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Edo Metalwork

EDO STYLE

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.

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Style: Edo
Recognized Seller Listings
19th Century Superior Quality Japanese Bronze Vase with Grape Vine Handles
Located in Hudson, NY
19th century superior quality Japanese bronze vase with grape vine handles. Beautifully shaped Edo period (first half of the 19th century) vase with c...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Superior Quality Japanese Bronze Vase with Grape Vine Handles
19th Century Superior Quality Japanese Bronze Vase with Grape Vine Handles

19th Century Superior Quality Japanese Bronze Vase with Grape Vine Handles

Japanese Bronze Koro 'Incense Burner' in the Form of a Badger
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese bronze Koro (Incense Burner) in the form of a Badger, Edo Period (circa 1800) bronze incense burner with removable top. Badger face and t...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze Koro 'Incense Burner' in the Form of a Badger
Japanese Bronze Koro 'Incense Burner' in the Form of a Badger

Japanese Bronze Koro 'Incense Burner' in the Form of a Badger

Pair of Antique Japanese Buddhist Temple Headdress and Necklace Ornaments
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of antique Japanese Buddhist temple headdress and necklace ornaments. Gilt bronze with decorative stones and beads, and intricate metalw...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Metalwork

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique Japanese Buddhist Temple Headdress and Necklace Ornaments
Pair of Antique Japanese Buddhist Temple Headdress and Necklace Ornaments

Pair of Antique Japanese Buddhist Temple Headdress and Necklace Ornaments

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Japanese Silver Inlaid Bronze Incense Burner, 19th Century

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H 3.25 in Dm 3.5 in
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Fine Quality Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Vase - Antique, c.1915

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Pair Japanese Bronze Pagoda Temple Lanterns, Taisho Period, circa 1920, Japan
Pair Japanese Bronze Pagoda Temple Lanterns, Taisho Period, circa 1920, Japan

Pair Japanese Bronze Pagoda Temple Lanterns, Taisho Period, circa 1920, Japan

H 18.25 in Dm 8.75 in
Large 19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Vase
Located in San Francisco, CA
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Previously Available Items
19th Century Japanese Samurai Suit of Armor (Dò), Complete with Original Sode
Located in Brescia, IT
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Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Metalwork

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19th Century Japanese Samurai Suit of Armor (Dò), Complete with Original Sode

19th Century Japanese Samurai Suit of Armor (Dò), Complete with Original Sode

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18th Century Gilded Bronze Hibachi
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese Edo period (1614-1868) hand warmer, with relief flower designs in chrysanthemums and hollyhocks. Originally used to hold hot coals in order to warm small spaces. Copper line...
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Early 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Metalwork

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18th Century Gilded Bronze Hibachi

18th Century Gilded Bronze Hibachi

H 9.75 in W 14.5 in D 12.75 in

Edo metalwork for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Edo metalwork for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage metalwork created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with bronze, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Edo metalwork made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 metalwork differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,400 and tops out at $8,800 while the average work can sell for $8,500.

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