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.
Pair of English Copper Japonisme Candlesticks, Aesthetic Movement, 1880s
Located in Glasgow, GB
A pair of late 19th-century English copper candlesticks combining Japonisme influence with the decorative vocabulary of the Aesthetic Movement. Handcrafted in copper, each candlestic...
Copper
Pair of 19th Century Patinated and Gilt Bronze Standing Crane-Form Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th century Patinated and Gilt Bronze Standing Crane-Form Candlesticks. This pair of 19th century candlesticks are a stunning example of gilt bronze design, featuring two deeply patinated regal cranes standing erect, both with an oversized gilt-covered bronze flower surrounded by foliate and amusingly held in the beak. The candlesticks are both highly detailed, well-balanced and designed to hold a candle. Beautifully crafted, with the cranes standing elegantly on top of gilt bronze rocks...
Bronze
$350Sale Price|50% Off
Kiriko Candleholder Ryosuke Harashima Contemporary Zen Japanese Craft Mingei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Candleholder designed by Ryosuke Harashima. This work is made of antique Kiriko glass plate and brass. Artist create new style candleholder by combining old kiriko glass and Indust...
Brass
Antique Gorham Japonesque Mixed Metal Copper Chamberstick, 1882
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Japonesque mixed metal cooper chamberstick. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1882. Round bowl socket, raised hand-hammered well, and bracket handle with scroll terminal. Scalloped rim...
Silver, Copper
Pair of Large Japanese Carved Wood Temple Candleholders Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall pair of Japanese carved wood candle holders circa early 19th century (late Edo Period). The pair is carved in the typical form with a block base in the shape of stylized chrysanthemums and long fluted stem with changes in diameter that supports a grooved holder fitted with metal pricket. These types of oversized candle holders were traditionally used in Buddhist temples or Samurai's resident where they were placed on the altar table for worshiping. What is extraordinary of these candle stickers is that they feature a wonderfully conserved surface with lacquered gold leaf. The sparkling gold on the well weathered surface is visually striking. The professional conservation was performed in 2007 and as a result, the pieces display a wonderful aged Wabi-Sabi patina. The piece retains an original invoice from Far Eastern Antiques...
Gold Leaf
$350Sale Price|50% Off
Candleholder 2 Ryosuke Harashima Contemporary Zen Japanese craft Mingei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Candleholder designed by Ryosuke Harashima. This work is made of Japanese antique glass plate and brass. Artist create new style candleholder by ...
Brass
Gorham Silver-Plated Candle Lamps by Henry Webster, Circa 1875
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Lincoln, GB
Exceptional Gorham and Henry Webster Silver-Plated Candle Lamps An extraordinary and historically significant pair of Gorham silver-plated candle lamps, crafted in Rhode Island, USA...
Silver Plate
Contemporary Modern, Kubbe Large Candleholder, Varnished Brass
By DAY Studio
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Kubbe collection was designed with inspiration from the domes of the courtyards, shops and workshops of the Grand Bazaar, which has been the center of silver-smiting in Istanbul for ...
Brass
Japanese Gilt Lacquer Tabako-Bon with River Turtles, Edo Period
Located in Chicago, IL
This box with many drawers is a Japanese tabako-bon, or 'tobacco tray,' used to store tobacco and smoking accessories. Believed to have evolved from the traditional accessories of Ja...
Brass
Circa 1860 Pair of English Brass Candlesticks
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Pair of brass candlesticks, circa 1860, English. Turned inverse vasi-form middle flanked by pinched sections over concentric outward circles to the octagonal bases. Push rods intact....
Metal, Brass
$9,800
H 4 in W 11 in D 15 in
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...
Lacquer, Abalone
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 Iron Candelabras with Phoenix Decor, France, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Pair of solid, wrought iron candleholders, with three arms each, decorated with scrolling acanthus leaves, raised on a twisted iron stem. The three-sided bases rest on claw feet and ...
Wrought Iron
$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
$325 / set
H 12 in Dm 3.5 in
Pair of Japanese Hinamatsuri Gold Lacquered Candleholders with Lotus Bobèches
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Japanese vintage gold lacquered candleholders from the mid 20th century with lotus bobèches from a Hinamatsuri set. Created in Japan during the midcentury period, each of this pair of candleholders features a lotus shaped bobèche sitting above a simple shaft resting on a gadrooned base. Showcasing red undertones, this pair of gold lacquered candleholders, taken from a Hinamatsuri set (Hinamatsuri being a festival also called Girls...
Wood
Edwardian Sterling Silver Chamberstick by Tiffany and Company
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver chamber stick, Tiffany and Company, New York, inventory marked for 1902-1903. Measures 4 inches high x 5 1/2 inches in diameter x 7 1/4 inches across from ...
Sterling Silver
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 ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
$1,950Sale Price / set|54% Off
H 13 in W 6 in D 6 in
19th century Charles 'X' French Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candlestick, Pair
Located in Savannah, GA
Features include superb detail with gold gilding and bronze patination. They are intricately sculpted with fanciful designs, acanthus leaves and grape clusters with three claw feet r...
Bronze
$2,850
H 8.75 in Dm 6.5 in
English Minton Japonisme Aesthetic Movement Majolica Aubergine Eggplant Vase
By Minton
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Minton, a wonderful and extremely scarce majolica glazed Aubergine eggplant vase, dated 1875. An example of the Japonisme Aesthetic so desirable ...
Earthenware
Contemporary Aluminium Trio Candleholder Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary aluminium trio candleholder Henry Wilson. Trio holds three candles in a solid, hand poured, brass form. Trio candleholder is manufactured in small batches, slight...
Brass
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 ...
Porcelain, Lacquer
Sold
H 11 in W 4 in D 4 in
Pair of Vintage Blue Glass Museum of Metropolitan Art Imperial Koi Candlesticks
Located in Sacramento, CA
Pair of 1970s blue glass koi fish candlesticks by Imperial for the Museum of Metropolitan Art, New York. In excellent condition, marked “MMA” on ...
Glass
Pair of Large Japanese Carved Wood Temple Candleholders Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall pair of Japanese carved wood candle holders circa early 19th century (late Edo Period). The pair is carved in the classic form with a block base in the shape of stylized chrys...
Gold Leaf, Brass
Sold
H 3.94 in Dm 4.34 in
Kiriko Candleholder Ryosuke Harashima Contemporary Zen Japanese craft Mingei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Candleholder designed by Ryosuke Harashima. This work is made of antique Kiriko glass plate and brass. Artist create new style candleholder by combining old kiriko glass and Indust...
Brass