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.
1950's Japanese Monarch Butterfly Garden Outdoor Lantern
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1950's Japanese Monarch Butterfly Garden vintage outdoor Lantern. DIMENSIONS: Height: 8 in. Width: 11.25 in. Depth: 5.5 in. A beautifully des...
Iron
Pair of Japanese Patinated Bronze Candelabras, Meiji Period, ca. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This most unusual pair of original 18th century Japanese patinated bronze candelabras, uniquely designed as branches of mountain flowers entangled by a dragon, are mounted on the con...
Bronze
Pair of Japanese-style Candlesticks by Ferdinand Barbedienne and Edouard Lievre.
By Edouard Lievre, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in MOUGINS, FR
Exceptional pair of candlesticks with ovoid body and domed belly in chiseled bronze with brown patina on which a dragon coils, resting on tripod bases with 3 stylized elephant heads ...
Bronze
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
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
Pair of Large Antique Royal Crown Derby 2451 Imari Dolphin Candlesticks
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of large candlesticks was made by the highly renowned Royal Crown Derby factory of England in approximately 1920 in their traditional 2451 Imari pattern. The candlesticks a...
Porcelain
A Pair of Art Deco Chinese Cloisonné Incense Holders w/ Horses, Ca. 1920
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Art Deco Chinese Cloisonné Horses Incense Holders, Ca. 1920 DIMENSIONS (each) Height: 10.75 inches Length: 9 inches Depth: 5 inches
Metal
$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
$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
Pair Of Aesthetic/Japonism Style Candelabras - Meiji with Shakudo Decoration
Located in MOUGINS, FR
A beautiful and very large pair of Meiji period Japanese bronze vases with brown patina and caved design with applied gilt and silver bronze inserts representing birds and insects fl...
Bronze
Antique Royal Crown Derby Imari Vase Pattern no. 1366
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English porcelain vase. By Royal Crown Derby. In a numbered Imari pattern (No. 1366) The vase with leaf, flower, and ...
Porcelain
Wonderful Royal Crown Derby Traditional Imari Urn Centerpiece Lid Handles
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Royal Crown Derby Traditional Imari Urn / Centerpiece With Lid And Having Handles
Porcelain
Crystal Tea Light Hurricane Lantern by Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Deborah Ehrlich's crystal tea light hurricane lantern is made up of four nested pieces of handblown, hand-cut Swedish crystal. Used with a clear tea light candle, the flame moves ...
Crystal
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
$1,650 / set
H 10.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
Pair Royal Crown Derby "Gold Aves" Candlesticks. Vintage With Dolphin bases
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of 24 karat gold and white fine porcelain candlesticks by the re known English firm of Royal Crown Derby. This elaborate design of adorned birds and peacocks is appli...
Gold
$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
A Pair of Large Italian Carved Wood Candle Holders
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
Highly ornate solid wood candle holders with a carved and painted swag detail. Perfect for conversion into electrified table lamps.
Wood
$2,600 / set
H 16.5 in W 7 in D 3.25 in
Pair of French Charles X Patinated Bronze and Gilt Figurative Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of figurative candelabras in the form of a patinated bronze cherub running with a gilt torchiere in each hand. The cherubs stand on a...
Marble, Bronze
Thomas Roy Markusen Pair of Large Modernist Candleholders
Located in Miami, FL
Never used, American Modernist pair of handcrafted candleholders in nickeled copper, created by famed metal-smith Thomas Roy Markusen in 1980 in the United States. These unique pair ...
Copper
$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
A Japanese Meiji Period Patinated Bronze Censer
Located in Stamford, CT
A Japanese Meiji censer rising on three stylized Foo Dogs feet with Frog form handles. Censer having exceptional patination. Acquired from Michael Goedh...
Bronze
$290 / 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
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
Japanese Cast Bronze Candleholder
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Japanese cast bronze candleholder. Small footed cast metal bronze vessel use it as a candle holder, incense burner or just as a decorative Asian collectible artifact...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Satsuma Vases / Candelabra
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality pair of late 19th century Japanese Satsuma vases / candelabra. Each having wonderful bronze flower and leaf six bran...
Bronze
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
Pair of French Japonisme Ormolu and Onyx Candelabra Signed F. Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Pair of French Japonisme two-light ormolu and onyx candelabra. Signed F. Barbedienne. Late 19th century. 16" high 10" wide Very good condition.
Onyx, Bronze