Japonisme Metalwork
JAPONISME STYLE
In the late 19th and early 20th century, France developed an enduring passion for Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship. Not only did this interpretation of Japanese culture — which became known as Japonisme — infuse fresh energy into French art and design, but it also radically transformed how Europeans, and subsequently the world, would come to understand visual culture.
Until 1853, Japan had been closely guarded against foreign visitors for over two centuries. However, American Commodore Matthew C. Perry sailed into Japan that year and initiated the first of its treaties with the United States and Europe, thereby opening its borders and giving the West its first-ever look at Japanese design.
For the next few decades, taken with Japonisme, sophisticated collectors in Paris, New York and elsewhere gorged themselves on lacquered screens, celadon ceramics and netsuke ornaments, along with artworks depicting various aspects of Japanese life. The East Asian country’s influence on Europe, particularly France, contributed to one of the most creatively prosperous periods in history, leaving an imprint on the Impressionist, Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, and inspiring artists like Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Vincent van Gogh as well as luxury houses such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès. Japonisme emerged at the time when the ornate Renaissance Revival style was the most prominent mode of decorating in Europe, and Japanese aesthetics seemed strikingly modern and elegant in comparison.
In addition to everyday practical objects from Japan, such as vases, tableware and decorative boxes, Japanese art, especially Japanese woodblock prints by masters of the ukiyo-e school, caught the eye of many artists — particularly those in the Art Nouveau poster community in 1880s Paris. The luscious organic colors associated with traditional Japanese design, motifs like cherry blossoms and carp and the vivid patterns found in woodblock prints, silks and more were adopted and appropriated by painters as well as ceramicists and those working in other fields of the decorative arts. Today, demand for Japanese lacquerware — furniture, trays, writing boxes, screens, incense burners — from the Edo period (1615–1868) and the late 19th century continues to be very strong among collectors.
Find a collection of antique Japonisme furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
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Style: Japonisme
Antique Japanese Cloisonne Ginbari Vase on Silver Stand
Located in Canterbury, GB
Antique Japanese Cloisonne vase.
Produced in the Ginbari technique, depicting a sprig of fruits.
On custom made English silver stand with hallmarks.
The mark JG&S refers to John G...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Silver
Ando Company, Fine Cloisonne Vase with Roses, Signed, Japan, 20th Century
By Ando Jubei
Located in Chatham, ON
ANDO CLOISONNÉ COMPANY - Extraordinary cloisonné vase with roses and transparent green enamel over raised bamboo decoration - green enamel to the interi...
Category
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal
French Patinated Bronze Figure of a Standing Japanese Geisha with Kimono & Obi
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful French patinated bronze figure of a standing Japanese geisha in a traditional kimono with an obi. This geisha is exceptionally cast with immense detail. Starting from the...
Category
Early 20th Century French Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Gojunoto Japanese Metal Pagoda
Located in Vienna, AT
Five-story Japanese pagoda "Gojūnotō" made of painted patinated metal.
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Copper, Iron
Antique Japanese Bronze Bonsai Planter
Located in Bradenton, FL
Fine Bronze from Japan with great weight and strength. Large form for Bonsai presentation. Elegant style and beautiful patina. Incised decoration on the front and bronze elephant hea...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Okimo of Standing Rabbit
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an impressive Okimo of a rabbit in a resting position. The bronze is very well cast in the form of a realistic rabbit. The bronze is signed on the bottom of one foot, as shown in photo. It is thought that having a rabbit in the house would bring good luck; meaning: we all need one! This guy would make the perfect desk accessory or book shelf eye-catcher.
***In Japanese culture rabbits are one of the signs of the Japanese zodiac. They are considered lucky as the Japanese kanji...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Japanese bronze okimono toad (sculpture)
Located in PARIS, FR
Okimono bronze sculpture of a toad.
The toad or the frog (kaeru) is associated with good luck and wealth. Kaeru means both “toad” or “frog” and “to return home” in Japanese. This me...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Japanese Bronze Vase
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Japanese bronze vase of classic form with a lovely rich patina. The vase has been drilled for wiring as a lamp. It will make ...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
A Japanese bronze okimono Oni Nembutsu
Located in Milano, IT
A Japanese great and remarkable bronze okimono, on a wooden base, depicting an Oni, dressed as a priest, accompanied by a young oni.
The main Oni is portrayed standing and smiling, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Yasumi Nakajima II Ikebana Bronze Vase, circa 1960, Japan.
Located in Brussels, BE
Yasumi Nakajima II (1906-1988) Ikebana vase, circa 1960, Japan.
Trumpet form, Tomoe model, with nice patinated brown-red (seido) bronze.
Signed underneath.
Dimensions: 26 cm H, 9 ...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Bronze pitcher, Japan, chocolate-brown patina, frog in the round, 19th century
Located in NANTES, FR
This Japanese pitcher is notable for its naturalistic style. The bronze work is of very fine craftsmanship, featuring an attractive patina and delicate chiseling. A frog in the round...
Category
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Small Japanese Articulate Crab Jizai Okimono Meiji Period Signed
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small copper crab with articulated legs made by Myochin Hiroyoshi in the late Meiji Period circa 1890-1900s. One of the pair (the other one is listed separately LU945037876072, but...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Copper
Japanese Iron Pagoda Garden Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Japanese cast iron pagoda lantern with lattice fret work hinged door.
Bird and bamboo iron cut outs surround pagoda. Beautiful slo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Iron
Japanese Mixed Metal Vase Mounted as a Lamp Meiji Period
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Japanese mixed metal vase
Mounted as a lamp
Meiji period
The bulbous-form body with long conical neck
decorated in high-relief copper w...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Brass, Copper
Japanese Metal & Red Lacquer Bird Motif Amour Shield Circa 1800 Hachiman Temple
Located in Atlanta, GA
Japanese, circa 1800.
This stunning Japanese armor shield mounted to a museum quality iron stand - circa 1800 is a remarkable piece of historical craftsmanship, featuring a metal co...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Japanese Cast Bronze Mirror and lacqer box, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan
Located in PARIS, FR
A heavy and finely cast Japanese bronze mirror decorated with pines , cranes wich are longevity symbols, The handle in the center is a a tutle which also symbolize longevity.
Edo Period, 18th century, Japan.
The small, round mirror with high walls has been intricately and exquisitely cast with symbols . The turtle has a domed shell pieced to allow a cord to be strung through for handling or hanging.
A five charactesr mark is cast on the border.
Mirror is 12 ,3 x 1,6 cm
Box is 14,2 x 5 cm
Surrounding the turtle and inscription is a densely cast landscape featuring pine trees with fantastic needles, two cranes with their 3 youngs, dense stalks of leafy bamboo. and a blooming prunus on the left side.
All are symbols of longevity. Bamboo also symbolizes resilience and prosperity. Bamboo asociated with prunus and pine are called the 3 frinds of winter.
The other side of the mirror is undecorated, and would originally have been highly polished, allowing the user to see their reflection in the polished surface.
The bronze with a wonderful, warm silver patina.
This mirror is presented in its original lacquer box , hand decorated in the Kodaiji style with gold lacquer flowers...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Cloisonné Vase Ando Jubei with Storage Box
By Ando Jubei
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully decorated cloisonné vase with silver rims by Ando Jubei (1876-1956), the celebrated Japanese Shippo studio. The piece is dated to late Meiji to early Showa period circa...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal, Silver, Enamel
Masuo Ikeda sculptural Bronze vase with gold touches
By Masuo Ikeda
Located in Uccle, BE
Rare and spectacular Masuo Ikeda bronze vessel / vase with gold details.
It is a limited edition, 28/30 and it is signed. Comes with its original wooden box (tomobako).
Ikeda Masuo...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Dragon Candlestick Holder
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Japanese Meiji period Cloisonne candlestick holder decorated with a dragon.
Finely detailed metal and enamel work. In excellent age a...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Large Oriental Champleve Urn on Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a BEAUTIFUL and VERY HIGH QUALITY Large Oriental Champleve Urn on Stand.
Early 20th Century, circa 1910 – 20.
Probably Japanese.
Marked, but we cannot decipher the mark...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Enamel
Small Japanese Articulate Crab Jizai Okimono Meiji Period Signed
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small copper crab with articulated legs made by Myochin Hiroyoshi in the late Meiji Period circa 1890-1900s. One of the pair (the other one is listed separately LU945044034102, bu...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Copper
Pair of Antique Japanese Cloisonne Covered Jars with Floral Motif Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique cloisonne covered jars or urns are unsigned, but originate from Japan from approximately 1900 in a Japanese export style. The pair is done in muted tones and are...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Pair of Cloisonné Bronze Vases, Japan, Circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of cloisonné bronze vases, Japan, circa 1900, accident on one, slight depression
Measures: H 19cm, D 10cm.
Category
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Table Cabinet with Cloisonne Panels in the style of Namikawa Sosuke
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese wood and cloisonne cabinet circa Meiji period, late 19th-early 20th century. The small table top cabinet features
a single drawer on top, four small doors with cloisonne panels on the second tier, a pair of larger cloisonne doors on the main level flanked by two skinny panels, and finally two drawers on the low level. It has a scroll carved base and sides as well four pagoda-shape cornices. The cloisonne panels were obviously the work of two different artist studios and were assembled on purpose to demonstrate a mixture of styles. The small top and the two skinny panels on the main level are of an earlier scrolling design that emphasize the wire work; The rest of the eight larger panels were done in a much later and painterly style attributed to Namikawa Sosuke...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Enamel, Metal
Japanese Bronze Pair of Geese Koros
Located in Downingtown, PA
Japanese bronze geese koros,
Late 19th century.
The pair of goose koros or censors are in the form of geese with their long necks extended and their ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Japanese Cloisonné Covered Jar by Ando Jubei
By Ando Jubei
Located in Atlanta, GA
Japanese cloisonné enamels are known as shippo-yaki and the mid-19th century saw the production of very high quality wares in the early centers Nagoya. One of the most renowned works...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Large Scale Japanese Cloisonne Tree Bark Vase Lamp
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large scale Japanese "Tree Bark" style Cloisonne vase lamp. The vase itself is believed to be 19th century and was later mounted as a lamp in the 1...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Pair of Japanese Bronze Vase with Metal Inlays by Mitsufune
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of elegant vases of solid oiled bronze from the Meiji era, Japan (1868-1912). In a Classic Meiping shape, the pair has a mirrored inlay with gold, silver and red enamel that d...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Antique Japanese Iron Stirrups with Silver Inlay Signed
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of antique Japanese Abumis, stirrup for horse-riding, in cast iron with elaborate silver inlay, circa 16th century Muramachi to Momoyama period. The prototype of Japanese abum...
Category
16th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Silver, Iron
Japanese Sterling Silver Centerpiece Pedestal Bowl by Hattori Kintaro
By Hattori Kintaro
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exquisite Japanese presentation bowl in sterling silver by Hattori Kintaro (1860 - 1934), circa 1910-1920s, late Meiji era to early Taisho era. This rare and rather large piece wa...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Malachite, Sterling Silver
Pair of Japanese Meiji Period Bronze and Gilt Vases
By Zo Miyao 1
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Pair of fine quality Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) patinated bronze Miyao style gold and silver overlay two handled vases, each with twin handles, classical motif decoration with...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
A Cloisonné hexagonal potiche
Located in Milano, IT
Cloisonné potiche with a hexagonal shape, embellished with delicate floral decorations on reserves held by silver threads with geometric motifs. The lid features a spherical socket.
...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal
Japan mice treasure bag Meiji
Located in PARIS, FR
Japanese bronze representing two mice, one of them pulling a treasure bag.
The mouse or the rat (both called nezumi in Japanese), one of the zodiac signs, is a symbol of fortune. T...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
A pair of iron vases decorated with inlays
Located in Milano, IT
A pair of iron vases, elegantly crafted and decorated with inlays of copper and gilded bronze. The decoration depicts a pair of sparrows in flight among delicate leaves.
Period: Mei...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Iron
A Japanese cloisonné vase decorated with three flying butterflies
Located in Milano, IT
Vase in metal and cloisonné enamel with a yellow monochrome background, decorated with three flying butterflies with the Ando Company brand.
Period: Taisho 1920 ca.
Dimensions: 21 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Enamel
A bronze okimono depicting a study of a puppy playing with a ball
Located in Milano, IT
Bronze okimono depicting a study of a puppy playing with a ball.
The puppy has a playful and curious expression as he interacts with the ball.
The...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Patinated Bronze Vase With A Lizard Carved In Relief In The Center
Located in Milano, IT
Patinated bronze vase, characterized by a refined naturalistic decoration with a lizard sculpted in relief in the center. The lizard is placed on leaves overlapping each other creati...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Early Japanese Plique-a-Jour Bowls from Nagoya
By Ando Jubei
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of small but exquisite Plique-a-jour cloisonné bowls with nearly identical design from Nagoya area in Japan circa 1900-20s. Maker's unknown but possibly by Ando company. The t...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Metal, Enamel
A Japanese bronze vase with three egrets
Located in Milano, IT
Bulbous vase in bronze with a shiny patina and three elegant white egrets in inlaid silver with golden beaks and feet.
Period: Meiji, late 19th century.
Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 cm.
Con...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
A Japanese drop-shaped bronze vase with peonies
Located in Milano, IT
Drop-shaped bronze vase, with peonies in relief, decorated to simulate a delicate and light fabric that ends with a bow near the top of the neck.
Using mixed metals to create visual...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
A Japanese patinated bronze vase depicting a cricket
Located in Milano, IT
A slender shape patinated bronze vase depicting a naturalistic scene of a cricket sitting on iris leaves.
Signed Joun in relief within an oval reserve.
Origin: Japan
Period: Meiji ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
A Japanese bronze okimono depicting the study of a tiger
Located in Milano, IT
Bronze okimono depicting the study of a powerful tiger in a furtive position.
The animal is represented with its legs bent, its tail curled upwards and its body in a lowered positio...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
A pair of bronze vases with Onagadori roosters
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of bronze vases adorned with inlays, decorated with two Onagadori roosters, known for their elegant length of tail. The roosters are represented perched on a plum branch.
Signe...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Japonisme metalwork for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Japonisme metalwork for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th 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, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Japonisme metalwork 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 metalwork, popular names associated with this style include Ando Jubei, Hattori Kintaro, Masuo Ikeda, and Musashiya. 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 $368 and tops out at $16,000 while the average work can sell for $3,482.