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.
Monumental 19th Century Théodore Deck Jardiniere – 67 cm
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An exceptional large-scale polychrome glazed earthenware jardinière by Théodore Deck, France, circa 1875. Decorated with flowering branches, birds and butterflies on a nuanced yello...
Faience
Théodore Deck (1823-1891) Enameled Faience Jardiniere Centerpiece, circa 1875
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An Impressive Theodore Deck (1823-1891) Faience Elephants Jardiniere Of rectangular form flanked by two elephant head handles, the exterior celadon ground painted all around with fo...
Faience
WR S & Co, Japanese Style Table Service, England, Circa 1840
Located in PARIS, FR
Model n°2618 Earthenware Imperial Stone Charming earthenware part table service composed of 10 small plates, 2 square dishes, 3 round dishes, 2 rectangular dishes, with polychrome d...
Faience
$775
H 5 in W 11.25 in D 7.75 in
19th Century French Hand Painted Faience Jardiniere Signed Henriot Quimper
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a buffet or table with this colorful antique faience jardiniere. Crafted in Brittany, France, circa 1880, the oval planter features crown shaped scalloped edges and is dress...
Ceramic, Faience
$4,900
H 14.5 in Dm 15.75 in
Antique French Rococo Shell Design Porcelain Centerpiece, Circa 1865-1875.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Rococo Shell Design Porcelain Centerpiece, Circa 1865-1875. This is a charming centerpiece, with three cherubs supporting the shell and the...
Porcelain
French Faience Plate Henriot Quimper, circa 1930
Located in Austin, TX
A French faience plate with a farmer in the costume with flowers signed Henriot Quimper, circa 1950. Colorful yellow border and blue lines.
Faience
French Faience Plate Henriot Quimper, circa 1930
Located in Austin, TX
A French large faience plate with a farmer in the costume with flowers signed Henriot Quimper, circa 1950. Colorful yellow border and blue lines. Measure: 9.5 diameter.
Faience
French Faience Floral Plate Henriot Quimper Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Floral Plate Henriot Quimper Circa 1950.
Faience
Lebrillo - 19th century, Triana (Sevilla)
Located in DELFT, NL
Large tin-glazed earthenware lebrillo/ basin, form Triana, Seville, Spain 19th century Central design of a dog within in colorful background in yellow, turquoise, manganese and blue.
Earthenware, Faience, Luster, Maiolica
Delft Bough Hanging Pot, Earthenware, Baroque Style, Circa 1720
By Delft
Located in Basildon, GB
Dutch Delft Bough Hanging Pot, early 18th Century or possibly earlier, with a blue-and-white floral design, a perforated top, a flat back, and side holes for hanging.
Delft, Earthenware
$1,400
H 10.75 in W 25.75 in D 12 in
Hand Painted Antique French Faience Jardiniere, Decor Rouen, Circa 1900
Located in Dallas, TX
Rouen, located in the region of Normandy, just outside of Paris, has been at the center of French faience production since the mid-1500s. This lovely hand-painted jardiniere (circa 1...
Ceramic, Faience
$4,065
H 9.85 in W 11.82 in D 10.63 in
19th Century Viennese Porcelain Figural Cherub Jardinière or Centrepiece Bowl
Located in Vigonza, Padua
This item is a big 19th century Viennese porcelain centerpiece bowl or jardinière beautifully enameled in rich colors with floral sprays and gilt highlights. This stunning Rococo pie...
Porcelain
Blue and White Floral Plate Platter Spode England
Located in Hastings, GB
A very large blue and white 'Filigree' design platter by Copeland & Garrett Late Spode 1833-1847. Transfer printed design with draining channels, in deep cobalt blue set against the ...
Ceramic, Pottery
19th Century French Faience Plate
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A faience plate with floral decoration. A pretty piece for your collection.
Faience
$1,303
H 16.93 in W 14.57 in D 1.58 in
Blue and White Sample Pattern Platter Plate 19th C Derby England
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Hastings, GB
A very rare and unusual factory blue and white transfer pattern sample plate, for the Derby Pottery, (later the Royal Crown Derby pottery), transfer pattern dating to late 19th centu...
Ceramic, Pottery
Sold
H 9.85 in W 22.84 in D 11.03 in
Émile Gallé (1846-1904) Very Rare Coq/Rooster Jardiniere circa 1880
By Émile Gallé
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Émile Gallé (1846-1904) Very Rare Coq/Rooster Jardiniere An earthenware jardiniere designed as a rooster Faience simulating Japanese Imari Polychromed porcelain with blue, red and g...
Faience
Sold
H 6.89 in W 21.66 in D 11.26 in
Théodore Deck (1823-1891) Enameled Faience Jardiniere Centerpiece, circa 1875
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An Impressive Theodore Deck (1823-1891) Faience Elephants Jardiniere Of rectangular form flanked by two elephant head handles, the exterior celado...
Faience
Majolica Jardiniere by Wasmuel, Circa 1880's
Located in Ross, CA
Antique majolica jardiniere made in Belgium by Wasmuel in the late 19th century. I've never seen another jardiniere like this one with dogs on each side, a black brick...
Ceramic
Sold
H 11.82 in W 19.69 in L 11.82 in
Famous painter Monet used this Japonism 19th"Creil &Montereau"Service 32 pieces
Located in Paris, FR
Paris "Universal Exhibition" in 1867, inspiration from Japan is flourishing and this earthenware service called Japan with cherry blossom was created by "Creil et Montereau" famous F...
Earthenware
Sold
H 27.56 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in
Vieillard & Cie "Nella" Service End of the 19th Century Faience, 71 Pieces
Located in Paris, FR
Vieillard & Cie "Nella" Service in the spirit of Japonism, made of hand painted faience on a white background enhanced with a cobalt blue rim on earth pieces. Pieces are off-center decorated with lovely birds such as parrot or kingfishers, flowering branches of prunus, and several colorful flowers such as peonies, roses, iris. Small insects such as ladybugs or butterflies decorate the background of the pieces. This service was created by the French Manufacture Vieillard & Cie in the 1870s and its style is halfway between 18th century naturalist porcelains and Japonism. The Manufacture set in Bordeaux is worldwide renowned thanks to its inventiveness and its deep comprehension of Persian and Japanese graphic arts: its production is characterized by an oriental fantasy, exotic landscapes, flowers and wonderful birds. All pieces are marked "JVB" beneath and large pieces have the "Nella" inscription. Composition of the set with dimensions: - 24 dinner plates 25 cm in diameter - 12 soup plates 25.5 cm in diameter - 24 dessert plates 22.5 cm in diameter - 1 large soup tureen 13 cm height x 26 cm of diameter. - 1 vegetable tureen - 1 square under dish - 2 round dishes: 1 flat (39 cm of diameter) and 1 deep (34 cm of diameter) - 1 flat oval dish 43 cm W x 35 cm D x 3.5 cm - 1 roast or turkey dish...
Faience
Rare "Escalier De Cristal" Bracquemond Design, 2 Dessert Plates, circa 1878
By Choisy-le-Roi, L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Paris, FR
This original and rare French fine faience service was edited by "Escalier De Cristal" circa 1878, after Bracquemond astonishing designs inspired by Japonism following Paris Universa...
Earthenware
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 10.56 in
Remarkable and Rare Dinner Plates "Escalier De Cristal", Set of 2, circa 1878
Located in Paris, FR
This original and rare French fine faience service was edited by "Escalier De crystal" circa 1878, Bracquemond did astonishing designs inspired by ...
Earthenware
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 10.56 in
Remarkable and Rare Dinner Plates "Escalier De Cristal", Set of 2, circa 1878
Located in Paris, FR
This original and rare French fine faience service after Bracquemond astonishing designs inspired by Japonism was edited by "Escalier De crystal", ...
Earthenware
"Creil and Montereau" Earthenware Aesthetic-Movement Monet Service
Located in Paris, FR
1867 "Universal Exhibition" in Paris, inspiration from Japan is flourishing and this earthenware service called Japan with cherry blossom was created by "Creil et Montereau" famous F...
Earthenware
"Creil and Montereau" Earthenware Aesthetic-Movement Monet Service
Located in Paris, FR
1867 "Universal Exhibition" in Paris, inspiration from Japan is flourishing and this earthenware service called Japan with cherry blossom was created by "Creil et Montereau" famous F...
Earthenware
"Escalier De Cristal" Choisy-Le-Roi Earthenware Deep Plates, circa 1878
By L'Escalier de Cristal, Choisy-le-Roi
Located in Paris, FR
This French fine faience service of eight deep plates after Bracquemond was edited by 'Escalier De crystal' circa 1878 , there are more than 24 different patterns all hand painted by...
Earthenware
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 10.56 in L 1.19 in
"Escalier De Cristal" Choisy-Le-Roi Earthenware Deep Plates, circa 1878
By L'Escalier de Cristal, Choisy-le-Roi
Located in Paris, FR
This French fine faience service of eight deep plates after Bracquemond was edited by 'Escalier De crystal', circa 1878, there are more than 24 different patterns all hand painted by...
Earthenware