Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
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.
1960s Danish Vintage Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
1880s French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Late 19th Century English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Faience
1870s British Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ormolu
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1870s French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Enamel
Early 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1870s American Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
1970s French Vintage Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold
1880s English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1880s American Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Copper
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1940s English Vintage Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold, Enamel
1860s French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Enamel, Bronze
2010s Italian Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Mid-19th Century English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1880s French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze
1890s English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1890s French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
1880s American Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver, Copper
1960s Vintage Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1880s French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu, Silver Leaf
1980s Austrian Vintage Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
1850s English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Early 1900s American Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Faience
2010s Italian Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Mid-18th Century English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1940s English Vintage Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold, Enamel
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ormolu
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver, Bronze
1840s English Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1890s American Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1880s British Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Enamel