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Meiji Furniture

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 Antique / Old Wooden Mortar / Coffee Table Wabisabi Japandi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
It's an old Japanese mortar. It was used in the Tohoku region. The material is zelkova , and the black part is black lacquered. You can put it upside down and use it as an exhibitio...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Lovely 19c Antique Meiji Period Japanese Ginbari Bronze Cloisonne Vase
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Lovely and beautifully made piece. With a stunning scene of a crane Cloisonné is an enamelling technique in which the pattern is formed by wires soldered to the surfa...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Meiji Period Black Lacquered Trunk on Stand
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Japanese black lacquered wood trunk with engraved cast brass corner mounts and bails for the lift off cover. The brasses retain traces of their original gilding. All four sides of the case have been decorated in a restrained design of flowers and butterflies, and the interior of the trunk retains its original watercolored paper. The trunk has been mounted on a custom forged iron stand...
Category

19th Century Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Japanese Two Panel Screen, Zen Calligraphy Character Cloud
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868 - 1912) calligraphy painting. Abstract character reads: Kumo (cloud). Seal on the upper right reads Shogazen, seal on the upper left reads Hosai. Ink on mulberr...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood, Paper

Japanese Bronze Patinated Footed Pot
Located in New York, NY
Oriental Japanese (19th Century) bronze large jardiniere with a green patina and carp in relief and raise on 4 cloud form feet (Koyoto School; Meiji Period)
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Late 19th Century Four-Panel Screen of a Samurai Figure on Horseback
Located in New York, NY
A highly unique antique Japanese four-panel screen, produced circa 1880s, in painted paper, decorated with a samurai figure on horseback, inset within a wooden frame; the image portrayed appears to be based on the painted hand-scroll entitled 'Ayusi Scattering Rebels with Upraised Spear' by 18th century Italian missionary and artist Giuseppe Castiglione...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Paper, Wood

Late 19th Century Wood and Copper Brazier / Hibachi
Located in New York, NY
A round wood Japanese brazier / hibachi with an inlaid nature scene in copper and mother-of-pearl, circa 1890. Copper insert with natural patina.
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper

Antique Japanesse Hand-Carved Elmwood Cabinet, Sideboard, Meiji, 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Monumental antique hand-carved elmwood cabinet. Sideboard, 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Furniture

Materials

Gold

Pair of Japanese Meiji Six Panel Screen Cranes Above Cresting Waves
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing 19th century pair of large Japanese Meiji period six panel screens each depicting a sedge of Manchurian red-crowned cranes along the shore. The screens are crafted in the Nih...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Brass

Japanese Meiji Period Carved Wood Okimono Man with Rabbits
Located in Newark, England
The charming figure, carved from a single piece of wood is exceptionally carved showing the male figure with humorous expression holding two Rabbits one by the ears and the second under his arm. A third Rabbit stands at the feet of the male looking up, each rabbit with a different expression. The male figure is wearing traditional Japanese attire with his hair tied back stood upon a naturalistic base. The figure dates to the Meiji Period (1868-1912) circa 1900. Notes The Rabbit is one of the 12 animals to feature in the Japanese Zodiac signs which follows the Chinese astrological system along with the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Such division is connected with the Jupiter cycle around the Sun, which lasts about 12 years. As 2023 is the year of the Rabbit...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japan Antique Kasuga "Deer" Granite Stone Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
Call or Contact Us For Details An antique classsic beauty with all original pieces. Japan, a fine tall kasuga "deer" granite stone lantern with beautifully engraved designs incl...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Granite

19th Century Pair of Japanese Bronze Lions Bookends, Meiji Period
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
This superb and rare pair of Japanese Meiji period bronze bookends are cast in solid bronze and depict a pair of Lions, with their heads raised. These finely sculpted pieces are beau...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Massive Museum Pair of Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Chargers Plates
Located in New York, NY
A massive Museum pair of Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel chargers plates, attributed to Hayashi Kodenji Studio, 19th century. Each measuring ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Meiji Period Japanese Silver Censer
Located in New Orleans, LA
This stunning Meiji period silver censer is a work of exquisite detail. Crafted by renowned silversmith Masatoshi of Tokyo, the censer, or incense burner...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silver

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 Furniture

Materials

Gold

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Ginbari Baby Blue Enamel Floral Double Handel V
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome ginbari cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, Squat round shape, long neck and decorative side handles. Blue body with pink and ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japanese Carved and Lacquered Shibayama Cabinet, Meiji Period
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elaborate and finely detailed carved wood, and gold lacquered Shibayama cabinet (Chigaidansu). Having beautifully applied semi-precious stone and ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Early 19th Century Japanese Satsuma Gilded Vase Geishas and Character, Marked
Located in Richmond Hill, ON
Hand-painted and gilded Japanese Satsuma pottery vase with figures and geisha girls on a floral background. Marked on the base. 20th Century 5 1/4 x 2 3/4 in. (13.3 x 7 cm.) Good con...
Category

Early 1800s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Large Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Blue-Ground Vases and Covers, Meiji
Located in New York, NY
A Large Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Blue-Ground Vases and Covers, Meiji Period. A decorative pair of cloisonne enamel vases, the bodies decorated with colorful birds, butter...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Japanese Antique Wabisabi Drawer 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Storage Tansu Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a very old Japanese drawer. It was built from the late Edo period to the Meiji period (1820-1912). It is furniture that was used in shops rather than being used in ordinary hom...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Cedar

Early 20th Century Japanese Satsuma Pottery Gilded Vase, Marked
Located in Richmond Hill, ON
This exquisite Satsuma vase is a perfect addition to any collector's treasure trove. With panels of intricately detailed figures and a beautiful decorative lattice border, this 20th-...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Japanese antique wooden drawer/1868-1920/Wabi-Sabi "tansu" drawer
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old wooden drawer made from the Meiji period to the Taisho period (1868-1920) in Japan. This was originally a drawer for storing Chinese medicine, etc., and was used in dr...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Tall Antique Stone Sun And Moon Pathway Lantern Beautiful Details, 40"
Located in South Burlington, VT
Wouldn't this antique garden stone lantern look perfect for your garden entry or pathway, pool, patio, or deck ? Just acquired, our Japan stone "Arts & Crafts" antique stone pathway...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Stone

Early 20th Century Mechanical Toy from Kobe, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century mechanical toy from Kobe, Japan. This small mechanical toy was made in Kobe, Japan. This is the classic doll of a man chopping an...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wooden block table /wabi-sabi coffee table/1900s〜
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This table is made from a mortar that was used in ancient Japan. It has a heavy feel, and its surface gives the impression of the dynamic flow of wood. Rather than a precise shape, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Antique Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Storage Box Sofa Table Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Very old Japanese storage box. This furniture was made in the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). Material is cedar wood. No unnecessary decoration, simple and beautiful. Ultimate simplicit...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Cedar

Japan 1890 Meiji Carved Sculpture of a Dressed Monk With a Rake
Located in Miami, FL
A Japanese carved sculpture of a monk. An outstanding antique tall sculpture, created in Japan during the Meiji period, circa 1890. The carving depicts the figure of a Japanese stan...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Ivory

Japan 1900 Meiji Period Rare Carved Okimono of Two Sumo Fighters Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Japanese Okimono sculpture of a father and son. A highly detailed sculptural composition, created during the Meiji imperial period (1868-1912), circa 1900. The composition displayed...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Ivory

Japanese Octagonal Imari Plate, Late 19th Century
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A decorative handpainted Japanese Imari octagonal ceramic charger, gilt edges, profusely decorated in vibrant shades or blue, red, green and yellow, featuring a rocky island with mat...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Japanese Antique Large Pottery Vase 1860s-1900s / Flower Vase Wabisabi
By Axel Vervoordt
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old paper-covered pottery made in Japan. It dates from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). This large vase was used to transport and store tea leaves. It appears to have ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Japanese Sakiori Obi
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Japanese Sakiori Obi Sakiori are Textile reuse or recycling. When textiles are no longer able to function in original purpose, textile items are torn into strips and rewoven into Sak...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Pair Of Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Brush Pots
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese brush pots, Meiji era, 1868 to 1912. The exterior of both matched pieces is enameled with polychrome enamel blossoming flowers and butterflies on a cobalt ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Japanese Two-Panel Screen: Ink Landscape on Silk
By Shunyu
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese Two Panel Screen: Ink Landscape on Silk, Meiji period (1868 - 1912) painting of a man riding a mule on a pathway through the Kurotani mountains with a thatched roof shelter ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood

19th Century Japanese Meiji Four Panel Screen Festival Scenes
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Colorful late 19th century late Meiji period four-panel byobu screen featuring 12 scenes of a festival preparation. The intricately painted scenes have vibrant natural color pigments...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Brass

Japanese Meiji Six Panel Screen Brushwood Gate with Chrysanthemums
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous Japanese early 20th century Meiji period six-panel byobu screen featuring a brushwood gate and fence with flowering chrysanthemums. The large screen is crafted with ink and ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf

Japanese bronze and mixed metal vases, Inoue of Kyoto, Meiji Period.
By Inoue Manji
Located in Gargrave, North Yorkshire
A fine pair of Japanese bronze and mixed metal vases, by Inoue of Kyoto, Meiji Period. The baluster shaped vases, decorated in gold, silver and shakudo inlay, with cranes beneath flo...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Meiji Period Famille Jaune Porcelain Charger- Yamatoku
Located in Glasgow, GB
A brightly coloured Famille Jaune porcelain charger plate. Handcrafted in Japan around the end of the nineteenth century, during the Meiji era. The large decorative plate depicts a ...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Colourful Famille Noire Japanese Meiji Period Temple Jar - Yamatoku Kiln
Located in Glasgow, GB
A bold 'famille noire' style porcelain temple jar. Handcrafted in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century, towards the end of the Meiji period. The little porcelain temple jar i...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Cotton Candy Pink Enamel Butterfly Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji era, enamel over copper vase. The urn shaped vase is adorned with a polychrome image of butterflies against a bright pink background made in the Clois...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

pr of finest quality Large 19th Century Meiji Japanese Basket-Form Bronze Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Finest quality large, antique Meiji period bronze vases of woven basket form, with tree branch form handles and adorned with various motifs including insects, buds and flowe...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large 19th Century Meiji Japanese Patinated Bronze Vase
Located in New York, NY
Very special and finely cast bronze vase with large eagle and other birds in relief, with exceptional polychrome patina. 29 1/4 inches. See our other listing for a very similar vas...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large 19th Century Meiji Japanese Patinated Bronze Vase
Located in New York, NY
Very special and finely cast bronze vase with peacock and other birds in relief, with exceptional polychrome patina. 29 7/8 inches. See our other listing for a very similar vase, a...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Ginbari Enamel Kogo Incense Box
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji Era Ginbari enamel kogo or box for incense. Circa: late 19th century . The box is enameled with a polychrome image of a blossoming flower on the white groun...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Japanese Cloisonne Totai Enamel Jar with Paulownia Flowers
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era covered Totai enamel on ceramic ginger jar. Circa: late 19th century . The body and the lid of the ware are enameled with polychrome floral, folia...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Japanese Porcelain Bowl Hand-Painted Vines, flowers & Dragons, Meiji Ca 1860
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good and very decorative porcelain footed deep bowl, hand-painted in polychrome enamels and dating to the second half of the 19th century, circa 1860, Meiji period. The bo...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Charger with Figure
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese enamel over copper charger plate, Meiji era, 1868 to 1912. The plate is adorned with a polychrome enamel image of a mythical creature Tengu on a turquoise ground ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Pair Of Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Ginger Jars
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese late Meiji era, 1868 to 1912, covered ginger jars. The exterior of both matched pieces is enameled with polychrome enamel blossoming flowers and butterflie...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Trinket Box
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji era, covered enamel over brass jewelry or trinket box. The body of the ware is enameled with floral and foliage motifs made in the Cloisonne technique...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Large Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Container Box with Butterflies
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese, Meiji era, covered enamel over copper food container box. The exterior of the ware is enameled with polychrome foliate scroll, and floral ornaments made in ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Japanese Cloisonne Totai Enamel Ceramic Jar Butterflies and Dragonflies
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era covered Totai enamel on ceramic ginger jar. Circa: late 19th century The ware is enameled with polychrome images of blossoming flowers, butterflie...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Phoenix Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, Meiji era, enamel over copper vase. The exterior of the ware is enameled with a polychrome design depicting Phoenix birds surrounded by foliate scroll and foliag...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Yellow Enamel with Flying Sparrows Plate
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era decorative enamel over copper plate. The interior of the plate is adorned with a polychrome image of sparrows on the yellow ground made in the Cloi...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Carp Fish Dragon Gate Plate
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era decorative enamel over copper plate or charger. The interior of the plate is adorned with a polychrome design of fish and a sea dragon in a seascap...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Turquoise Enamel with Frogs Plate
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era decorative enamel over copper plate or charger. The interior of the plate is adorned with a polychrome design of sparrows and frogs in blossoming f...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Charger with Insects and Fall Foliage Plate Goto Scho
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese Meiji period, 1868 to 1912, cloisonne enamel metal charger plate depicting a multicolored picture of vines and grapes with a grasshopper and other plant moti...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Butterfly and Insect Plate Charger
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era decorative enamel over copper plate or charger. The interior of the plate is adorned with a polychrome design of butterflies surrounded by sakura f...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Early Edo Green Enamel Plate
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese enamel over copper serving plate. Early Edo period, 19th century. Footed round dish with elevated rims. The interior of the plate is adorned with a medallion...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Meiji furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Meiji 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, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Satsuma, Kinkozan, Ando Jubei, and Makuzu Kozan. 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 $65 and tops out at $190,804 while the average work can sell for $2,112.

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