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.
19th Century Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
1870s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Copper
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century North American Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1940s English Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze, Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century European Japonisme Decorative Objects
Brass, Copper
1910s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Danish Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bronze
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s American Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 1900s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Silver
1880s French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Metal, Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1880s North American Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wood
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Lacquer
1880s American Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver, Copper
1890s Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Lacquer
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1930s English Vintage Japonisme Decorative Objects
Porcelain
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Decorative Objects
Brocade, Bamboo
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Decorative Objects
Spelter