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.
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
Pair of Large Japanese Carved Wood Temple Candleholders Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall pair of Japanese carved wood candle holders circa early 19th century (late Edo Period). The pair is carved in the typical form with a block base in the shape of stylized chrysanthemums and long fluted stem with changes in diameter that supports a grooved holder fitted with metal pricket. These types of oversized candle holders were traditionally used in Buddhist temples or Samurai's resident where they were placed on the altar table for worshiping. What is extraordinary of these candle stickers is that they feature a wonderfully conserved surface with lacquered gold leaf. The sparkling gold on the well weathered surface is visually striking. The professional conservation was performed in 2007 and as a result, the pieces display a wonderful aged Wabi-Sabi patina. The piece retains an original invoice from Far Eastern Antiques...
Gold Leaf
$1,500 / item
Japanese Ceramic Ikebana Vase Bizen Ware Nanba Koyo
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall vintage ceramic vase with handle from Japan (20th century) by Nanba Koyo. Made in the tradition of Bizen ware, the vase has a modern aesthetic with a...
Ceramic
19th Century the Lobster Japanese Bronze Lobster Meiji Period
Located in Marseille, FR
19th century the Lobster Japanese bronze Lobster Meiji Period.
Bronze
Japanese Late Meiji Period Satsuma Three-Footed Vase, Ca. 1900
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Late Meiji Period Satsuma Three-Footed Vase, Ca. 1900 Late Meiji Period (1868-1912) DIMENSIONS: Height: 10.25 inches Di...
Porcelain
A Pair of Art Deco Chinese Cloisonné Incense Holders w/ Horses, Ca. 1920
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Art Deco Chinese Cloisonné Horses Incense Holders, Ca. 1920 DIMENSIONS (each) Height: 10.75 inches Length: 9 inches Depth: 5 inches
Metal
Pair of Birds of Paradise Vases Attributed to Baccarat, France, Circa 1880
By Baccarat
Located in PARIS, FR
Elegant pair of square section vases attributed to Baccarat, in enameled crystal with polychrome decoration of birds of paradise, resting on an openwork patinated and gilded bronze b...
Crystal, Bronze, Enamel
Japanese Emperor Shōwa Period Tamba-Ware Textured Glazed Vase, Ca. 1970
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Emperor Shōwa Period Tamba-Ware Textured Glazed Vase, Ca. 1970 Emperor Shōwa Period - from 1926 to 1989/1990 Signed. DIMENSIONS Width: 8 inches Height: 5.5 inches ABOUT ...
Ceramic
Japanese Emperor Shōwa Mashiko-Ware White Glazed Porcelain Vase, Ca. 1980
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Emperor Shōwa Mashiko-Ware White Glazed Porcelain Vase, Ca. 1980 Emperor Shōwa Period - from 1926 to 1989 Signed box DIMENSIONS Height: 10 inches Width: 5.5 inches ABO...
Porcelain
Pair of Large Antique Japanese Hokai Lacquer Boxes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Japanese lacquer lidded Hokai boxes with chased brass hardware and original ropes. Hokai boxes are traditionally used in Japan to store and carry s...
Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Woven Bamboo Brazier by Maeda Chikubosai I
Located in Atlanta, GA
An important piece of bamboo basketry art by Maeda Chikubosai I (1872-1950), circa 1920s-1930s. The body of the bamboo brazier was made with smoked bamboo (susudake) and rattan and with a built-in copper liner brazier. Mat plaiting, diagonal plaiting and twining were used to construct the robust body while hexagonal plaiting was used for the base. It is signed on the base Chikubosai Kore o tsukuru (Chikubosai made this). The copper brazier...
Copper
Japanese Edo Period Carved Seated Fasting Buddha, 18th C./Early 19th C.
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Edo Period Carved Seated Fasting Buddha, 18th C./Early 19th C. DIMENSIONS Height: 9.5 inches (24 cm) Width: 7 inches (18 cm) Depth: 5 inches (12.8 cm) ABOUT This early Edo...
Wood
Japonisme Gilt and Silvered Bronze Clock Garniture Set By E.F. Caldwell & Co
Located in New York, NY
A darling garniture set of three exotic peacocks mounted as a clock and a pair of two light candlesticks. In crisply cast bronze, the intricate details of the birds' feathers, the fl...
Bronze
Large 19th Century Japanese Kutani Vase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully decorative Japanese Kutani vase, Meiji period 1868-1912. Having the classical orange ground with scrolling foliate decoration, inset...
Porcelain
Japanese Emperor Shōwa Period Kiyomizu-Ware Vase, 18th Century
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Emperor Shōwa Period Kiyomizu-Ware Vase, 18th Century Emperor Shōwa Period - from 1926 to 1989/1990 DIMENSIONS Height: 9 inches diame...
Ceramic
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Japonesque Bronze Cache Pot by Berndorf, Austria, (marked) circa 1890
By Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik
Located in San Francisco, CA
Japonesque bronze cache pot by Berndorf, Austria, circa 1890. Nouveau with a Japanese decorative motif. Stamped Bergdorf over an E Decorated with thr...
Bronze
One of The Two Japanese Ceramic Vases Makuzu Kozan Meiji Period
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
Two small nearly identical ceramic vases by Japanese Meiji imperial potter Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916), circa 1890-1900s. The vases were made in the form of jarlet with swelled shoulder...
Ceramic
Japanese Cloisonné Covered Jar by Ando Jubei
By Ando Jubei
Located in Atlanta, GA
Japanese cloisonné enamels are known as shippo-yaki and the mid-19th century saw the production of very high quality wares in the early centers Nagoya. One of the most renowned works...
Metal, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Rare Japanese Lacquer Writing Box Suzuribako Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Lacquer writing box Suzuribako Meiji Period (1868-1912), likely circa late 19th century. This suzuribako is one of the most unusual boxe...
Lacquer
$550Sale Price|35% Off
Japonais Revival Coppered Inkstand with Hand Carved Glass Ink Wells
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique coppered Japonais Revival inkstand with two ink pots and a stamp holder. The border of the base is in relief and abounds with flowers and birds while the pen rest has a quain...
Brass, Copper
Asian Flambe Studio Pottery Vase
By Kyoto Pottery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A garlic bottle vase in an archaic Chinese form, but likely Japanese in origin. Several circumventing grooves however, suggest a more modern age. It was done in a brilliant purple glaze over a robin egg blue background glaze. The bubbling and bursting effects during the firing renders the surface an artistic spotting effect. The color pallet recalls the Classic Jun Yao...
Ceramic
Antique Japanese Bronze Barrel Form Table or Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Very unique antique (late 19th to early 20th century) table or mantel clock in the Japonisme style, possibly of continental origin, in the form of a Japanese drum or barrel on stand,...
Bronze
$6,181 / set
Pair 19th Century Japanese Satsuma Vases / Lamps
By Satsuma
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) Satsuma porcelain vases / lamps. Each with wonderful gilded classical motif decoration, with inset hand painted panels depicting various scenes of courtiers in attendance and Samurai warriors. Both mounted on ormolu oriental stands.
Porcelain
Young Lady With Umbrella, Bronze Japan, Meiji Era, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Bronze with brown patina of a young Japanese girl in a kimono, carrying an umbrella wooden base Patina wear 19th century H39cm 20x18cm.
Bronze
Antique Three-Piece Meiji Period Japonisme Vase Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Antique three-piece Meiji period Japonisme vase clock set French/Japanese, late 19th century Measures: Clock height 47cm, diameter 22cm Candelabra height 55cm, width 25cm, depth 2...
Ormolu
Pair of Lacquered and Gilt Bronze Antique Japonisme Vases
Located in London, GB
With an Arabesque rim and decorated with lizards, dragonflies and vines. These unusual vases reflect the European fascination Japan at the turn of the century and delightfully inco...
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Ox with Boy on Its Back
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very amusing 19th century (Meiji period 1868-1912) Japanese bronze statue of an ox with a young boy sitting on its back. Signed.
Bronze
A Japonisme Gilt-Bronze and Brass Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
A Japonisme gilt-bronze and brass three-piece clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: height 52cm, width 31cm, depth 12cm Candelabra: height 55cm, width 32cm, depth 9cm Made in F...
Brass, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Gilt Painted Opaline Vases by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Gilt White Opaline Vases by Baccarat Standing over a foot tall, the pair of vases of circular and tapering form, finely decorated with gilt landscapes populated with bird...
Opaline Glass
Eugène Cornu, Pair of French Japonisme/Chinoiserie Ormolu Mtd Enameled Onyx Urns
By Eugène Cornu
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Quite Unusual Pair of Signed 19th Century French Japonisme/Chinoiserie/Orientalist Ormolu Mounted Champleve Enameled Onyx Urns by Eugène Cornu. Each is made from champlev...
Onyx, Bronze
Pair French Japonisme Ormolu Patinated Bronze & Cloisonné Vases Christofle & Cie
By Christofle
Located in New York, NY
A Highly Important Pair of French Japonisme Ormolu, Patinated Bronze & Cloisonné Vases, by Christofle & Cie. Christofle & Cie is a renowned French silver and metalwork manufacturer f...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Ceramic and Gilt Bronze Vase by Sarreguemines, France, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Ceramic and gilt bronze vase by Sarreguemines, France, circa 1900.
Bronze
Antique French Japonisme Silvered Bronze and Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Antique French Japonisme silvered bronze and porcelain three-piece clock set French, Late 19th Century Clock: Height 36cm, width 32cm, depth 17cm Candelabra: Height 28cm, width 26...
Bronze
Émile GALLÉ for L'ESCALIER DE CRISTAL, Small Japanese-Style Vase in Amber Glass
By Émile Gallé
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This vase was created by Émile Gallé for the Escalier de Cristal at the end of the 19th century. A pioneering figure of Art Nouveau, Émile Gallé was particularly influenced by Far E...
Glass, Art Glass
Cloisonné and Bronze Vase, Signed BARBEDIENNE, in the Style of Édouard LIÈVRE
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This skillful blend of Chinese art objects and French craftsmanship is attributed to the Escalier de Cristal after designs by Édouard Lièvre. Our cachepot displays a polychrome decor...
Bronze, Enamel
Antique French Japonisme Mantel Clock with Floral Champlevé Enamel
Located in London, GB
Antique French Japonisme mantel clock with floral Champlevé enamel French, late 19th century Dimensions: Height 51cm, width 27.5cm, depth 22cm Beautifully wrought from patinated bronze and champlevé enamel, this mantel clock is designed in the Japonisme style. The style was popular in 19th Century Europe following the opening of Japan to trade and cultural exchange. The clock stands on four cabriole feet, with a pierced Japanese style apron to the bottom. The central case is stepped, with the main section of rectangular profile, and mounted with pierced patinated bronze vines...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Meiji Period Fukagawa Porcelain Lidded Vase
By Fukagawa
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality hand painted Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) Fukagawa porcelain lidded vase. Depicting exotic Cranes among Reeds and Lillys, boa...
Porcelain
Boîte en céramique raku, circa 1980-1990
Located in Meyrin, Switzerland
Céramique, boîte au décor émaillé selon la technique japonaise raku (raku-yaki) circa 1980, bien que le décor et la signature font penser de manière subjective à la Grèce, céramiste ...
Ceramic
Japanese Emperor Shōwa Period Classic Oval-Shaped Vase, Ca. 1960
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Emperor Shōwa Period Classic Oval-Shaped Vase, Ca. 1960 Emperor Shōwa Period - from 1926 to 1989/1990) Featuring bamboo handles. Signed on the bottom. DIMENSIONS Height:...
Porcelain
Antique Wooden Sculpture, Hand-Gouged, Woman Figure, France, 1940
Located in L’ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE, FR
Magnificent wooden sculpture carved from a single piece of wood, depicting a woman with a graceful bearing and a Japanese-inspired character. The artist highlights the purity of the...
Wood
$1,298Sale Price|20% Off
Perignem , Japanese-inspired ceramic vase, not signed, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Perignem, Japanese-inspired ceramic vase, not signed, circa 1950
Ceramic
Pr. 19 C. French Japonisme Gilt Bronze & Marble Mounted Porcelain Vases, Malpass
Located in New York, NY
A Fine Pair of 19th-Century French Japonisme Gilt Bronze-Mounted Porcelain Vases with Double Handles, Resting on Black Marble Bases, by Louis Pierre Malpass. The vases have an elonga...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Large Masons Iron Stone Pagoda Lidded Vase, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive large 19th century Masons iron stone pagoda style lidded vase. Having the classic Imari colours if cobalt blue ground and orange hi...
Earthenware