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.
$3,703Sale Price / set|20% Off
20th Century Italian Solid 800 Silver 4-Piece Collection Bonsai Miniatures
Located in VALENZA, IT
Collection of 4 Bonsai miniatures in solid silver handmade, gilded, enamelled and burnished 1. Japanese apricot bonsai gr. 220 cm. 6 x 10.5 H. 8.5 wooden base 5 x 9 H.2 cm. 2. J...
Silver
Pair of Early Tiffany Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Gravy Boats
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chrysanthemum sterling silver gravy boats. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1885. Each: Bellied and lobed oval bowl with helmet mouth, loop handle, and four splayed volu...
Sterling Silver
$2,127Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Japanese Silver Koro with Phoenix and Shishi Finial, Meiji Period Style
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique Japanese Silver Koro with Phoenix and Shishi Finial, Meiji Period Style, Highly Collectible A magnificent antique Japanese silver koro (incense burner), exquisitely crafted u...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Japanesque 1879 Tureen wth Handles
Located in New York, NY
An impressive 1879 decorative sterling silver tureen by the outstanding American maker Tiffany & Co. Designed beautifully in a blunt hand hammered and waved handles, standing on base...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$520Sale Price|20% Off
American Japonesque Applied & Hand Hammered Sterling Silver Perfume
Located in New York, NY
American applied sterling silver perfume vial, ca 1880. Clear glass cylinder with twisted fluting. Sterling silver collar and hinged cover with tendril, f...
Sterling Silver
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Tiffany Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Oyster Ladle
Located in New York, NY
Chrysanthemum sterling silver oyster ladle. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1920. Round bowl with twisted fluting and curved and reeded stem with d...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Mixed Metal copper sterling silver coffeepot Turkish Japanese style
By Gorham CO.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mixed metal and sterling silver Turkish style coffeepot made for Gotham Co , marked and date E 40 on bottom.
Sterling Silver
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
Large Tiffany Japonesque Applied Sterling Silver Inkwell with Beetle
Located in New York, NY
Japonesque sterling silver inkwell. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1882. Drum form with curved shoulder, short neck, and hinged and cork-lined bayonet cover. Leaves and tendri...
Sterling Silver
Set of 8 Tiffany Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Pepper Shakers
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 Chrysanthemum sterling silver pepper shakers. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Each: Lobed upward tapering bowl with leaf rims; threaded and pierced flowerhead cover. Hard...
Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Japanese Export Engraved Cigarette or Decorative Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique engraved sterling silver cigarette or decorative box was made in Japan in approximately 1900 in the period Japonisme style. The box is composed of an ebonized hardwood c...
Sterling Silver
$800Sale Price|20% Off
Gorham Japonesque Mixed Metal Hand Hammered Napkin Ring, 1882
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Japonesque mixed metal napkin ring. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1882. Hand-hammered sterling silver ring applied with cooper ornament: A man in pointy hat is seated on the ground...
Sterling Silver, Copper
$1,348Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Tiffany Japonesque Open Salts with Early Union Square Mark
By Tiffany & Co., John C. Moore
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Japonesque sterling silver open salts. Made by John C. Moore for Tiffany & Co. in New York. Round with open rectangular bracket handles and straight foot. Engraved overlappin...
Sterling Silver
$95,950 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Chrysanthemum Tiffany Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 255 pcs Fitted Chest
Located in Big Bend, WI
Chrysanthemum (c1880) originally called Indian Chrysanthemum .Tiffany's luxurious Chrysanthemum silver was designed in 1880 by Charles Grosjean. With its flowing curves, swirling ve...
Sterling Silver
$74,975 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.8 in
Set of 12 Exquisite "Gilded Age" Sterling Silver Tiffany Charger Plates
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite set of 12 "Gilded Age" Sterling Silver Tiffany Charges was realized in America in 1905. Each plate has heavily detailed boarders featuring a Kylix cup amid scrolling s...
Sterling Silver
$3,403
H 7.49 in W 4.73 in D 1.58 in
20th Century Solid Silver & Leather Huge Hip Flask, Sheffield, c.1907
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early-20th Century Edwardian solid silver, blown glass and bound in sumptuous crocodile leather hip flask, unusually large, of rounded rectangular form, with a pull off cup, ...
Silver
4 Sterling Silver, Tiffany & Co Silver Salts
Located in Huntington, NY
4 Sterling Silver Tiffany & Co Silver Salts : Polished, 4 silver pedestal salts. 4 handsome Edwardian era Sterling silver trencher form salts with oblong octagonal base and traces of...
Silver
Circular Sextant, Decorative Piece, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
The sextant is an instrument that allows to measure angles between two objects such as two points of a coast or a star, traditionally the sun of the earth and the horizon. Knowing th...
Metal, Other
Tiffany & Co. Silver / Gilt Pair Continental Candlesticks
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Tiffany & Co. silver gilt pair of decorative continental style tableware candlesticks with exterior floral design details. Each candlestick is in great condition. Lacking nozzles. Mi...
Gold, Silver
$4,750
H 7.5 in W 17 in D 7 in
Fine English Sterling Silver Hallmark Cherub Horn Playing Handle Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Fine English Sterling Silver With Hallmarks, Cherub / Putti Horn Playing Blowing Handle Large Footed Centerpiece 17" L X 7" D X 7 1/2" H
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Hammered Bowl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are delighted to offer you this sterling silver hand hammered bowl by J. C. Boardman & Company of Wallingford Connecticut. This large bowl can definitely be used as a centerpiece....
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Gilded Sterling Bamboo Pattern Centerpiece
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, Sterling, by Tiffany & Co., American. This Tiffany & Co. gilded sterling centerpiece will perfectly complement contemporary or traditional interiors. Its bamboo motif offers elegant visuals, and the generous size and useful form allows duality of function. It can join your silver service at the table or decorate a fashionable moment in your living space. Finely made in sterling silver, larger hollowware in Bamboo pattern...
Sterling Silver
$321Sale Price|45% Off
H 2.37 in Dm 15.75 in
Antique Japanese Kinkozan Satsuma Large Dish Meiji Period, Japan, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A lovely and classic Kinkozan Satsuma dish with figural scene. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Tea Bowls & Cups Japanese Style: Arita Region of Origin: Japan P...
Porcelain
Chrysanthemum by Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Candelabra Pair of 3-Light
Located in Big Bend, WI
Tiffany's luxurious Chrysanthemum silver was designed in 1880. With its flowing curves, swirling vegetation, meandering tendrils and exotic blossoming plants, Chrysanthemum is charac...
Sterling Silver
$20,950 / set
H 0.1 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Hamilton by Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Flatware Set 8 Service 92 Pcs Dinner
Located in Big Bend, WI
Superb Hamilton AKA Gramercy by Tiffany & Co. sterling silver dinner size flatware set, 92 pieces. This set includes: 8 dinner size knives, 10 1/4" 8 dinner size forks, 7 5/8" 8 reg...
Sterling Silver
K. Uyeda Antique Japanese 950 Sterling Silver Mixed Metal Compact
By K. Uyeda
Located in Atlanta, GA
K. Uyeda shop (Uyeda Shoten, 植田商店) was founded in 1884 by Uyeda Kichigoro (植田吉五郎) and is one of the oldest established Japanese silversmiths that is still in business today. At first...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 9.45 in Dm 3.35 in
20th Century Japanese Silver Cocktail Shaker & Beakers by Samurai Shokai c.1900
By Samurai Shokai
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 20th Century Japanese solid silver cocktail shaker and six beakers. Each tapered body features intricate dragon motifs adorning a spot hammered background. Hallmarked J...
Silver
Set of 10 Antique Tiffany Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Open Salts
Located in New York, NY
Set of 10 Chrysanthemum sterling silver open salts. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Each: Lobed and gilt washed bowl in square frame with irregular shaggy leaf rim. Splayed corner...
Sterling Silver
Fabulous Antique Tiffany Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Serving Dish
Located in New York, NY
Chrysanthemum sterling silver serving dish. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Shaped oval well, curved sides with lobing and applied leaf...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany Mixed Metal Japonesque Bamboo & Ladybug Bookmark
Located in New York, NY
Japonesque mixed metal on sterling silver bookmark. Rectangular with stepped ends and bamboo rim. Chased leafing bamboo branches and applied copper ladybug. Rarified with nice heft. ...
Sterling Silver, Copper
Sold
H 5.25 in W 2.22 in D 0.25 in
Japanese Sterling Silver 950 Geisha Tea Caddy Spoon Al Malaikah Temple
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique sterling silver geisha tea caddy spoon. Makes a great spoon for many items or as a decorative piece. Beautifully hand crafted piece with great details.
Sterling Silver
Set of 3 Tiffany Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Butter Pats
Located in New York, NY
Set of 3 Chrysanthemum sterling silver butter pats. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Plain and round gilt well. Shoulder has rinceaux-sty...
Sterling Silver
Japanese Sterling Silver Chrysanthemum Dish Meiji Period
By Musashiya
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exquisite Japanese sterling silver ornamental bonbon dish, circa 1890-1900. The piece was rendered in the shape of a stemmed branch of chrysanthemum blossom and was made for export market. Both botanically realistic and stylish, the piece showcases a high degree of artisanal sensitivity and technical ability of the silversmith who created this lovely piece. The petals that form the exteriors were outlined with deep and fluid relief lines of sculptural quality. The branches and leaves were rendered with attentions to the smallest details, with molding and surface texturizing using chasing in contrast with hammering. The interior of the dish is equipped with a conforming inner dish and when it is taken out, revealing the chased lines. The piece, although practical, is basically an okimono in sculptural form, a work of art on its own. It weighs about 22 ounces. Under the dish, it is marked "Pure Silver" in Kanji and SM in a rectangular cartouche. The research (carried out by Adrien Von Ferscht, an expert and author on Asian Export Silver) identified it to be Sadajiro Musashiya...
Sterling Silver
Gorham Japonesque Mixed Metal Copper Brush Pot with Cherry Branch
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Japonesque mixed metal brush pot. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1882. Copper bowl with curved sides and crimped rim. Silver cherry branch with copper fruit applied to side. Other a...
Sterling Silver, Copper
Antique Gorham Japonesque Mixed Metal Copper Tray with Pinecones
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Japonesque mixed metal tray on copper. Made by Gorham in Providence in 1882. Lobed rectangular with curved sides. Applied ornament comprising fish swimming in tooled rippling water. ...
Silver, Copper
Market-Fresh Tiffany Mixed Metal Frog & Beetle Water Pitcher
Located in New York, NY
Market-fresh Japonesque mixed metal and sterling silver water pitcher. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York. Gently curved bowl and inset undulating rim with wide lip spout and inte...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.25 in W 2.25 in D 5.25 in
Japanese Sterling Silver 950 Geisha Tea Caddy Spoon Al Malaikah Temple 30g
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage sterling silver geisha shaped spoon, engraved on the reverse commemorating the Al Malaikah Temple, XVIII Olympiad 1964, Tokyo, Mark T. Gates Potentate. Al Malaikah is a divis...
Sterling Silver