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 Blue Green Platinum Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, platinum-gilded and hand painted signed porcelain vase in a stunning ovoid shape, a masterpiece by highly acclaimed maste...
Platinum
Fine Japanese Porcelain Pumpkin 'Gourd' Shape Painted and Lacquered Large Vase
Located in Torino, IT
Fine Japanese porcelain pumpkin 'Gourd' shape painted and lacquered large vase. The white porcelain vase is decorated with black lacca panels, fine...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Pink Blue Gold Porcelain Charger by Master Artist, 4
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative charger, intricately hand painted in gold, pink and blue, a signed piece by a master porcelain artist in the Imari-Arita traditio...
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Black Yellow Blue Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Unique Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in green, yellow, blue, red and black over a stunning bottle shaped body, a beautiful piece from a signature coll...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Black Yellow Blue Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary porcelain vase hand painted in green, yellow, blue, red and black over a beautifully shaped body, ...
Porcelain
Large Meiji Period Brass and Cloisonné Enamel Casket
Located in London, GB
A large Meiji period brass and cloisonné enamel casket Japanese, Late 19th Century Height 20cm, width 35.5cm, depth 22cm This beautiful piece is a Japanese casket...
Brass, Enamel
Japanese Contemporary Purple Red Porcelain Charger by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative charger, intricately hand painted in vivid blue, red and green, a signed piece by ...
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Gold Red Purple Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 5
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese dimpled decorative porcelain vase, a stunning piece gilded and hand painted by widelyrespected porcelain artist of Japan’s Imari-Arita region. This ma...
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Green Blue Red Platinum Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Elegent contemporary Japanese dimpled decorative porcelain plate, a unique piece platinum-gilded and hand painted by highly acclaimed porcelain artist of Japan’s Imari-Arita region. ...
Platinum
Japanese Contemporary Black Blue Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional contemporary Japanese decorative legged porcelain vase of extraordinary quality, intricately hand painted in black, set against beautiful shades of the artist's signature...
Porcelain
Japanese Red Blue Cream White Porcelain Vase by Contemporary Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional contemporary Japanese Porcelain decorative vase, intricately hand painted in red, blue and cream on an ovoid shape body wi...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Gold Green Black Porcelain Jar by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain lidded jar, intricately hand painted in black, green and red with generous gold details, showcasing patchwork of overlapping flor...
Gold
$8,330Sale Price|15% Off
Japanese Contemporary Orange Pink Black Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary highly collectible museum quality Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately hand-painted in stunning cream, orange-salmon pink and black, a...
Gold
Contemporary Japanese Blue Black Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese Contemporary decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately hand painted In vivid green and blue on a stunningly shaped body, featuring a “flowers-in-the-wind” m...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Blue Yellow Cream Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Japanese contemporary hand-painted ovoid porcelain charger in a soft cream color decorated inblue, light green and yellow, a signed work by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist a...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Green Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Unique Japanese contemporary hand-painted ovoid porcelain charger in pure green decorated in light green and yellow, a signed work by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist and rec...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Blue White Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in various shades of blue, green and red set against an elegant ovoid body, a signed work by hig...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Blue Platinum Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, stunningly hand painted in underglaze cobalt blue, set against a unique crackled back...
Platinum
Japanese Contemporary Gold Red Purple Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese dimpled decorative porcelain vase, a stunning piece gilded and hand painted by highly acclaimed porcelain artist of Japan’s Imari-Arita region. This m...
Gold
Japanese Contemporary White Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 1
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional large contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative charger, extremely intricately hand painted in auspicious underglaze blue ...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Three-Piece Blue Red Gold Porcelain Jar by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese Contemporary three-piece porcelain incense burner/vessel, intricately hand-painted on a beautifully crafted porcelain body, is a signed masterpiece by widely respe...
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Pink Blue Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately gilded and hand painted on a beautifully shaped ovoid body in fine porcelain in different shades of b...
Gold
Contemporary Japanese Blue White Red Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary gilded porcelain decorative vase, intricately hand painted in red, white and blue on a beautifully shaped body, a signed work by highly acclaimed Japa...
Porcelain
Japanese White Pink Green Porcelain Vase by Contemporary Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, intricately hand painted in pink, white and blue on an elegantly shaped body, a signed work by highly acclaimed Japanese master porcelain artist in Imari-Arita tradition of Japan. He has received numerous awards for his exceptional porcelain work and his unique gold and platinum work on porcelain. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain, a large lidded jar in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. His profile is available upon request. This stunning piece showcases two heart shape panels, adorned with striking flower motifs, on an elegant background of auspicious arabesque pattern in pink on white adorned with chrysanthemums in gold. Chrysanthemum is the imperial crest...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary White Red Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 5
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Elegant contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, beautifully hand painted in red, white and blue on a strikingly shaped body, ...
Gold
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
Japanese Contemporary Blue Pink Gold Black Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Unique Contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in blue and pink on a beautifully shaped body, set against a stunning background of intricate tenmoku...
Platinum
Jizai Okimono Snake Sculpture by Mariusz Milewski, Meiji Style
Located in London, GB
Jizai Okimono – Snake (2021) Handcrafted Articulated Sculpture – Collector’s Piece Step into the world of Japanese metal artistry with this one-of-a-kind Jizai Okimono sculpture, cra...
Steel
Meiji Period Bronze of a Cricket Catcher
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period bronze of a cricket catcher, shown holding a whistle to his mouth with his left hand and a long rod in his right hand, wearing traditional clothing with a wide-brimmed...
Bronze
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Japanese Contemporary Blue Pink Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Magnificent tall Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in blue, red, green and pink on a beautifully shaped body in pure white, a signed masterpiece by widely...
Gold
$2,763Sale Price|34% Off
Japanese Contemporary Green Purple Red Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted on an elegant cylinder shape body featuring auspicious wisterias and sparrows, in red, blue, purpl...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Platinum Pink Green Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary large dimpled decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in vivid blue, green and pink on an elegant cylinder shape porcelain body with a stunning scalloped rim, set against an attractive platinum background, a signed masterpiece by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist in the Imari-Arita tradition. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain, a large lidded jar in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. The artist is the recipient of numerous awards for his unique signature gold and platinum work on porcelain. This graceful large vase depicts elegant Japanese toad...
Platinum
Japanese Contemporary Blue Green Yellow Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase hand painted in green, red and blue on a beautifully shaped body, a signed work by highly acclaimed Japanese master porcelain artist i...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Red Blue Purple Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Elegant gilded contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase hand painted in red, blue, purple and green on an elegant bottle shape body, a signed work by widely acclaimed Japanese...
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Purple Pink Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately gilded and hand painted in shades of puple, blue and pink on an ovoid shape body with an attractive scalloped ...
Gold
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Japanese Contemporary Brown Blue Red Hand-Glazed Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary highly collectible large hand-glazed decorative porcelain vase, an exhibition masterpiece titled "Dawn" by master porcelain artist from the Arita-Imari region ...
Porcelain
Japanese Red Gold Blue Porcelain Vase by Contemporary Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Mesmerizing large Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in vivid red, blue, green and gold on a strikingly shaped porcelain body is a signed masterpiece by hi...
Gold
$1,950Sale Price|33% Off
Japanese Porcelain Vase Blue by Contemporary Master Artist, 5
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional Japanese contemporary porcelain decorative vase, intricately hand painted in various shades of underglaze blue on an elegantly shaped porcelain body, a signed masterpiece...
Porcelain
$3,950Sale Price|34% Off
Large Japanese Contemporary Red Black Gilded Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Outstanding very large Japanese contemporary dimpled Imari Porcelain vase, hand painted in vivid red, platinum and gold on a gracefully shaped porcelain body, a stunning piece by wid...
Gold, Platinum
$3,988Sale Price|44% Off
Contemporary Japanese Blue Pink Purple Cream Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Outstanding Japanese. cotemporary museum quality decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately hand painted on a stunning baluster shape body, a signed masterpiece by highly cele...
Porcelain
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
$172Sale 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
Antique Woodblock Print Meiji Period, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique 19th c Woodblock Print - Meiji Period 19th century, The painter is unknown so far. Additional information: Material: Paper Decoration Type / Colour: Polychrome Region of Ori...
Paper
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
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 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
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Porcelain Large Dish Tree Prunus, 19th/20th C.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this very nice Meij period dish with Prunus tree design on black ground. Marked at base. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: Japan Perio...
Porcelain
Antique Pair of Meiji period Japanese Hichozan Vases 19th century Turqoise
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Quality painting work Condition Vase 1 with 3 chips to rim, 1 to underside. Vase 2 with chip and small restored part to rim. Size 31.5CM high Period 19th century
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
A Meiji period moriage cloisonné box and cover with two carp
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period moriage cloisonné box and cover with two carp, the rectangular box worked in coloured enamels in standard, moriage (raised) and musen (wireless) cloisonné with one gre...
Ceramic
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
Group of 6 Plates Porcelain Japan 19th-20th Century, Japan, Meiji Era
Located in Milano, IT
Group of six porcelain plates decorated within reserves with two groups of geishas and samurai figures in walled gardens with Mount Fuji horizon, all set against a richly painted blu...
Porcelain
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 very fine Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with brocade designs, by Hayash
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very fine Meiji period cloisonné box and cover with brocade designs, by Hayashi Tanigoro, worked in silver wire and coloured enamels with geometric and stylised dragon and phoenix ...
Ceramic
19thC Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Study of an Elephant Fighting with Two Tigers
Located in Central England, GB
This superb Japanese Meiji period bronze study has exceptionally good detailing. It portrays a figure group of a large muscular bull elephant being attacked and fighting with two tig...
Bronze
Japanese Mixed Metal Finely Executed Decorative Plate of Monkey Picking Fruit
Located in Sarasota, FL
Meiji Period Japanese mixed metal platter depicting monkey gathering fruit for finely dressed gentlemen. Fine detail and execution of inlay.
Metal
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
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
Japanese MIxed Metal Finely Executed Plate of Cormorant Fishing at Night
Located in Sarasota, FL
Japanese mixed metal platter finely executed to show night fishing with cormorants. Unsigned.
Metal, Bronze
Set of three Japanese porcelain pieces, Meiji period 1852-1912
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful three-piece set, two vases and a bowl, made of coral-colored porcelain, with bronze mounts decorated with dragon motifs. It depicts a dignitary and two ladies of high rank ...
Porcelain