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.
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
Japanese Ikebana 'Flower Arranging Basket' by Teijo Sai
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese Ikebana (Flower Arranging Basket), Signed by Teijo Sai (the artist) on the bottom. Meiji Period (1868-1912) ikebana made of smoked bamboo, polished with ash. Very nice weav...
Bamboo
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
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
A Meiji period cloisonné box and cover, Ando Company
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period cloisonné box and cover, Ando Company, worked in silver wire and coloured enamels with an array of brightly coloured flowers, reserved against a rich midnight-blue ground, with silver rims and a silk lining, inlaid Ando mark. Japanese, circa 1910. Provenance: Acquired from Acanthus...
Ceramic
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century 'Meiji Period' Japanese Bronze Vase
Located in North Miami, FL
19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese bronze vase. It is realistically cast as a gnarled pine tree trunk with vines growing around it.
Bronze
$33,717 / 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
$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
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