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.
Japanese Antique Copper Alloyr Tray / 1800-1900 / Gong / Wabi-Sabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
I bought a very attractive copper tray. This is an item that was once used as a gong. In other words, it was used as a percussion instrument. It was also used in temples. The materi...
Copper
Japanese Colorful Antique Sake Bottle / 'Kutani Ware' / 1830-1900 / Small Vase
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Kutani ware is a color-painted porcelain produced around Kanazawa City in the southern part of Ishikawa Prefecture, starting in 1655. It features a colorfu...
Pottery
Porcelain - 'Jose Redondo' Toothpick Holder - Vista Alegre
Located in Porto, PT
Porcelain - 'Jose Redondo' Toothpick Holder - Vista Alegre. Made of molded porcelain from the Vista Alegre factory; polychrome and gilded decoration. Mark No. 20 in use (1870-1880). ...
Porcelain
$252Sale Price|37% Off
H 2.37 in W 2.37 in D 1.58 in
Toothpick Holder with African Boy by Richard Rohac
Located in Wien, Au
Toothpick holder with African boy by Richard Rohac Original condition.
Brass
Antique Persian Qajar Tinned Copper Engraved Tray Table
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An exceptionally detailed antique Persian tinned copper tray, dating to the early 20 th century and later adapted as an elegant occasional table with a black and gold folding wooden ...
Metal
Japanese Parcel Gilt Copper Hibachi, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A sublime Japanese parcel gilt copper hand warmer, hibachi, with chrysanthemum design, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan. The hand warmer, called a...
Copper
Ceramic Candlestick Holder
Located in Attleboro, MA
A truly unique candlestick holder that add a touch of eclecticism and mysticism to your space, reflecting the strong connections that light builds in our inner selves and the bond th...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$2,600
H 5.75 in Dm 7.25 in
Japanese Kyoto Fuzan Satsuma Ware Double-Handled Vase, Meiji Period, ca. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful end of Meiji Period Japanese Kyoto Fuzan Satsuma Ware double-handled vase has a gold plated intricate infinite circular relief pattern design and two images of goddess...
Porcelain
$2,495
H 4.6 in Dm 4 in
Kaneshige Toyo National Treasure Signed Japanese Bizen Pottery Sake Bottle Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, perfectly shaped and balanced antique Bizen ware shibui sake bottle (tokkuri) vase by renowned Japanese master potter/artist Kaneshige Toyo (1896-1967) featuring a unique natural, wonderfully textured organic forming ash glaze. Kaneshige is universally considered to be the founder of modern Bizen pottery. In 1956, Kaneshige was certified as a Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Heritage) for his work in Bizen Ware pottery/ceramics. Bizen Ware is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally from the Bizen province, presently a part of the Okayama prefecture. It is considered one of the Six Ancient Japanese Kilns (along with Echizen ware, Seto ware, Shigaraki ware, Tamba ware, and Tokoname ware). The piece is signed/ sealed on the base with one of Kaneshige's traditional incised marks. A rather striking and engaging work. One of the best Kaneshige works we have come across. Scarce and hard to find in such an excellent condition. Would be a fantastic addition to any Japanese/Asian pottery or Bizen Ware collection or eye-catching stand-alone work in about any setting. Kaneshige's work can be found in numerous prominent collections and museums including: Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Seto, Japan Brooklyn Museum, NY Hagi Uragami Museum, Yamaguchi, Japan Honolulu Art Museum, HI Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, Kasama, Japan Indiana Art...
Stoneware
Vista Alegre for Mottahedeh 'Lowestoft Rose' Porcelain Demitasse Set
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This 17 piece porcelain demitasse set was made by Vista Alegre of Portugal for Mottahedeh. The pieces have been finished in the heavily gilded ...
Porcelain
$541Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.05 in W 1.38 in D 2.09 in
Figurative Toothpick Holder Stand WMF Art Nouveau Antique Silverplated
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This cute antique Art Nouveau figurative toothpick holder by WMF is a delightful representation of the period's artistic sensibilities. Crafted from silver-plated pewter in a material known as "Britannia Metall," this piece exudes a certain charm and whimsy that is characteristic of Art Nouveau design. The toothpick holder features a figurative scene depicting a young boy cradling a dachshund puppy in his arms. This tender and endearing scene captures a moment of affection and companionship between the boy and his furry friend. The attention to detail in rendering both the boy's features and the dachshund's playful expression showcases the skilled artistry of the WMF craftsmen. "Britannia Metall" refers to a high-quality pewter alloy that was favored during the Art Nouveau period for its malleability and durability. The silver-plated finish lends a touch of elegance to the piece, while still allowing the fine details of the figurine to shine through. WMF, or Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, was a renowned German metalware company that was at the forefront of Art Nouveau design. Their pieces are highly collectible and sought after for their exceptional craftsmanship and artistic merit. This antique toothpick...
Silver Plate, Pewter
Rare Holdcroft Majolica Frog Toothpick Holder
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Holdcroft Majolica toothpick holder which features a frog under some leaves which form the vase. Colouration: green, brown, yellow, are predominant.
Majolica
$900
H 10.63 in W 9.65 in D 5.91 in
Japanese Antique Small drawer Black lacquer/Late Edo 1800s~1860s Wabi-Sabi Tansu
Located in 足利市, JP
This exceptional, small-scale Japanese Tansu (chest of drawers), known as a Temoto-tansu (personal or keeper's chest), dates back to the late Edo period (early to mid-19th century)....
Iron
Napkin Holder, Vienna, 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
Napkin Holder, Vienna, 1960s Original condition.
Brass
$1,121
H 6.3 in W 2.76 in D 2.76 in
Antique Japanese Meiji Kutani Satsuma Porcelain Vase, 19th Century
Located in Nottingham, GB
A decorative Japanese porcelain vase dating to the Meiji period and identified as Kutani Satsuma ware. Standing 16 cm high, the vase presents a compact and elegant form enriched by ...
Porcelain
Antique Japanese black-glazed tea bowl/"Karatsu ware"/17th to 18th century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a famous pottery tea bowl called Karatsu ware from Saga Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan. It is thought to have been fired around the early to mid-Edo period. Karatsu ware is pot...
Pottery
Sold
H 1.5 in Dm 11.03 in
Japanese antique pottery plate with willow pattern/1700-1850/Seto ware/Ishi-zara
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a plate made in the middle to late Edo period (1700-1850) in Japan. It is a plate baked in Seto, and is called "Ishi-zara" in Japan. Seto is a kiln with a long history in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. (Seto kilns are marked with red circles on the map.) It is said to have originated around the 13th century. The kiln is still in operation today. “Ishizara” is a heavy and thick plate made of glazed earthenware with a rough sketch of gosu and iron. Regarding the name "Ishi-Zara", first of all, the meaning of the word is "Ishi = Stone" and "Zara = Plate". It is said that the origin of the name is that it was made by imitating the shape of Korean stone...
Pottery
Set '10 Pc.' of Edo Period Imari Porcelain Plates with Dragon Motive
Located in Fukuoka, JP
Superb, uniquely shaped, early Imari porcelain plate decorated with Dragon motive.Set of 10 plates. Age: late Edo period 18-19 th century Size : L....
Porcelain
Sold
H 3.27 in W 3.94 in D 3.55 in
Three-Legged Bowl Made in the Edo Period in Japan /"Shitoro Ware" / Coffee Cup
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We have a unique Japanese aesthetic sense. And only we can introduce unique items through our purchasing channels in Japan and the experience we have gained so far, in such a way th...
Pottery
Sold
H 2.52 in Dm 4.53 in
Japanese Antique Pottery "Mino-yaki-chawan" 1573-1650 / Iron Glaze Small Teacup
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A Mino ware bowl made in Japan from the old Momoyama period to the early Edo period (1573-1650). Mino ware produced many tea utensils. Reference materials ...
Pottery