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.
A 19 C. French Japonisme Clock Garniture, Att. E. Cornu, Style of Édouard Lièvre
By Edouard Lievre, Eugène Cornu
Located in New York, NY
A 19th-Century French Japonisme Three-Piece Figural Garniture Clock Set Attributed to Eugène Cornu, in the Style of Édouard Lièvre. Consisting of a mantel clock and a pair of matchin...
Onyx, Bronze
Large French Japonisme Ormolu Garniture Clock Set After Edouard Lievre
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent and finely cast palatial and very large French 19th century Japonisme three-piece ormolu garniture clock set in the style of Edouard Lievre. This striking and extremely...
Bronze
Antique Japanese Bronze Barrel Form Table or Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Very unique antique (late 19th to early 20th century) table or mantel clock in the Japonisme style, possibly of continental origin, in the form of a Japanese drum or barrel on stand,...
Bronze
$7,200Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 21.5 in W 11 in D 7 in
Tiffany & Co. Ormulu Bronze Champlevé Enamel Mantel Clock Garniture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
Tiffany's clock case with enamel roman numbers and bronze snake dials. At the top, the clock is adorned with an Indian palace gallery and dome that has a crane finial over it and dragon head legs. The rectangular clock...
Bronze, Enamel
$8,905Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.23 in W 16.15 in D 7.88 in
Antique 19th Century French Gilded Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Vilnius, LT
Large antique 19th century French gilded bronze mantel clock surmounted with two angels holding the dial. The enamel dial numerals are hand...
Bronze, Enamel
$3,105
H 12.38 in W 8.5 in D 4.25 in
Rare Art Deco / Bauhaus Bronze Table or Mantel Clock by Lenzkirch / C.Kühling
By Lenzkirch
Located in Lisse, NL
Bronze table clock from the transitional period between Art Nouveau and Art Deco. This rare bronze table clock is by Lenzkirch and it dates from the transitional period of the Jugen...
Bronze, Enamel
19th Century French Champlevé Enamel Clock Garniture
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French champlevé enamel and porcelain clock garniture, set in a gilded ormolu case, the porcelain panels to the clock and urns depicting classic...
Enamel, Ormolu
$28,500 / set
H 29 in W 19.13 in D 9.75 in
A French 19th C. Louis XV Style Ormolu Cherub Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Assembled Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Figural Mantel Clock and Candelabra Garniture Set. The finely chased ormolu clock body, with it...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French Clock and Candleabrum Grand Scale Garniture Set
Located in Houston, TX
Bronze dore clock and Candleabrum are decorated with cherubs in a dark Patinated bronze. This grand and elaborate set is in lovely condition. The rococo design incorporates five c...
Bronze
Sevres Clock Set (Garniture)
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Bronx, NY
This vintage decorative garniture set is beautifully designed with its original gold gilt over wonderful sculpted bronze embellishments. Also, the gilt bronze clock body & the matchi...
Bronze
$3,500 / set
H 18.5 in W 36 in D 5.5 in
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mantle Clock Garniture Set
By Raingo Frères, Samuel Marti
Located in Forney, TX
A luxurious French Louis XVI style gilt bronze ormolu and alabaster (onyx-marble) three piece mantle clock and garniture set, possibly attributed to Raingo Freres. The fine quality antique originating in France in the late 19th century, exquisite Parisian work, exceptionally executed in opulent, elegant, and sophisticated King Louis XVI style, timeless neoclassical taste, comprising: classical architectural case mantel clock, having pointed bronze doré finial, flanked by scrolled foliates and lyre motifs, fancy enamel dial with Arabic numerals, inscribed F. Lapointe, Paris, eight-day time-and-strike movement signed Samuel Marti 1900 (Paris, 1870-1890), original Apollo mask sun-burst pendulum hanging below clock drum, flanked by matched pair of two arm candlestick garnitures, each with matching scrolled foliates and lyre finial, tapering column support with two candle nozzles, rising on stepped molded base, terminating in patinated brass disc feet. Markings: Pendulum stamped "R" "1721" ormolu on clock & garnitures stamped "1321"; possibly attributed to R. Freres / Raingo Freres. Dial signed by French enameller "F. Lapointe, Paris" Movement stamped by the firm of well-known French clockmaker Samuel Marti et Cie, Paris, second half of 19th century. Dimensions: (approx) As pictured: 18.5" High, 36" Wide, 5.5" Deep; 27.5 lbs total. Clock: 18.5" High, 13" Wide, 5.5" Deep; Candelabra garnitures: (each) 12" High, 8" Wide, 4.25" Deep; Condition: Presents splendidly. Great original unrestored antique condition. Currently not operating as it's lacking a suspension spring. Retaining bell, pendulum, and key. Losses to decorative elements. Wear consistent with age and use. To ensure the clock arrives as beautiful as it leaves here, and due to the rather delicate nature of antique clocks...
Alabaster, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
$2,995
H 12.25 in W 6 in D 3.5 in
Antique French Gilt Bronze & Champleve 'Marie Antoinette' Mantel or Table Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This 'Marie Anoinette' antique clock is signed on the face by an unknown maker, and originated from France and dating to approximately 1880 and done in the period Louis XVI style. Th...
Bronze
Mantel or Table Clock in Empire Style
Located in Vienna, AT
Mantel clock softwood decorated mahogany inlaid in light wood with flowers and foliage. White enameled clock face with Roman and Arabic numerals. Empire style, circa 1900. Measures...
Softwood
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Wall or Mantel Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lorenzo Burchiellaro surrealistic wall clock. Etched and patinated case Key wind clockworks.
Metal
Bronze and Marble Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Bronze and marble mantel clock from 18th century signed De Bontems a Pairs: Measures: 13.5" x 4.5" x 21.5" Weighs: 23
Marble
French Japanism Champleve Enamel Ormolu Mounted Clock, Christofle & Cie, 1800s
Located in New York, NY
French Japanism Champlevé Enamel Ormolu Mounted Clock, Christofle & Cie. The clock consists of a spherical champlevé enamel body mounted in an ormolu structure. The enamel surface i...
Ormolu, Enamel
A French Antique Brass Mounted & Porcelain Painted 3-Piece Garniture Set
Located in Tarzana, CA
A Fine French Antique 3 -Piece Brass Mounted & Porcelain Painted Garniture Set Made in the Japanese taste, the clock decorated with a Japanese national bird (pheasant) and a red d...