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-Early 19th Century Japanese Lobed Arita Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 18th-early 19th century lobed Arita plate, Japan. Decorated with grape clusters, vines & a butterfly. 8.25" dia. x 1 1/8". We are a family business that has been a major source...
Porcelain
Japanese Porcelain Charger Plate, Hand Painted, Edo Period Circa 1840
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an excellent example of a Japanese porcelain Charger or very large plate with a finely hand painted design, dating to the Edo period circa 1840 or possibly earlier. This cha...
Porcelain
A Rare Set of 5 Edo Period Japanese Arita Porcelain Imari Style Vases
Located in New York, NY
An Exclusive and Rare Set of Five Edo Period Japanese Arita Porcelain Imari Style Vases. This garniture set reflects the demand for decorative porcelain ensembles across Europe, part...
Porcelain
Beautiful Pair of Large Japanese Porcelain Blue & White Charger Plates
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely large pair of 19th century Japanese Edo porcelain chargers having blue and white floral motif.
Porcelain
Unusual Antique 1690-1720 Japanese Imari Mustard Pots Arita Edo Japan
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Gratefull to share these two small mustard pots with you. Ca 1690-1720. Miniature mustard pot of baluster shape moulded as an opening lotus flower, on a ribbed conical stem. Curve...
Porcelain
# 5 Ko-Kutani Edo Period 17th Century Japanese Porcelain Dish Arita
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice set of polychrome dishes with green and red overglaze colors. Interesting brown circle in the centre. Early Edo period. Condition No real damages, just crackl...
Porcelain
Japanese Meiji Cloisonné Charger, Hand-Painted Porcelain Bowl, Japan
Located in Miami, FL
Japanese Meiji Cloisonné Charger, Decorative Dish or Bowl A beautiful example of Japanese Meiji-style cloisonné craftsmanship, this finely det...
Porcelain
$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 ...
Porcelain
$1,163
H 2.25 in Dm 14.7 in
Chinese Kangxi Period Imari large Dish, Hand-Painted Porcelain, Circa 1710
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautifully hand painted Chinese Imari porcelain very large Dish or Plate / Platter from the Qing, Kangxi period, 1662-1722, dating to Circa 1710. Very large diameter...
Porcelain
Contemporary Charger Plate Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Tableware
Located in Roma, RM
Handcrafted in Italy from the finest porcelain, this Blue Marble charger plate has an original golden crackled rim emphasizing the blue yellow and green decor...
Porcelain
$218Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 12.21 in
Contemporary Charger Plate Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Tableware
Located in Roma, RM
Handcrafted in Italy from the finest porcelain, this Apollo Bianco charger leads us into a magic world. Shades of blue lapis lazuli evoke the magic of oriental novellas. A fairytale ...
Porcelain
$256Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 1.19 in Dm 11.03 in
Ikat Porcelain Dinner Plates, Made in Italy - Set of 6
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Ikat patterns are an integral part of our colorful world, celebrating the beauty of this timeless textile technique. Inspired by its rich heritage, we’ve transformed some of our most...
Porcelain
Pair Antique 19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Plates, circa 1890's
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair antique 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain plates, circa 1890's.
Porcelain
Ikat Porcelain Dessert Plates - Set of 6, Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Ikat patterns are an integral part of our colorful world, celebrating the beauty of this timeless design. Inspired by its rich heritage, we’ve transformed some of our most iconic Ikat designs into a vibrant porcelain plate collection. Handmade in Italy, this set of 6 plates is perfect for adding a joyful, playful touch to your tableware collection or as stunning decorative wall pieces. These plates are designed to bring elegance and delight to every dining experience. Made in Italy 100% Porcelain Hand-applied decal Set of 6 Ikat Plates...
Porcelain
Ikat Porcelain Dessert Plates - Set of 6, Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Ikat patterns are an integral part of our colorful world, celebrating the beauty of this timeless design. Inspired by its rich heritage, we’ve transformed some of our most iconic Ika...
Porcelain
Pair of Rose Mandarin Chinese Porcelain Plates
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rose Mandarin Chinese porcelain plates. Vibrantly hued and gilt painted Chinese Export luncheon plates in pinks and blues and greens. China...
Porcelain
$2,035
H 1.25 in Dm 13.9 in
Chinese Kangxi Period Large Plate or Dish, Imari Hand Painted, Circa 1700, 13.9"
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautifully hand painted Chinese-Imari porcelain Large Dish or Plate / Platter from the Qing, Kangxi period, 1662-1722, dating to Circa 1700. Large diameter ( 13.9 i...
Porcelain
$218Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 12.21 in
Contemporary Charger Plate Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Tableware
Located in Roma, RM
Hand painted in Italy from the finest porcelain, this Dafne Rim Charger has a narrow pink and blue dotted rim surrounding a broad, delicate golden decor of stylized flowers; subtle l...
Porcelain
Sold
H 2.09 in W 17.45 in D 14.26 in
Imari porcelain oval serving dish - Japan, Edo period - 19th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A large porcelain oval serving dish, finely decorated with classical hand-painted iron red and cobalt blue patterns enhanced with fine gold : flowers, leaves and fantastic animals in...
Porcelain
13 Inch Imari Plate with reticulated & Pierced Rim
Located in Huntington, NY
13 Inch Imari Plate with reticulated & Pierced Rim
Porcelain
Imari porcelain oval serving dish - Japan, 18th century
Located in GRENOBLE, FR
A large porcelain oval serving dish, finely decorated with classical hand-painted iron red and cobalt blue patterns enhanced with fine gold : flowers, leaves and fantastic animals in...
Porcelain
Japanese Statsuma Porcelain Round Box
Located in Stamford, CT
A interestesting patterned Satsuma covered box. Decorated in gold red and black. Having chop (signature) to underside.
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Edo Period Nabeshima Celadon Porcelain Plate
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The scalloped body showing a central field painted in over-glaze enamels depicting a flowering basket.
Porcelain
Japanese 17th Century Edo Period Kakiemon Octagonal Bowl with Kintsugi Repairs
Located in Austin, TX
A refined early Edo Period Kakiemon bowl with an octagonal rim. The interior of the bowl with a restrained decoration in overglazed enamels in the typical Kakiemon palette. One sid...
Enamel, Gold