From 1868 to 1912, Emperor Mutsuhito oversaw an era of transformation in Japan. Formerly a country of feudalism and isolation, Japan entered an age of modernization influenced by newly established trade and exchange with the West. The Meiji period, or period of “enlightened rule,” also saw the global impact of the East Asian country’s culture. Japanese Meiji furniture was exhibited at expositions from Paris to San Francisco and created for export.
Prior to the Meiji era, furniture was mostly made by commission for the ruling class; now there were new domestic and international markets. European styles like Japonisme appropriated Japanese design while craftsmen in places like Wales and England employed japanning, a varnishing technique that approximated the appearance of lacquer for the surfaces of furnishings.
Meiji furniture made for Japanese homes and buildings constructed in Western styles resulted in taller tables, chairs, cabinets with large drawers and other features. The government invested in areas such as transportation and communication, and because people could freely choose occupations after the restrictions of feudalism, industries of various types were energized by expressive new ideas during those years. Art schools were formed and, for the first time, design was an area of study in the country, leading to the evolution of professional design as a career by the 1890s.
The work of Japanese designers was transmitted widely through lavishly illustrated pattern books that included designs for screens and lacquerware for the home. While screens today may be of use as decorative accents or partitions to ensure privacy in one’s space, Japanese screens were adorned with paintings and were featured in performing arts such as concerts, tea ceremonies and more. The color illustrations that characterize Meiji woodblock prints, a genre of Japanese art that grew out of 17th-century developments in printing and book publishing, depicted the sweeping changes that the era brought to East Asia.
Although it was a time of societal and cultural shifts, a bolstered interest in art and design elevated Japanese craft traditions. From colorful porcelain table lamps with silk shades and hardwood tables decorated with dark lacquer to cabinets featuring iron hardware and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Meiji furniture showcased Japan’s artistic heritage to the world.
Find a collection of antique Japanese Meiji period case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
$4,000Sale Price / set|50% Off
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Wisteria Inaba 4 Piece Desk Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese brass four-piece desk set with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Meiji era, late 19th century. Inaba workshop. The set incl...
Enamel
$900Sale Price / set|25% Off
Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Sake Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper sake set with cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, before 1912. A total of 8 cups, 8 saucers, and a sake pot. Floral design against the cobalt blue b...
Enamel, Copper
Very Large Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in London, GB
This stunning Meiji period vase is a wonderful example of the quality of craftsmanship during the late 19th century Japanese Meiji period. The Meiji era was famed for being the perio...
Enamel
$957Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.79 in W 8.27 in D 4.34 in
Swedish GAB Patinated Bronze Desk Set, 1930s – 5-Piece
Located in Stockholm, SE
Description: Sophisticated 5-piece desk set designed by Einar "Myggan" Forseth for Guldsmedsaktiebolaget (GAB), Sweden, circa 1930s. Executed in richly patinated bronze, this rare en...
Bronze
$15,700
H 7 in Dm 5 in
Important Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Covered Jar by Miwa Tomisaburo
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An important and exceptionally rare Japanese cloisonné enamel covered jar by Miwa Tomisaburo, executed during the Meiji period and disting...
Copper, Enamel
Pair Antique Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair Antique Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vases Measures 5" in width, 5" in depth and 8" in height.
Enamel, Brass
Japanese Meiji Cloisonné Enamel Vase with Cherry Blossoms, Ota Tamashiro
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Japanese Meiji Period Silver-Wire Cloisonné Enamel Vase with Cherry Blossoms and Narcissus, Attributed to Ota Tamashiro An elegant Japanese cloisonné enamel vase from the Meiji pe...
Copper, Enamel
Small Cloisonné Vase, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Kastrup, DK
Small cloisonné vase in bronze. Signed to the bottom. Blue enamel base color decorated with numerous flowers, reeds, a rabbit etc. in polychrome e...
Bronze
Antique Tiffany Studios Zodiac 6-Piece Bronze Doré Desk Set
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This lovely 6-piece bronze doré desk set was made by Tiffany Studios of New York. The early 20th-century set has a warm golden finish with its original patina and has been made in Tiffany's popular Zodiac motif featuring stylized depictions of the 12 signs of the Zodiac set in ovoid cartouches. The Zodiac signs are set amongst intricate Celtic-style knots. The desk set is comprised of a 2-row letter rack, a pair of desk blotter ends, a pen tray, a letter opener, and a large inkwell fitted with a hinged lid. The inkwell comes complete with its original clear glass ink reservoir. This particular selection of pieces is quite practical and represents an ideal manner in which to start a collection of Tiffany Zodiac desk set...
Bronze
$26,300
H 25.5 in Dm 10 in
Large Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Adorned with Iris Blossoms
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Introducing a magnificent Large Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vase adorned with enchanting iris blossoms. This extraordinary vase encapsulates the essence of Japanese artist...
Enamel
Imperial Russian Silver-Gilt and Cloisonné Enamel Inkwell
Located in Media, PA
This exquisite piece is a Russian Imperial-style Silver-Gilt and Cloisonné Enamel Inkstand, likely dating from the late 19th to early 20th century (late Tsarist period). At 9 x 4 inc...
Silver, Enamel
$717
H 5.5 in W 2 in D 2 in
Antique Pair Meiji Period Japanese Miniature Cloisonne Enamel Urns Vases 1875
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exceptionally Fine Quality Pair of Miniature Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Enamel Vases of unusually small proportions, early Meiji period (1868-1912) and of Museum quality, com...
Ormolu
Antique Cloisonne Inkwell
Located in Vienna, AT
This inkwell comprises a base and hinged cover. The base is elaborately decorated with red, gold, blue and white against a green background. The inside of the inkwell is colored red...
Brass
Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Bowl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Japanese Meiji period cloisonne bowl.
American Mid-Century Modern Walnut Modernist Paper Desk Tray 'Set of 2'
Located in San Diego, CA
Handsome and chic double letter desk tray with solid walnut walls, circa 1970s. Beautiful accent to any executives desk or complement to your décor. Classic California design. This p...
Walnut