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Meiji Ceramics

MEIJI STYLE

From 1868 to 1912, Emperor Mutsuhito oversaw an era of transformation in Japan. Formerly a country of feudalism and isolation, Japan entered an age of modernization influenced by newly established trade and exchange with the West. The Meiji period, or period of “enlightened rule,” also saw the global impact of the East Asian country’s culture. Japanese Meiji furniture was exhibited at expositions from Paris to San Francisco and created for export.

Prior to the Meiji era, furniture was mostly made by commission for the ruling class; now there were new domestic and international markets. European styles like Japonisme appropriated Japanese design while craftsmen in places like Wales and England employed japanning, a varnishing technique that approximated the appearance of lacquer for the surfaces of furnishings.

Meiji furniture made for Japanese homes and buildings constructed in Western styles resulted in taller tables, chairs, cabinets with large drawers and other features. The government invested in areas such as transportation and communication, and because people could freely choose occupations after the restrictions of feudalism, industries of various types were energized by expressive new ideas during those years. Art schools were formed and, for the first time, design was an area of study in the country, leading to the evolution of professional design as a career by the 1890s.

The work of Japanese designers was transmitted widely through lavishly illustrated pattern books that included designs for screens and lacquerware for the home. While screens today may be of use as decorative accents or partitions to ensure privacy in one’s space, Japanese screens were adorned with paintings and were featured in performing arts such as concerts, tea ceremonies and more. The color illustrations that characterize Meiji woodblock prints, a genre of Japanese art that grew out of 17th-century developments in printing and book publishing, depicted the sweeping changes that the era brought to East Asia.

Although it was a time of societal and cultural shifts, a bolstered interest in art and design elevated Japanese craft traditions. From colorful porcelain table lamps with silk shades and hardwood tables decorated with dark lacquer to cabinets featuring iron hardware and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Meiji furniture showcased Japan’s artistic heritage to the world.

Find a collection of antique Japanese Meiji period case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Meiji
Japanese Contemporary Blue Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, hand painted on a elegantly shaped porcelain body in blue, with extremely intricate patterns and extensive use of high ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Ko-Imari Gold Blue Porcelain Koro Incense Burner
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Stunning contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari style porcelain koro or incense burner or jewelry box, hand painted on a beautifully shaped round body in cobalt blue, red and green and gener...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Set of Contemporary Gilded Blue Red Porcelain Cup and Saucer
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary gilded hand-painted Imari porcelain cup and saucer in vivid red, blue and green generously decorated with gold. The pattern of this stunning set, scalloped around the rim of the cup and saucer, is inspired by a beloved pattern by Meissen in Germany. Imari-Arita region of Japan has a history of more than 400 years of exporting the finest porcelain produced in that region. There was a fascination for Arita ware...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Blue White Porcelain Dessert or Bread Plate
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional Japanese contemporary porcelain dessert/fruit/bread plate in an elegant square shape, hand-painted in blue underglaze in cobalt and light blue to showcase a graceful arab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Green Red Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary museum quality contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately gilded and hand-painted in stunning shades of red and green on a stunningly shaped...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Blue Gold White Porcelain Charger
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Unique contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) style charger stunningly gilded and hand painted on an exquisite clam shape porcelain, crafted and signed by renowned Kiln of the Im...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Kutani Japanese Meiji Porcelain Vase Painted with Figures
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Japanese Meiji porcelain Kutani vase hand painted with decorative and a figural panel dating between 1868 and 1912. The elegantly shaped tall ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique ca 1900 Japanese Satsuma Vase Richly Decorated Marked Miniature
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description A Japanese Satsuma teapot and cover marked base, miniature Condition Overall condition restoration to rim. Size 60mm high Period 19...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Porcelain Charger finely Hand Painted, Meiji Period circa 1880
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality, hand decorated Japanese porcelain charger, large plate or bowl with an Imari pattern, dating to the late 19th centur...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Six Kinkozan Bowls with Birds and Flowers of the Months, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine partial set of six Japanese Satsuma bowls decorated with flowers and birds of the months, signed Kinkozan, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The set of six exquisitely pa...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Japanese Contemporary Blue Red White Porcelain Box by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Mesmerizing Japanese contemporary museum-quality decorative porcelain box, painstakingly intricately hand-painted in blue underglaze on the inside and in blue and red Set against a s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Koro
Located in Newark, England
Bulbous Form From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Koro. The Japanese Satsuma Koro of rounded form neatly potted with a small to...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery

Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Plate by Kinkozan
Located in Newark, England
Painted with Two Snipe Amongst Iris From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Plate by Kinkozan. The Satsuma Plate is extensively de...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery

Japanese Contemporary Blue White Porcelain Dinner Plate
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Japanese contemporary porcelain dinner plate in an elegant square shape, hand-painted in blue uderglaze in cobalt and light blue to showcase a grace...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Cloisonné Lidded Jar Fine Decoration, Early Meiji Period
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative cloisonné lidded jar, made in Japan and dating to the 19th century, early Meiji period, circa 1875 or possibly earlier....
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Imari Porcelain Scalloped Bowl or Vide Poche
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine old or antique Japanese Imari porcelain bowl. With a green butterfly crest to the center surrounded by red, blue, green and yellow geometric & floral devices on a white groun...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Nanban Black Ship Imari Chargers, A Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
A pair of Nanban Black Ship Imari Chargers, late 19th century. 12 inches wide
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Kutani Porcelain Vase by Shoundo / Matsumoto Sahei
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Japanese Meiji period Kutani porcelain vase. By Matsumoto Sahei/Shoundo. In an aka-e style decorated throughout in iron red with extensive gilt accents. There are c...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

19th / 20th c Bronze Netsuke Squirrel with a nut Japanese Japan
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
19th / 20th c Bronze Netsuke Squirrel with a nut Japanese Japan Signed Condition Period 20th century Meiji Periode (1867-1912)
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Japanese Contemporary Gilded Red Green Porcelain Cup, 7
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain short stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are characteristics of Ko-Imari Porcelain ca...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Satsuma Imperial Vase "A Thousand Faces" Meiji Period
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Satsuma Imperial Vase "A Thousand Faces" Meiji Period A Japanese collectible vase, hand painted decorated with intricate designs and figures, with a classic shape and painted with va...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Contemporary White Gold Blue Porcelain Short Stem Cup, 4
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Elegant contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain short stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are chara...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Red Blue Hand-Glazed Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, hand-glazed in vivid red and blue/purple on a stunning gourd-shaped body, from the extraordinary signature Galaxy series ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Imari Bowl
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A large 19th Century Japanese Imari Bowl of ribbed form with colourful hand painted designs on each segment and centralised foliate panels and flower heads. In excellent condition. C...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Bronze / copper Statue Incense Burner Quaill
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
a very nice statue of a fisherman on a fish Condition Good condition, the mouth seems to have been filled. 12cm Period 19th century
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Large Seiji Saku Bronze Archer Figure Statue Japan Meiji era (1868-1912)
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
BRONZE ARCHER FIGURE Japan, Meiji Bronze period. H. ca. 38cm. The figure is kneeling, dressed in a haramaki and robes decorated with kamon and wheels, with a bow in his hands, signed...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Antique Japanese Bronze / copper Statue Incense Burner Fisherman on a fish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
a very nice statue of a fisherman on a fish Condition 40 x 35 cm. Good condition with sign of ware. Period 19th century
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Samurai Warriors Statue Japan Meiji era (1868-1912) Gyokko studio
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
BRONZE top level Japanese statues. Samurai with flute and sword. Both with weapons intentional. Gyokko studio Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century Condition Statues some wear, but cl...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Large Takachika" & "Kakuha sei" Bronze Elephant Herd Statue Japan Meiji era
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice statue of a Elephant Herd. 66cm with double mark "Takachika" & "Kakuha sei" Kakuha Kanzaemon IX (角羽勘左衛門), real name Kakuha Zenjirô (角羽善次郎), was a member of a lineage of ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Huge Antique Meiji Japanese Bronze Shou Lao - Jurojin and Deer Incense Burner
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very large and top quality Meiji period Incense burner of Jurojin - Shou Lao and a deer God of longevity associated with the Canopus star of the South Pole. Usually represented as...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Antique Seiya-sei for Genryusai Seiya Bronze Man and Monkey Statue Japan Meij
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
BRONZE Seiya-sei for Genryusai Seiya Man and Monkey figure. Marked on base Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century Condition Condition is Perfect: Size 33.5 cm high Period 19th century ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Japanese Contemporary Silver Red Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary museum quality decorative porcelain vase in a stunning shape featuring high purity silver leafs tinted in four beautiful shades of red meticulously po...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Silver, Foil, Silver Leaf

Large Japanese Imari Fluted Charger, Edo/Meiji Period, Mid 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large and impressive Japanese Imari porcelain fluted charger with scalloped rim, signed Kaji(chu?), Edo to Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan. The magnificent Japanese Imari ch...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19thC Japanese Porcelain Meiji Period Imari Lidded Ginger Jar Vase 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain pottery lidded ginger jar/vase, circa 1890. The dome topped lid decorated with a Komainu finial (Japanese lion-dog temple guardia...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Pottery Bowl Imperial Figures Kizan 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Japanese Meiji period Satsuma pottery bowl, circa 1890. The bowl having a lobed rim and finely decorated & gilt to the outside with a 'thousand flowers' decoratio...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Japanese Contemporary Blue White Porcelain Charger
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Unique ontemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) style charger in blue and white on a stunning abalone shape porcelain body, by renowned Kiln of the Imari-Arita region of southern Ja...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Satsuma Japanese Meiji Miniature Enameled Teapot Kozon Mark
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional Japanese Satsuma miniature spool shaped pottery teapot and cover finely hand enameled with Kozon mark and dating from around 1880. This delightful teapot has an invers...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Monumental Japanese Sake Vessel, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant, large-scale vessel is a Japanese widemouth stoneware jar (kame) traditionally used for storing water and other liquids. This 19th-century example continues traditional ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain, Stoneware

19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Imari Scalloped Charger Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous 19th-Century Japanese Meiji Period Imari porcelain charger with a hand painted floral design in the traditional Imari colors. This fine large plate has lovely scalloped ed...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Sumidagawa pottery Monkeys vase, Ban-Ni, Japan, Meiji Period.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
Sumidagawa ‘Monkeys’ vase, Ban-Ni, Japan, c. 1890, Meiji Period. £1,350.00 Sumidagawa pottery vase, signed Ban-Ni, Japan, c. 1890, Meiji Period. The large vase, sculpted with an amu...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Koro Kizan
Located in Newark, England
Meiji Period (1868-1912) From our Japanese collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Koro by Kizan. The Koro of squat bombe form raised upon an...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Japanese Contemporary Green Platinum Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary decorative porcelain vase with mysterious intricate etchings features platinum, gold foils plus silver foil tinted in shades of vivid green, meticulously positioned usi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Platinum, Foil, Gold Leaf

Imari porcelain Carp dish, Arita, Japan, c. 1890, Meiji Period.
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
Japanese Imari porcelain Carp dish, Arita, c. 1890, Meiji Period. The canted rectangular dish, moulded to the centre with a large carp, in low relief, hand painted in typical Imari c...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Blue Cream Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary signed decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand-painted in blue underglaze on a stunning auspicious double gourd body by highly admired award-winni...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Imari Scalloped Charger Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous 19th-Century Japanese Meiji Period Imari porcelain charger with a hand painted floral design in the traditional Imari colors with stunning turquoise accents. This fine lar...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Imari Charger Plate
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous 19th-Century Japanese Meiji Period Imari porcelain charger with a hand painted floral design in the traditional Imari colors with stunning gilt accents. This fine large pl...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Contemporary Japanese Gold Red Blue Porcelain Long Stem Cup, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain long stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are char...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Red Blue Black Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional museum-quality Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately hand-painted in stunning cream, red, blue and black, a mesmerizing signed masterpiec...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Antique Meiji Period Satsuma Shimazu Vases - a Pair
Located in Seguin, TX
Circa 1900 pair of Satsuma vases. Hand painted coastal landscape, mountains, women and children outside of elaborate homes. Signed on the bottom with the Shimazu Clan crest, wear to...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Japanese Meiji Satsuma Hand Painted & Gilt Porcelain Vase C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Japanese Meiji Satsuma Hand Painted & Gilt Porcelain Vase with Flowers, Butterfly & Bamboo, C1910 Measures- 8.75''H x 4.5''W x 4.5''D
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Satsuma Koi Bowl
Located in Chicago, IL
This extraordinary 19th-century Meiji period Japanese Satsuma lotus-form bowl is an epitome of artistic mastery and cultural significance. Adorned meticulously with red and black koi...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Koro Satsuma Japanese ceramic
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Koro Satsuma Japanese ceramic Japanese glazed ceramic in various colors Meiji Style Circa 1940 Origin Japan It has traditional images painted on its front and back. The purpose of th...
Category

1940s Japanese Vintage Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Meiji Satsuma Gilt Porcelain Vase with Pagoda & Mt Fugi C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Japanese Meiji Satsuma Gilt Porcelain Vase with Pagoda & Mt Fugi, Signed, C1910 Measures- 7.25''H x 3.5''W x 3.5''D
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Porcelain Blue Red Gold Cup, 5
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain long stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are charac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Japanese Glazed Tsubo Wine Jar, c. 1875
Located in Chicago, IL
This large, glazed stoneware vessel is a Meiji-era Japanese storage jar (tsubo) used for storing rice wine, water or even tea leaves and spices. Sometimes referred to as a Martaban j...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Japanese Contemporary Red Blue Green Porcelain Long Stem Cup, 9
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain long stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are characteristics o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Blue Pink Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately hand-painted in pink, blue and green on a stunningly shaped porcelain body, a signed masterpiece ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Gold

Miniature Antique Japanese Satsuma Pottery Censer or Koro
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Japanese Satsuma pottery incense burner. With a cream ground and an extensively gilt exterior. There are numerous cartouches around the censer with each having a un...
Category

Early 20th Century Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Meiji ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Meiji ceramics 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 ceramics created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji ceramics 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 ceramics, popular names associated with this style include Satsuma, Kinkozan, Makuzu Kozan, and Fukagawa. 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 ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $40,660 while the average work can sell for $1,905.

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