Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.
Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.
Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.
Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.
Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Late 18th Century Japanese Celadon Charger
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 18th century Japanese Celadon charger with good patina. Good wear to the center of the plate and very fine crackle create a multi-layered hues t...
Celadon, Ceramic
Large Japanese Blue and White Arita Porcelain Charger, Edo Period, 19th C, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large Japanese blue and white decorated Arita porcelain charger, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan. The large and shallow blue and white Arita porcelain charger measures 18 ...
Porcelain
$900Sale Price|50% Off
18th Century Imari Blue and White Round Scalloped Japanese Oversized Platter
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This large, beautiful and bold blue and white platter is Japanese Imari from the Edo period (18th century). This impressive early porcelain Imari ware is saturated in rich cobalt blue underglaze hand painted in an unusual cross pattern. It features four round medallions of lotus flowers and landscape vinettes and finishes in blue rimmed scalloped edges. A hand painted leaf design is repeated on the underside. Condition: Very good condition especially for it's age. One tiny chip is touched up. Nice wear and firing stilt marks on back. Measurements: 16" diameter x 2" depth Weight: 6 lbs. Experience and expertise - Clune Art And Antiques Studio.
Porcelain
Japanese Edo Period Blue and White Charger, c.1800
Located in Savannah, GA
A Japanese Edo period blue and white charger, circa 1800. 17 ½ inches wide by 3 inches tall
Porcelain
$388Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.5 in Dm 12.15 in
Hand Decorated Japanese Porcelain Charger, Imari Pattern, 19th Century Meiji Era
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...
Porcelain
$1,323
H 1 in Dm 16.5 in
19th Century Japanese Porcelain Imari Plate with Painted Blue and White Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Imari porcelain plate from the 19th century, with hand-painted blue and white tree, foliage and butterfly décor. Created in Japan during the 19th century, this Imari porce...
Porcelain
$1,171Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.78 in W 11.42 in D 11.42 in
Antique Octagonal Serving Plate, Japanese, Ceramic, Decor, Charger, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique octagonal serving plate. A Japanese, ceramic decorative charger, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Vibrant and charming, with a wonderful decorative appeal Displays a desirable aged patina and in good order White ceramic with an octagonal rim and sash edge Colourfully accentuated with a striking palette of hues Character mark present to the reverse This is a wonderful antique octagonal serving plate, with traditional Japanese decor...
Ceramic
19th Century Japanese Hand-Painted Blue and White Porcelain Charger Plate
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese porcelain charger plate from the 19th century, with hand-painted blue and white blooming tree, rocky formation and bird décor. Created in Japan during the 19th century, th...
Porcelain
18th Century Hand-Painted Rouen Ceramic Platter with Scalloped Edge
Located in Winter Park, FL
A large 18th century French Rouen white glazed cul noir earthenware platter with scalloped edge, hand-painted with blue decorative banded border and a fruit basket in the center. Rob...
Ceramic
18th Century Pewter Charger
Located in High Point, NC
18th century pewter charger from England with London marks on the back of the rim, which is pictured. Gorgeous patina.
Pewter
$1,265
H 1.25 in Dm 16 in
Japanese 19th Century Porcelain Imari Charger with Painted Blue and White Décor
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Imari porcelain charger plate from the 19th century, with hand-painted blue and white décor depicting a man rowing a boat. Created in J...
Porcelain
Japanese Antique Earthenware Tea Bowl/Edo Period/1700-1800/'Hagi Ware'
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is Hagi ware made in the middle of the Edo period. Hagi ware is a type of pottery that began in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture in the early Edo period...
Pottery
Chinese Export Platter, circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export platter, circa 1820. Mille fleur pattern.
Porcelain
$350
H 1.25 in Dm 10.25 in
Antique Japanese Meiji Imari Porcelain Scalloped Phoenix Bird Charger Plate 10"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Japanese imari porcelain serving plate / charger with scalloped edge, decorated in cobalt blue, orange, gold, and green with a central motif of berries and leaves, surrounded...
Porcelain
$1,200 / item
H 3 in Dm 16.5 in
Six VOC Chinese Export Style Blue and White Porcelain Chargers, 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
Six Japanese export style blue and white porcelain chargers, 20th century, China or Japan. The blue and white porcelain chargers decorated in the kraak style, and emblazoned with the VOC logo for the Dutch East India Trade Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie). The brilliant blue and white porcelain painted with a traditional pattern of long tailed birds and flowers, with the addition of a pair of pomegranates. The backs undecorated. Based on the original Japanese Arita ware...
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...
Enamel
19th Century Japanese Imari Charger
Located in Savannah, GA
Edo period Japanese oversized Imari charger featuring a center medallion with four alternating figural panels; two depicting boys playing a game and two a garden with birds. The char...
Ceramic