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 Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Flower Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, before 1912. Ovoid shape with pronounced short neck. The obverse represents iris flowers ag...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Rare Antique Japanese Satsuma Vase with Scenes of Figures, Turtle Basin, Reading
Located in New York, NY
Rare Meiji Period Japanese satsuma vase with superbly painted scenes of a sage and his young companion observing three golden turtles swimming in a la...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Ceramic
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
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 Cloisonne Goldstone Enamel Fish and Mantis Amphora Shaped Vase
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Japanese enamel over gilt copper vase. The amphora shaped vase is enameled with polychrome medallions depicting fish in a pond and a mantis in blossoming flowers surrounded...
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
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
Pair of Japanese Large Bronze Vases with Turtles and Cranes
Located in Hudson, NY
Early Meiji period (1868-1912) bronze vases, incised, detailed designs on each vase. One vase is decorated with a family of cranes at a rocky water's edge, with flowers and an old pine tree. The other vase depicts turtles at a rocky water's edge with bamboo, along with turtles swimming...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Bronze
Fine Japanese Enameled Satsuma Vase by Kinkozan Meiji Period
By Kinkozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic satsuma ware vase with very fine surface decoration made by Kinkozan circa 1880-1900s of late Meiji Period. The vase is of an elegant and relatively rare form with a trumpet shape body and the so-called garlic neck and opening. The surface is exquisitely decorated in a floral scheme with gilt and a light jewel-tone enamel. The top part showcases large bundles of wisteria blossom in white and purple, cascading down from a gilt wood trellis...
Category
1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Ceramic
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 Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Amphora Shaped Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of high quality Japanese, Meiji era, enamel over brass vases. Each vase has an amphora shaped body and a short wide neck. Each ware is enameled with polychrome medallions depi...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Enamel, Brass
Antique Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Stork Blossoming Garden Vases At
Located in New York, NY
Antique Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Stork Blossoming Garden Vases
Silver wire high quality
A pair of antique Japanese copper vases with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meij...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
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
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
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Butterfly and Cranes in Flight Vase
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Japanese urn shaped enamel over copper vase. The exterior of the vase is adorned with hand enameled panels depicting butterflies, cranes...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Enamel, Copper
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
Large Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Fan Motif Vase
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese Meiji era enamel over copper vase. The urn shaped vase is enameled with polychrome fan shaped medallions featuring floral, foliage and butterfly motifs surro...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Large Antique Japan Meiji Butterflies Enamel Vase
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese Meiji period enamel vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a narrow neck. The vase is enameled with a polychrome image of butterflies made in the Cloi...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Enamel
Japanese Antique Pottey Bottle 1860s-1900s/Flower Vase Wabisabi Jar Mingei
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese sake bottle.
It is from the Meiji period (1860s-1900s).
It is made of ceramic and covered with paper.
It is slightly cracked and reinforced with paper.
The ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases
Materials
Pottery, Paper
Japanese Cloisonné Vases Butterflies & Flowers, 19th Century Meiji Period, Pair
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a very decorative pair of cloisonné vases, made in Japan and dating to the 19th Meiji Period, circa 1875.
The vases have a good baluster shape with a circular form. They...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Silver, Bronze
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
Dark Blue Ground Vase with Flowers and Bird Cloisonné Enamel Meiji Era, 19th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Top quality vase
Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century
Additional information:
Material: Bronze & Metal
Primary Material: Bronze & Cloisonne
Region of Origin: Japan
Period: 19th centu...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Bronze
Meiji Period, Japanese Vases, Gourd, Dai Nippon Kutani Tsukuru c.1890 Japan
By Dai Nippon 1
Located in Glasgow, GB
A matching pair of Meiji-period Japanese gourd-shaped vases, handcrafted in Kutani toward the end of the 19th century.
These vases feature exceptional decoration, with intricate des...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Gold, 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
Antique Japanese Meiji Era Ginbari Cloisonne Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, before 1912. Baluster shape, black body with ginbari decor representing a chrysanthemum flo...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
19th Century Meiji Period Bronze Vase with Two Frogs
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period bronze vase with two frogs against a rough textured ground, signed ‘Hyakusei’, Japanese, circa 1880.
Category
1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Bronze
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Gold Stone Enamel Stripe Vases Attributed
Located in New York, NY
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Gold Stone Enamel Stripe Vases Attributed to Honda
A pair of antique Japanese, early Meiji era, enamel over gilt copper vases. The exteriors of...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Copper, 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
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
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
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...
Category
1910s Japanese Vintage Meiji Vases
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Purple Blue Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite gilded and intricately hand-painted Japanese contemporary porcelain vase in an elegant shape, extremely intricately hand-painted in various hues of purple and blue, a signe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Vases
Materials
Gold
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 Pair Japanese Noritake Hand Painted Vases Urns Centerpieces Pink Roses
By Noritake
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Elegant Fine Pair Japanese Noritake Hand Painted Porcelain Vases of outstanding quality. First quarter of the Twentieth Century, late Meiji pe...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Emerald Whispers: Exceptional Celadon Green Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in New York, NY
"Emerald Whispers: Exceptional Celadon Green Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase"
A very high quality Japanese, Meiji era, enamel vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a short f...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases
Materials
Enamel
Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Blossom Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period,
attributed to Hayashi
Elongated baluster shape. Intricate cherry blossom and bird motif aga...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Japanese Bronze Bamboo Hanging Vase, Kakehana, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A subtle and beautiful Japanese bronze hanging flower vase, kakehana, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan.
The slim and elegant vessel of cast bronze in the form of a stalk of segmented...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Bronze
A High Quality Antique Meiji Era Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase With Flying Eagl
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji Era brass and enamel vase. Circa: early 20th century. The baluster form vase is enameled with a polychrome image of an...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Pair of Antique Meiji Japanese Satsuma Vases Japan Figural Marked, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
The stunning pair of Satsuma vases from the Meiji period, true masterpieces of Japanese art. These magnificent vases are a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of Japa...
Category
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
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
A Meiji Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Wisteria and Fish Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period brass and cloisonne enamel vase decorated along the rim with overhanging wisteria flowers on a yellow ground abo...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Enamel
1860s Large Japanese Parcel Gilt High-Relief Dragons and Birds Bronze Vase
Located in Germantown, MD
Amazing Antique fine quality Japanese 19th century bronze vase, circa 1860 with exquisite decorations of raised bronze crafted dragons and birds and many other original meiji decorat...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Bronze
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
Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Green Vase Flowers and Birds
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese late Meiji period enamel over brass vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a wide neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of birds in bloss...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Enamel, Brass
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
Japanese Contemporary Black Platinum Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 6
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, dramatically hand painted in platinum, set against a stunningly shaped porcelain body in black, a signed masterpiece from t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Vases
Materials
Platinum
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Translucent Floral Black Vase
Located in New York, NY
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Translucent Floral Black Vase
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel design. Early Meiji period, ca. 1870s. Sl...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Meiji Era Vase By Gonda Hirosuke
Located in New York, NY
An ancient Japanese vase with magnificent flower decoration made in a polychrome cloisonne enamel on a pale turquoise ground. Classic form for Ja...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Enamel
A 19th C. Japanese Porcelain Kutani Red Ground Scroll Cartouche Vase
Located in New York, NY
A 19th C. Japanese Porcelain Kutani Red Ground Scroll Cartouche Vase. This stunning piece features a breathtaking pastoral scene, meticulously hand-painted on a shape reminiscent of...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Porcelain
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
Large Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Peach Goldstone Dragons and Phoenix Bird
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper, goldstone and cloisonne enamel vase from the Meiji period, 1868 to 1912. Features a slender tapering ovoid form rising to a short waisted octagonal neck w...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Japanese Antique Pottery Jar /1868-1920/Charcoal Bowl / Vase / Brazier
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We have a unique Japanese aesthetic sense.
And only we can introduce unique items through our purchasing channels in Japan and the experience we have gained so far, in such a way tha...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Pottery
Pair Japanese Bronze Meiji Era Vases with Multiple Birds on Branches Signed
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Pair Japanese Bronze Meiji Era vases with multiple birds on branches very detailed with multiple ways to display. Both vases are signed as shown.
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Goldstone Enamel Double Gourd Dragon Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of rare large Japanese, late Meiji era, double gourd enamel vases. Each ware is enameled with polychrome bands and panels with dragon, flora...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Enamel
Japanese Bronze Lamp, 19th c.
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an outstanding example of a large Japanese Meiji period bronze vase now mounted as a lamp. The vase is cast with high relief and finely detailed cockerels and flaming pearls....
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Japanese bronze vase decorated with Kintaro riding Carp Koi - Meiji - 19th Japan
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty Japanese Meiji bronze vase representing a naked boy, like a cherub, very muscular on a Koi carp in the middle of crashing waves.
The bronze work is very beautiful, the mo...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Vases
Materials
Bronze
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.