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.
Japanese Lacquered Tiered Jewelry Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage Japanese Jewelry Box. Box is lacquered in classic black and red, featuring hand-painted floral and geometric designs throughout. The tiered form cover is topped with a carved...
Lacquer
Japanese Meiji Period Lacquered Wooden Box w/ Original Outer Case, Ca. 1880
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Meiji Period Lacquered Wooden Box w/ Original Outer Case, Ca. 1880 Meiji Period: 1868-1912 DIMENSIONS Length: 16.5 inches Width: 3.5 inches Height: 2.5 inches
Wood
$418
H 1.19 in W 8.67 in D 3.94 in
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...
Wood, Lacquer
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 ...
Wood, Lacquer
$2,900
H 1.5 in W 2.88 in D 1 in
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, ...
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...
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...
Wood, 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 ...
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Jewelry Box, 1900
Located in Marseille, FR
Jewelry box Japan 1890/1900 decorated with a hundred Menukis in embossed brass and inlays measuring height 33 x 33 x 15 cm. Menukis are ornamental pi...
Rosewood
Fine Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Box with Dragon Trinket Box
Located in Long Island City, NY
A finely executed Japanese cloisonné enamel box dating to the Meiji period, executed entirely with gilt wire cloisons. The lid is centered with a dynamic coiled dragon set against a ...
Enamel
$3,400
H 15.75 in W 14.25 in D 7 in
Japanese Marquetry and Lacquer Jewelry Chest, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A very attractive Japanese wood table top jewelry or collector's chest with marquetry and lacquer decoration, Meiji period, circa 1900, Japan. Previously in the collection of Asbjorn Lunde (1927 - 2017). The chest is crafted in the form of a Chinese seal...
Wood, Softwood, Lacquer
$1,700
H 4.5 in W 3.25 in D 1.88 in
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...
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...
Copper, Enamel
Japanese Maki-e Lacquered Box, Ric.049
Located in Norton, MA
Japan, Edo to Meiji period, a long rectangular document box with hinged cover, decorated with a bird and a floral basket, The locker is not functioning.
Lacquer
Asian Art Deco Style Silver and Black Lacquered Jewelry Box 1980s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Art Deco Asian Japonisme style silver and black lacquered jewelry box storage with 1980s. When opened there is a black removable tray inside with four compartments for rings and small jewelry. Asian Japanese lacquer in textured silver and black jewelry...
Wood, Lacquer
Art Deco Asian Style Black and Red Lacquered Jewelry Box 1980s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Art Deco Asian Japonisme style black and red lacquered jewelry box storage with 1980s. Black wooden box lacquered with removable red tray with ...
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Lacquer Jewelry Box Rinpa School Meiji Period
By Ogata Korin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful Japanese jewelry box in the form of a portable cabinet with handle on top, a removable door and three inner drawers. The lacquered box was lavishly decorated on surface in the Rinpa School style. In contrast with a black kuro urushi background, stylized Japanese lilies flowers and dragonflies were highlighted dramatically, using large and thick gold and pewter sheet interspersed with shell inlay (Kanagai and Raden in Japanese respectively). The box is signed and sealed as Ogata Korin...
Pewter, Gold Leaf
Japanese Lacquer Ware Fan-Shaped Box with Compartments
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese fan-shaped lacquer box with tassels, red exterior with slightly scalloped cover. The interior is fitted with seven smaller fan-shaped trays ...
Lacquer
Vintage Japanese Lacquer Ware Stacked Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
The lacquer ware from Japan was beautifully decorated with chrysanthemum blossom, bamboo leaves and grass blades, typical elements used in the Japonisme A...
Lacquer