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 Japanese Meiji Silver Blossoming Branch Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Meiji silver tea caddy, ca 1910. Ovoid with straight inset neck and snug-fitting cover. Applied blossoming branches with birds flying overhead. Marked. Weight: 8.5 troy ounc...
Silver
Japanese Silver Meiji Period Massive Repousse Kettle on the Stand by Konoike.
By Konoike
Located in Sarasota, FL
Japanese Meiji silver kettle heavily hand chased in repousse irises. Applied cast elements around the handle. Comes with a custom wooden stand, decorated with lingzi fungus. The kett...
Silver
Japanese Jugin Fine Silver Studded Hobnail Teapot, Meiji Period, c 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large and fine Japanese pure silver (99%) "hobnail" tetsubin style teapot, late Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The beautifully executed teapot of kettle form, featuring a stunni...
Sterling Silver, Silver
Pair Of Antique Japanese Imperial Silver Sake Cups
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of antique Japanese Imperial sterling silver sake cups, Meiji Era, circa 19 to 20th century. Each featuring a long stem and the interior of the ...
Sterling Silver
$1,135
H 5.91 in W 12.21 in D 5.52 in
Large Antique Silver Cup Rose Silver & Crystal European Decorative Bowl Cup
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver cup or large Decorative food or fruit cup, pressed, cast and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinged. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, Height 14cm, Width 31c...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,700
H 17.72 in Dm 23.63 in
Antique Silver Cup, Large ICE BUCKET European Decorative Bowl Cup Deer Head
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique silver cup or large Decorative ice bucket, fruit cup, pressed, cast and chased. Circular, curved feet with hinged. unstamped, tested with the scratch test, height approx. 60 ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Repousse Pill Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fine sterling silver circular pill box by Black, Starr & Frost, measuring approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter. The box features a repoussé-decorated lid, meticulously w...
Sterling Silver
English Sterling Silver Tea Caddy, Sheffield, 1907
By Harrison Brothers & George Howson 1
Located in Delft, NL
An English silver tea caddy by Harrison Brothers & Howson, Sheffield 1907. An oval round shaped silver tea caddy with hinged lid. The caddy raised on a footrim and 4 ball sha...
Sterling Silver
$650
H 4.75 in Dm 3.75 in
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Onyx-Mounted Hobnail Cut Crystal Perfume Bottle
By H. Matthews
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver and onyx-mounted, hobnail cut crystal perfume bottle, Birmingham, England, 1920, H Matthews - maker. Barely reada...
Crystal, Onyx, Sterling Silver
$6,855
H 5.3 in W 3.5 in D 5.3 in
Antique George III Sterling Silver Locking Tea Caddy by Henry Chawner
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Georgian English sterling silver locking tea caddy by Henry Chawner; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique Georgian sterling silver tea caddy has an oval form. The surface of the tea caddy is encompassed with bright cut engraved fabric swag designs and floral festoons, suspended from impressive spiralling foliate anchor-points accented with pensile bud designs. Each spiralling motif flanks a shield shaped cartouche displaying the contemporary engraved initials 'WM' and surmounted with a ribbon style bow. The upper and lower portions of the body are encompassed with engraved bands of chevron style decoration, in addition to an applied bead decorated border. This antique silver tea caddy...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique Sterling Silver Teapot by Roberts & Belk Ltd
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V English sterling silver teapot made by Roberts & Belk Ltd; an addition to our silver teaware collection. This exceptional antique George V sterling silver teapot has a plain paneled rounded form onto a spreading octagonal base. The paneled surface of the teapot is plain and unembellished, with swept shoulders an applied moulded border to the upper rim. This Roberts and Belk silver...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Repousse Bookmark
By Kirk & Son
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver bookmark by S. Kirk and Sons of Baltimore, Maryland. Inspired by their iconic Repousse pattern, it has clu...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Period Sterling Silver Rose Vase by the Watson Company
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Art Deco period sterling silver rose vase, The Watson Company. Post-1910 marks. Flared body panelled & ribbed. Stepped, weighted base. Small base dent. 18.55 troy oz. with weighting....
Sterling Silver
A Japanese Meiji Period Patinated Bronze Censer
Located in Stamford, CT
A Japanese Meiji censer rising on three stylized Foo Dogs feet with Frog form handles. Censer having exceptional patination. Acquired from Michael Goedh...
Bronze
Lot of Two Imperial Russian Silver Vodka Cups
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Lot of Two Imperial Russian Silver Vodka Cups Silver vodka cup, tapered cylindrical body with flared lip finely engraved with typical alt...
Silver
Georgian Tea Caddy in Sterling Silver by Peter and Ann Bateman
Located in Northampton, GB
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING A Georgian sterling silver tea caddy by Peter and Ann Bateman, hallmarked London and dated 1795 during the reign of George III. The tea caddy is formed in a...
Sterling Silver
Japanese Antique Meiji Period Hammered Silver Dragon Box
Located in Newark, England
Hammered Silver Decoration From our Japanese collection, we are pleased to offer a Japanese Meiji Period Silver Dragon Box. The box of rectangular f...
Silver
Sold
H 12 in W 9 in D 1 in
Antique Japanese Meiji Solid Silver Repousse Dragon Photo Picture Frame 1900
Located in Portland, OR
Antique Japanese Meiji period solid silver dragon photo/picture frame, circa 1900 This early-20th Century Japanese Meiji period solid silver water dragon photo frame is of exceptiona...
Sterling Silver
Japanese Silver Rabbit Hand Warmer
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Meiji silver rabbit hand warmer is the rarest of treasures. Taking the charming form of a well-fed lucky hare, this extraordinary object makes ...
Silver
Sold
H 4.38 in W 11.5 in D 7.38 in
Large Meiji-Era Japanese Silver Box with Bold and Striking Chrysanthemum
By Kuhn & Komor 1
Located in New York, NY
Bold and striking Japanese silver box, ca 1910. Rectangular with straight sides and hinged cover. Allover spot hammering. On cover top is applied c...
Silver
Antique Japanese Meiji-Era Silver Salt and Pepper, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Japanese silver salt and pepper, circa 1890. Open salt round and bellied with short plain foot. Shaker ginger jar-form with pierced and threaded c...
Silver
Antique Meiji-Era Japanese Silver Chrysanthemum Serving Spoon
Located in New York, NY
Meiji-era silver Chrysanthemum serving spoon, circa 1880. Oval flower head bowl with chased petals and serrated rim. Stem handle with applied buds and leaves, and irregular pronged t...
Silver
Japanese Silver Bowl
Located in London, GB
A fine Japanese silver bowl from the Meiji period of traditional double-skin, or double-wall, construction, showing especially detailed irises around...
Silver
Japanese Silver Jar with Drexel Family Provenance
Located in London, GB
A large and important silver ginger jar made in Japan in the late Meiji period. It was sold in the port of Yokohama and the engraved inscription to o...
Silver
Meiji Period Sterling Silver '.950' Footed Japanese Centerpiece
Located in New York, NY
Gilded brass inserts as part of the design, Japan, circa 1910. Each ringed handle is mounted by a salamander. Stands 8 3/4 inches high to top of each salamander x 9 1/2 inches wide x...
Sterling Silver, Brass
Sold
H 8.67 in W 8.25 in D 5.25 in
Superb Japanese Silver Lacquer Wood Auspicious Smoking Tansu, Complete
Located in South Burlington, VT
A spectacular and hard to find silver and lacquer three-drawer Tansu complete with all original silver accoutrement including a finely engraved dragon silver...
Silver
Sold
H 10.13 in W 16 in D 10.13 in
Large Japanese Sterling Silver Covered Dragon Tureen by Arthur & Bond
By Arthur & Bond
Located in New York, NY
Large sterling silver tureen. Retailed by Arthur & Bond in Yokohama, circa 1900. Ovoid bowl with bracket end handles and spread oval foot. Domed cover with slip-lock bracket finial. ...
Sterling Silver
Japanese Antique Finely Woven Red Lacquered Bamboo"Fish Form" Basket signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japanese antique finely woven and red lacquered Negoro split bamboo basket in an unusual fish basket or fishing creelform and with a fish design on...
Bamboo