Meiji Decorative Boxes
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.
to
8
52
1
32
20
1
17
3
1
1
882
590
531
479
174
171
146
109
93
90
84
83
82
70
65
40
22
21
19
18
14
11
10
28
19
53
52
52
Height
to
Width
to
53
53
53
1
1
Style: Meiji
19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Parquetry Table Top Kodansu Cabinet
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Parquetry Table Top Kodansu Cabinet With An Arrangement of Seven Drawers & Metal Handles & Finishings
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper
Antique Japanese Meiji Silver Dragon Box
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Meiji silver box, ca 1910. Round and lobed with raised cover; on cover top applied dragon with scaly coiled body, extended talons, and comically long whiskers. Marked. Weigh...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Antique Japanese Meiji Silver Box with Birds & Blossoming Branches
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Meiji silver box, ca 1890. Rectangular with curved corners. Box sides have chased and engraved birds amidst blossoming branches and bamboo in rectangular frames. Cover top h...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Japanese Lacquer Box with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay and Parquetry Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
A finely crafted Japanese tabletop cabinet from the early 20th century, this compact storage piece is richly detailed with traditional decorative techniques and export-era flourishes...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Japanese Meiji Period Antique Lacquer Box with Gold Maki-e Decoration
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique Japanese Meji Period lacquer box decorated with a fan and a stylized star shaped window in the maki-e technique. The fan at the top right corner, fully opened depictin...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Japanese Antique Simplicity Box 1860s-1920s / Tansu Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old box made in Japan.
The furniture was made in the Meiji period (1860s-1920s).
The material is Cedar wood, which is very expensive t...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Japanese Cloisonné Meiji Enamel Box with Roosters
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji era covered enamel over brass trinket or jewelry box. Circa: late 19th century to early 20th century. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of a roos...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Meiji Period Lacquer Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Meiji period small lacquer box with hinged lid, Japanese. Finely decorated - bits of abalone inlay add sparks in several areas. The recessed circle...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Japanese Cloisonne Box by Inaba, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Japanese cloisonne hinged box with pheasant and autumn foliage, by Inaba Nanaho and the Inaba Cloisonne Company, Meiji period, circa 1900, ...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper, Enamel, Metal
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.
The delicate lacquer box, known as a kogo in Japanese, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Parquetry Table Top Kodansu Cabinet
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Parquetry Table Top Kodansu Cabinet With An Arrangement of Seven Drawers & Metal Handles & Finishings
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper
Fine Miniature Japanese Kodansu with Lacquer Inlays
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine Japanese miniature kodansu constructed from Kaki wood (Persimmon) circa 19th century, late Meiji period. With its expressive exotic wood grains and exposed tenon construction,...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Japanese Meiji Silver Dragon Box
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Meiji silver box, ca 1910. Round and lobed with raised cover; on cover top applied dragon with scaly coiled body, extended talons, and comically long whiskers. Marked. Weigh...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Antique Japanese Meiji Silver Box with Birds & Blossoming Branches
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Meiji silver box, ca 1890. Rectangular with curved corners. Box sides have chased and engraved birds amidst blossoming branches and bamboo in rectangular frames. Cover top h...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Red Japanese Lacquered Box Meiji Decorative Box, circa 1880
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Nice Japanese glove box in red and black lacquered wood dating from the end of the 19th century. It is decorated with delicate gold, black and white flowers and foliage on all its vi...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer, Wood
Antique Japanese Late Meiji Wood Box In Silver Frame With Chickens
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji era, varnished wooden box in silver frame. Circa: 1868 to 1912. The wooden box with a wicker cover and silver frame. Silver plate embedded in the lid,...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Meiji Japanese Totai Cloisonne Enamel Porcelain Box
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era covered Totai enamel on porcelain trinket or jewelry box. Circa: late 19th century to early 20th century. The ware is enameled with a polychrome floral medallion with butterflies and berries, on the top of the cover, surrounded by floral, and foliage patterns made in the Cloisonne technique. A hand painted image of a flower, under the cover. Dated, 01.12.08, and probably numbered, 6, on the bottom. Totai Shippo...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Enamel
20th Century Japanese Black Lacquer Box with Gold Bird and Reed Motif Decorative
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
20th Century Japanese Black Lacquer Box with Gold Bird and Reed Motif, Decorative & Functional
Description:
This elegant Japanese lacquer box, crafted in the 20th century, is a beau...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Lacquered Box Meiji Decorative Box and Ink box, circa 1880
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Nice Japanese glove box in red, yellow and black lacquered wood dating from the end of the 19th century. It is decorated with delicate gold, black and red characters.
Inside you have...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Small Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Round Box, circa 1910, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A small and delightful Japanese yellow ground cloisonne round trinket or incense box, Meiji Period, circa 1910, Japan.
The small box of squat, round shape, and may originally have b...
Category
1910s Japanese Vintage Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Japanese Red Ginbari Cloisonne Trinket Box, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A rich and elegant Japanese export red ginbari cloisonne trinket box, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan.
The attractive Japanese cloisonne box features a striking textured red ginbari...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Copper, Enamel, Foil
Japanese Cloisonne Round Box with Fan Design, Meiji Period, c. 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A very attractive Japanese red ground cloisonne round box and cover featuring a design of fans, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan.
The round cloison...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Japanese Laquered Tray Decorated with People on a Verandah, Meiji Period
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good papier mâché, circular, black lacquered tray, hand enameled and gilded, made in Japan during the 19th century, Meiji period.
This circular tray is very decorative, ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Paper
Lovely Antique Meiji Period Japanese Lacquer Box, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely 19th c Antique Meiji Period Japanese Lacquer box.
Additional information:
Material: Lacquer
Region of Origin: Japan
Period: 19th century, 20th century
Japan Dynasty Period: M...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Huge Japanese Red Lacquerware Gourd Motif Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Huge Japanese red lacquerware gourd motif box, decorated in relief with Japanese gourds suspended from leafy branches and scrolling vines.
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Japanese 7-Pcs, Arita Sweetmeat Set & Matching Lacquer Box Meiji Period, 1880s
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A seven-piece Japanese Arita Sweetmeat set and matching lacquer box, Meiji period (1880-1890). Comprising of a central hexagonal dish and six-fan shaped ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain, Lacquer
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
A very fine Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with butterflies
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very fine Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with butterflies amongst foliage, attributed to Kawade Shibataro, the cover and sides finely worked with silver wire and coloured ena...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Japanese Hand-Painted Porcelain Lidded Serving Dish, Trinket or Jewelry Box
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Japanese hand painted porcelain decorative trinket, pill or jewelry box or serving dish of Meiji period.
The decoration cons...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Lacquer Inro Box, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely Antique Meiji Period Japanese Lacquer Inro, 19th Century
Additional information:
Period: 19th century, 20th century
Region of Origin: Japan
Japan Dynasty Period: Meiji Period...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Japanese Pencil Box Lacquer Ware Writing Meiji Period, 19th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Japanese lacquer writing box 19th Century
Of rectangular shape, overall painted in famille rose colors with flowers, all on a yellow ground, the interior in red.
Additional inform...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Signed Japanese White Lacquer and Maki-E Lacquer Tansu, Meiji Period
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The case decorated overall in crackle-glaze white lacquer and fitted with a patinated metal carrying handle over three tiers of small drawers. The first two tiers are comprised of a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Stamp Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-19th century Japanese Meiji period bronze stamp box. Applied castings of a hanging flower basket with bird, recumbent stag and flowers. Measures: 1 1/...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Antique Richly Decorated Marked Japanese Satsuma Box, Ca 1900
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Japanese Satsuma Round box with lid. Marked base.
Additional information:
Material: Porcelain & Pottery
Region of Origin: Japan
Period: 19th century
Japanese Style: Satsuma
Japan ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Satsuma Lidded Box, Meiji
Located in Miami, FL
Meticulously enamelled and gilt satsuma box, Meiji Period (1867-1912).
Overall very good antique condition, base that the box sits on is a bit slanted.
L...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Meiji Lacquer Casket in the Manner of Akatsuka Jitoku
Located in London, by appointment only
Mount Fuji decorates the cupboard door taking centre stage on a background of gold
On this casket, a village can be seen in the valley which is most likely the Oshino Village
T...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Japanese Antique Black Lacquered Box 1860s-1900s / Tansu Sideboard Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This box is made in Japan and coated with black lacquer.
The furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and is made of cedar wood. The metal fittings are made of copper...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper
Japanese Laquered Box with Hinged Lid hand painted, 19th Century Meiji Period
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good papier mâché, rectangular shaped black lacquered lidded box, hand enamelled and gilded, made in Japan during the 19th century, early Meiji period.
This rectangular shaped papier mâché box has a well fitting hinged lid, with the box base and lid slightly domed. The box was probably originally made as a pocket box but could easily sit on a desk or dressing table as required.
This is a very decorative box with finely hand painted scenes of three people, one holding a parasol, in a garden setting, with a pagoda type building, large gate...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Paper
Fine Lacquer Kogo 'Incense Box'
Located in Hudson, NY
Exquisitely detailed incense storage box in gold lacquer with silver and gold overlays of a folded screen with heron and willow design. Flowers and...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Meiji Box Dragon, Foo Dog, Phoenix Bird, Butte
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper footed rectangular double-bottom box with hinged lid. Late Meiji period, The piece is decorated with cloisonne enamel depictions of dragons, phoenix bird, flowers against the swirl motif background. Collectible Oriental Vanity...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Large Meiji Period Brass and Cloisonné Enamel Casket
Located in London, GB
A large Meiji period brass and cloisonné enamel casket
Japanese, Late 19th Century
Height 20cm, width 35.5cm, depth 22cm
This beautiful piece is a Japanese casket...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Enamel
A Meiji period moriage cloisonné box and cover with two carp
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period moriage cloisonné box and cover with two carp, the rectangular box worked in coloured enamels in standard, moriage (raised) and musen (wireless) cloisonné with one gre...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
A Meiji period cloisonné box and cover, Ando Company
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period cloisonné box and cover, Ando Company, worked in silver wire and coloured enamels with an array of brightly coloured flowers, reserved against a rich midnight-blue ground, with silver rims and a silk lining, inlaid Ando mark. Japanese, circa 1910.
Provenance: Acquired from Acanthus...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Large Rectangular Japanese Silver Cigar Box Decorated with Dragons
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Japanese silver cigar box
Made in Japan, early 20th century, Circa 1900.
Maker (Unidentified)
Fully hallmarked.
Please note: Interior has been professionally restored.
Dim...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
A Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with sparrows, prunus and bamboo
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with sparrows, prunus and bamboo, the rectangular box worked in gold and silver wire and coloured enamels with birds amongst a blossoming tree ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
A Japanese Meiji Period Black Lacquer Hokai Lidded Box with Brass Mounts
Located in San Francisco, CA
this large ribbed and cylindrical Japanese shell-game box with domed lid decorated overall with Maki-e (gold lacquered) foliate wreaths and stylized flower heads and incised brass mounts; raised on four splayed supports.
Hokai boxes...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Meiji Period Imari Gourd Shaped Box with Moth Handle, by Fukagawa
By Fukagawa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Meiji Period Imari Gourd-Shaped Box with Moth Handle, by Fukagawa
Japan, circa 1900s
Fukagawa Porcelain, Established in 1894
A rare and exquisite Meiji Period Imari Gourd-Shaped Bo...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Cloisonne Lidded Trinket Box with Bun Feet from the Meiji Period
Located in San Diego, CA
An exquisite Japanese cloisonne lidded box with brass bun feet from the Meiji period, circa late 1800's. The box has a great inticate geometric de...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Japanese Contemporary Porcelain Box Orange Green by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Magnificent Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain box/centerpiece, a museum-quality exhibition piece extremely intricately hand-painted in vivid blue, orange and green on a stun...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Lacquer Maki-E Tiered Suzuribako and Ryoshibako
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese roiro lacquer scholar combo box with an upper tier of inkstone box (Suzuribako) and a lower document box (Ryoshibako) circa 1910-30s (end of Meiji to Showa period). The high glossy box was beautifully decorated with an image of the famously eccentric Buddhist monks Hanshan and Shide (known in Japan as Kanzan and Jittoku). Often as a pair, they have been a popular motif in Japanese Zen painting...
Category
1920s Japanese Vintage Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Metal
Japanese Porcelain Large Box in the form of a Butterfly
Located in Downingtown, PA
Japanese Porcelain Box in the form of a Butterfly,
Mid-19th Century,
The Japanese porcelain Imari box is molded in the form of a large butterfly with differ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Totai Shippo Porcelain Covered Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Japanese porcelain box.
Decorated to the exterior with a dark turquoise enamel ground with floral decorations. The figural finial as wel...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Antique Japanese Lacquered Card Box with Ornate Hand Painted Gilt Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique card box is unsigned or initialed, so the specific artist is unknown, but is believed to have been made in Japan in circa 1900 in the per...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Asian Stash Box with Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand Carved Stone Box with Asian Motif - the perfect little box for 420, paperclips, rubber bands... or next to the bed, guest room or side table...
Category
20th Century Asian Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone
A very fine Meiji period cloisonné box and cover, by Hayashi Tanigoro
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very fine Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with brocade designs, by Hayashi Tanigoro, worked in silver wire and coloured enamels with geometric and stylised dragon and phoenix ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Meiji decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Meiji decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, 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 metal, lacquer and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji 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 Inaba Cloisonne Co., and Satsuma. 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 $225 and tops out at $31,662 while the average work can sell for $1,500.