Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

JAPONISME STYLE

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.

Style: Japonisme

Rare 'Japonisme' Cut-Crystal Glass Sunflower Clock by Baccarat

By Cristalleries De Baccarat

Located in Brighton, West Sussex

'Pendule Fleur d'Hélianthe' - A Rare 'Japonisme' Cut-Crystal Glass, Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock by Baccarat, Paris. Stamped 'Baccarat', The clock movement signed 'Planchon à P...

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19th Century French Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Rare 'Japonisme' Cut-Crystal Glass Sunflower Clock by Baccarat

Japanese Style Gilt Brass Clock Set with Silvered Brass and Porcelain Mounts

Located in London, GB

This Japanese style clock set was crafted in France in circa 1880. The set consists of a central clock, which is accompanied by two vases. The central clock features a gilt brass rectangular body with a pitched top, like a pavilion roof. The roof is mounted with wavy, silvered brass forms, and topped by a silvered brass ball finial, with a pointed end, which is bracketed by wavy forms. Mounted onto the four corners of the clock’s front facade are silvered dragons and cloud-like motifs. The central panel is recessed, and contains the gilt brass circular clock dial, inscribed with Roman Numerals. The centre of the clock dial is decorated with embossed flowers and a circular, red form, with a painting of a bird at its centre. The dial is signed with the retailer’s name, ‘ALEX'R M HAYS, NEW YORK’. The space below the dial is ornamented with relief flowers, a black porcelain triangle, which is overlaid with floral designs, and a dark blue porcelain fan, decorated with buildings. They are accompanied by the porcelain figure of a Japanese woman, wearing a kimono and seated at a koto. Similar recessed panels, featuring porcelain birds and coloured geometric forms, decorate the sides of the clock body. These are mounted with wavy, silvered brass shapes, which serve as handles. The clock body is set on a rectangular, silvered brass base, which is raised up on four bracket feet, and features a cloud-like silvered brass apron. The vases that accompany the clock have tall, soft-edged rectangular bodies, and are decorated in a similar style to the central clock. They likewise feature silvered brass finials, handles and bases, and gilt brass bodies, which are decorated with embossed flowers, geometric painted porcelain shapes, and Japanese figures. Unlike the clock, however, the vases feature full-length portraits of standing Japanese figures. One vase depicts a woman, who wears a kimono and raised wooden shoes (geta), and who holds a parasol and fan. On the other vase, the image shows a man dressed in a haroi jacket, with a kosode and trousers underneath, and sandals on his feet. He holds a knife and circular, metal shield, and carries a katana sword...

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Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Japanese Style Gilt Brass Clock Set with Silvered Brass and Porcelain Mounts

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19th Century French Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Ormolu and Sèvres Style Porcelain Mounted Clock Set in the Louis XVI Manner

H 12.5 in W 7.5 in D 6.5 in

French Bulle Electric Clock Swedish Cut Crystal Glass Dome

Located in Vienna, AT

Patented by Maurice Favre-Bulle in 1920. Battery-operated brass movement, dial with Arabic numerals with the inscription Bulle Patent, blackened wooden base with plaque underneath. G...

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1930s French Vintage Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Crystal, Brass

French Bulle Electric Clock Swedish Cut Crystal Glass Dome

H 14.97 in W 9.85 in D 7.09 in

Arik Levy for Baccarat France "Spin" Crystal Glass Vase

By Arik Levy, Cristalleries De Baccarat

Located in Miami, FL

Arik Levy for Baccarat France "Spin" crystal glass vase Offered for sale is an original "Spin" crystal glass vase by Arik Levy for Baccarat. The pattern is from the Intangible Se...

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Late 20th Century French Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Crystal

Arik Levy for Baccarat France "Spin" Crystal Glass Vase

H 8.75 in W 2 in D 2 in

French Art Nouveau Clock and Vase Set by R. Ragu

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Tall 6 1/8” tall by 8.75” wide by 2” deep Clock on marble base. Hand engraved pewter over pearlized celluloid. Vases hand engraved pewter over fro...

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Early 20th Century French Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Pewter

French Art Nouveau Clock and Vase Set by R. Ragu

H 6.12 in W 8.75 in D 2 in

Baccarat Cut Clear Crystal Vase

By Cristalleries De Baccarat

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

This magnificent Mid-Century Modern vase was realized in Franceby the worldwide famous crystal maker, Baccarat in circa 1950. It features a subtly tapered cylindrical form with a jag...

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Late 20th Century French Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat Cut Clear Crystal Vase

H 9.85 in Dm 5.52 in

Baccarat Crystal Desk Clock, 20th Century.

By Cristalleries De Baccarat

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Baccarat crystal desk clock, 20th Century. Late 20th century Baccarat crystal desk clock, working, good condition, quartz movement. H: 20cm , D: 11,5cm

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Late 20th Century French Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Crystal, Quartz

Baccarat Crystal Desk Clock, 20th Century.

H 7.88 in Dm 4.53 in

Antique Japonisme French Baccarat Glass Bronze Vase

By Baccarat

Located in New York, NY

An antique French Baccarat glass vase with a fluted mouth. The vase is adorned with hand painted floral and foliage motifs in the Asian man...

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19th Century French Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japonisme French Baccarat Glass Bronze Vase

H 11.75 in Dm 11 in

Antique French Sevres Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock

By A.D. Mougin, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres

Located in Belper, Derbyshire

A large and stunning original antique French clock. It is Louis XV in style, mounted with exquisite Sèvres style porcelain with a cream ground. Below the dial is a panel depicting a ...

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19th Century French Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Sevres Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock

H 18 in W 11 in D 6.5 in

Pair of Baccarat Handblown Crystal Vases w/ Wheel Cut Engraving and Bronze Mo

By Cristalleries De Baccarat

Located in Great Barrington, MA

This is a more unusual pair of Baccarat crystal vases in gorgeous vermeil bronze mounts. They are not the typical molded crystal, these are hand blown and finely cut with diamond po...

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19th Century French Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Pair of Baccarat Handblown Crystal Vases w/ Wheel Cut Engraving and Bronze Mo

H 12 in Dm 5 in

French Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu-Mounted Lyre Clock

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A French Sevres style cobalt blue lyre clock with finely cast ormolu sunburst and floral swagged mounts with jewelled bezel, pretty floral swa...

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19th Century French Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French Sevres Style Porcelain and Ormolu-Mounted Lyre Clock

H 18.51 in W 7.88 in D 4.73 in

French Japonisme Ormolu-Mounted Baccarat Crystal Vase with Bronze Turtle Feet

By Cristalleries De Baccarat

Located in New York, NY

A Gorgeous and extremely rare French Japonisme ormolu-mounted turtle footed Baccarat crystal vase designed with a gilt turtle design, Baccarat stamp on bottom. The quality and craftsmanship of this piece is second to none. Baccarat crystal is known to be the best crystal in the world and this piece appropriately demonstrates that. The crystal vase is seated on four beautifully cast and hand-chiseled ormolu turtles, representing the Japanese artistic movement in France at the time, known as 'Japonisme'. The body of the vase is a gorgeously hand painted with raised gold and enamel decoration of a turtle and various other decorations, making it seem as though the turtle is swimming in a lake. Underneath the turtle are painted rocks and mosses, while above the turtle are cherry trees, dropping their fruit into the water. On the reverse of the main panel are two turtles swimming...

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1880s French Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

French Japonisme Ormolu-Mounted Baccarat Crystal Vase with Bronze Turtle Feet

H 10 in W 4 in D 4 in

Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Norwood, NJ

Gilt bronze mounted continental Porcelain clock. Porcelain and doré bronze mounted continental clock. Loius XVI style. Figural and floral painted scenes. Features open escapement...

Category

Early 1900s German Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Gold Plate, Bronze

Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock

H 8.5 in W 4.5 in D 2.25 in

Previously Available Items

A French Antique Brass Mounted & Porcelain Painted 3-Piece Garniture Set

Located in Los Angeles, 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...

Category

1850s French Antique Japonisme Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

A French Antique Brass Mounted & Porcelain Painted 3-Piece Garniture Set

Free Shipping

H 21 in W 11 in D 7 in

Japonisme table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Japonisme table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage table clocks and desk clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Japonisme table clocks and desk clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original table clocks and desk clocks, popular names associated with this style include and Cristalleries De Baccarat. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for table clocks and desk clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $11,769 and tops out at $61,159 while the average work can sell for $36,464.