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.
$9,375Sale Price|50% Off
Japanese Contemporary Red Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary large contemporary hand-glazed decorative porcelain vase in red, platinum and gold on a stunning and unique bell shape, an award winning exhibition masterpiece by Sadam...
Gold, Platinum
$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 Contemporary Gold Red Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary massive contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted on a stunningly shaped impressively elegant and large porcelain body in red, blue and ...
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
$2,870Sale Price|30% Off
Genryusai Seiya Style Stone Jardineiere/Planter - Zoomorphic “Animals” with Lion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Genryusai Seiya Style Cast Stone Jardineiere. "The original bronze planters were part of Jagenpanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this large scale Meiji Period ...
Cast Stone
$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
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
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
Chinese Export Silver Dragon Cigar Box , 1880 - 1920s
Located in Braintree, GB
An impressive Chinese export solid silver dragon box, crafted circa 1880–1920 from substantial heavy-gauge silver, 900 purity and intended for the Western market. The rectangular fo...
Silver
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
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
Japanese Bizen Flower Vase
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868 - 1912) ceramic vase from Okayama Prefecture. Comes with collector's box. Signature reads Kinetsu.
Ceramic
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
Japanese ikebana banakago basket of Chinese style
Located in PARIS, FR
Handled circular ikebana basket (hanakago) in Chinese style, in vanished bamboo and rattan. Inside in copper alloy. Ikebana or Ka-do (the way of flowers) is a traditional Japanese a...
Bamboo, Rattan
Meiji Period, Japanese Bronze Jardiniere
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Japanese Meiji period bronze jardinière, depicting herding elephants.
Bronze
Antique Japanese patinated bronze eagle
Located in London, GB
Antique Japanese patinated bronze eagle Japanese, c. 1900 Height 54cm, width 67cm, depth 32cm This fine and naturalistic Meiji period bronze...
Bronze
Antique Japanese Meiji period carved hardwood okimono of a prowling tiger C 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This most pleasing hand carved hardwood Japanese Meiji period okimono depicts a muscular prowling tiger. Its body is slightly lowered in a stalking position with its mouth open showi...
Hardwood
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
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
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
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
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
Antique Japanese Bronze Vase with Landscape and Red Patina
Located in Hudson, NY
Antique Japanese bronze vase with landscape and red patina, Meiji Period (1868-1912) bronze vase with wild grasses under a silver moon. Re...
Silver, 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
Tall, Cylindrical Satsuma Vase
Located in New Orleans, LA
This vibrant and ornate vase captivates the eye with its intricate details which stand as a testament to the mastery of Satsuma artists. The vase features rich reds, deep blues and s...
Earthenware
Antique Meiji Period Earthenware Vase with Butterfly Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique earthenware vase was made in Japan is circa 1900 in the Meiji period and style. This vase stands a foot high and is done w...
Earthenware
Heart Shaped Rattan and Bamboo Tray
Located in Hudson, NY
Heart shaped rattan and bamboo tray. Meiji period (1868-1912) woven tray in a highly unusual shape for a tray. Beautiful patina.
Bamboo, Rattan
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
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
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
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
$34,419 / 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
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
Signed Mid 19th C. Edo/Meiji Period Miniature Lacquer Stacking Cabinet, Japan
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
The highly decorated tray in the form of a table frames a series of three stacking boxes, a further three lidded boxes and a tray concealed within, raised on ogee bracket feet. This...
Lacquer
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
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