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 Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Tin
1890s English Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Brass, Copper
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Enamel
Early 20th Century German Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ormolu
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1890s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Lacquer
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Silk
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Metal
1870s British Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1870s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Onyx, Bronze
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Metal, Silver, Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Spanish Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
1930s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Brocade, Bamboo
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1930s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Lacquer
1870s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Enamel
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Steel
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century French Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
2010s Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Spanish Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s French Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Gold
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Jade, Metal
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Rattan
1890s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Art Glass
Mid-20th Century French Japonisme Decorative Objects
Iron
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Paint
Early 20th Century European Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze