Meiji Platters and Serveware

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.

Style: Meiji

19th Century Japanese Pure Imari Decorative Platter

$726

19th Century Japanese Pure Imari Decorative Platter

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century Large Japanese Imari Decorative Platter in great antique construction . Measures 10" in diameter and 2" in height.

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Scalloped Square Platter, Meiji Period

$1,850

19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Scalloped Square Platter, Meiji Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

This 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain platter, dating to the Meiji period, is formed in an elegant scalloped square shape and richly decorated in the traditional Imari palette o...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Large Chinese Rose Medallion Decorative Platter

$1,375

19th Century Large Chinese Rose Medallion Decorative Platter

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century Large Chinese Rose Medallion Decorative Platter in great antique construction . Measures 16" in diameter and 2" in height.

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Imari Reticulated Porcelain Platter with Floral and Bamboo Decoration

$1,650

Japanese Imari Reticulated Porcelain Platter with Floral and Bamboo Decoration

Located in Atlanta, GA

This Japanese Imari porcelain platter features an elegant oval form measuring 16 inches by 12.75 inches with a shallow 2.5 inch depth. The composition is richly decorated in the trad...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Imari Oval Scalloped Platter Dish

$495

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Imari Oval Scalloped Platter Dish

Located in Pearland, TX

A gorgeous 19th-Century Japanese Meiji Period Imari porcelain oval platter with a hand painted floral design in the traditional Imari colors. This fine dish has lovely scalloped edge...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Oval Charger with Floral and Bamboo Decor

$1,650

19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Oval Charger with Floral and Bamboo Decor

Located in Atlanta, GA

This 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain oval charger presents a vibrant and finely detailed composition in the traditional palette of cobalt blue, iron red, and touches of green a...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel

Japanese Imari Porcelain Square Platter with Scalloped Rim, Meiji Period

$1,850

Japanese Imari Porcelain Square Platter with Scalloped Rim, Meiji Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

This 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain platter features a distinctive square form with softly scalloped edges, measuring 16.5 inches by 16.5 inches with a depth of 2.5 inches. Th...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel

Japanese Imari Porcelain Square Charger with Scalloped Rim, Meiji Period

$3,750

Japanese Imari Porcelain Square Charger with Scalloped Rim, Meiji Period

Located in Atlanta, GA

This 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain charger presents a bold square form with softly scalloped edges, measuring 18 inches by 18 inches with a depth of 3 inches. The larger scal...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel

Meiji Period Fukagawa Blue & White Fish Plates

$476Sale Price / item|20% Off

Meiji Period Fukagawa Blue & White Fish Plates

By Fukagawa

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Meiji Period Fukagawa blue & white fish plates Japan Circa 1900s Offering two similar Fukagawa (Attributed) realistically decorated by hand-painting and cobalt blue enamel. With decorated backs, Unmarked. Sold individually. The lower plate has some firing marks on the fishes face.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Extra Large Japanese Decorated Wall Platter

$1,996

19th Century Extra Large Japanese Decorated Wall Platter

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century 22" Extra Large Japanese Polychrome Decorative Platter in great antique condition. Ready to hang or on stand . Measures 22" in diameter and 3" in height.

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Large Japanese Pure Imari Decorated Platter

$1,995

19th Century Large Japanese Pure Imari Decorated Platter

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century Large Japanese Imari Decorative Platter in great antique condition. Ready to hang or stand . Measures 16" in diameter and 2" in...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Imari Hand-Painted Porcelain Bowl, Meiji Style, Early 1900s

$240Sale Price|56% Off

Japanese Imari Hand-Painted Porcelain Bowl, Meiji Style, Early 1900s

Located in Miami, FL

A Japanese Imari hand painted porcelain bowl possibly for presenting cooked rice at a celebration. It appears to be styled after a sushi oke, a wooden tub u...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Imari Octagonal Plate, Hand-Painted Porcelain, Meiji Era

$1,116

Japanese Imari Octagonal Plate, Hand-Painted Porcelain, Meiji Era

By Imari Porcelain

Located in Worcester Park, GB

This exquisite 19th-century Imari porcelain dish features a shallow octagonal form, richly decorated with hand-painted peonies, insects, and floral panels. A beautiful example of the...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Large Arita Blue & White Charger

$775

Large Arita Blue & White Charger

Located in Pasadena, CA

This is a very large Arita blue & white charger hand-painted in the prunus pattern. The charger dates to the early or mid-20th century and is in overall ver...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Hirado Sauce Boat Richly Decorated Marked, Ca 1900

$2,720Sale Price|20% Off

Antique Japanese Hirado Sauce Boat Richly Decorated Marked, Ca 1900

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

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 piece yet. Additional information: Mate...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Large Japanese Imari Porcelain Plate with Reticulated Rim, 19th Century

$702

Large Japanese Imari Porcelain Plate with Reticulated Rim, 19th Century

By Imari Porcelain

Located in Worcester Park, GB

This is an Imari plate, characterized by its vibrant colors and intricate designs. It features a pierced 'ring' rim, a common trait in Imari ware, which gives it a distinctive decora...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Imari Charger, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century

$1,200

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 Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel

Japan Imari Porcelain Dish Shaped like a Scallop Shell Blue, Red and Turquoise

$601Sale Price|20% Off

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 Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Large Japanese Blue and White Arita Porcelain Charger, Edo Period, 19th C, Japan

$1,800

H 2 in Dm 18.88 in

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 ...

Category

Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Porcelain Imari Plate with Painted Blue and White Décor

$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...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century "Blue Willow" Platter

$275

H 1.75 in W 15.63 in D 13 in

19th Century "Blue Willow" Platter

Located in High Point, NC

19th century English platter in the highly collectible "Blue Willow" pattern. The platter is in vibrant hues of blue and the transfer is ...

Category

19th Century English Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Rose Medallion Platter

$1,495

H 2 in W 16 in D 12.63 in

19th Century Rose Medallion Platter

Located in High Point, NC

19th century platter in the rose medallion pattern. Losses to paint at edges from age and use.

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Stoneware

Large Kutani Million Faces Porcelain Platter 19th Century

$1,950

H 2.5 in Dm 15 in

Large Kutani Million Faces Porcelain Platter 19th Century

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Large 15" in diameter Kutani Million Faces Porcelain Platter 19th Century. Age appropriate condition with a mark on the foot and some crazing from age.

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese 19th Century Porcelain Imari Charger with Painted Blue and White Décor

$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...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

3 Antique Stephan Folch Ironstone Imari Bamboo & Basket China Serving Platters

$1,250

H 1.5 in W 14.5 in D 11.25 in

3 Antique Stephan Folch Ironstone Imari Bamboo & Basket China Serving Platters

Located in Dayton, OH

Three antique English Stephen Folch Chinoiserie Serving platters / trays in the Ironstone Imari style Bamboo & Basket pattern with Royal Arms mark, Circa 1825 The plate is fully...

Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Japanese Meiji Imari Porcelain Scalloped Edge Lions Birds Bowl 10"

$750

H 4 in Dm 9.75 in

Antique Japanese Meiji Imari Porcelain Scalloped Edge Lions Birds Bowl 10"

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique Japanese imari porcelain fruit / serving bowl - round form with scalloped edge, decorated in blue, orange and green with Mandarin ducks nesting in a garden, pairs of blue gua...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Imari Plate

$135

H 0.94 in Dm 8.38 in

Late 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Imari Plate

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Late 19th century Meiji period Japanese Imari Plate. Extravagantly decorated with butterflies, floral and geometric motifs surrounding elegant Phoenix birds in flight. Blue underglaz...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th Century Floral Meissen Oval Platter

$320Sale Price|53% Off

H 1 in W 13.38 in D 18.38 in

Late 19th Century Floral Meissen Oval Platter

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Large oval platter with gilt scalloped edge (minor wear) by Meissen in the scattered flowers or streublumen pattern. Crossed swords mark. c.1860-90. 18 3/8" x 13 3/8". Whitehall Ant...

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century English Transferware Platter

$495

H 1.75 in W 17.75 in D 14.25 in

19th Century English Transferware Platter

Located in High Point, NC

19th century English transfer ware platter in the highly collectible "Blue Willow" pattern. This is a very large platter, and has lovely transferring detail. So many of the platters ...

Category

19th Century English Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Japanese Imari Scalloped Plate

$395

H 1.5 in Dm 8.5 in

19th Century Japanese Imari Scalloped Plate

By Imari Porcelain

Located in Pearland, TX

A striking 19th century antique Imari plate with a lovely scalloped edge, featuring vibrant red-oranges and blues. It displays beautifully, perfect on a wall or plate rack. Originati...

Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Previously Available Items

Circa 1860-80 Oval Scalloped Imari Platter, Japanese

Sold

H 1.63 in W 11.13 in D 13.25 in

Circa 1860-80 Oval Scalloped Imari Platter, Japanese

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Circa 1860-80 oval scalloped Imari platter, Japanese. Centered with 2 foo dogs (kylin) chasing streamered balls; surrounded by an extensive floral tendrils & butterfly border. 13...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Papier Mache Japanese Hand Painted Burgundy Tray, Japan, Late '800s

Sold

H 2.17 in W 29.93 in D 23.63 in

Antique Papier Mache Japanese Hand Painted Burgundy Tray, Japan, Late '800s

Located in Roma, IT

Magnificent antique hand-painted papier mache tray produced in Japan during the late 19th Century. This incredibly charming tray is made in a fantastic deep burgundy lacquered colo...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Paper

Circa 1880s Lobed Form Imari plate, Japanese. Meiji period

Sold

H 1.5 in Dm 8.5 in

Circa 1880s Lobed Form Imari plate, Japanese. Meiji period

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Circa 1880s lobed form Imari plate, Japanese. Meiji period. Undulating border. Deep cobalt underglaze. Floral reserves. 8.5" dia., 1.5" h. Whitehall Antiques is a family business th...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Late 19th Century Japanese Imari Charger

Sold

H 2.25 in Dm 15.5 in

Late 19th Century Japanese Imari Charger

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Late 19th century Imari charger, Japanese. Boldly decorated with lobed border. Three primary reserves of humorous man with fan. Small reserves of flowers, cranes & turtles. Chop impr...

Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Lacquer and Geometric Meiji Period Inlaid Tray

Sold

H 1.5 in W 17.5 in D 11.25 in

Japanese Lacquer and Geometric Meiji Period Inlaid Tray

Located in New Windsor, NY

Japanese inlaid, lacquered and gilded tray. Possibly for the sacred tea ceremony. This tray has beautiful geometric inlays with a gilded edge and a bla...

Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood, Oak, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850

Sold

H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, square top with raised sides and rounded...

Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850

Sold

H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, squ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850

Sold

H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, squ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, C. 1850

Sold

H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, C. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, squ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850

Sold

H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, squ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Tea Tray, C. 1900

Sold

H 7 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in

Japanese Red Lacquer Tea Tray, C. 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

This lacquered wood tray exemplifies the refined style of Japanese tea ceremony objects. The square tray is elevated by a trestle base comprised of short, s-curve corner legs and fla...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood

Japanese Raised Tea Tray, c. 1900

Sold

H 11.5 in W 21.25 in D 14.5 in

Japanese Raised Tea Tray, c. 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

After a period of excess under the shogun, traditional aesthetics of the tea ceremony returned to the classic roots of simplicity and tranquility during the Meiji period. This darkly...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood

Meiji platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Meiji platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage platters and serveware 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 platters and serveware made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 platters and serveware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $310 and tops out at $8,850 while the average work can sell for $718.