arashiyama Nogaku Hyakuban Woodblock Prints 29"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique late 19th to early 20th century Japanese woodblock prints - "Taema" and "Arashiyama" from the series "One Hundred Noh Dramas (Nogaku hyakuban)" by Tsukioka Kôgyo, published b...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Paper

Kogo box in maki-è lacquer depicting a naturalistic scene
Located in Milano, IT
Kogo box in maki-è lacquer, with a domed lid depicting a naturalistic scene. The gold decoration depicts the Japanese pine, known as Matsu, and a typical house with a thatched roof a...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Satsuma ceramic plate adorned with polychrome and gold decorations
Located in Milano, IT
Satsuma ceramic plate adorned with polychrome and gold decorations within numerous reserves of unique shape and size, depicting scenes of Japanese daily life. The plate is signed un...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

ANTIQUE SOLiD BRONZE JAPANESE KOI CARP STATUE OF A WONDERFULLY ELEGANT FISH
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1920 solid bronze Japanese Koi Carp statue A wonderfully original find, this...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A Satsuma vase decorated with a garden of chrysanthemums
Located in Milano, IT
Satsuma vase, with slender neck and terminal part adorned in pure gold decorated with a garden of chrysanthemums, made with enamel and gold in relief. Different varieties of chrysan...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Imari Porcelain Lidded Bowl Jewelry Box
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine and rare lidded and hinged Imari bowl with ormolu fittings, set atop three ornamented feet. Perfect for jewelry, trinkets, or sweets.
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

A large bronze vase depicting an egret
Located in Milano, IT
Large bronze vase depicting an egret, in relief, on a perch in the center of a watercourse, surrounded by four swimming fish. The figure of the egret emerges from the vase with remar...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

STUNNING SiGNED ANTIQUE CIRCA 1870 JAPANESE VASE DEPICTING A BIRD ON A BRANCH
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1870 signed to the base solid bronze Japanese bronze vase depicting a large b...
Category

1870s Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A boxwood netsuke depicting a snake wrapping around a pumpkin
Located in Milano, IT
Boxwood netsuke depicting a snake wrapping around a pumpkin. The snake is a symbol often associated with rebirth, transformation while the pumpkin is a symbol of fertility, abundanc...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a good example of a traditional Japanese Hokai shell storage box for the Kai-awase game. This box is well-detailed in chased brass appliques and makie. The box is in overall ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

A Japanese maki-è lacquer inro
Located in Milano, IT
Japanese inro with two compartments, in maki-è lacquer with nashiji decorations and circular reserves depicting flowers and leaves. Coral colored ojime and lacquer manju netsuke. Si...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Antique Japanese Ink Hanging Scroll Nakabayashi Chikuto Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
An ink painting on paper (Sumi-e) mounted with brocade borders as a hanging scroll. Entitled "Plum Blossom Under a Misty Moon", the artist was Japanese painter Nakabayashi Chikuto (1...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Brocade, Wood, Paper

1980's Japanese, Imari Style, Porcelain Serving Dish
Located in Glasgow, GB
A vintage Japanese porcelain serving dish. The serving dish, handcrafted in Japan in the 1980s, features an elaborate Japanese scene and ornamentation based on a traditional Imari d...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Satsuma bowl decorated with a striking landscape
Located in Milano, IT
Satsuma bowl decorated with a striking landscape that evokes the beauty and serenity of the Japanese hills, with a gently flowing river surrounded by trees and mountains. The bowl i...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

A Boxwood Netsuke Depicting A Toad Resting On A Sandal
Located in Milano, IT
Boxwood netsuke depicting a toad resting on an upside-down sandal (waraji), with horned eyes. Signed Masanao on a rectangular gusset in the center of the sandal. Origin: Japan Per...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Boxwood

A boxwood netsuke depicting a monkey trying to catch a turtle
Located in Milano, IT
A boxwood netsuke depicting a monkey trying to catch a turtle, which retracts its head and legs inside the carapace. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century. Dimensions: 3.4 x 3 x ...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Boxwood

Antique 19th Century Japanese Imari Scalloped Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
Wonderful 19th century antique Imari plate with scalloped edge. Featuring vibrant oranges, blues, and green.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th century Edo period's Hanging scroll Samurai players and child dancer
Located in Chiba, JP
Description - Hanging scroll with quite a surreal scene of the music and dance performance with two seated samurais and a child actor on a go-game-board who plays a role of dancing s...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Paper

Antique 19th Century Japanese Imari Scalloped Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
Wonderful 19th century antique Imari plate with scalloped edge. Featuring vibrant oranges, blues, and green. The center of the plate depicts a hand-painted vase with a spray of flowe...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Gojunoto, Japanese Metal Pagoda
Located in Vienna, AT
Gojunoto, Japanese Metal Pagoda - This is a wonderfully detailed smaller version of a Pagoda building made from cast iron. Pagoda buildings, Tō (塔) in Japanese, originated in ancient...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Copper, Iron

Antique 19th Century Japanese Imari Scalloped Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
Wonderful 19th century antique Imari plate with scalloped edge. Featuring vibrant oranges, blues, and teal.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Decorative Wall Plate in Porcelain and Brass - Circa 1970's by ACF
Located in Glasgow, GB
Vintage Decorative Wall Plate A Japanese vintage porcelain wall plate, handcrafted in the 1970s, features an eye-catching pattern of br...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Brass

Satsuma ceramic lobed bowl, signed Juzan under the base
Located in Milano, IT
Satsuma ceramic lobed bowl adorned with raised enamels and fine gold details, depicting a vibrant landscape within. Characters and traditional Japanese home...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

A boxwood netsuke depicting a snake
Located in Milano, IT
Boxwood netsuke depicting a snake coiled around itself. Signature engraved under the base. Origin: Japan Period: Meiji late 19th century. Dimensions: 4 x 3.5 x 2 cm. State of co...
Category

19th Century Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Iron Pagoda Garden Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Japanese cast iron pagoda lantern with lattice fret work hinged door. Bird and bamboo iron cut outs surround pagoda. Beautiful slo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Iron

Janetti Father & Sons Japanese Pedestal in Engraved and Painted Bamboo, ca 1880
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Japanese pedestal, this delightful object was made in Japan in the late 19th-century and imported into Italy by a famous merchant, Emportio Janetti Padre e Figli. They were the first in trading Japanese art in Florence in the second half of the 19th century. This spectacular piece of rare beauty was fully hand-crafted with perfect proportions. The complex structure is made in engraved and lacquered crossed bamboo with fantastic floreal details. The two round trays are in black lacquered wood with hand-painted decorations. The fine details and the beauty make this pedestal a masterpiece. An unique decorative pedestal of outstanding quality that can be mixed in a neoclassical or mid-century project or in a Japanese style project. Dimensions (cm): Diameter - 37 Height - 112 In the 1870s collecting Japanese art products started to be popular among a wider range of collectors, not only among circles of intellectuals, artists, and designers. This cultural phenomenon also reached Italy, and when a group of Japanese diplomats (Iwakura Mission) arrived in Florence in May 1873, it reported a very positive impression of a shop that sold Japanese...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Japonisme asian art and furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Japonisme asian art and 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 asian art and furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Japonisme asian art and furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original asian art and furniture, popular names associated with this style include Makuzu Kozan, Ando Jubei, Cordélia Faure, and Dorian Étienne. 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 asian art and furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $54,000 while the average work can sell for $3,271.

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