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.
$520Sale Price|20% Off
American Japonesque Applied & Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Perfume
Located in New York, NY
American applied sterling silver perfume vial, ca 1880. Clear glass cylinder with twisted fluting. Sterling silver collar and hinged cover with tendril, f...
Sterling Silver
Collection of Four Japanese Tanba Tokkuri Sake Bottles
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Japanese Ceramic Tokkuri Sake storage bottles circa early 20th century (Meiji to Taisho period). The bottles were made in Tanba (or Tamba) ...
Ceramic
Japanese Meiji Period Early 20th Century Sake Bottle with Brown Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period monochrome sake bottle from the early 20th century with concentric lines. Created in Japan during the Meiji period, this antique sake bottle captivat...
Ceramic
20th Italian Sterling Silver Vase
Located in VALENZA, IT
Elegant and refined sterling silver vase. Entirely handcrafted and embossed with a torchon motif, the vase has been finely hammered all over the body. The mouth of the vase is shap...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Overlay Perfume Bottle
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A sterling silver overlay perfume bottle with matching stopper, both in mint condition. The bottle is crafted from clear glass, its surface adorned with ornate sterling silver overla...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Hammered Bowl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are delighted to offer you this sterling silver hand hammered bowl by J. C. Boardman & Company of Wallingford Connecticut. This large bowl can definitely be used as a centerpiece....
Sterling Silver
Art Nouveau Perfume Flacon
Located in New Orleans, LA
The elegance of rare silver overlay distinguishes this Art Nouveau glass flask. The flowing, graceful motif allows sections of the clear glass, and the co...
Sterling Silver
$1,068
H 2.49 in W 0.48 in D 0.99 in
Perfume Holder Handbag Silver Sterling with fired enamel on guilloché Salimbeni
By Salimbeni, Franco Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Parallelepiped perfume holder for handbag in 925/1000 sterling silver with screwed cap with translucent fired enamel on guilloché. English style, early 1900s. Measurements cm. 2.5 x ...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$1,200
H 8.75 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
Japanese Kutani Sake Bottle, Tokkuri, Yoshidaya Style, Edo Period, early 19th c
By Yoshidaya
Located in Austin, TX
A bold and dramatic Japanese Kutani porcelain square tokkuri (bottle for sake), decorated in the Yoshidaya style, and attributed to the Yoshidaya Kiln (1824 - 1831). The striking sa...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Pair of antique Japanese porcelain vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of antique Japanese porcelain vases Japanese, early 20th Century Height 86.5cm, diameter 36cm The beautiful Imari porcelain vases...
Porcelain
$495
H 5 in W 3.75 in D 2.5 in
Antique Brilliant Cut Glass Perfume Bottle with Sterling Silver Top Cap
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous heavy brilliant cut glass perfume bottle with sterling silver top. Has a glass stopper as well. In excellent antique condition with ...
Sterling Silver
$381Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in W 2.63 in D 1.7 in
Crystal Glass Cologne or Perfume Bottle Sterling Silver Top Art Deco London 1919
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good quality crystal cut glass cologne or perfume bottle with a sterling silver screw top lid with engine turned detail, made in London and dating to the early Art Deco period, 1919. The clear glass bottle or jar has a rectilinear shape, having an oval section, with finely hand cut vertical sides and small panels cut on the shoulder. The sterling silver circular top is threaded for turning onto the neck section. It is finely engine turned to the top which is very decorative. It is marked on the side of the neck with sterling silver hall marks for London 1919...
Sterling Silver
$2,161
H 2.76 in Dm 1.38 in
Cartier Perfume Holder Handbag Black stripes Silver Sterling made by Salimbeni
Cylindrical perfume holder in 925/1000 sterling silver fire enamelled with black stripes with screw cap, in Art Deco style. Diameter cm, 3.5 cm high bottle. 7, total height cm. 8.5. ...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
$2,495
H 4.6 in Dm 4 in
Kaneshige Toyo National Treasure Signed Japanese Bizen Pottery Sake Bottle Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, perfectly shaped and balanced antique Bizen ware shibui sake bottle (tokkuri) vase by renowned Japanese master potter/artist Kaneshige Toyo (1896-1967) featuring a unique natural, wonderfully textured organic forming ash glaze. Kaneshige is universally considered to be the founder of modern Bizen pottery. In 1956, Kaneshige was certified as a Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Heritage) for his work in Bizen Ware pottery/ceramics. Bizen Ware is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally from the Bizen province, presently a part of the Okayama prefecture. It is considered one of the Six Ancient Japanese Kilns (along with Echizen ware, Seto ware, Shigaraki ware, Tamba ware, and Tokoname ware). The piece is signed/ sealed on the base with one of Kaneshige's traditional incised marks. A rather striking and engaging work. One of the best Kaneshige works we have come across. Scarce and hard to find in such an excellent condition. Would be a fantastic addition to any Japanese/Asian pottery or Bizen Ware collection or eye-catching stand-alone work in about any setting. Kaneshige's work can be found in numerous prominent collections and museums including: Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Seto, Japan Brooklyn Museum, NY Hagi Uragami Museum, Yamaguchi, Japan Honolulu Art Museum, HI Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, Kasama, Japan Indiana Art...
Stoneware
19C Anglo Indian Silver Perfume Bottle Case
Located in Dallas, TX
19C Anglo Indian solid silver perfume bottle case. Lovely 19th century Anglo-Indian solid silver perfume bottle case with profuse repousse work. Not hallmarked because it was m...
Sterling Silver
Japanese Antique Edo Wabi-Sabi Shigaraki Tamba Tanba Art Pottery Jar Tsubo Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful Tamba (Tanba) ware (or Sigaraki ware) Japanese pottery vase/jar/pot - produced sometime during the Edo Period (1603-1867). Tamba-yaki ware is a type of Japanese pottery a...
Pottery, Stoneware
Japanese Ceramic Vase
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Very unique Japanese vase with abstract pattern in a variety of brown tones. The deepest brown glaze is raised, giving the vase a wonderful tactile texture.
Ceramic
Sold
H 6.75 in W 1.5 in D 1.25 in
Tiffany & Co. Edward C. Moore "Vines and Butterflies" Scent Bottle Chatelaine
By Tiffany & Co., Edward C. Moore
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite blend of Western craftsmanship and Eastern symbolism, this Tiffany & Co. "Vines and Butterflies" scent bottle offers a fascinating glimpse into 19th-century design and c...
Metal, Silver
Pair of Japanese Bronze Genie Bottles
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a pair of small patinated bronze genie bottles with handles. The heads of some kind of tiger or dragon with a long tongue made the handles. Their ...
Bronze
Collection of Six Vintage Japanese Ceramic Sake Bottle
Located in Atlanta, GA
A collection of six Japanese stoneware sake bottles circa first quarter of 20th century. Heavily potted, these bottled were covered in white glaze and brushed on with black Kanji cha...
Ceramic
19th Century Cave à Liqueur Drinking Set in the Japonisme Manner by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in London, GB
Cave à Liqueur in the Japonisme Manner Firmly attributed to Baccarat Entirely complete and constructed of gilt bronze with glass, frosted and engraved; of lidded and lockable cir...
Ormolu
Group of Nine Vintage Japanese Sake Bottle
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large collection of nice Japanese stoneware sake bottles circa first quarter of 20th century. Heavily potted, these bottled were dipped in white glaze and brushed on with black Kan...
Stoneware
French Trembleuse Cup and Saucer in Kakiemon Style
By Edmé Samson
Located in Katonah, NY
An exceptionally beautiful French cup and saucer in the 18th century Chantilly Kakiemon style showing birds and flowering trees. The style featu...
Porcelain
Tiffany Japonesque Sterling Silver and Glass Perfume with Coy Fish
Located in New York, NY
Japonesque sterling silver and glass perfume. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, circa 1878. Circular with flat sides and short n...
Sterling Silver