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.
Antique Sterling Silver Japanese Export Engraved Cigarette or Decorative Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique engraved sterling silver cigarette or decorative box was made in Japan in approximately 1900 in the period Japonisme style. The box is composed of an ebonized hardwood c...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Hoya Crystal Tokyo Ashtray - High Quality Crystal 1970s
Located in Manzano, IT
Refined crystal ashtray signed Hoya Crystal Tokyo, an iconic design piece now discontinued. Hoya is internationally known for the exceptional purity and optical transparency of its ...
Crystal
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Table Snuff Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique William IV English sterling silver table snuff box; an addition to our collectable silverware collection. This exceptional antique William IV sterling silver snuff box has a rectangular, rounded form. The body of the box is embellished with impressive chased floral motifs accented with scrolling stem and foliate ornamentation, all on a matte background. The decoration to the body incorporates a chased single leaf design to each corner, emanating from the rounded lower portion. The upper rim of the body and swept sides of the cover are encompassed with a continuous band of engine turned decoration. The underside of the box features a further panel of engine turned decoration. This exceptional example of antique silverware is fitted with a hinged hallmarked cover embellished with an engine turned bordered rectangular vacant cartouche to the upper plateau. The cover is further embellished with an exceptional cast and applied domed, incurved border to the upper portion, matching the ornamentation to that of the body and continuing to an impressive floral thumbpiece to the anterior edge. This antique sterling silver snuff box opens to reveal the original gilded interior. Condition This antique sterling silver snuff box is an exceptional gauge of silver, exceptional quality and in exceptional condition. The chased and applied ornamentation is all very sharp and the engine turned decoration is all very crisp. Full hallmarks struck to the interior of the box are all very clear. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this antique silverware. Dimensions Length 9.8cm/3.9" Width 6.5cm/2.6" Height 4.3cm/1.7" Weight 8.2 troy ounces/253g Maker: Joseph Willmore...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Glass Ashtray, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage glass ashtray is an original decorative object realized in the 1970s. Good conditions.
Glass
Antique English Art Deco Sterling Silver Box
Located in New York, NY
George VI sterling silver box. Made by Robert Pringle & Sons in London in 1939. Rectangular with curved corners. Cover hinged and tabbed; top has engine-turned wave ornament and rect...
Sterling Silver
$630Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.58 in W 4.73 in D 2.09 in
Antique Silver BOX Decorative Box, Sterling Silver EDWARDIAN CUT Crystal Pot N&H
Located in Wembley, GB
This is a fine quality Edwardian cut crystal dressing table pot, mounted with a sterling silver lid. The oval crystal body rests on a star-cut base and is exquisitely decorated with ...
Crystal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
$1,468Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.55 in W 2.76 in D 3.15 in
Antique Silver BOX Decorative Box, Sterling Silver Jewllery Box Home Decor
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique valuable handmade sterling silver box or Decorative jewllery box with Illustration pressed, cast and chased. Rectangular body on short, curved feet with hinged, vaulted lid. ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Large Antique English Art Deco Sterling Silver Cigar Box
Located in New York, NY
George V sterling silver cigar box. Made by Barnard & Sons, Ltd in London in 1930. Rectangular with straight sides. Cover hinged and with tapering tab; top flap with engine-turne...
Sterling Silver
$1,760
H 2.2 in W 2.3 in D 0.6 in
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Combination Sovereign or Vesta Case
By Thomas Hayes
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver combination sovereign or vesta case, an addition to our diverse box and case collection. This exceptional antique Victorian English sterling silver combination vesta or sovereign case has a subtly domed rectangular, rounded form. The anterior and posterior surfaces of this silver case are plain and unembellished. This antique Victorian sterling silver sovereign case is fitted with a hinged hallmarked push fit cover allowing access to the hallmarked sprung sovereign holders...
Sterling Silver, Silver
$12,642
H 0.79 in W 5.91 in D 3.55 in
Table cigarette box Silver Sterling Enamel two-tone striped guilloché Salimbeni.
By Giorgio Salimbeni, Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Exceptional table cigar or cigarette box in 925/1000 sterling silver, gold plated, and decorated with translucent two-tone striped fired enamels over guilloché engraving. Finely hand...
Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
$3,806Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.5 in W 9.25 in D 5.25 in
Smart English Silver Art Deco Cigarette or Cigar Box, 1937
Located in Bath, GB
A truly iconic Art Deco double-lidded cigarette or cigar box with the most fantastic shaped handle to the top. The box is entirely engine-turned and stands on four elegant feet. T...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Glass Ashtray, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage glass ashtray is an original decorative object realized in the 1970s. A very beautiful transparent glass with a particular glass proc...
Glass
Vintage Japanese Box from the 1970s
Located in Austin, TX
Perhaps originally designed as a Bento Box, this is a one-of-a-kind piece for your home-office or study desk. It has iconic 1970s modern lines and beautifully exemplifies the elevat...
Plastic
English Mid-Century Silver Cigarette Box
Located in Queens, NY
English Mid-Century (1940s) sterling silver rectangular (cigarette) box with fluted etched design and initials: A.M.G.
Sterling Silver