Meiji Building and Garden Elements
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
A Japanese Bronze Garden Statue Of A Crane
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Bronze Garden Statue Of A Crane, Japanese
Realistically modelled with natural verdigris.
Provenance: John Dunn Antiques.
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Antique Iron Plate Door 1860s-1900s / Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This account is made up of five companies,
I specialize in selecting carefully selected items, specializing in Japanese antiques.
Based on my 20 years of experience, I offer a unique...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique Huge Tin Plate Door 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This account consists of five companies.
As for me, I specialize in Japanese antiques and deal in carefully selected items.
With my 20 years of experience, I am re-proposing Japanese...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Tin
Japan Tall Antique Kasuga Stone Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
An antique beauty with all original pieces.
Japan, a tall and stone lantern with engraved designs, carefully crafted in six pieces for ease of portability.
Dimensions: 65 inches ta...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Japanese Big Antique Brilliant Blue And White Gold Fish Bowl
Located in South Burlington, VT
An amazing and glistening blue and white glazed "Koi" ceramic bowl crafted during the Meji period .
Beautiful white flowers are revealed in under glaze cream and blue colors.
Fine...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Japanese Antique Iron Plate Door 1860s-1900s / Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This account is made up of five companies,
I specialize in selecting carefully selected items, specializing in Japanese antiques.
Based on my 20 years of experience, I offer a unique...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Japanese Seated Praying Buddha Handsome Antique Stone
Located in South Burlington, VT
An older and substantial late Meiji period stone Buddha/Jizo Guardian sculpture in a mudra of prayer
Good garden candidate
In Japan, Kṣitigarbha, known as Jizō, or respectfully as ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone, Granite
Japanese Antique Huge Tin Plate Door 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This account consists of five companies.
As for me, I specialize in Japanese antiques and deal in carefully selected items.
With my 20 years of experience, I am re-proposing Japanese...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Tin
Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Cedar Wood Door 1860s-1920s / Table Top
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This account consists of five companies.
As for me, I specialize in carefully selected Japanese antiques.
With 20 years of experience, we re-propose Japanese antiques from a new perspective.
This is a very old Japanese cedar...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Japan Rare Large Antique Hand Carved Stone Altar Display Base, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
From Japan comes this seldom found , one of a kind large granite stone display base featuring four sets of altar steps- an impressive and spiritually significant object for displayin...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone
Japanese Antique Huge Plant Cover 1860s-1920s / Wooden Basket Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old oversized wooden tub made in Japan.
The item dates from the Meiji period (1860s-1920s).
It is made of cedar wood and bamboo.
It is a beautiful tool that reminds u...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bamboo, Cedar
Japan Antique Kasuga "Deer" Granite Stone Lantern 84 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
One "Deer" lantern Available
Call or Contact Us For Details
A tall antique classsic beauty with all original pieces.
Japan, a fine tall kasuga "deer" granite stone lantern with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Granite
Japanese Antique Wabisabi Sliding Door 1860s-1900s/Object Mingei Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese sliding door.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made of cedar wood, bamboo, tin, and various other ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
Japanese Antique Wood Carving Wall Panel, Abstract Art , Wabi Sabi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This wall-hanging carved wooden ornament is made from recycled zelkova wood from a kotatsu table from the Meiji period.
The beautiful grain of the wood has been carefully carved by ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Japan Tall Antique Classic Kasuga Stone Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
An antique beauty with all original pieces.
Japan, a tall and stone lantern with engraved designs, carefully crafted in six pieces for ease of portability.
Dimensions: 68 inches ta...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Japanese Antique Wabisabi Sliding Door 1860s-1900s/Object Mingei Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese sliding door.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made of cedar wood, bamboo, tin, and various other ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Cedar Wood Door 1860s-1920s / Table Top
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This account consists of five companies.
As for me, I specialize in carefully selected Japanese antiques.
With 20 years of experience, we re-propose Japanese antiques from a new perspective.
This is a very old Japanese cedar...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Japanese Iron Plate Door 1860s-1900s / Low Table Sofa Table Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an iron plate sliding door made in Japan.
It is a rare door made in the Meiji period (1860s-1900s), and the craftsmanship of the time still lives on today.
The structure is m...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Japanese Meiji Zoomorphic Champleve Enameled Bronze Jardiniere, Circa 1870s
Located in Germantown, MD
A large mid 19th century Japanese Meiji Zoomorphic Champleve Enameled Bronze Jardiniere, Circa 1870s. Measures 14" in width, 14" in depth and stands 11" tall.
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Japanese Bronze Planters Jardinieres
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique fine quality Oriental Japanese bronze Jardinière planter bowl Meiji Period, 19th century.
Would look amazing in the right location or make a fabulous centre piece. Great c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Antique Door, Abstract Art Wabi Sabi, 1860s-1900s
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
Very old Japanese sliding door.
The simple design conveys the charm of the material.
You can feel the world of wabi and sabi.
Recommended as a wall painting.
It was made in the Mei...
Category
Early 20th Century Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique Bamboo Sliding Door, Object Mingei Art Panel, Wabisabi Door（2）
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an antique Japanese bamboo door.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made mainly of cedar and bamboo.
It has a simple design that conveys the charm of the mater...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Japanese Antique Bamboo Sliding Door, Object Mingei Art Panel, Wabisabi Door（3）
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an antique Japanese bamboo door.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made mainly of cedar and bamboo.
It has a simple design that conveys the charm of the mater...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Large Japanese Bronze Jardiniere with Bird Decoration
Located in Milford, NH
A fine large round Meiji bronze jardiniere with rooster decoration, accented with geometric shapes around the rim and foliate designs around th...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Iron Plate Door 1860s-1900s / Low Table Sofa Table Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an iron plate sliding door made in Japan.
It is a rare door made in the Meiji period (1860s-1900s), and the craftsmanship of the time still lives on today.
The structure is m...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Rustic Hammered Iron Fireplace Andirons
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of 19th Century Japanese Rustic Hammered Iron Fireplace Andirons.
Recently polished.
Measures 10" in width, 17" in depth and 16.5" in height.
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Japanese Antique Bamboo Sliding Door, Object Mingei Art Panel, Wabisabi Door（4）
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an antique Japanese bamboo door.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made mainly of cedar and bamboo.
It has a simple design that conveys the charm of the mater...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bamboo, Wood
Japanese Meiji Period Champleve Enameled Bronze Jardiniere, Circa 1870s
Located in Germantown, MD
A large mid 19th century Japanese Meiji Zoomorphic Champleve Enameled Bronze Jardiniere, Circa 1870s. Measures 12" in width, 12" in depth and stands 8.5" tall.
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
A Japanese Bronze Garden Statue Of A Crane
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Bronze Garden Statue Of A Crane, Japanese
Realistically modelled with natural verdigris.
Provenance: John Dunn Antiques.
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Japan Antique Kasuga "Deer" Granite Stone Lantern 84 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
One "Deer" lantern Available
Call or Contact Us For Details
A tall antique classsic beauty with all original pieces.
Japan, a fine tall kasuga "deer" granite stone lantern with ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Granite
Japan Tall Antique Kasuga Stone Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
An antique beauty with all original pieces.
Japan, a tall and stone lantern with engraved designs, carefully crafted in six pieces for ease of portability.
Dimensions: 65 inches ta...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Japan Tall Antique Classic Kasuga Stone Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
An antique beauty with all original pieces.
Japan, a tall and stone lantern with engraved designs, carefully crafted in six pieces for ease of portability.
Dimensions: 68 inches ta...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
Japanese Antique Bamboo Sliding Door, Object Mingei Art Panel, Wabisabi Door（1）
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an antique Japanese bamboo door.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made mainly of cedar and bamboo.
It has a simple design that conveys the charm of the mater...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Bamboo
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Wood Planter
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Meiji Period Japanese Planter in carved wood, featuring mother of pearl butterfly and floral insets, and finished copper inserts. Incredible craftsmanship and detail. Wood species un...
Category
1870s Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Jardinière by Genryusai Seiya
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Japanese Meiji Period bronze Jardinière by Genryusai Seiya.
Outstanding large 19th century Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) high relief bronze jardinière by Genryusai ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
19th c. Wooden Japanese Roof Ornament
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original hand carved wooden Japanese roof ornament. The slotted bottom and large peg suggest these was used to slip into position on a roof.
T...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Japanese Bronze Patinated Footed Pot
Located in Queens, NY
Oriental Japanese (19th Century) bronze large jardiniere with a green patina and carp in relief and raise on 4 cloud form feet (Koyoto School; Meiji Period)
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Rustic Japanese Meiji Period Freeform Hibachi with Unusual Design, circa 1880
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period freeform hibachi from the late 19th century, with unusual design. Created in Japan during the Meiji period, this freeform hibachi will make for a great decora...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Meiji Period Japanese Wood Root Round Hibachi with Brown Patina, circa 1900
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period wood root hibachi from the early 20th century, with brown patina. Born in Japan during the early years of the 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Wood Planter
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Meiji Period Japanese Planter in carved wood, featuring mother of pearl butterfly and floral insets, and finished copper inserts. Incredible craftsmanship and detail. Wood species un...
Category
1870s Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Japanese Lacquer Hibachi (Brazier)
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese Lacquer Hibachi (Brazier), Meiji period (1868 - 1912) Box- shaped Japanese hibachi with mother of pearl inlay, handles on two sides, and a cop...
Category
1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper
Meiji building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Meiji building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji building and garden elements 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 building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $12,075 while the average work can sell for $1,500.