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Meiji Vases

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.

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Style: Meiji
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Crane Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with silver wire cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, Elongated vase of faceted hexagonal shape. The pie...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Turquoise Enamel Crane Vase Signed OTA
Located in New York, NY
A fine antique Japanese enamel brass vase featuring an elongated body with rounded shoulders and wide short neck. The surface is skillfully decorated with a polychrome cloisonne enam...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Rare Set of 4 Meiji Period Imari Bottle Form Vases
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A rare set of four hand painted Japanese porcelain Imari bottle form vases. The vases of square tapering form with classic Imari iron red and cobalt blue ...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Very Large Fantastic Japanese Meji Period Patinated Bronze Dragon Vase
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic Japanese Meji Period Patinated Bronze Dragon Vase. This vase is both elegant and awe-inspiring specifically for its Size and shape. The very...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Japanese Imari Temple Jar and Lid
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Japanese Imari lidded vase one side has phoenix and ikebana flowers hand painted in great detail throughout. Colors from natural pigment glazes. Beautiful patina. Ve...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Gold Gray Red Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in the artist's unique miniature technique on a elegantly shaped porcelain body in gray, blue ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Blue Green Red Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, hand-painted in cobalt blue, yellow and green on a stunning ovoid shaped body, a signed piece by highly acclaimed master porcelain a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Bronze Cloisonné Vase with Colors Butterflies, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely vase Additional information: Material: Bronze & Metal Primary Material: Bronze & Cloisonne Region of Origin: Japan Period: 19th century Japan Dynasty Period: Meiji Period (18...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Satsuma Japanese Meiji Pair Diamond Shaped Pottery Vases
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A good and unusual pair antique Japanese Satsuma Meiji diamond shaped pottery vases decorated with monk figures with a scrolling dragon dating from the 1...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Pottery

Kinkozan Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Totai Scholars Satsuma Signed Vases
Located in New York, NY
A large pair of antique Japanese Totai Shippo cloisonne enamel and Satsuma porcelain vases, Meiji era, 1868 to 1912. Of a baluster form, on the b...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Early Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Bulbous Vase with Geometric Pattern
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design against a bright turquoise background. Meiji period. The vase is of a bulbous shape with a long fluted neck. Birds flyin...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Antique Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Goldstone Dragon Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of identical antique Japanese copper vases with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, circa 1885. Baluster shape, solid base, pronounced neck. Golden stone flake ground,...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

High Quality Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Kyoto School
Located in New York, NY
A high quality antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over brass bud vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a narrow fluted neck. The...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Attr To Namikawa Rare Pair Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Butterfly Vases
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to Namikawa Yasuyuki, 1845 to 1927, a pair of rare identical antique Japanese, late Meiji era, enamel vases. Each vase has a globular shaped body and a long fluted neck. T...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

High Quality Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon and Phoenix Bird Vase
Located in New York, NY
A high quality Japanese Meiji era enamel over copper vase. The urn shaped vase is enameled with polychrome medallions featuring Phoenix bird and dragon designs surrounded by floral a...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Meiji Period, Japanese Bronze Jardiniere
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century Japanese Meiji period bronze jardinière, depicting herding elephants.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Bronze

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.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japanese Meiji Era Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in New York, 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 Vases

Materials

Brass, Enamel

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 Vases

Materials

Gold

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 Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Hexagonal Japanese Satsuma vase dating from the late nineteenth century
Located in London, GB
An antique Japanese Satsuma vase dating from the late nineteenth century. Hexagonal in shape with each panel hand decorated. Two have Japanese women walking in a landscape, cherry bl...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Silver Wire Enamel Vases Birds in Bamboo
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji period, silver wire enamel vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a fluted neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of a pair of a sp...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Meiji Period Satsuma Gilt Enameled Immortal & Geisha Vase & Stand by Kozan Zo
By Kozan Zo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Meiji Period Satsuma Gilt Enameled Immortal & Geisha Vase & Stand Japan, Circa 1900, Meiji-era (1868–1912) Kozan Zo This exquisite Meiji-period Satsuma ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Hardwood, Pottery

Antique Japanese Ota Tameshiro Meiji Enamel Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique high quality Japanese Meiji cloisonne enamel vase by Ota Tameshiro. Circa the late 19th century. The vase is enameled with polychrome enamel floral and foliate scroll orna...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Brush Pots in the Style of Namikaw
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 19th century Japanese cloisonne brush pots with floral decoration, early Meiji period, circa 1880s. Attributed to Namikawa Yasuyuki, 1845...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Japanese Meiji Era Cloisonne Enamel Vase Signed
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, 1868 to 1913. Miniature dark cobalt blue vase with a round body and long neck. The neck is decorated ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Iga-ware Earthenware Flower Container
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868-1912) vase with characteristic Iga-ware ears and rough, sandy clay. Comes in original storage box with silk jacket and drawstring.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Antique Pair Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Crane Vases Attributed
Located in New York, NY
Antique Pair Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Crane Vases Attributed to Honda The exteriors of the wares are adorned with polychrome enamel medallions representing drago...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Japanese Meiji Twin Handled Bronze Vase with Silver, Brass & Copper Inlay
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique Japanese Meiji twin handled bronze vase decorated with floral designs in silver, brass and copper inlay dating from the 19th century...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Copper, Silver

Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese, early Meiji era, Translucent enamel over gilt copper vases. The exteriors of the wares are adorned with polychrome enamel designs representing bugs in blo...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Red Crane Vase
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese copper vase with translucent cloisonne enamel design. 1890 Meiji era, . Elongated shape with pronounced neck. The piece is decorated with a stork bird motif ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Japanese Antique Large Paper-Covered Pottery Vase 1860s-1900s / Vessel Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old, large, paper-backed pottery made in Japan. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and was a utilitarian item used to store and transport tea leaves. The mo...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Pottery, Paper

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Blossoming Wisteria Tree
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over brass vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a tall narrow neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of wisteria b...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Vase Attr to Namikawa
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese early Meiji period cloisonne vase, attributed to the master artisan Namikawa Yasuyuki. The precisely detailed floral scenes, set within the delicate beadwork, cre...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Vases Night and Day
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese vases from the early Meiji period. Two vases represent Day and Night and are decorated with polychrome enamel...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Pair of Lobe Shaped Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Goldstone Dragon Butterfly
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese Meiji era enamel metal vases. The lobed shaped vases are enameled with polychrome medallion images of dragons and butter...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

A Large Pair Of Narrow Neck Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Meiji Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese Meiji period cloisonne vases boasting elongated necks. Showcase meticulous enamel workmanship, with vibrant floral designs crafted along their elongated fo...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

High Quality Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Blossoming Iris’s Vase
Located in New York, NY
A high quality antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over gilt copper vase. The vase has an urn shaped body and a fluted neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of b...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Lovely Japanese Porcelain Antique Vase in Flowers Marked, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this lovely brown vase with beautiful glaze. It’s in the shae of a kalebas. Marked at the base. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: Japan...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Butterfly Vase
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, before 1912. A medallion with butterflies among peony flowers is presented on the front side, a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
Immerse yourself in the artistry of 19th-century Japan with this exquisite Meiji period bronze vessel, a captivating embodiment of Japanese decorative arts...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Bronze

A Pair of Early Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Censors Attributed to Honda Yasaburo
Located in New York, NY
A pair of high quality Japanese early Meiji period bronze and cloisonne enamel planter pots or koro incense burners, each of a globular form w...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Meiji Satsuma Porcelain Vase, Garden Scene & Pheasant, C1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Japanese Meiji Satsuma Porcelain Vase, Garden Scene & Pheasant, C1910 Measures- 6.25''H x 3''W x 3''D
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Goldstone Enamel Dragon Vase Attributed to Hond
Located in New York, NY
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Goldstone Enamel Dragon Vase Attributed to Honda An antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, before 1880. High Q...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

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.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Pair Of Antique Decorative Vases, Japanese, Bronze Baluster, Meiji, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a pair of antique decorative vases. A Japanese, bronze baluster from the Meiji period, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1870. Strikingly sculpted and finished vases...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Bronze

A Rare Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Silver Wire Vases with Dandelions
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese copper vases of flattened round shape with figurative rims. Late Meiji period, before 1912. The pieces are decorated w...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japanese Cloisonne Wireless Mount Fuji and Wire Cranes
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji period, Silver wire and enamel vase. The urn shaped vase has a narrow fluted neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of cranes in the Mount...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Brush Pot in the Style of Namikawa
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper brush pot with cloisonne enamel design. Early Meiji period, after 1868. Cylinder shape. Cherry blossom motif and floral patterns in cobalt and turquoise bl...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Pair Of Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Brush Pots
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese brush pots, Meiji era, 1868 to 1912. The exterior of both matched pieces is enameled with polychrome enamel blossoming f...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Pair of Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Floral Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese Early Meiji period cloisonne enamel vases attributed to Namikawa Yasuyuki. Each vase is adorned with intricate floral designs, showcasing the meticulous ar...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Pair Japanese Bronze Vases Egret Handle Decoration, c1890
Located in Cheltenham, GB
A stylish pair of Japanese vases of the Meiji period with egret handle dual tone decoration. Some tiny indentations and slight rubbing to extremities. Condition commensurate wi...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Bronze

19thC Japanese Cloisonné Brush Washer Bowl, Meiji Period circa 1880
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an unusual cloisonné Brush Washer bowl, made in Japan and dating to the 19th Meiji Period, circa 1890. The circular bowl sits on a low foot The main decoration has styl...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel 1000 Butterflies Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period . Rounded vase with pronounced neck. The body is covered with a butterfly pattern, the neck is decorat...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japanese Tashio Period (1912-1926) Cloisonne Enamel Vase Ando Company
Located in Newark, England
The vase of large globular form decorated with a fine pastel blue ground enamel base and striking blue tulips in bloom across the centre. The base signed to the centre with the Ando ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Metal, Silver, Enamel, Metallic Thread

Group of 5 Small Japanese Cloisonne and Ginbari Vases, Early 20th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A charming group of five Japanese cloisonné and ginbari foiled vases, Meiji period, early 20th century, Japan. The group consists of one vase with cloisonné chrysanthemum blossoms against bold and bright turquoise ginbari foil background, two similar vases of primarily black and burgundy cloisonné - one with a butterfly motif, the other with a floral motif, and two similar vases of primarily dark blue and green cloisonné, both with floral and butterfly motifs. Turquoise ginbari vase...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Foil, Wire

Antique Pair Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Crane Butterfly Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese, early Meiji era, enamel over gilt copper vases. The exteriors of the wares are adorned with polychrome enamel medallions representing dragons, cranes, but...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Egyptian Figure
Located in New York, NY
A rare antique Japanese Meiji era enamel vase. The vase has a globular shaped body and a long neck. The exterior of the vase is adorned with medallions with an image of a Egyptian f...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel on Porcelain Floral Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese porcelain vase with polychrome design. Meiji period, circa 1870 Cylinder shape. Hand-painted blue and white pattern...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases

Materials

Enamel

Meiji vases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Meiji vases 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 vases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji vases 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 vases, popular names associated with this style include Ando Jubei, Satsuma, Kinkozan, and Makuzu Kozan. 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 vases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $83 and tops out at $98,000 while the average work can sell for $2,994.

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