What makes a Japanese garden?

Natural guardian stones and waterfalls are common features in Japanese gardens. In Eastern philosophy, stones are significant — they have practical and symbolic meanings. They bind the garden to the ground and give it its unique personality as a symbol of eternity and the omnipresence of nature's force.

What are the features of a traditional Japanese garden?

At its most basic, the essential elements of a Japanese garden are water, stone and plants. Other common elements include garden bridges over the water source, stone lanterns, and koi ponds. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of items relating to the art of Japanese gardening from some of the world’s top sellers.

How can I tell if my Japanese pottery is antique?

To tell if your Japanese pottery is antique, look for markings, which usually appear on the bottoms of pieces. If you see the word "Nippon," your piece was likely produced between 1891 and 1921, making it an antique. Pieces marked with the words "made in occupied Japan" originated between 1945 and 1952 and are vintage, based on their age. A "made in Japan" marking may indicate a vintage or contemporary piece. If you don't see any of these markings, consult trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your pottery was produced. Any piece that dates back 100 years or more is antique. Should you encounter difficulty with the dating process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Japanese pottery.

Japanese Garden Antiques

Asian Garden Sculptures

Asian Duck Sculptures

1930s Silk Kimono

Art Deco Kimono

17th Century Japanese Art

Iron Elephant

Kimono Reversible

Cast Iron Squirrel

Edo Period Stone Buddha/1600’s/Japanese Antique Buddha Statue/Garden Ornament

H 13 in W 8.67 in D 3.94 in

Edo Period Stone Buddha/1600’s/Japanese Antique Buddha Statue/Garden Ornament

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This stone Buddha sculpture, believed to date back to the early Edo period or earlier, depicts Jizo Bosatsu in a seated pose. Crafted from granite, it showcases the natural effects ...

Category

Early 17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Stone

Recent Sales

Pair Of Cast Iron 1920's Garden Squirrels

H 9 in W 5.5 in D 8 in

Pair Of Cast Iron 1920's Garden Squirrels

Located in Hudson, NY

A really handsome and hard to find pair of 1920s cast iron squirrels. Made in and marked Japan, most of these have disappeared over the years.

Category

1920s Japanese Art Deco Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Iron

Pair Antique Cast Bronze Japanese Duck Garden Sculptures 1920's

H 9.75 in W 9.5 in D 5 in

Pair Antique Cast Bronze Japanese Duck Garden Sculptures 1920's

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

Pair finely detailed hand cast Japanese bronze ducks.

Category

1920s Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Bronze

1930's Reversible Silk Kimono

Located in Geneva, CH

One side is royal blue with a colorful Japanese inspired flower print and the other side is light grey with a Japanese garden print.

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Pair of Large Japanese Art Deco Iron Elephants, Circa 1920's

H 30 in W 5.5 in D 29 in

Pair of Large Japanese Art Deco Iron Elephants, Circa 1920's

Located in Lake Forest, IL

Pair of Magnificent Japanese Art Deco Patinated Iron Rearing Elephants on bases, each made of four parts, hand-chased and finished in fine, thick metallic gray patination over red ir...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Lead

People Also Browsed

Japanese "Suiseki" Mountain View Scholar's Stone / Elegant Mountain Scenery

H 4.89 in W 12.92 in D 3.94 in

Japanese "Suiseki" Mountain View Scholar's Stone / Elegant Mountain Scenery

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is a stone mined in Japan. Not only in China but also in Japan from ancient times, rocks in the mountains have been shaved and stones for viewing have been quarried. Such stone...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Stone

White Turtle Bookcase, by Marcantonio, Made in Italy

H 36.62 in W 22.84 in D 15.75 in

White Turtle Bookcase, by Marcantonio, Made in Italy

By MARCANTONIO

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) A multipurpose turtle: its carapace acts as a support for a series of accessories. Onc...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Metal

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard Wabi sabi primitive

H 24.69 in W 50.01 in D 16.34 in

1870s-1900s Japanese antique Mizuya tansu chest sideboard Wabi sabi primitive

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

New finds from Tohoku area, Japan. This single tier Mizuya tansu is made from premium quality, reddish Sugi Cedar. The product of circa 1870s to 1900s (Meiji to early Taisho period)...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

H 31.5 in W 106.3 in D 39.38 in

Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa

Located in Jesteburg, DE

Introducing the home collection. An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....

Category

2010s Belgian Modern Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Linen

Antique Korean Stone Pot / Joseon Dynasty / Stone Folk Art Object

H 11.74 in W 17.6 in D 18 in

Antique Korean Stone Pot / Joseon Dynasty / Stone Folk Art Object

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This stone pot was made in Korea during the late Joseon dynasty, between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its sturdy appearance, carved from a granite-like stone, emanates a p...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Other Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Stone

Japanese Antique Huge Door " Wall Decoration " 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi"

H 72.84 in W 48.04 in D 2.56 in

Japanese Antique Huge Door " Wall Decoration " 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi"

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

Japanese Antique Huge Door " Wall Decoration " 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi This extraordinary large sliding door was once used in an old warehouse in Japan. Dating back to the Meiji per...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Iron

1870s-1920s Japanese antique Yoshino cedar garden exterior door rustic wabi sabi

H 67.13 in W 33.27 in D 1.78 in

1870s-1920s Japanese antique Yoshino cedar garden exterior door rustic wabi sabi

Located in 常陸大宮市, JP

New finds from the lumber dearer's house, near Yoshino, Nara pref., Japan. This door - not sliding door, was made for exterior door or the garden furniture circa 1870s-1920s, Meiji t...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Rustic Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Old Japanese stone and concrete display stand/late 20th century/bonsai stand

H 7.01 in W 17.92 in D 10.04 in

Old Japanese stone and concrete display stand/late 20th century/bonsai stand

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is a one-of-a-kind exhibition stand that utilizes an old L-shaped concrete made around the latter half of the 20th century. The L-shaped stone material that serves as the main ...

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Other Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Stone, Concrete

Japanese Antique Cabinets, Tansu, Wabi Sabi, Japandi

H 34.65 in W 70.08 in D 20.48 in

Japanese Antique Cabinets, Tansu, Wabi Sabi, Japandi

Located in Katori-Shi, 12

This is an antique Japanese-style cabinet made in the Meiji period. The texture of the black lacquer, smoked with soot from the hearth, has a unique depth and charm that is unlike a...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Wood

Japanese old small appreciation stone/scholar's stone/scenery of cliff/[suiseki]

H 3.94 in W 7.49 in D 3.75 in

Japanese old small appreciation stone/scholar's stone/scenery of cliff/[suiseki]

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

In Japan, there are stones for viewing called suiseki. The same culture has existed in China since ancient times. Suiseki is a Japanese culture and hobby of appreciating stones indoo...

Category

20th Century Japanese Showa Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Stone

Torso of Buddha, Kingdom of Ayutthaya, '1350-1767', 17th Century

H 25.2 in W 15.75 in D 8.67 in

Torso of Buddha, Kingdom of Ayutthaya, '1350-1767', 17th Century

Located in Jesteburg, DE

Torso of Buddha Kingdom of Ayutthaya (1350-1767), 17th century. Carved sandstone, height (including base) 64 cm. Provenance: The Sassoon Family Collection, Lausanne, S...

Category

17th Century Thai Minimalist Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Sandstone

Concrete Three-Tier Ukiyo Fountain by OPIARY

H 36 in W 90 in D 90 in

Concrete Three-Tier Ukiyo Fountain by OPIARY

By Robert Remer

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Cement

Japanese antique wooden blocks/1800-1920/paper charms/Buddhist art

H 11.62 in W 8.78 in D 0.71 in

Japanese antique wooden blocks/1800-1920/paper charms/Buddhist art

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This is a wooden woodblock produced in Japan from the late Edo period to the Taisho period (about 1800s to 1920s). The material used is something like beech wood, and the wood is dec...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Beech

50 Million Year Old Fossil Crocodile Specimen (Green River Formation, Wyoming)

H 49 in W 90 in D 2.75 in

50 Million Year Old Fossil Crocodile Specimen (Green River Formation, Wyoming)

By Green River Fossil Company

Located in Logan, UT

Act fast to claim this exquisite piece of natural history, as our fossils will no longer be available through 1stDibs after October 31. This sculptural stone specimen features an ex...

Category

2010s American Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Limestone

Japanese Huge Antique Stone Pagoda Lantern 180 Inches- Exceptional Garden Art

H 180 in W 35 in D 35 in

Japanese Huge Antique Stone Pagoda Lantern 180 Inches- Exceptional Garden Art

Located in South Burlington, VT

Just discovered from an old Kyoto garden- impressive garden Sculpture, 15 Feet Tall Message or Call us for details or to reserve... For the finest garden- a spiritual representatio...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Granite

Japanese antique wooden large penis / folk belief / 1868-1920

H 46.78 in Dm 7.09 in

Japanese antique wooden large penis / folk belief / 1868-1920

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This item is a giant wooden penis that was used in old Japanese houses from the late 19th century to the early 20th century (Meiji to Taisho eras). This item is very attractive as a ...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Japanese Garden Antiques

Materials

Cedar

Building and Garden Elements Under $1,000

Antique and Vintage Building and Garden Elements

20th Century Building and Garden Elements

Metal Building and Garden Elements

Asian Building and Garden Elements

Building and Garden Elements on Sale

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Japanese Garden Antiques For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of Japanese garden antiques available for sale. The range of distinct Japanese garden antiques — often made from metal, stone and bronze — can elevate any home. Japanese garden antiques have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Japanese garden antiques made by Art Nouveau designers — as well as those associated with Arts and Crafts — are very popular at 1stDibs.

How Much are Japanese Garden Antiques?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $1,529, while they’re typically $50 on the low end and $38,500 highest priced.

Questions About Japanese Garden Antiques

What makes a Japanese garden?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
Natural guardian stones and waterfalls are common features in Japanese gardens. In Eastern philosophy, stones are significant — they have practical and symbolic meanings. They bind the garden to the ground and give it its unique personality as a symbol of eternity and the omnipresence of nature's force.
What are the features of a traditional Japanese garden?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
At its most basic, the essential elements of a Japanese garden are water, stone and plants. Other common elements include garden bridges over the water source, stone lanterns, and koi ponds. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of items relating to the art of Japanese gardening from some of the world’s top sellers.
How can I tell if my Japanese pottery is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
To tell if your Japanese pottery is antique, look for markings, which usually appear on the bottoms of pieces. If you see the word "Nippon," your piece was likely produced between 1891 and 1921, making it an antique. Pieces marked with the words "made in occupied Japan" originated between 1945 and 1952 and are vintage, based on their age. A "made in Japan" marking may indicate a vintage or contemporary piece. If you don't see any of these markings, consult trusted online resources to get a rough idea of when your pottery was produced. Any piece that dates back 100 years or more is antique. Should you encounter difficulty with the dating process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Japanese pottery.