Japonisme Decorative Boxes
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
Antique Japanese Inro by Shigehide Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite four-case lacquered inro was dated to the latter part of 18th century to early 19th century (Edo period) and made by Shigehide. The opposite sides of the inro together features a lavish flower arrangement in a bamboo basket (ikebana). The detailed craftmanship was a true pleasure to behold. Mostly Takamaki-e (high relief) were used to texturize the delicate petals of the chrysanthemums, on which different shades of gold were used to create contrast. Raden (mother of pearl) shells were also used to highlight some leaves, rendering the piece an interesting balance of color and material. The interior was completed in a mottled gold finish. It was signed Shigehide on the bottom with a Kao. There is a small carved rabbit ojime bead...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Gilt Bronze Box with Cloisonné & Champlevé Enamel work c1880s Japan
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1880s, Japan. This late 19th-century Japanese box features a stunning floral scene primarily of morning glories. The enamel work is superb with deli...
Category
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Small Antique Seamstress' Button Box, Japanese, Brass, Decorative, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique seamstress' button box. A Japanese, brass decorative tin, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850.
Delicately crafted box with wonderful colour and ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Japanese Faux Lacquer Storage Box
Located in New York, NY
Large Japanese faux lacquer decorated storage box in the form of a chamfered cube with hinged lid, the black lacquered sides decorated with lotus leaves and other floral motifs.
De...
Category
Late 20th Century Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Japanese Cloisonné Box, circa 1860-80
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Cloisonné box, Japanese, circa 1860-80. Elegant, cartouche form; the exquisite butterfly with translucent green on silver ground flies through a traditio...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Japanese Lacquer Hokai Box, 19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a good example of a traditional Japanese Hokai shell storage box for the Kai-awase game. This box is well-detailed in chased brass appliques and makie. The box is in overall ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Tiffany & Co. Chrysanthemum Silver Gilt Box
Located in New York, NY
Chrysanthemum gilt sterling silver box. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Traditional lobed and ovoid bowl with short and inset neck and splayed volute scroll supports. Cover hinged...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sterling Silver
Oriental Lacker Boxes on a Tray, Japan, 1930s
Located in Den Haag, NL
4 Small Lacker boxes on a tray. Mother of Pearl inlay. Inside the boxes.
Lots off Bone fiches. I think a game. Very good condition.
Category
1930s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Pair of Large Antique Japanese Hokai Lacquer Boxes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Japanese lacquered lidded Hokai boxes with chased brass hardware and original ropes. Hokai boxes are traditionally used in Japan as the containers ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Early Chinese Decorated Spice Barrel
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
An early Chinese decorated spice barrel
A lovely piece, the decoration has seen some losses, this has been stabilised to stop any further deterioration
The barrel is made in wo...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Large Japonisme Moser-Type Bronze Mounted & Enameled Blue Glass Casket Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and very fine 19th century enameled glass casket or glove box.
Typical of the enamel treatments by Ludwig Moser and reminiscent of Baccarat's Japonisme works.
Likely Bohemian, the blue glass...
Category
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Vintage Japanese Temple Style Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely vintage Japanese Temple style box.
Made of rosewood … this box has a cover featuring Buddhist Swaztikas on the front. The cover lifts off to reveal a tabernacle with 2 carved dragons on wither side.
Probably made in the first quarter of the 20th century, circa 1920-1930.
Rectangular shaped for the storage of deities statues...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Japanese Laquered Box with Hinged Lid and Lock, Japan, 19th Century, Birds Decor
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is in wood, lacquered in black. With decoration of birds with gold paint.
It has been done in the 19th century in japan, and it is in a black color.
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique Lacquer Maki-E Miniature Hasami-Bako with Copper Mounts
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese lacquered box with lid in the shape of a miniature Hasami-Bako (traveling chest) circa late 18 to early 19th century of the Edo period. The black box is decorated with fin...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper
Japanese Lacquer Box with Fine Maki-e Decoration Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A lacquered wood box with lid from Japan circa 19th century Meiji Period. The finely decorated box was used to store paper slips and small documents on the desk. It is overall finished with black lacquer (kuro) with sparse Mura-Nashiji effect outside and on the top surface of the lid, there are three Komainu, (sometimes known as Shishi or Japanese lions) frolicking and forming a circle in lively motion. Komainu are auspicious animals in Japanese cultures in both Shinto and Buddhism tradition. Originally from China, these animals symbolizes guardians to ward off evil spirits. Hiramaki-e was used in combination with carving and combing to render the lions with various surface textures. A gilt border with an slight angle was given to the lid and even the thin band is decorated with miniature floral scrolls. The interior of the box was finished in a dense nashiji. Underneath the lid, a cluster of peonies open lavishly by two gentle mounts. Takamaki-e (high relief) in both gold and silver were...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Portable Sagejubako Theme of Three Winter Friends
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sagejubako is a portable lunch or picnic set that became popular in the early Edo period when an additional meal was added between breakfast and dinner. It normally consists of a han...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Japanese Lacquered Incense Box Kobako Ex-Christie's
Located in Atlanta, GA
An old Japanese lacquered small box likely used to contain incense powder called Kobako, circa Momoyama to early Edo period (16-17th century). The rectangular form box with a fitted ...
Category
17th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lead
Antique Wooden Box w. Embossed Copper Japonisme Scene & Handcrafted Brass Nails
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size, one of a kind and all hand-crafted antique box with an elegant Asian scene.
If you are looking for a stylish and truly decorative antique box to grace your credenza or si...
Category
Early 20th Century European Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Copper
Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Stack Box Jubako
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique jubako (stack boxes) with five tiers in an elongated octagon shape circa 19th century (end of Edo or beginning of Meiji period). jubako was traditionally used to store and...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Rinpa Style Lacquer Ink Stone Box Suzuribako
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese writing box with ink stone (known as Suzuribako) with exquisite maki-e decoration circa late Meiji to early Taisho period (1890s-1930s)...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Pair of Large Antique Japanese Hokai Lacquer Boxes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Japanese lacquer lidded Hokai boxes with chased brass hardware and original ropes. Hokai boxes are traditionally used in Japan to store and carry s...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Maki-e Lacquerware Portable Picnic Set Sagejubako
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sagejubako is a portable picnic set that became popular in the early Edo period when an additional meal was added between breakfast and dinner. It normally consists of a carry case w...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Japanese Lacquer and Inlay Box from Ryukyu Island
Located in Atlanta, GA
A lacquer presentation box with mother-of-pearl inlays from Japanese Ryukyu Islands circa 17-18th century. The lidded box in rectangular form with rounded corner is a classic example...
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
Japanese Lacquer Maki-e Sake Ewer Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese lacquered wood sake ewer with maki-e design, circa late 19th century, Meiji period. The nicely decorated lacquerware is of a Classic sake ewer for...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Rare Japanese Sumi-E Lacquer Inro Yamada Jokasai Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A three-case lacquered Inro by Yamada Family circa 18th-19th century Edo period. The inro with slight rounded form is of Kano style and vividly depicts a dragon slithering among the ink clouds on a gold background. Sumi-e togidashi (ink togidashi) technique, in combination with Hiramaki-e, were employed to create the dreamy ambience of this piece. The dragon has a painterly appearance inspired by Chinese ink painting that was often seen on the Japanese folding screens. The back of the Inro was sparsely decorated with the shifting patterns of the darkening clouds with an emphasis on the space intentionally left empty. Jokasai was signed to the base. On the front of the inro there is another miniature signature Hakugyoku Hogen, which is one of names used by Kano Michinobu (1730-1790). The dragon is evidently one of his designs (see reference below).
Established by a member of Yamada family in the 17th century, the clan was one of the most prominent lacquer artisanal family for the next 200 years until the end of Edo period in the 19th century. Most members signed their work simply with Jokasai making the identification of the individual artists somewhat impossible. The current Inro on offer, compared to many other pieces by Jokasai, has an uncommon Kano style done in Sumi-e togidashi.
Another unusual feature of this piece is that the interiors of the inro was decorated with an interesting gold mosaic inlays (kirigane) on a dark lacquer background, giving it a jewel like quality.
For another Inro by Jokasai of a similar style using Sumi-e togidashi but depicts a tiger, see Wrangham collection, no.353, which was offered for sale as lot 256 in Bonham's London Auction: The Edward Wrangham Collection of Japanese Art Part I. 9 Nov 2010.
For an ink scroll...
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Unusual Japanese Lacquer Inkstone Box with MOP Inlays
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese black lacquer box with mother of pearl inlays circa early 20th century, end of Meiji period. It was likely to be used to store inkstone or other scholarly items. The piece displays several interesting characteristics that appear puzzling initially. First, the form is not typical Japanese, but more Chinese and Korean, with its scalloped base. Second, the decoration of MOP inlays also suggests a Korean and Chinese affiliation, especially with the linear borders and the scrolling cloud patters on the sides of the box. These two observations suggest that the box may be from Ryukyu Island instead of Japanese mainland. Third, strikingly in the center of the cover, a bold quarterly floral pattern outlined with MOP was filled with a striking mottled red lacquer using tsugaru nuri...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Rare Japanese Lacquer Writing Box Suzuribako Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Lacquer writing box Suzuribako Meiji Period (1868-1912), likely circa late 19th century. This suzuribako is one of the most unusual boxe...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Japanese Rinpa Style Lacquer Box Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A black lacquer tebako (hand box) with maki-e decoration and silver trim, circa late 19th century, Meiji period. The surface of the lid features a Rinpa style maki-e paint depicting ...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Fine Japanese Lacquered Inro with Inlays by Kajikawa
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese four-case lacquer inro by a member of Kajikawa family circa 19th century (late Edo to early Meiji period). It depicts a nocturnal scenery of a meandering stream surrounded by bush clovers, where a full moon is reflected on the water. It was masterfully decorated in gold and silver maki-e using a combination of techniques including takamakie, togidashi and kirigane as well as aogai (abalone shell) inlays. The stream was set between the slightly elevated banks, adding to this piece a already strong three-dimensional composition. The interior was decorated in gold nashiji. It was signed on the bottom "Kajikawa Zou" (made by Kajikawa and a pot seal centered with "Ei" in Kanji. In one of the compartment, there is a katakana mark, appears to be a name, possibly the owner.
Kajikawa clan was one of the most famous lacquer artisanal family established in the 17th century. Many well known members over the generations produced lacquer art in a wide range of formats, but two third were signed only with the family name such as this one. It is therefore not possible to pinpoint the exact author of this piece.
Provenance: This inro was purchased as lot 349 in Christie's New York sale Japanese...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Shell
Japanese Inro by Koma Koryu Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A four-case lacquered inro by Koma Koryu circa 19th century late Edo period. The inro features a pair of Chinese mandarin duck resting under a bundle of blooming irises on the pond. ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Fine Japanese Lacquered Inro by Yutokusai
Located in Atlanta, GA
A four-case lacquered Japanese inro by Yutokusai (Gyokkei), a lacquer artist active from 1845-1900 (end of Edo to Meiji period). The slightly round inro features a very intricate design with three unfolded fans on the front and two on the back: each reveals a vignette landscape scenery, likely real places in Japan. Using a combination of hiramaki-e and slight takamaki-e, the artist deftly created the pictures with fine details, rendering the inro as a miniature artwork...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Large Japanese Lacquer Box Early Edo Period Ex-Christie's
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large lacquer Ryoshibako (Paper box in Japanese) finely decorated with Maki-e circa 17th century early Edo period. The box is of an impressive size and was used to store paper documents. Both sides of the lid were elaborately decorated with maki-e and the edge was befitted with lead rim, an early practice before the silver rim became common later. The interior and base were finished in Nashiji. The night scene on top surface of the lid depicts flocks of chidoris flying in formation from a sea shore swaying with reeds under a full moon, using hiramaki-e in both gold and silver. Ribbons of clouds were achieved with different densities of gold powder. The underside, in contrast, shows a crescent moon in takamakie-e above the sea with ferns and reeds. Chidoris, the plovers, are symbolic in Japanese culture as "thousands of blessings" and longevity. The Namichidori, the pattern in which the chidori flies in the nami (wave) represents the eternal love and safety of couples and families. For detailed references on the historical background and the use of chidoris on lacquerware, see the reference below.
This very lacquer box was featured for sale as lot 339 in Christie's London Sale Japanese Art...
Category
17th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Lacquer Ryoshibako Document Box Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Japanese lacquer box with elaborate Maki-e design from Meiji period, (mid-late 19th century). The generous size of the box was reser...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japonisme decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Japonisme decorative boxes 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 decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with lacquer, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Japonisme decorative boxes 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 decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include and Tiffany & Co.. 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $145 and tops out at $13,500 while the average work can sell for $4,000.
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