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.
Japanese Contemporary Large Green Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Mesmerizing very large Japanese contemporary museum quality porcelain vase in gold and stunning shades of green on a magnificently shaped body. A masterpiece by a third generation hi...
Gold, Foil
Japanese Contemporary Green Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite large Japanese contemporary porcelain decorative vase, intricately hand painted in vivid blue, red and green on a beautifully shaped porcelain body, a signed piece by a mas...
Porcelain
A pair of 19th C Japanese Meiji period miniature porcelain Kutani ware bowls
Located in Central England, GB
These superb miniature porcelain bowls originate from the Kutani region of Japan dating from the Meiji period circa 1880. They are superb examples of some of their finest workmanship...
Porcelain
$175Sale Price|47% Off
Antique Japanese Porcelain Meiji Period Arita Blue And White Dish With Green
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this unusual and magnificent bowl from the Meiji period (19th century). It has a very interesting and lovely blue and polychrome scene Unmarked at the base. Additi...
Porcelain
Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Figural Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 25 grams Provenance: Collected in the 1980’s. From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuize...
Wood
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Double Gourd Vase Blue White, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this fantastic and Quality painted double gourd vase from the Meijij period. The flowers are in enamel and thickly painted in a bit of relief when you touch them. Al...
Porcelain
Large Antique Japanese Porcelain Meiji Period Polychrome Bowl, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this unusual and magnificent bowl from the Meiji period (19th century). It has a very interesting and lovely polychrome scene Unmarked at the base. Additional infor...
Porcelain
Antique Japanese Meiji Armorial Plate with Fine Details Arms of PowelL, 19th C.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this magnificent lovely plate from the late 19th century, with high quality painting. It’s a Fukagawa mark armorial dish with the arms of Powell. The text says; Pro patria se...
Porcelain
Hand Carved Asian Stash Box with Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand Carved Stone Box with Asian Motif - the perfect little box for 420, paperclips, rubber bands... or next to the bed, guest room or side table...
Stone
Antique Japanese Porcelain 19th c Meiji Arita Flowers Blue White dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this unusual and magnificent plate from the Meiji period (19th century). It has a very interesting and lovely blue scene Marked at the base. Condition Perfect. Siz...
Porcelain
Antique Japanese Porcelain 19th c Meiji Arita Boys Figural Polychrome dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this unusual and magnificent plate from the Meiji period (19th century). It has a very interesting and lovely polychrome scene of different figures in a garden/pond ...
Porcelain
Pair Antique Japanese Porcelain 19th c Meiji Arita Polychrome bowl
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this unusual and magnificent bowls from the Meiji period (19th century). It has a very interesting and lovely blue, red and gold scene Unmarked at the base. Condit...
Porcelain
Trio Antique Japanese Porcelain 19th c Meiji Arita Polychrome bowl fishes
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this unusual and magnificent bowls from the Meiji period (19th century). It has a very interesting and lovely blue and polychrome scene Unmarked at the base. Condi...
Porcelain
A Japanese Meiji Period Patinated Bronze Censer
Located in Stamford, CT
A Japanese Meiji censer rising on three stylized Foo Dogs feet with Frog form handles. Censer having exceptional patination. Acquired from Michael Goedh...
Bronze
Large Meiji Period Satsuma Earthenware Floor Vase
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Meiji period Satsuma earthenware floor vase, the of baluster form, painted in pastel overglaze enamels and gilding with two large sprays of flowers including prunus blossom, ...
Enamel
A 19th C. Japanese Porcelain Kutani Red Ground Scroll Cartouche Vase
Located in New York, NY
A 19th C. Japanese Porcelain Kutani Red Ground Scroll Cartouche Vase. This stunning piece features a breathtaking pastoral scene, meticulously hand-painted on a shape reminiscent of...
Porcelain
Meiji Japanese Bronze Jardinière Japanese People on a Boat, Genryusai Seiya Zo
Located in New York, NY
A masterpiece, rare, 19th Century Japanese bronze Jardinière/centerpiece of a group of Japanese travelers on a boat, signed on the bottom, Genryusai Seiya...
Bronze
Meiji Period, Japanese Bronze Jardiniere
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Japanese Meiji period bronze jardinière, depicting herding elephants.
Bronze
Japanese Burl Presentation Platform
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) burl wood slab for presenting a flower arrangment or beautiful object.
Burl
Pair of Japanese Shokudai Temple Altar Candle Stands
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and ornate pair of Japanese Altar Candlesticks. Tiered pierced brass candle stands with trefoil tops, pierced bulbous centers and pierced ...
Brass
Japanese Meiji Bronze Sculpture Elephant Fighting Tigers By Tsunemitsu 常光
Located in King's Lynn, GB
A Japanese bronze model of an elephant fighting two tigers, cast during the Meiji period (1868–1912), bearing the foundry mark Tsunemitsu (常光). Tsunemitsu 常光 (Tsunemitsu) is the mak...
Bronze
Japanese Okimono of Fukurokuju, the god of wealth and happiness, Meiji period
Located in Central England, GB
This exceptional Japanese Meiji period okimono depicts Fukurokuju, the lucky god of wealth and happiness. The figure is very finely carved from a single piece of dense tightly graine...
Wood
Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Carrying Twigs
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period bronze of a boy carrying twigs, they are strapped onto his back on a carrying frame and he carries a gourd water bottle in his right hand, signed in a seal. Japanese, ...
Bronze
$9,250
Meiji period bronze
Located in Atlanta, GA
Very fine Japanese bronze of two territorial beasts, on a decoratively carved teak base. The base is 34 inches long, the bronze is 29 inches long.
Bronze
Large Meiji Period Satsuma Earthenware Floor Vase
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Meiji period Satsuma earthenware floor vase, the skittle shaped body painted in pastel overglaze enamels and gilding with a continuous frieze of the Seven Gods...
Enamel
Japanese High-Relief Bronze Vase from Japan
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bronze vase having a sinuous teardrop form and high-relief naturalistic decoration of swaying orchids and a meandering turtle.
Bronze
Iga-ware Earthenware Flower Container
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868-1912) vase with characteristic Iga-ware ears and rough, sandy clay. Comes in original storage box with silk jacket and drawstring.
Ceramic, Earthenware
Oversize Antique Japanese Hanging Flower Basket
Located in Hudson, NY
Oversize antique Japanese hanging flower basket. Dramatic and large (36" long) flower basket built to be hung on a wall with an insert so you can enjo...
Bamboo
Japanese Bronze Ikebana 'Flower Arranging' Basket with Frog
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868-1912) bronze flower arranging basket with a small frog climbing up the side. Excellently rendered details in the basket weaving. Signature on the bottom reads: Eiho.
Bronze
A Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with sparrows, prunus and bamboo
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with sparrows, prunus and bamboo, the rectangular box worked in gold and silver wire and coloured enamels with birds amongst a blossoming tree ...
Ceramic
$34,123 / set
Pair of Large Meiji Period Bronze Vases
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of large Meiji period bronze vases, each of baluster form raised on three oni-mask feet on a ring-shaped base, applied with arched mask-and-ring handles, finely inlaid in patinated metals, silver and gilt with boys playing around a large water jar...
Bronze
Pair of Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Vases with Mask Head Handles, circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
A pair of Meiji Period Japanese bronze vases. This fine pair of late 19th century Japanese bronze vases are well proportioned and of a good decorative size. They are beautifully decorated with panels on one side with magpies amongst irises and the opposite with sparrows in a magnolia tree. They are cast and then finely hand finished with chasing from small chisels. They have mask head...
Bronze
19th Century Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Collecting Sweet Chestnuts by Seiya
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A charming Meiji period bronze of a boy collecting sweet chestnuts by Seiya, he carries a basket and is looking down at an insect crawling over his hand, he is also evidently wearing...
Bronze
Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Lion And Crocodile On Wooden Base
Located in GB
A delightful Meiji Period Japanese bronze lion and crocodile on a root wood base. A skilfully hand crafted piece that encapsulates the splendour of each animal from the lush lions mane and muscular body to the scales and ridges of the toughened skin of the crocodile. The expressions of both the lion and the crocodile are clear and crisp, caught in the midst of a battle for life and death. The lions eyes...
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