Japonisme Decorative Objects
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.
Mid-20th Century Unknown Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 1700s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
1980s American Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Faience, Majolica, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Chinese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Iron
1980s Austrian Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Rattan
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Copper
Late 20th Century Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel
1890s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Asian Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1990s American Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Jade, Metal
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Enamel
2010s Turkish Japonisme Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1880s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
2010s Turkish Japonisme Decorative Objects
Aluminum
2010s Turkish Japonisme Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Spanish Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Japonisme Decorative Objects
Glass
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
1870s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Hardwood
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
1910s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Silk
Late 20th Century Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Gold
1890s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Art Glass
Late 20th Century Danish Japonisme Decorative Objects
Pottery, Clay, Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Brass
1870s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
1880s American Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver, Copper
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Pottery
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic