Skip to main content

Meiji Urns

MEIJI STYLE

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.

to
2
12
2
12
2
210
169
169
132
66
63
40
39
31
30
30
28
22
21
18
18
4
4
8
7
6
5
2
9
3
13
13
13
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
14
14
14
Style: Meiji
Pair Large Antique Japanese Meiji Period Porcelain Imari Lidded Jars Urns, 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A good pair of large antique Japanese Meiji period porcelain lidded jars, circa 1880. The jars having ribbed dome shaped lids topped with lion-dog (Komainu) finials, the baluster shaped jars also of corresponding ribbed form. The lids and jars are skillfully hand-decorated in the Imari palette with blue & iron red floral decoration over a white body, on one side are a pair of floral cartouches on another side is a fan shaped cartouche. Condition is very good indeed, no damage or restoration, a very handsome pair of 19th century Japanese Imari lidded jars...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Pair 19th Century Cloisonne Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Cloissone vases is an extraordinary example of the breed, displaying its well-preserved, rich coloration and exhibiting a large format design theme celebrating the ...
Category

1890s French Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Incense Burner, Japan, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful incense burner in the shape of a straw basket with a praying mantis sitting on top. Bronze, Japan 19th century. Good condition, oxidation, one leg missing from the prayi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
These beautiful Japanese vases were crafted during the Meiji period of the late 19th Century, which was referred to as the Golden Age of cloisonne enameling. The vases are of elo...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Enamel

Antique Meiji Period Kutani Japanese Porcelain Temple Jar
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Antique Meiji period Japanese porcelain temple jar with intricate hand painted decoration and gilt. The jar in Classic Kutani colors with floral and phoenix birds all over the top an...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Large Meiji Period Bronze Twin Handled Urn with Decoration
Located in Redding, CT
Large Meiji period bronze twin handled urn with decoration. Decoration consists of raised birds, branches with cherry blossoms and a dragon. Nice patina to this gorgeous vase that ca...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Meiji Large Bronze Vase circa 1850
Located in CA, CA
Meiji bronze vase, of striking simple form dating from the mid 19th century. Finely cast with beautiful dark patina.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

19th century Nippon Moriage Urn Lamp with Roses
Located in Savannah, GA
Nippon urn featuring raised Moriage decoration, gilt highlights, double handles and gorgeous open garden roses hand painted on either side. It has been conv...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Pottery

Japanese Contemporary White Blue Porcelain Vase/Jar by Master Artist, 4
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative three-piece raised lidded jar/vase, hand painted in auspicious underglaze blue and white , depicting scenes from Japan's countrys...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Blue Three-Piece Porcelain Lidded Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Graceful Japanese contemporary very large three-piece decorative porcelain lidded vase, extremely intricately hand painted in underglaze cobalt blue on an auspicious double-gourd bod...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Pair 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Imari Lidded Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Imari Lidded Urns are extraordinarily well preserved, retaining their vivid coloration derived from copper and cobalt based pigments even afte...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain, Paint

Large Japanese Imari Porcelain Trumpet Neck Floor Vase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Very Large hand painted and decorated / gilt Japanese floor vases in the Imari porcelain. The vase features exterior / interior hand painted Japane...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Gold

Large Japanese Bronze Koro Incense Burner, Meiji Period, 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large and fantastic Japanese cast bronze incense burner, koro, with high relief design, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan. The large and tall koro cast in extremely high re...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze Vase on Tripod Base, Signed
Located in Stamford, CT
A fine Japanese bronze ikebana vase decorated with a landscape of trees and mountains, a house with tiled roof in the foreground. A heavy ...
Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Related Items
Antique Japanese Meiji Ginbari Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji era, Ginbari enamel over copper vase. The globular shaped vase is enameled with a polychrome image of blossoming Bluebells flowers on the light blue g...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Japanese Meiji Era Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji era covered amphora shaped enamel over brass urn vase. The exterior of the vase is adorned with polychrome enameled continuo...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Urns

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Kutani Japanese Meiji Porcelain Vase Painted with Figures
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Japanese Meiji porcelain Kutani vase hand painted with decorative and a figural panel dating between 1868 and 1912. The elegantly shaped tall ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meiji Era Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A rare elegant Japanese vase cast of metal, possibly brass, featuring a baluster shaped body and a wide short neck. The surface is decorated with a delicate image of a thistle flowe...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Metal

Late 19th Century Signed Japanese Hand Painted Satsuma Temple Jar Meiji Period
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This outstanding late 19th century Japanese Satsuma porcelain covered temple jar has a traditional form with a domed lid. The piece features exquisite hand painted decoration which includes brightly hued flowers and associated foliage along with highly detailed jewel-toned butterflies with gilt highlights, all of which are on a shaded blue ground. The jar and lid also bear large chrysanthemums executed in heavy white enamel with underlying hints of green. The collar of the jar and edge of the lid have wide gilt bands finished with fine incised linear decoration that has been accented with blue, black and white enamel. The underside of the jar is hand lettered with characters reading Dai Nippon...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Contemporary Imari Blue White Porcelain Vase
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in underglaze blue on a beautifully shaped body in pure white, a signed piece by widely acclaimed master porce...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Meiji Period Large Japanese Imari Bowl Centerpiece
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Meiji period large Japanese Imari bowl centerpiece This large, distinctive, octagonal porcelain Imari bowl is painted in rich, inky blue, co...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Meiji Period Large Japanese Imari Bowl Centerpiece
Meiji Period Large Japanese Imari Bowl Centerpiece
$625 Sale Price
50% Off
H 3.5 in Dm 11.25 in
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...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Incense Burner Censer
Located in Pomona, CA
UP for you consideration is a beautiful antique Meiji period Japanese gold gilt satsuma incense burner marked/signed by Kinkozan. Very fine hand...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Incense Burner Censer
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Incense Burner Censer
$971 Sale Price
25% Off
H 14 in W 9 in D 8 in
Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Enamel Vase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive Japanese bronze and cloisonne enamel vase having raised decoration depicting a carp in the river, with a deer under a tree.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Enamel Vase
Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Enamel Vase
$3,869
H 20.48 in Dm 9.85 in
Large Meiji Period Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in London, GB
Of ovoid form, with a narrow neck and outward flaring rim, on dark blue ground depicting wisteria blossoms in white and purple cascading from the shoulder with birds throughout and w...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Enamel

Large Meiji Period Cloisonne Enamel Vase
$44,218
H 58.67 in Dm 20.08 in
Japanese Contemporary Blue Red Porcelain Lidded Jar Vase
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari style porcelain lidded temple jar/vase, intricately hand-painted in cobalt blue, iron red and green with generous application of gold on an e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Urns

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Blue Red Porcelain Lidded Jar Vase
Japanese Contemporary Blue Red Porcelain Lidded Jar Vase
$1,250 Sale Price
24% Off
H 11.5 in Dm 5.5 in
Previously Available Items
Antique Japanese Meiji Figural Hand Painted & Gilt Footed Foo Dog Urn C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji figural urn offers porcelain construction with foo dog lid and handles on bulbous vessel having garden scene, raised on figural ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Satsuma Lidded Koro Artist Signed with Dragons and Faces Very Detailed
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Japanese Satsuma Lidded Koro Artist Signed With Dragons and faces very detailed Meiji Era Vessel with amazing signature on the bottom in red.
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Pottery

19th Century Japanese Meiji Palace Urn with Foo Dog Handles
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Japanese Meiji palace urn with foo dog handles. Stunning large antique Japanese Meiji period palace urn with foo dog handles. This gorgeous As...
Category

1870s Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Qing Dinasty Antique Chinese Foo Dogs Protected Ceramic "Fang Ding"
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Absolutely rare and beautiful pair Chinese Qing dynasty porcelain and rich decorated "Fang Ding". The lidded jars are richly decorated with enamel and hand-p...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Enamel

19th Century Japanese Large Scale Green Glazed Ceramic Storage Jar
Located in Stamford, CT
Large scale Japanese ceramic storage jar with beautiful green drip glaze. It takes real skill to fire a jar of this size. This can be placed outdoors in the garden or on a patio as a...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Antique IMARI Ginger Jar Vase Urn Foo Dog Lid Oriental Japan Hallmark Porcelain
Located in Tyler, TX
Excellent antique Japanese IMARI hand-painted ginger jar, urn, or vase with foo dog finial on Lid~~Hallmark~~19th century Imari is a style of hand-painted porcelain made in the 18th and 19th centuries, named after the Japanese port from which it was shipped, mainly to Western Europe, and England, specifically This is an authentic Imari ginger jar...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Quality Antique Japanese Bronze Vases
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of quality antique Japanese bronze vases having lovely shaped tops and elephant head handles with shaped fluted vases. They are both ...
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Quality Antique Japanese Bronze Vases
Pair of Quality Antique Japanese Bronze Vases
H 12.21 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Bronze Vase Stamped
Located in Miami, FL
Excellent quality example of fine Japanese bronze cloisonne vase from the Meiji era. The Meiji period is a Japanese era which extended from 1868 to 1912. It corresponds to the reign of Emperor Meiji...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Japan Grand Burner-Perfume
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Satsuma-Yaki Japan Grand Burner-Perfume Porcelain from the Meiji Era (1868-1912). Measures: H 34cm, W 28cm, D 25cm.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Japan Grand Burner-Perfume
Japan Grand Burner-Perfume
H 13.39 in W 11.03 in D 9.85 in
Pair Japanese Cloisonne Urns in Bronze Figural Relief Meiji Period JAPAN
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vases Pair of Japanese Urns Cloisonne Vases in Bronze, Meiji Era JAPAN Figural panels and relief form decoration. Stamped, signed signature under...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Large Meiji Period Patinated Japanese Bronze Vase
Located in Stamford, CT
A large Japanese bronze vase modeled after the Chinese Zun form. Meiji Period, 1868-1912.
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Meiji Chrysanthemum Form Bronze Vase
Located in Stamford, CT
A patinated Japanese bronze vase from the Meiji (1868-1912) period. The form mimics chrysanthemums.
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Urns

Materials

Bronze

Meiji urns for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Meiji urns for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji urns made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original urns, popular names associated with this style include and Satsuma. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $450 and tops out at $56,127 while the average work can sell for $2,800.

Recently Viewed

View All