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.
Antique Pair Japanese Kangxi Blue & White Arita Porcelain Temple Lidded Vases
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of monumental Meiji period Japanese blue and white porcelain temple vases in the Kangxi Taste, mid 20th century in date. The Foo Dog lidded vases are ovoid and featu...
Porcelain
Circa 1870 Japanese Pair of Small Bottle Form Kutani Vases
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1870 pair of small bottle form Kutani vases, Japan. Delicate, long, narrow necks to bulbous bodies. Decorated with reserves of flowers & the quintessential burnt orange Kutani ...
Porcelain
Circa 1870 Japanese Imari Scalloped and Molded Chop Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1870 Imari scalloped, molded chop plate, Japan. Four alternating design large reserves surround a central large handled urn of peonies. Some decoration & gilt wear consistent w...
Porcelain
Circa 1860 Japanese Imari Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 Imari plate, Japanese. Large border reserves & fine geometric inner border. Pine trees, prunus, bamboo & cranes create charming symbolism. Bold Imari palette colors. 8 5/8...
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
Imari Charger Featuring the Three Friends of Winter
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Imari charger featuring the three friends of winter: pine, prunus, & bamboo in the central medallion, surrounded by panels of birds on a hillside under a pine tree. The reverse well ...
Porcelain
Circa 1860 Japanese Pair of Boldly Decorated Imari Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860 pair of Imari plates, Japan. Boldly decorated rosette centers surrounded by scrolling floral tendrils, central bamboo medallion. Exquisitely decorated in the Persian taste...
Porcelain
Monumental Japanese Kutani Porcelain Vase, Meiji/Taisho Period, Signed
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental Japanese Kutani porcelain vase, Meiji/Taisho Period, Signed Akiyama sei. The main body is all hand-painted with wonderful ...
Porcelain
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...
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...
Porcelain
Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonné Charger Plate, 12\" Diameter
Located in Miami, FL
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Charger Plate A fine Japanese Meiji style charger, plate or dish. Hand crafted, this charger plate is adorned with a polychrome scene with a beautiful yellow bird and a rose. There is also a blossoming flower and trees on the turquoise base made in the Cloisonne technique. The border features traditional foliage, and floral motifs made in the same technique. The backside is decorated with a swirl motif also made in the Cloisonne technique. Unmarked. Circa: Late 19th to the Early 20th Century. Antique and Vintage Asian Collectibles, Oriental Enamel Plates, Home Decor And Collectibles. This wonderfully hand crafted decorative Japanese Meiji Cloisonne charger...
Copper, Enamel
$760Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Lidded Temple Jar
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Lidded Temple Jar A fine 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain lidded temple jar, hand-painted with exquisite detail in rich natural pigment g...
Porcelain
Circa 1860s Japanese Double Fan Motif & Shape Imari Chop Plate
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860s double fan motif & shape Imari chop plate, Japan. The shaped bold boldly decorated with rich cobalt tendrils & burnt orange foliage. Gilt edge mostly worn; chip en verso ...
Porcelain
Set of Ten Antique Japanese Imari Porcelain Shallow Bowls
Located in Point Richmond, CA
A Set of Ten Antique Japanese Imari Porcelain Shallow Bowls. This set of fine porcelain china is decorated in three firings. The first firing in light and dark under glaze cobalt bl...
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...
Gold
Pair of Large 19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Temple Jars with Cover
Located in El Monte, CA
An exceptional pair of large scale late 19th century Japanese Imari temple jars from the Meiji period with covers, also can be referred to as ginger jars. Rare octagonal facet cuts a...
Porcelain
Art Deco Japanese Porcelain Vases Meiji Period, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful pair of polychromed Kutani porcelain Japanese vases, circa early 20th century, Meiji period, Japan. Vases are hand painted and designed with two different sides; one...
Porcelain
Japanese Hand-Painted Porcelain Lidded Serving Dish, Trinket or Jewelry Box
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Japanese hand painted porcelain decorative trinket, pill or jewelry box or serving dish of Meiji period. The decoration cons...
Porcelain
$600Sale Price|20% Off
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...
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
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...
Gold
Monumental Antique Japanese Meiji Period Imari Porcelain Charger Plate 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & monumetal Japanese Meiji period Porcelain charger/plate, circa 1890. The charger is very finely decorated with underglaze blue, red iron oxide glazes and heightened with gil...
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
$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...
Porcelain
Meiji Period Kutani Bowl, Japanese Porcelain with Iron Red & Gilt
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A decorative Japanese porcelain bowl decorated in iron red and gilt, late Meiji period.
Porcelain
Imperial Imari Charger with Large Gilded Eagle and Gilded Flying Crane
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Imperial Imari 14.25" charger with large gilded eagle and gilded flying crane, Japanese, Meiji period, circa 1870.
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...
Gold
$280Sale Price / set|46% Off
Set of 5 Japanese Imari Porcelain Bowls, Hand Painted
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 5 Japanese Imari porcelain bowls, hand painted with delicate traditional Japanese details. A beautiful matching 20th century set of Japanese, collectable Imari porcelain that...
Porcelain, Ceramic, Stoneware
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...
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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Co...
Porcelain
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...
Porcelain
Japanese Satsuma Kyotoware Monkey Vase
Located in New York, NY
Japanese satsuma Kyotoware monkey vase. Antique Japanese satsuma monkey vase beautifully modeled with raised monkey porcelain figures. Signed. Satsuma-Kyot...
Porcelain
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...
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...
Porcelain