Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
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.
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Resin
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Silver
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
16th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Steel
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Unknown Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
1860s Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Brocade, Wood
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Abalone, Lacquer
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Brocade, Silk
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Iron, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Textile, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1910s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
15th Century and Earlier Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Brocade, Silk
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1810s Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
17th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Glass, Wood
2010s Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Iron
1890s Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Fabric, Silk, Lucite
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Boxwood
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Copper, Iron
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
2010s Japanese Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
17th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Italian Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Shell, Wood
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Maple
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic