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Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.

Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.

Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.

Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.

Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.

Antique, new and vintage statues can bring depth and distinctive charm to your home’s interiors or your meticulously maintained outdoor garden area.

Introduce an assortment of textures and colors as well as a refreshing air of drama by decorating with stoic sculptural works in any living room, dining room or bedroom, no matter the size or shape of the statues you choose. You don’t have to haul a 19th-century life-size hand-carved work of Italian Carrara marble into your hallway unless, of course, that is the kind of decorative touch that your interior would benefit from. A large sculpture bust placed in your happy home office or positioned as a centerpiece on a table with other decorative objects in your foyer, for example, can prove welcoming to guests and invite rich conversation about your interests.

For a sculpture, an outdoor setting on a lawn or in a garden can open up a whole new world of beauty and meaning. While traditional stone cherub figures can promise tranquility, you can heighten the ogs/the-study/outdoor-dining-spaces/ target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experience of outdoor family meals or garden parties with provocative statues to help frame the dining area in your yard. Lend an air of permanence to the perimeter of your garden with a pair of bronze lion statues or use abstract works of metal to contrast the clean, geometric lines of your manicured shrubbery and thoughtful landscape design.

We know that your garden is an invaluable retreat for when you need some relaxation and that introducing art to your home’s interiors has innumerable benefits. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique, new and vintage statues for all of your decorating needs.