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.
Vintage Japanese Soroban Abacus, c. 1910s
Located in Chicago, IL
Used daily for quick calculations, a wooden abacus such as this was an essential tool for the average shop-keeper in Meiji-era Japan. Known as a soroban, suanpan or counting frame, t...
Bamboo, Wood
Vintage Japanese Soroban Abacus, c. 1910s
Located in Chicago, IL
Used daily for quick calculations, a wooden abacus such as this was an essential tool for the average shop-keeper in Meiji-era Japan. Known as a soroban, suanpan or counting frame, t...
Bamboo, Wood
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
$1,800 / set
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
Japanese Articulated Copper Lobster
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Japanese articulated copper spiny lobster sculpture on a solid rock Lapis Lazuli. Every single body parts are in working condition and no missing ...
Copper
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.375 in W 5.5 in D 2 in
Antique Signed Japanese Articulated Crab Sculpture in Copper Jizai Okimono
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique signed Japanese articulated crab sculpture (Jizai OKimono) in copper, circa 1910s. The piece is well detailed and patinated.
Copper
$3,500Sale Price|27% Off
H 26 in W 12 in D 8 in
Japanese Bronze Vessel with Dragon Handles and Falcon Lid
Located in Greenwich, CT
Japanese bronze vessel with pair of dragon handles, falcon lid, birds in landscape and elephant heads base.
Bronze
$45,000Sale Price|47% Off
H 114 in W 96 in D 5 in
Monumental and Massive Japanese Sakyamuni with Disciples Buddhist Painting
Located in Greenwich, CT
Monumental and massive Japanese Sakyamuni with disciples Buddhist painting. Very large massive Japanese Buddhist painting, painting on silk ...
Silk
$400Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.88 in W 27.56 in D 8.27 in
Japanese Antique Exhibition Table / Wall Decoration / 1868-1912s / Wabi-sabi
Located in Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese wooden work board. The wood is cedar, and due to long-term use, the black color around the edges remains, and the color has peeled off only in the middle. Th...
Wood, Cedar
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
Japanese Antique Low Table, Wabi Sabi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an antique wooden low table from the Meiji period (1986-1912). The curved legs are beautiful. It was used as a workbench by craftsmen at the time. The material is high-qual...
Wood
Antique Bronze Vase Cloisonné Japan Meiji 19th Century Japanese
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Absolute top Quality vase with superb decoration of flowers Cloisonné is a way of enamelling an object, (typically made of copper) whereby fine wires are used to delineate the dec...
Porcelain
Japanese Antique Cabinets, Tansu, Wabi Sabi, Japandi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an antique Japanese-style cabinet made in the Meiji period. The texture of the black lacquer, smoked with soot from the hearth, has a unique depth and charm that is unlike a...
Wood
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
$900
H 10.83 in W 10.24 in D 5.52 in
Japanese Antique Natural Wood Penis 1860s-1920s / Figurine Object Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a phallic statue made of natural wood produced in Japan. It is estimated to have been created during the Meiji and Taisho periods (1860s-1920s), and is made of richly texture...
Pine
Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Bowl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Japanese Meiji period cloisonne bowl.
Japanese Antique Chests of Small Drawers , Wabi-Sabi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This medicine chest from the Meiji period has 36 small drawers and is highly practical. It can be used for storage, of course, but depending on your ideas, it can also be used for a...
Wood
Oriental Cast Bronze Elephant Sculpture with Trunk Up
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful Oriental Japanese Meiji period style bronze sculpture of a walking elephant with his trunk up. Well casted metal art, heavy, bronze elephant in a dark brown copper finish. Elephant figurine statue in a triumphant pose, will make an excellent display ornament. Created with the traditional technique of the lost-wax that allows a great precision and finesse in the details, this bronze sculpture charms is with its exquisite depiction of a trumpeting elephant. Heavy bronze presents striking detail and cool copper tones with a hint of natural bronze. Raising its trunk skywards, the elephant will grace any desk as a paperweight or display case. This is a delightful vintage elephant statue...
Bronze
Sold
H 2.56 in W 2.96 in D 2.96 in
Small Antique Calligraphy Ink Pot , Japanese, Meiji, Bronze Inkwell, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique calligraphy ink pot. A Japanese, bronze inkwell from the Meiji period, dating to the late Victorian era, circa 1900. A charming, tactile piece for the artistic writer, with a rich patina and refined craftsmanship. Strikingly patinated bronze, displaying deep, characterful tonality throughout Attractive verdigris ageing lends a distinctive artistic and historical charm Knurled detail encircles the body, catching the light with elegant texture Compact and tactile in form, ideal for use upon a writing desk or as a collector’s piece Evocative of traditional Japanese artistry, merging beauty and practicality Good weight in the hand at 571g (1.25 lb), lending itself to use as a distinctive paperweight A superbly atmospheric example of Meiji period bronze craftsmanship, this antique ink pot...
Bronze
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
Pair of Japanese Lacquer Maki-e Cup Stand Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Japanese lacquered wood cup stands with Maki-e decoration circa end of 19th century of Meiji period. These stands were used to present tea or sake ...
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Japanese Meiji Period Solid Silver Vase, c.1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
20th Century Japanese Meiji period silver vase, exceptional and magnificent quality, double walled, trumpet shaped decorated in tromp...
Silver
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Engraved Letter Opener
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine antique bronze Japanese letter opener. The handle is decorated to the front with an embossed Eastern dragon amidst the clouds. The reverse of the handle has a simple or minimalist depiction of rain. The blade is decorated to both sides. The front features a depiction of Raijin (the Shinto god...
Bronze
19th Century Carved Lotus Leaf Tray
Located in Hudson, NY
19th century carved lotus leaf tray, Meiji period (1868-1912) hand carved fruitwood lotus leaf tray. Wonderful detail on the front, carving continues on t...
Fruitwood
Japanese Lacquer Document Box and Cover
Located in New Orleans, LA
This monumental Japanese lacquer-ware document box is a work of extraordinary artistry. Displaying an exquisite beauty thanks to its tranquil landscape scene, this luminous, Meiji-pe...
Lacquer
Sold
H 8.67 in W 7.88 in D 11.82 in
Antique Japanese Wooden Writing Box with Decorative Hardware 'Meiji Era'
Located in London, GB
Antique Japanese wooden writing box with decorative hardware (Meiji Era). This calligraphy box has sumptuous wood with characterful painted black hardw...
Metal
Elegant Japanese Document Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
An elegant Japanese Meiji period hardwood document box with iron hardware and Japanese inscriptions on the drawer front.