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
$38,950Sale Price / set|48% Off
H 34 in W 22 in D 13.5 in
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Empire Ormolu Clock Garniture, Raingo Frers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Louis XIV style Empire figural ormolu three-piece clock and candelabra garniture suite, comprising of a gilt-bronze clock and a pair of t...
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
$8,649Sale 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
French Clock Set Mantle Garniture Marble Antique, 1900
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Elegant antique French clock set with mantle clock and matching tazzas Love the salmon pink tone of the marble with grey flecks, great colour and fin...
Marble
$3,016
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
Unavailable|$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
Bronze Doré Mantel Clock
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Stunning bronze doré mantel clock, Louis XV style, floral and leaf crown with scrolling motif, trellis design frame with silk lined interior, mounted on br...
Antique French Empire Patinated and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Antique French Empire patinated and gilt bronze mantel clock French, early 19th century Measures: Height 55cm, width 43cm, depth 13cm This fine Empire period mantel clock is wro...
Bronze, Ormolu
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
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
Antique Tiffany & Co. Bronze-Mounted Slate Mantel Clock
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An elegant and finely crafted mid-19th century mantel clock by the esteemed Tiffany & Co., New York. This exquisite piece showcases the exceptional quality and attention to detail th...
Marble, Slate, Brass
Antique Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Sevin and Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Louis-Constant Sevin
Located in London, GB
This ormolu clock is an exemplary work by the famous French 19th century metalworker and foundry-owner, Ferdiand Barbedienne. Working with a design made by the acclaimed onamentalist, Louis-Constant...
Ormolu, 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
Empire Period Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This truly stunning French mantel clock was crafted during the Empire period, and reflects the Neoclassical interests of the Emperor Napoleon I, whose influence over the decorative arts contributed toward a profound revival of beauties of the ancient empires. The mantel clock is crafted entirely in gilt bronze, and features a stepped base on four block feet. The base depicts a Classical relief panel to the front, showing female dancing figures and putti, as well as musical instruments. Surmounting the base is an arch featuring a central mask fountain and basin...
Ormolu, Bronze
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...