Meiji Scholar's Objects
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 Silver Incense Burner, Akoda Koro, by Nomura, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely and luxurious Japanese silver incense burner of lobed melon form, akoda koro, marked jungin and signed Nomura, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan.
The silver koro...
Category
1910s Japanese Vintage Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Japanese Antique Zen Rosewood Mala Prayer Bead String 800 Beads With Alms Bowl
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare find!: 24 feet long Zen monk Mala Prayer Bead String plus original wooden alms bowl with its original attached triangular shaped stone ojime.
A huge...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
Japanese Lacquered Maki-E Natsume in Kodaiji Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese lacquered tea caddy (known as Natsume) with fine Maki-e decoration circa 18-19th century Edo to Meiji period. The large-sized nat...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Lacquered Gold Maki-E Naga Fubako Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese lacquered wood Naga Fubako (a long box used to store document or large scroll painting), circa 19th century Meiji period. The rectangular box features an unusually deep lipped lid with slightly rounded corners, a conforming lower box with bronze medallion rings with tasseled...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Meiji Lacquer Writing Set
Located in New Orleans, LA
This remarkable Japanese portable writing set contains the instruments of sublime artistic expression. Also known as a yatate, this Meiji-period set i...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone
Japanese Connoisseurs Collection Fine Antique Smoking Pipes Kiseru
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare one-of-a-kind collection
Japanese Connoisseurs Collection of Five (5) Fine Antique Smoking Pipes, Kiseru.
You dont need to be a conn...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bronze, Copper, Sterling Silver, Gold
Japanese Glazed and Caved Ceramic Dragon Bowl by Makuzu Kozan
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic bowl by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1891 of late Meiji period. A very fine example of the artist's work that belongs to the middle period of his...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Ceramic
A Very Fine Japanese Mixed Metal Bronze Suiban / Planter on Stand, Taisho Period
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine Japanese bronze Suiban (planter) of bellied oval form, richly decorated overall with hand enamelled and 'shibuichi' & 'shakudo' motifs, depicting geometric designs, pine ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Glazed Ceramic Bowl by Makuzu Kozan
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
Tri-pod ceramic bowl likely used as an incense burner (koro) by Japanese Imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa late Meiji period. The signature indicates that it was produce...
Category
1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Meiji Era Ceramic Inkwell with Hand Painted Geisha Motif
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a small inkwell from the Japanese Meiji era. It was hand-made around the turn of the 19th/20th century out of Satsuma clay. Satsuma ware (???, Satsuma-yaki) is a type of ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Old Japanese small Stone Figurine in the Shape of Daruma / Scholar's Stone
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is collected from rivers and mountains.
It is a natural stone, and only the surface has been polished.
It is rounded, so I think it was probably picked up from a river.
I think...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Stone
Japanese Bronze Water Coupe, Eguchi as Fugen, Edo/Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A very finely cast Japanese bronze water coupe in the form of the courtesan Eguchi riding an elephant, signed Kazutada, Edo to Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan.
The small and elegant bronze water coupe is exquisitely cast to depict a figure of a seated lady reading poetry upon the back of a large recumbent elephant. This image depicts the Courtesan of Eguchi as Fugen Bosatsu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bronze
A Very Fine Japanese Mixed Metal Bronze Censer on Stand, Taisho Period
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine Taisho Period bronze censer of bellied oval form, richly decorated overall with hand enamelled and 'shibuichi' & 'shakudo' motifs, depicting geometric designs, pine trees...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bronze
Furo Tea Ceremony Hibachi by Raku Kichizaemon xi Keinyu, 1817-1902
By Raku Kichizaemon XI Keinyu
Located in Prahran, Victoria
A furo tearoom brazier by Raku Kichizaemon XI Keinyu (1817-1902) decorated in bold style over a brick red glaze. The classical scene depicts men in ‘mino’ straw raincoats pulling a barge up river under the overhanging branches of an ancient willow tree.
With makers mark to base and sold with its original paulownia wood storage box.
Overall the piece is in excellent condition but has sustained several stress cracks in one corner due to heat encountered during continual use. This is typical of Japanese raku ceramics...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Pottery
Meiji Period Shagreen Clad Cane with Minamoto Clan Crest
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Rare late 19th century Meiji period cane clad in spiraled shagreen with the Minamoto Clan Crest in sterling, which at one point was the imperial family and a shogun of Japan. Cap is ...
Category
1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron, Sterling Silver
Japanese Meiji Period Mixed Metal Pair of Scroll Weights Depicting Samurai
Located in Sarasota, FL
Japanese Meiji period fine pair of scroll weights decorated with shakudo and silver samurai figures. The weights fill solid and heavy. One of the weights has Japanese writing ( see i...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Metal
Related Items
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Category
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Japanese Iron Abstract Bird Incense Burner
Located in San Diego, CA
Iron bird sculpture with a nice patina and original box. Removable vented piece, for burning incense or flower arrangements, 1950s.
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Small Japanese Lacquer Duck Incense Box, Kogo, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite Japanese Meiji Period small lacquer incense box, kogo, in the form of a duck or goose, late 19th century, Japan.
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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 stones for appreciation are collectively called "suiseki".
Suiseki means "water" and "stone".
The name comes from the fact that I enjoyed pouring water on the stones and changing the color of the stones.
And this item is also Suiseki, but it is for viewing without splashing water.
It is made with the image of a mountain view.
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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.
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Quality Chinese Scholar Rock
Located in Norwood, NJ
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Japanese Marquetry and Lacquer Jewelry Chest, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A very attractive Japanese wood table top jewelry or collector's chest with marquetry and lacquer decoration, Meiji period, circa 1900, Japan. Previously in the collection of Asbjorn Lunde (1927 - 2017).
The chest is crafted in the form of a Chinese seal...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
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H 15.75 in W 14.25 in D 7 in
Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Miniature Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
The highly decorated tray in the form of a table frames a series of three stacking boxes, a further three lidded boxes and a tray concealed within, raised on ogee bracket feet.
This...
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19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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Large Antique Japanese Meiji Period Circular Hokai Lacquer Box & Lid 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & large antique Japanese Meji period lacquer lidded Hokai box with chased brass hardware and original ropes, circa 1890.
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Category
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Brass
H 15 in W 15.25 in D 15.25 in
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Censor Koro
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji Era, tripod enamel censer koro. The sphere form ware is enameled with a polychrome image of a dragon on a black ground made in the Cloisonne technique...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Enamel
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...
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Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stacking Box, Jubako, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and impressive Japanese gold maki-e decorated black lacquer five-tier jubako with presentation tray, two lids, and the original tomobako storage box, Meiji period, late 19th c...
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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Previously Available Items
Japanese Bronze Incense Burner, Koro, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A darling and charming small Japanese cast bronze incense burner, koro, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan.
The small incense burner, koro, set on three tall and splayed legs with pawe...
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Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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Bronze
Japanese Travel Knife and Chopstick Set
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A beautifully crafted and fascinating Chopstick set for travel dating to the Mid 20th Century. The lacquered wood case with faux Shagreen lacquer and traditional metal fittings inclu...
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20th Century Japanese Meiji Scholar's Objects
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A 19th Century Japanese Patinated Bronze 'Suiteki' Water Dropper, Meiji Period
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A fine 19th century scholarly object used to moisten inksticks for an inkstone when working with calligraphy.
Naturalistically cast in the form of a gourd with a detachable leafy st...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Bronze
H 2 in W 3.75 in D 2 in
Japan Antique Daruma Hand-Carved Talisman of Perseverance and Good Luck
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan, a dramatic large-scale antique Daruma hand-carved in the round with
finely detailed hair, nose and brows - a wooden Talisman of perseverance and good luck from the early 20th century.
These were hand turned and hand carved to serve as solid wood molds for making paper mache versions.
While they occasionally appear in Japanese antique markets...
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19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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Wood
Antique Japanese Carved Bamboo Scholar's Brush Pot Meiji Sea Serpent Squid 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A rare & unusual antique Japanese Meiji period, carved scholar's brush pot, circa 1880.
The brush pot is very fineley carved with a 'Greek Key' design to the top, the body of the pot is carved with a stylised wave design, a large sea serpent with inlaid ivory eyes is hunting a giant squid depicted on the rear of the pot. There is a large fish present also with an inlaid ivory eye, the badse has an interlocking wave design, the brush pot stands...
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1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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H 5.81 in W 3.06 in D 2.27 in
Japan Antique Complete Set Tea Ceremony Guide Books, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our most recent Japanese acquisitions
TEA CEREMONY
Japanese Woodblock Print Book Set Four (4) Volumes from the Edo-Meiji Period, 19th Century.
Original covers and no missing p...
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19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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Set of Three Meiji Period Blue & White Imari Fish Form Brush Washers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of Three Meiji Period Blue & White Imari Fish Form Brush Washers
Japan, circa 1890s
Embrace the elegance of Japanese artistry with this captivating set of three Meiji period blu...
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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Porcelain
Japanese Connoisseurs Fine Antique Inlaid Mother Of Pearl Smoking Tansu, 19thc.
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare one-of-a-kind Japanese Antique Portable Inlaid with mother of pearl -in classic Japanese raden technique- smoking Tansu with a Kiseru pipe, 19th century
You dont need to be a connoisseur to love this superb tansu, because we believe you'll enjoy this one-of-a-kind cabinet for years to come.
Kiseru is a Japanese smoking...
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19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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H 9.5 in W 9.5 in D 5.5 in
Japanese Meiji Silver Mounted Brass Letter Opener
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
designs and dating from the latter 19th century. The letter opener is made from a thin single piece of brass with rounded ends and tapers to wider blade end. The handle end is mounted in relief molded silver with a large lily pad and a lily bud with the blade of the letter opener decorated with incised floral designs and a butterfly. To the opposite side the handle is applied in relief with two jumping...
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1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
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Japanese Gnarled Root Tabako-bon, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusual container is a Japanese tabako-bon, or 'tobacco tray,' used to store tobacco and smoking accessories. Believed to have evolved from the tradi...
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Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Scholar's Objects
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Bamboo, Burl
Pair of Japanese Miniature Wooden Foxes, Inari Shrine Guardians, 19th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Pair of Japanese carved miniature wooden foxes (Kitsune)), Inari Shrine Guardians, 19th century.
Foxes play an important role in Japanese folk culture ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Wood
H 5 in W 3.75 in D 2 in
Small Japanese Cloisonné Censer, Koro, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A small and delightful Japanese cloisonné and goldstone tripod incense burner and cover, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan.
The small incense burner...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Scholar's Objects
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Meiji scholar's objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Meiji scholar's objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 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 and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji scholar's objects 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 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 $875 and tops out at $2,700 while the average work can sell for $1,788.