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.
19th Century Signed Japanese Meiji Bronze Wave with Carrera Marble Sphere
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderfully unique Meiji Bronze Wave - the details and techniques are very intricate. There are no missing pieces or damage. the piece is in very...
Carrara Marble, 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
19th Century the Lobster Japanese Bronze Lobster Meiji Period
Located in Marseille, FR
19th century the Lobster Japanese bronze Lobster Meiji Period.
Bronze
Meiji Period, Bronze, 'Literate Writing', 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Bronze with brown patina Meiji period representing a scholar sitting writing. The subject is presented on a small square-shaped base resting on 4 small feet. Very nice original brown...
Bronze
19th Century 'Meiji Period' Japanese Bronze Vase
Located in North Miami, FL
19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese bronze vase. It is realistically cast as a gnarled pine tree trunk with vines growing around it.
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Bronze Tiger Sculpture with Stamped Signature
Located in Kastrup, DK
apanese bronze tiger from the Meiji period, featuring a warm brown-red patina. The piece is crafted to a high standard, modelled with realistic proportions in a dynamic forward-movin...
Bronze
$1,158
H 7.49 in W 15.75 in D 3.94 in
Japanese Keyaki Wood Koi Carp Sculpture, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Glasgow, GB
A large hand-carved Japanese koi carp sculpture in keyaki wood, dating to the late 19th century during the Meiji period. Measuring 48 cm long, the fish has a strongly graphic silhoue...
Hardwood
Japanese Bronze Crab Okimono Meiji Signed Yasunosuke
Located in Atlanta, GA
This wonderful Japanese cast bronze okimono in the form of crab was made by Ryubundo Yasunosuke VI (1840-1921), a sixth generation of the Yasunosuke family active in Meiji and Taisho...
Bronze
$1,750 / set
H 9 in W 4.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Japanese Cast Bronze Figures of Niō, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A well cast pair of Japanese mixed metal okimono figures of Buddhist guardians, known as Nio or Dharmapala, protectors of Buddhist faith, Meiji Period, Japan. The smiling bronze g...
Bronze
$3,500
H 18 in W 11.63 in D 7.63 in
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Okimono Sculpture of a Samurai, 19th century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
JAPANESE BRONZE FIGURAL OKIMONO Japan, Meiji period, late 19th century 18" H x 7 5/8" D x 11 5/8" W ref. 512KST06P A very finely cast bronze okimono depicting a standing samurai a...
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Articulated Bronze Crab
Located in Essex, MA
Dark copper toned patina, wonderfully articulated. Purchased in London by previous owner.
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Period Elaborate Bunraku Puppeta, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Meiji Period Elaborate Bunraku Puppeta. 19th Century Meiji Period (1868-1912) Minor wear to textiles, fine antique condition, Original Bamboo display stand. DIMENSION Height: 33 inches Width: 18 inches Depth: 9 inches ABOUT Bunraku (puppet) depicting the warrior Minamoto Yoshistune his head carved of wood and covered in a fine white gofun with painted details, face of a handsome youth with trigger mechanism allowing for the eyebrows to raise and lower and the eyes to shift from side, is wearing military armor with signature dragon on his breastplate ,brocade patterning of his thick obi tie, sumptuous silk brocade kimono and brocade hakama trousers with the Minamoto Clan pattern, silk tabi socks...
Wood
$5,950
H 6 in W 4 in D 4.5 in
19th Century 'Meiji Period' Japanese Carved Wood Seated Monkey Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese hand-carved wood seated monkey. The eyes are inlaid and made of glass. The fur and details are very realistic. The piece is signed on the bottom ...
Glass, Wood
Large Japanese Signed Bronze Lion Sculpture, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A fantastic bronze male lion sculpture. Please take a look at all our photographs, the detail is so impressive, from the mane to the paw prints and claws. Signed. Morimitsu for Se...
Bronze
$5,457
H 2.95 in W 2.95 in D 4.33 in
Japanese Bronze Rabbit Sculpture, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Malmö, SE
Japanese Meiji Bronze Rabbit Meiji Period, Late 19th Century The Meiji period (1868–1912) marked a golden age for Japanese bronze sculpture. As Japan opened to the West, artists ele...
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Tiger with Cub
Located in Kastrup, DK
Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) patinated bronze sculpture of a tiger with cub. Mounted on a carved hardwood base decorated with foliage. High...
Bronze
19th Century Japanese Burl Wood Dai
Located in Chicago, IL
This remarkable 19th-century Japanese dai begins as a single, monumental slice of burl—nearly two inches thick—cut from a tree whose grain had spent decades twisting into wild, unpre...
Burl
Japanese Polished Spirit Stone in the Shape of a Mountain Range
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese polished spirit stone in the shape of a mountain range, archaic polished stone with beautiful veined green color simulating a mountain range, set...
Stone
Japanese Nest Form Ikebana Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
Mimicking the master weavers of the natural world, the Japanese artisan responsible for this basket created a double nest form to hold an Ikebana arrangement. This meticulous art of ...
Bamboo, Hardwood
Sold
H 10.24 in W 27.56 in D 15.36 in
Rare Antique Japanese Rootwood Dais Stand, Meiji Period, circa 1900
Located in Prahran, Victoria
Rare Japanese rootwood 'dais' stand made from cherrywood with a 'fuki urushi' wiped lacquer finish and fine rich color and patina, Meiji period, circa 1900. Materials: Cherry root...
Lacquer, Wood
Sold
H 25.2 in W 17.33 in D 7.49 in
Bronze Okimono from the Meiji Period, Flowering Peony Branch, Japan 19th Century
Located in London, London
Bronze Okimono from the Meiji period (1868-1912), of a flowering peony branch.
Bronze