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.
Rare Market-Fresh Pair of Tiffany Chrysanthemum 9-Light Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Rare market-fresh pair of Chrysanthemum sterling silver 9-light candelabra. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1892. Massive baluster shaft on 4 round knobbed supports, each ...
Sterling Silver
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
$17,215Sale Price|20% Off
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 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
$4,233Sale Price|20% Off
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
$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 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
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
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
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
$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
Pair of Silver Plated Louis XV Style Candelabra
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of silver plated bronze Louis XV candelabra. Five candles with beautifully worked body. Foliate. Silver in great condition.
Bronze
Pair of Charles X Gilt Bronze, Four-Light Candelabras
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of gilt-bronze candelabras each with a tapering leaf-tip cast stem supporting three foliate carved candle branches with detachable nozzles and a reeded stem raised on a triparti...
Bronze
Pair of Victorian Silver Plated Four Light Candelabra
Located in Montreal, QC
While unmarked, these seem to us to be in the style of Elkington. The prevailing motif is fruiting vine, the stem, arms and drip pans continue the theme, the three legged base is als...
Silver Plate
Pair Of Louis XVI Style Candelabra
Located in Stamford, CT
Magnificent pair of French 19th Century Louis XVI style six light candelabra in urn form. Having the highest quality dore bronze and marble.
Marble, Bronze
Pair of candelabras in bronze louis XVI styles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Execptional pair of candelabras in gilt bronze louis XVI style, 9 lights ,all the details are remarkable quality and the decoration is very unsual , its why they are execptional orig...
Bronze
Pair of Hand-Pained Royal Crown Derby Vases, Circa 1880
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Houston, TX
These highly decorative pair of English, late 19th-century reticulated porcelain vases by Royal Crown Derby, date to approximately 1880. Each vase is beautifully hand-painted with v...
Porcelain
Quality large pair of antique Victorian brass candlesticks
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality large pair of antique Victorian brass candlesticks, having a large pair of Victorian brass candlesticks with turned shaped columns raised on rectangular shaped bases. D. 1860
Brass
19th Century French Pair of Bronze and Gilt Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of bronze and gilt bronze candlesticks of well-cast classical women holding a torch which holds the candle. They stand on a triangular plinth base and are supported with tripa...
Bronze
$750
H 3 in W 9.5 in D 6.5 in
Arts and Crafts Copper and Brass Candleholder Jugendstil Aesthetic Movement
Located in Sharon, CT
Arts and Crafts copper and brass candleholder Jugendstil Aesthetic Movement. Candleholder retains original patinated surface.
Brass
Large Pair of Antique Victorian Brass Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large pair of antique Victorian brass candlesticks having a shaped turned column and raised on a square stepped base Measures: H 27.5cm W 10.5cm D 11cm Date 1860.
Brass
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
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
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