Japonisme Scholar's Objects
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
Japanese Stone Object medium / wabi-sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese stone object.
This stone object has a beautiful black and beige gradation.
An art object that gives you a sense of wabi-s...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Japanese Antique Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone
Large Kokeshi by Kyutaro Ogura
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Vintage Large "Kokeshi" by Kyutaro Ogura. This large size is very rare. With signature.
Kyutaro Ogura (Ogura Kyutaro: 1906-1998)
Master: Hisashiro Ogur...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Maple
Japanese Meiji Han Koto with Maki-e Lacquer Decoration
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare Japanese Koto made from carved Paulownia wood and lavishly decorated with lacquer Maki-e circa late 19th century of Meiji Period (1868-1912). The ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
Bronze Boat-Shaped Suiteki
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese bronze suiteki c. 1980's.
A suiteki is a small vessel for holding water to be added to ink for calligraphy. This particular suiteki features ...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Lacquer Tray with Maki-e and Inlay Hara Yoyusai Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A lovely Japanese lacquer rectangular lacquer tray with a slightly scalloped corner and four L shape supporting feet by one of the most celebrated lacquer artist active in Edo period Hara Yoyusai (1772-1845). Yoyusai lived in Edo (Tokyo) and worked under the patronage of Lord Matsudaira. He operated a large workshop and had a very prolific output of lacquer objects. Most survived pieces being inro...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Satsuma Ceramic Ewer Yabu Meizan
By Yabu Meizan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Satsuma ware miniature ewer from the studio of Yabu Meizan (birth name Yabu Masashichi; 1853-1934), who was one of the most celebrated and collectible Satsuma artists from the Meij...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Exquisite Japanese Lacquer Maki-e Suzuribako by Koma Kyūhaku Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
One of the finest Japanese Maki-e Suzuribakos (ink box) we have on offer, the roiro color box showcases an ambient nocturnal scene in which two shakudo inlaid crows perched on the handrails of a bridge (possible the Uji Bridge...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone, Metal
Elegant Japanese Lacquered Ikebana Bamboo Basket
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Japanese ikebana made from lacquered bamboo basketry circa first half of the 20th century. This piece of bamboo art displays an very light and delicate classic tapered squa...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Finely Carved Japanese Okimono on Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique Okimono (Japanese means artsy display ornament object) displayed on a small custom wood stand from Meiji Period circa early 2oth century. T...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
Japanese Bamboo Basket Ikebana Suzuki Gengensai
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegantly woven bamboo basket with handle as an ikenana container by Suzuki Gengensai (1891-1950) circa 1923-50. Suzuki Gengensai was from Kansai region and active in Osaka. He studied bamboo art under Yamashita Kochikusai (1876-1947) and became an independent artist in 1913. He received his artist name Gengensai in 1914 and in 1923 he changed the characters to Gen, a slight written variation of the character. This basket was signed in this later variation, which helps to date the piece to post 1923.
The basket is woven entirely in a free style irregular plating on the body and with a twisted bundled handle. The surface is lacquered in a deep reddish color. The seemingly less rigid technique renders the piece a more rustic and natural aesthetic that is more suitable for certain occasions. It is singed on the base with artist's signature in the variation post 1923.
A very similar basket of the irregular weaving but without the handle is illustrated in plate 72 in "Baskets Masterpieces of Japanese Bamboo Art...
Category
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bamboo
Japanese Glazed Ceramic and Silver Koro Incense Burner Makuzu Kozan
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tri-pod ceramic incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji to the start of Taisho period (1890-1910s). A fine example of the artist's work belonging to the late part of his underglaze paint phase (started around 1887 until his death), the surface of the koro was painted in beautiful shades of blue to depict a continuous landscape not unlike a traditional ink and watercolor hand scroll. The rise and fall mountains recede and fade into the horizon and are dotted with groves of pines. The sky is painted with a beautiful subtle shade of pink, suggesting a time of sunrise or sunset. The koro is fitted with an ensuite reticulated sterling silver hoya (incense cover), pierced with swirling cloud and marked with "pure silver' in Kanji. The base is signed in underglaze blue "Makuzu Kozan Sei" within a double ring. The piece is beautifully potted in form and the decoration was done with expertise using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking landscape known as "Mountain and Water" with sense of dimensions and gradient, the poetic effects normally conveyed only by sumi ink staining on paper. The piece comes with an unsigned tomobako (wood storage box) of a recent age.
Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu Kozan was one of the most established and collected ceramist from Meiji Period. Born as Miyagawa Toranosuke, Kozan established his pottery studio in Yokohama around 1870s and later became one of the appointed artists to the Japanese Imperial household. His work was exhibited in many international fairs that the Meiji government participated at the turn of the century and won many grand prizes. Being one of the most creative ceramists, Kozan started experimenting with new chemical colors from the West in the format of his porcelain glaze around 1880s. New colors allowed him to create underglaze designs that appeared bright, smooth and glossy. He even invented his own receipt of cobalt blue to achieve a much brighter yet softer shade, as evident on this vase. To create landscape that is realistic and dimensional, more common in the western paintings, he was inspired by the native Japanese ink painting technique developed around 1900 by Yokoyama...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Silver
Japanese Bamboo Basket Ikebana by Tanabe Chikuunsai II
Located in Atlanta, GA
A woven bamboo flower Ikebana basket by Tanabe Chikuunsai II (1921-2000) from Showa era (1926-1989), circa 1950-1960s. The ikebana basket takes a vertical square form, the body was e...
Category
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Japanese Calligraphy Box
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very elegant and simplistic Japanese lacquered calligraphy box that dates to the mid-20th century. The minimal refined designed box includes the brush and other required wr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Unique Japanese Lacquer Maki-e Suzuribako with Woven Bamboo Cover with Tomobako
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Japanese suzuribako (ink box) of late Meiji Period (circa end of 19th century) is uncommon with its surface covered with woven basketry in che...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Scholar's Objects
Materials
Rattan, Wood, Lacquer
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A large square tray made of Japanese antique lacquer / Late Edo period/19th
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
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Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We have a unique Japanese aesthetic sense.
And only we can introduce unique items through our purchasing channels in Japan and the experience we have gained so far, in such a way that no one else can imitate.
This is a stone carved in the image of an old Japanese male genitalia.
There is a possibility that it was a natural stone that had been carved by the running water of a river for a long time, but it is more likely that it was carved artificially.
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In the case of this stone, it was probably dedicated to shrines and village shrines in hopes of prosperity of descendants.
This stone is believed to be from before the Edo period.
Because two types of rocks are mixed, the color contrast is beautiful.
I prepared the pedestal.
Also, there are some shallow cracks, but there is no need to worry about breaking the stone.
Wooden penises...
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Japan kobako box lacquer samurai - Edo
Located in PARIS, FR
Takamaki-e and kirigane lacquer kobako box depicting two samurai entering an enclosure. Four guards block their access. The side is decorated with cherry blossoms in maki-e lacquer o...
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Japanese Glazed Ceramic and Silver Koro Incense Burner Makuzu Kozan
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tri-pod ceramic incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji to the start of Taisho period (1890-1910s). A fine example of the artist's work belonging to the late part of his underglaze paint phase (started around 1887 until his death), the surface of the koro was painted in beautiful shades of blue to depict a continuous landscape not unlike a traditional ink and watercolor hand scroll. The rise and fall mountains recede and fade into the horizon and are dotted with groves of pines. The sky is painted with a beautiful subtle shade of pink, suggesting a time of sunrise or sunset. The koro is fitted with an ensuite reticulated sterling silver hoya (incense cover), pierced with swirling cloud and marked with "pure silver' in Kanji. The base is signed in underglaze blue "Makuzu Kozan Sei" within a double ring. The piece is beautifully potted in form and the decoration was done with expertise using the novel technique developed by Kozan called Fuki-e (the blow painting), in order to achieve the striking landscape known as "Mountain and Water" with sense of dimensions and gradient, the poetic effects normally conveyed only by sumi ink staining on paper. The piece comes with an unsigned tomobako (wood storage box) of a recent age.
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Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stacking Box, Jubako, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
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Previously Available Items
Japanese Stone Object sphere / wabi-sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A sculpture created by nature.
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It has a deep red and gray color.
An art object that gives you a sense of wabi-sabi.
1kg
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Stone
Japanese Stone Object “TAMARI-ISHI” / wabi-sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A stone object called "TAMARI-ISHI" in Japan that collects water in a hole. This has a beautiful matte black look.
A beautiful sculpture created by nature.
An art object that gives y...
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15th Century and Earlier Japanese Antique Japonisme Scholar's Objects
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Japanese Black Stone Object with Buddha shape / wabi-sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese stone object.
A black glossy stone object that resembles the shape of a Buddha.
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...
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Japanese Stone Object large / wabi-sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese stone object.
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Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
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Located in Atlanta, GA
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Exceptional Japanese Lacquer Suzuribako Edo Period with Provenance Note
Located in Atlanta, GA
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Stone, Silver
Japonisme scholar's objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Japonisme scholar's objects 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 scholar's objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, bamboo and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Japonisme scholar's objects 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 scholar's objects, popular names associated with this style include Kosuge Kogetsu, Makuzu Kozan, Suzuki Gengensai, and Tanabe Chikuunsai II. 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 scholar's objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $18,000 while the average work can sell for $5,650.