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.
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French 19th Century Polychromed Life-Size Figure of a Geisha, Charles Massé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th century Polychromed Japonisme life-size cast-metal figure of a standing Geisha, cast after a model by Charles Massé (French, 1855-1913). The standing Japanese beau...
Metal
Chinese Ming Dynasty Gilt Iron Head of Buddha, Ca. 17th Century
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Ming Dynasty Gilt Iron Head of Buddha, Ca. 17th Century DETAILS Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) DIMENSIONS: Width: 10 inches Wid...
Iron
Japanese Late Meiji Period Head of Buddha in Wood, Ca. 1910
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Late Meiji Period Head of Buddha in Wood, Ca. 1910 DIMENSIONS: Height: 22 inches Width: 7 inches Depth: 7 inches ABOUT A serene and finely carved wooden Head of Buddha fro...
Wood
Ming Dynasty Bronze Figure of the Infant Buddha
Located in Austin, TX
A rare and unusual Chinese Ming Dynasty bronze figure of the Buddha as an infant. The young Prince Siddhartha, who would grow up to become the Buddha, is portrayed standing, one hand pointing to the sky, the other to the ground. He is naked, save for a baby apron...
Bronze
19th Century Pair of Japanese Bronze Lions Bookends, Meiji Period
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
This superb and rare pair of Japanese Meiji period bronze bookends are cast in solid bronze and depict a pair of Lions, with their heads raised. These finely sculpted pieces are beau...
Bronze
Charles Masse Nude Woman Patinated Bronze
Located in Astoria, NY
Charles Masse (French, 1855-1913) Nude Woman Patinated Bronze Sculpture, late 19th century, the standing figure draped with Gingko leaves, on a green serpentine plinth, signed to bas...
Serpentine, Bronze
Early Ming Dynasty Chinese Buddha Statue, circa 14th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late Yuan to early Ming Chinese terracotta gilt and polychrome painted Buddha figure, he is dressed in thick robes, his hair arranged in ty...
Terracotta
19th Century the Lobster Japanese Bronze Lobster Meiji Period
Located in Marseille, FR
19th century the Lobster Japanese bronze Lobster Meiji Period.
Bronze
17th Century Thai Bronze Bust Of The Buddha
Located in Stamford, CT
A Thai bronze head of the Buddha. Sukothai period, late 16th-early 17th century. His face with serene expression, arched eyebrows above incised eyes a...
Bronze
$4,200
H 14 in W 6.75 in D 5 in
Chinese Carved Wood Bodhisattva Guanyin, Late Ming Dynasty, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
An attractive carved wood figure of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, known as Guanyin in China, late Ming Dynasty, early 17th century, China. Guanyi...
Gesso, Wood
A Chinese Cizhou Stonweare Vessel, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Chinese Cizhou Stonweare Vessel, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century Description: Produced in Northern China, Cizhou ware was especially popular from the Song to Yuan dynasties (11th–14th ...
Stoneware
Bronze Head of the Buddha, 17th Century, Thailand
Located in Stamford, CT
A Thai bronze head of Buddha, Ayutthaya period, late 16th-early 17th century. His face with serene expression, arched eyebrows above incised eyes and ...
Bronze
$850
H 2 in W 4 in D 3 in
Japanese Meiji Period Gold White Porcelain Sleeping Cat Sculpture, circa 1910
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Meiji period Japanese Kutani sculpture of a sleeping cat in fine porcelain, inspired by the small wooden sculpture at the entrance of...
Gold
Chinese Ming Dynasty Silver Nine Phoenix Coronet Crown, 16th/17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
An amazing and rare Chinese silver Nine Phoenix Coronet or Crown, Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644), late 16th to early 17th century, China. A delicate and...
Silver, Gold
Burmese Arakan Bronze Crowned Buddha, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A gorgeous and refined Burmese crowned and adorned seated bronze Buddha, Kingdom of Arakan, Mrauk-U period, 17th century. The Buddha is portrayed seated in vajrasana upon a high double lotus pedestal, hands in dhyana mudra, a ritual vessel resting in his upturned palms. He is festooned with jewelry – armlets, bracelets, anklets, a double necklace, a jeweled belt, and large earrings. His hair done up in a high chignon, covering the ushnisha, and topped by a stupa shaped finial. The Buddha wears a large five pointed crown tied with ribbons that flare dramatically behind either ear, and a thin scarf...
Bronze
Unusual Pair of French Japonism Bronze Busts of Girls
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Pair of French Japonism Bronze Busts of Girls. This unique pair of patinated bronze busts exemplifies fine hand-crafted craftsmanship of the h...
Bronze