Japonisme Furniture
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.
Early 1800s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Fabric, Silk
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Furniture
Sheet Metal, Wire
1870s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
20th Century Unknown Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Resin
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper, Cotton
Late 20th Century Danish Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Concrete
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Stoneware
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Concrete
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Oak
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Oak, Plywood
Late 19th Century Antique Japonisme Furniture
Iron
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
1980s Thai Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold Leaf
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Aluminum
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
1970s Dutch Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Danish Japonisme Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Plywood, Oak
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Iron, Gold Leaf
1930s Philippine Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Granite
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1920s British Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Paper
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Stoneware
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bentwood
1860s English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Paper
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
1890s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
1920s British Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Paper
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold Leaf
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Faux Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Brass
1920s Asian Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Plastic, Bakelite, Wood
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Maple
16th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Steel
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ormolu, Enamel
19th Century American Antique Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
16th Century Italian Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Iron
19th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Rosewood, Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer, Bamboo
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Silver
16th Century Italian Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Japonisme Furniture
Paper