Edo Boxes
EDO STYLE
Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.
Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.
Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.
Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.
Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Edo
Japanese 18th Century Tsukinami-e 6 Panel Floor Screen, Edo Period
Located in Norton, MA
A Japanese 18th Century Tsukinami-e 6 Panel Floor Screen depicts the Activities of the Twelve Months of the Year, mineral pigments on gold leaf, mounted on wood panels with 6 frames...
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
Japanese Momoyama Period Black Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Box, 16th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and unusual Japanese black lacquer and mother of pearl inlaid box, Momoyama Period, 16th century, Japan.
The large box and cover featu...
Category
16th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Lacquer, Abalone
Japanese Lacquer Chest, Edo Period
Located in Greding, DE
Small rectangular Japanese chest with gold lacquer decoration in the form of leaf tendrils. The chest is decorated with cut-out and ornamentally engraved fittings on the corners and ...
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique Japanese Ink Stone Maki-e Lacquer Box Suzuribako Edo Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese ink stone box (known as Suzuribako) with exquisite maki-e decoration from Edo period (circa mid-18th century). The box features a rectang...
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Edo-Period Lacquerware Chest
Located in New Orleans, LA
Edo-Period Lacquerware Chest
19th-century
This exquisite chest, inspired by Hasami-Bako travel trunks, is a striking example of Japanese lacquerware. The hiramaki-e technique—applie...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Gold
Antique Japanese Lacquer and Inlay Kang Table from Ryukyu Island
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small low table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent island cou...
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
Antique Japanese Lacquer and Inlay Table from Ryukyu Islands
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small square-form table with lacquer and intricate mother-of-pearl inlay design from Ryukyu Islands kingdom circa 17-18th century. Ryukyuan kingdom was used to be an independent is...
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
Japanese Lacquer Incense Box, Kogo, Momoyama or Edo Period, 16th/17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A wonderful Japanese lacquer incense box, kogo, with a design of plovers in flight, late Momoyama or early Edo Period, circa 1600, Japan.
The small box, called a kogo, was used to s...
Category
Early 17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Gold, Pewter
Exquisite Japanese Lacquer Maki-e Hand Box Kobako Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early Japanese lacquer Maki-e decorated kobako (small storage box) circa 18th century (Edo period). Based on its form and size, this kobako was possibly used as a Chabako to store the accoutrements for chado (tea ceremony). The lidded box is of rectangular form with bevel design on all edge that softens the appearance. The entire surface was densely covered with a background of nashiji. Elaborate Maki-e techniques were used on each side to showcase a distinct landscape or floral design within a cartouche panel. On the surface of the lid, a mountainous landscape rises from the edge of the water. The poetic composition is akin to a traditional ink scroll...
Category
18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Japanese Lacquered and Gold Leaf Storage Trunk (Nagamochi)
Located in CA, CA
A fine lacquered and gold leaf Nagamochi dating from the late 18th century or early 19th century.
The exterior of the trunk and its gilded metal fittings are decorated with a folia...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Gold Leaf
Japanese Lacquer Maki-E Scroll Box Fubako by Kansonsai Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese lacquered wood fubako (a box to store document or small scroll painting) circa late 18th century of Edo period. The rectangular box features a deep lid with rounded corners and recessed mid-edge and a lower box with two bronze medallion rings and tasseled silk ties. The surface of the fubako was elaborately decorated with hiramaki-e and a low takamaki-e on a mottled Mura-nashiji background. The motifs on the lid depict branches of Japanese pine with finely rendered needles on the lower part; on the upper part, it showcases fruited persimmon branches. Two different shades of gold fundame were used to contrast the design and augmented by scattered gold kirigane to highlight some of the leaves. The design continues and cascades down to all sides of the lid as well as the walls of the box. The two bronze medallions appear original to the box and the silk ties show significant fading from the age. This Fine fubako is signed on the lower wall "Kanshosai" in Kanji with a kao mark. All the trims were finished in gold fundame and the interiors a dense nashiji in gold.
Kanshosai is the mark of the distinguished lacquer artist Lizuka Toyo I who also signed his work "Toyosai". He was active in the second half of the 18th century during Edo period, employed by Hachisuka Shigeyoshi (1738-1801), daimyo of Awa on Shikoku Island. Although most survived work bearing his marks are inros, he was also known to decorated trays and other larger objects...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Fine Japanese Namban Lacquer Jewelry Casket, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Japanese Namban lacquer transition-style coffer with two drawers
Kyoto/Nagasaki, circa 1650
The cartouches with gilt and red decorations of leaves...
Category
17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Cypress
Unique 17th Century Miniature Japanese Namban Lacquer Miniature Dollhouse Chest
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A unique and exceptional Japanese miniature or dollhouse export lacquered chest
Kyoto, circa 1620-1640
The chest of rectangular shape with a domed lid, decorated in Transition-style, in gold hiramaki-e on a black background within reserved lobed cartouches decorated with landscapes animated with birds and rabbits, on a shagreen or samegawa background. The borders are decorated with geometric friezes, the box with gilt-copper mounts, the interior decorated in red lacquer.
Measures: H 9.2 x W 14.5 x D 7.2 cm
This miniature is of exceptional quality and a perfect copy of the famous large size Transition-style coffers. It was most likely ordered by a Dutch lady for her dollhouse (poppenhuis), like the famous Petronella Oortman (1656-1716) doll-house, which is now one of the highlights in the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, or Petronella Oortmans-de la Court’s (1624-1707) dollhouse in the collection of the Centraal Museum Utrecht. Sara Rothé of Amsterdam in 1743 ordered a miniature black lacquered ivory tripod table with gold chinoiserie decoration by Jurriaan Buttner (Monika Kopplin, European Lacquer, 2010, p. 56).
Other Japanned dollhouse...
Category
17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Shagreen, Cypress
A Japanese Edo Period Lacquer Kogo (Incense) Box, late 17/early 18th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Early Japanese Lacquer Incense Box (Kogo) Late 17thc. Of rectangular form with soft corners, decorated with a diaper pattern in gold lacquer on a brownish black ground, with pewter r...
Category
17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Pewter
Antique Japanese Lacquered Incense Box Kobako in Kodaiji Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique lacquered small box that was likely used to contain incense powder (it is called Kobako in Japanese), circa early to mid-19th century of the Edo...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Nagasaki Export Lacquer Box with Depiction of the 'Trippenhuis'
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Japanese Nagasaki export lacquer box with mother-of-pearl depiction of the Amsterdam ‘Trippenhuis’
Edo-period, circa 1830
H. 12.5 x W. 24...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
Fine Japanese Export Red Lacquer Box with Masonic Symbols, circa 1800
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A fine Japanese export red lacquer box with Masonic symbols
Kyoto/Nagasaki, 1800-1820
Red lacquer decorated with scattered flowers and flying birds with long tails in gold, wit...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Gold
Japanese Black Lacquer Jubako Box with Stork Motif
Located in Stamford, CT
A four-tier Japanese Meiji period black lacquer Jubako box with stork and fir tree decoration. Box in four sections with lid.
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Japanese Edo Period Igarashi School Long Lacquer Box, Tanzaku-Bako
Located in Austin, TX
A stunning Japanese Edo period lacquer tanzakubako, box for poem cards, late 18th-early 19th century, Edo Period, Japan.
Attributed to the Igarashi School, this box is masterfully ...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
Japanese Gilt Tabako-Bon with Mountain Landscape, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered box is a Japanese tabako-bon, or 'tobacco tray,' used to store tobacco and smoking accessories. Believed to have evolved from the tradition...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Boxes
Materials
Copper
Gold Lacquer Incense Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
A Gold Lacquer Kōbako (Incense Box)
Edo Period (1615–1868), Circa 1850
This exquisite gold lacquer kōbako (incense box) exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of the Edo period. The ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Gold, Silver, Gold Leaf
Related Items
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 Edo Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Japanese Carved and Lacquered Wood Shogun, Edo Period, 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An unusual Japanese carved wood, lacquer, and gilt decorated portrait sculpture of a shogun, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan.
The unidentified shogun (possibly Tokugawa Iey...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
H 10.25 in W 10.5 in D 7.5 in
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 Edo Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
H 4.89 in W 5.12 in D 3.51 in
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 Edo Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
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 Edo Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
18th Century Georgian Period English Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
Beloved for its aesthetic beauty and exceptionally high quality, Georgian period furniture and decoration are arguably the most sought after and enduring pieces in British history. T...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
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 Edo Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Japanese Yamanaka Lacquerware Sweets Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century Yamanaka lacquerware sweets box for tea ceremony, Japanese. Formed as a deep black apple with gold & colored enamel decoration. Post WWII. Provenance: Sherman E. Lee...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Edo Boxes
Materials
Enamel
Japanese Lacquered Box Signed, Late 19th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Pretty Japanese lacquered box decorated with birds and foliage.
signed
Lacquered inside and outside
Late 19th century
Without key
Nice lock
Ideal for storing jewelry.
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Wood
Japanese Black Lacquer Jubako Box with Stork Motif
Located in Stamford, CT
A four-tier Japanese Meiji period black lacquer Jubako box with stork and fir tree decoration. Box in four sections with lid.
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
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 Edo Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
Beautifully Worn Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi "Safe"
Located in London, GB
A Beautifully Worn Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi "Safe"/Storage box.
Originally used to store money & valuables.
Heavily patinated cedar & chestnut.
Perf...
Category
19th Century Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Chestnut, Cedar
Previously Available Items
Late Edo Period Wabi Sabi Japanese Box with Small Drawer
Located in London, GB
A beautifully worn late Edo period chestnut & cedar storage box with small drawer.
Perfect as a stand or storage or both!
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Chestnut, Cedar
Antique Japanese Lacquered Incense Box Kobako
Located in Atlanta, GA
An old lacquered small box that was likely used to contain incense powder (it is called Kobako), circa Momoyama to early Edo period (17th century). The square form box with a fitted ...
Category
17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Iron Bound Sea Chest, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This fantastic iron-bound lock box is a 19th-century Japanese sea chest known as kakesuzuri. Used on merchant vessels traveling the Japanese trade route known as Kitamae, sea chests ...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Iron
Japanese Lacquer Incense Burner, Koro, Edo Period, Early 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A refined Japanese lacquer and bronze koro, incense burner, in the form or a chaire, tea caddy, decorated with various mon, family crests, Edo period (1603 - 1868), early 19th centur...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Black Antique Wooden Box / Wabi-Sabi Storage Box / 1785 / Edo Period
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a storage box made in 1785 during the Edo period in Japan.
The year of production is printed in ink on the back of the lid.
Probably the box that contained lacquer ware.
...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Cedar
H 11.97 in W 12.52 in D 12.52 in
19th Century Japanese Hokkai, Lacquered Decorative Box in Gold and Black
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edo period Hokkai, lacquered and painted box. Beautifully painted gold flowers painted o lacquer. Rope can be removed. Brass over copper intricately hammered d...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Brass, Copper
Japanese Antique Paper-Covered Box 1800s-1860s/Edo Period Wabisabi Art mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a box covered with old Japanese paper.
It is an item from the Edo period. (1800s-1860s)
A box made of bamboo is covered with paper.
The beautiful picture of the bird is sy...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Bamboo, Paper
H 4.73 in W 10.24 in D 16.15 in
Miniature Hasamibako Travelling Chest Edo Period Late 18th Early 19th Century
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A late 18th or early 19th-century Edo period hasamibako [travelling chest] of diminutive small proportions.
The rectangular box and flush fitting cover, decorated in gold hiramak...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Lacquer
H 4.73 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Japanese Antique Sword Case 1760s-1860s/Exhibition Stand Box Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It was a wooden box for storing Japanese swords.
It is an item from the Edo period. (1760-1860s)
It is covered with paper.
It seems to protect it from moisture.
Paper tears o...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Cedar
H 5.32 in W 5.32 in D 38.39 in
Small Japanese Lacquer and Metal Mounted Hokkai, Edo Period, 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Japanese black and green lacquer hokkai, picnic box, with copper and gilt copper mounts, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan.
The small hokkai of square shape and su...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Copper
H 10.75 in W 12.5 in L 10.75 in
1800s-1900s Edo Period Japanese Antique Box Folk Art Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a box of goods found in a Japanese private house.
It is probably an item from the Edo period to the Meiji period.
The rattan is covered with paper.
There may be tears in the...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Bamboo
Miniature 17th Century Japanese Lacquer Jewelry Cabinet with Gilt-Bronze Mounts
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Possibly unique small cabinet
Japan, Edo period, 17th century
Black lacquered wood (Urushi), decorated with gold
lacquer (Maki-e) and gilt copper mounts.
Measures: Height 18.5 ...
Category
17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Boxes
Materials
Bronze
H 7.29 in W 6.66 in D 6.66 in
Edo boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Edo boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with lacquer, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Edo boxes 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $42,057 while the average work can sell for $6,800.