Meiji Ceramics
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
Japanese Porcelain Charger finely Hand Painted, Meiji Period circa 1880
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality, hand decorated Japanese porcelain charger, large plate or bowl with an Imari pattern, dating to the late 19th centur...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Satsuma Porcelain Water Well Bucket, Wishing Well Vase
By Satsuma
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This Japanese porcelain vase is barrel shaped with a yolk handle. It is both finely and intricately hand painted. It pictures groups of scholars with scrolls dressed in elaborate brocade kimonos...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Imari Charger, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A nicely decorated Japanese Meiji Period Imari charger, late 19th century, Japan.
The porcelain charger featuring a design of a hoho bird, or phoenix, per...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Enamel
Pair of 19th Century Oriental Satsuma Vases, ca. 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century oriental Satsuma vases were hand-painted on the finest Japanese porcelain then set on cast bronze bases for the ultimate in Oriental Opulence! An intricate "pie ...
Category
1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Bronze
Meiji Period Japanese Igezara Transferware Plate with Phoenix and Foliage Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period Igezara transferware plate from the late 19th century, with phoenix and foliage motifs. Created in Japan during the Meiji era, this Igezara transferware plate...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Large Square Bowl Centerpiece
By Satsuma
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma large square bowl
Antique early Meiji Period 15" square with scalloped rim Satsuma bowl. Highly unusual and finely painted. ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Pair 19C Japanese Satsuma High Quality Black Vases Landscape Uchida
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
A pair of Japanese Satsuma black-ground vases, Uchida marks, Meiji/Taisho period
Of ovoid form with everted rims, painted in gilt with scenes of Mount Fuji against a bl...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Meiji Period Fukagawa Blue & White Fish Plates, 2 Available
By Fukagawa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Meiji Period Fukagawa blue & white fish plates, 2 available
Japan Circa 1900s
Offering two similar Fukagawa (Attributed) realistically decorated by hand-painting and cobalt blue enamel. With decorated backs, Unmarked.
Sold individually. Please let us know if you would like to purchase the top fish plate or the lower plate.
The lower plate has some firing marks on the fishes face...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese, Contemporary Blue Pink Porcelain Match Tea Cup by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain match tea cup, extremely intricately hand painted in various shades of blue and pink set against a stunningly shaped ovoid porcelain body in blue, to create a mesmerizing surface. It is lavishly decorated with intricate gold details and is a masterpiece by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist in traditional patterns of the Imari-Arita region of Japan and the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for his extraordinary porcelain work and his unique gold and platinum work on porcelain. The artist's profile is available upon request.
Hydrangeas with intricate details decorate the surface of this remarkable cup and continue to decorate the inside of the cup.
"Fired-on gold,” this artist's signature style, highlights unique techniques for incorporating gold and platinum into the hand painting and multiple firing processes that yield a stunningly opulent look. The polychrome overglaze is fired at 800 degrees, followed by the application of gold and platinum that are fired at slightly lower temperature to maintain the luster of the precious metals. As a result, a single piece may undergo as many as 5-10 firings. The artist's profile is available upon request.
This elegant gilded porcelain matcha tea cup...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Signed Japanese Black Glaze Kutani Porcelain Vase by Mitsui Tamekichi III
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Japanese Kutani porcelain vase.
By Mitsui Tamekichi the 3rd (?????3?).
Born Mitsui Eiichi in 1935. He met his wife while apprenticing under Kutani master Torijo...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Blue White Porcelain Dessert or Bread Plate
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional Japanese contemporary porcelain dessert/fruit/bread plate in an elegant square shape, hand-painted in blue underglaze in cobalt and light blue to showcase a graceful arab...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japan Imari Porcelain Dish Shaped like a Scallop Shell Blue, Red and Turquoise
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Plate with palms forming scallop shell in Imari porcelain. Decor of birds and flowers, blue red orange and turquoise.
Japan.
19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Mino Ware Oribe Type Chawan Tea Bowl
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Kutsu-gata (clog-shaped) chawan (tea bowl) circa 19th century possibly older. The stoneware bowl potted from buff clay has a slight irregular shape and an unusual depth for a tea bowl. Of Mino ware...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Great 19C Japanese Porcelain Vase Relief Grapes Leaves Flowers and Bird
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Japanese porcelain vase, unusual in shape and with beautiful relief application of grapes and leaves. Painted scene all over of flowers and a bird in flight.
Swirled top in the sh...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Six Japanese Contemporary Gilded Blue Red Porcelain Cup and Saucers
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite set of six Japanese contemporary gilded hand-painted porcelain cups and saucers in vivid red, blue and green generously decorated with gold. The pattern of this stunning set, scalloped around the rim of the cup and saucer, is inspired by a beloved pattern by Meissen in Germany.
Imari-Arita region of Japan has a history of more than 400 years of exporting the finest porcelain produced in that region. There was a fascination for Arita ware...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Contemporary Japanese Blue Gray Gold Porcelain Matcha Tea Cup by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Japanese contemporary porcelain tea cup/matcha cup, hand painted in blue underglaze in stunning shades of blue and gray on an elegantly shaped ovoid porcelain body, a signed piece by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist in the Imari-Arita tradition. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain, a large lidded jar in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. This artist is the recipient of numerous awards for his exceptional porcelain work and his unique signature gold and platinum work on porcelain. His profile is available upon request.
This stunning porcelain Japanese matcha tea cup depicts elegant gold fish in soft shades of blue, decorated with gold swimming all around the body of the vase, the intricate wave pattern indicates that the fish are swimming in the ocean. Two bands of exquisite floral patterns decorate the top of the vase all the way to the rim, to add another layer of interest to this piece.
“Fired-on gold,” this artist’s signature style, highlights unique techniques for incorporating gold and platinum into the hand painting and multiple firing processes that yield a stunningly opulent look. The polychrome overglaze is fired at 800 degrees, followed by the application of gold and platinum that are fired at slightly lower temperature to maintain the luster of the precious metals. As a result, a single piece may undergo as many as 5-10 firings. This artist's profile is available upon request.
This hand-painted porcelain Japanese tea cup...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Antique Early 1900s Japanese Kinkozan Satsuma Picture Frame Japan Flowers
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
A Japanese Satsuma photograph frame, Kinkozan, Meiji/Taisho period
Of gourd outline and painted with the 'three abundances' of peaches, pomegranate and finger citron wi...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Meiji Satsuma Covered Scenic Jar
By Satsuma
Located in Sarasota, FL
Japanese Meiji satsuma covered scenic jar. Very detailed hand gilding and hand decoration. Maker's mark present on the bottom .
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Japanese Three-Piece Porcelain Tea Service Set Contemporary Gold Red Kutani
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary Japanese contemporary museum-quality Kutani three-piece tea service set, generously gilded with high purity gold and extremely intricately hand-painted in red and green...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Large Antique Japanese Meiji Imari Floral Porcelain Charger Plate 22"
Located in Dayton, OH
A very large and impressive Japanese Meiji period Imari porcelain plate / charger / platter hand painted with polychrome floral scenes / borders in orange / red, cobalt blue, green a...
Category
Early 20th Century Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
4 Old or Antique Signed Kakufuku Japanese Kaikemon Imari Porcelain Rice Bowls
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 4 Japanese Imari porcelain bowls
Each decorated throughout with kaikemon blue, red, and green natural scenes and extensive gilding.
Marked to the base with a blue underglaze maker's mark for Kakufuku.
Simply a fine set of Japanese rice bowls...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Meiji Dish with Figures Amidst Clouds 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual antique Japanese Imari shallow porcelain dish hand painted with two scrolling ladies with flowing garments and ribbons floating amidst clouds and finely decorated in brigh...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Nagoya Japanese Meiji Hand Painted Tea Wares with Herons
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very finely made Japanese Nagoya Meiji porcelain tea set hand painted with water birds amidst flowering Iris dating from around 1900. The teaset comprises of a teapot and cover, a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary White Gold Blue Porcelain Short Stem Cup, 4
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Elegant contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain short stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are chara...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Gilded Red Green Porcelain Cup, 7
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain short stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are characteristics of Ko-Imari Porcelain ca...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Blue White Gilded Porcelain Cup, 9
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Stunning Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain short stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are characteristics of Ko-Imari Porcelain cal...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Gilded Contemporary Japanese Red White Porcelain Cup, 5
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Unique contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain short stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are characteristics of Ko-Imari po...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Red Blue Green Porcelain Long Stem Cup, 9
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain long stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are characteristics o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Blue Platinum Pink Porcelain Matcha Tea Bowl by Master, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain matcha tea bowl, a unique piece platinum-gilded on the inside and hand painted in vivid pink and green on the outside set...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Contemporary Japanese Gold Red Blue Porcelain Long Stem Cup, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain long stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are char...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Antique 19C Japanese Satsuma High Quality Vase in Pipe Shape with Flowers
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
A Faboulas Japanese Satsuma vase, Meiji period
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Co...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Large Japanese Porcelain Presentation Plate Makuzu Kozan
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large presentation plate with striking pictorial design from the studio of Japanese Potter Makuzu Kozan. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916),...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Contemporary Gold Blue Red Porcelain Dessert Plate
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japnese gilded hand painted Porcelain dessert plate in vivid red, blue and green generously decorated with gold, with an intricate flower and gold pattern. The...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Set of Six Japanese Contemporary Blue Red Green Porcelain Chopstick Rests
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Set of six Japanese Contemporary porcelain chopstich rests, on a stunning fan-shaped body in cobalt blue, green, red and gold details. Chopstick rests k...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Porcelain Blue Red Gold Cup, 5
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain long stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are charac...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Gilded Green Blue Porcelain Cup, 5
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Attractive contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain short stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are characteristics of Ko-Imar...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Gold Blue Porcelain Cup, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Striking contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain long stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application tha...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Contemporary Porcelain Red Gold Cup, 6
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Striking Japanese Ko-Imari (old Imari) porcelain long stem cup, in bright red, blue and green colors and generous gold application that are charact...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Gold
Japanese Contemporary Blue White Porcelain Dinner Plate
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Japanese contemporary porcelain dinner plate in an elegant square shape, hand-painted in blue uderglaze in cobalt and light blue to showcase a grace...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Ceramic Dish Meiji Ogata Kenzan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese ceramic shallow dish in square form with rounded corners from Meiji period in the style of Ogata Kenzan. The dish features a cream color crackl...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Antique ca 1900 Japanese Hirado'?' Sauce Boat Richly Decorated Marked
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description
Sharing with you is this nice piece of Japanese porcelain. A sauce boat with crabs and an octopus. Could be hirado ware, not found a similar p...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Japanese Porcelain Painted Footed Dish Makuzu Kozan
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare footed dish in the form of an open scroll painting with literati landscape from the studio of Japanese Potter Makuzu Kozan. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916), Makuzu wa...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Japanese Meiji Orange and Gold Porcelain Kutani Bowl
Located in Long Island City, NY
This delicately hand-painted Meiji-period Kutani-ware bowl is ornamented with lion-shaped handles on the bowl and lid, and is decorated in orange and gold with panels depicting floral arrangements, surrounded by scrolling borders. On the base is the "Dai Nippon...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Unusual Early 20th Century Makuzu Kozan Vase
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in London, GB
Decorated in iron-red and green enamels with an overall design of three shish frolicking with a brocade ball, signed on the base with an impressed seal Makuzu.
The storage box ti...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain
Meiji ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Meiji ceramics 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 ceramics created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji ceramics 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 ceramics, popular names associated with this style include Makuzu Kozan, Satsuma, and Nagoya Craftsmen. 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 ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $18,800 while the average work can sell for $750.