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.
1940s Japanese Iron Pagoda Candle Lantern, Hand-Crafted Japonisme
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Japanese iron pagoda garden candle lantern. Hand cast iron Japanese candle lantern with hearts on top. Can rest on table or hanged by loop Meas...
Iron
1950's Japanese Monarch Butterfly Garden Outdoor Lantern
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1950's Japanese Monarch Butterfly Garden vintage outdoor Lantern. DIMENSIONS: Height: 8 in. Width: 11.25 in. Depth: 5.5 in. A beautifully des...
Iron
$26,900 / set
Pair of Large Antique Japanese Gilt Copper Lanterns
Located in New York, NY
A exquisite pair of large and unique antique Japanese octagonal form reticulated gilt copper lanterns. These large antique Japanese gilt copper lanter...
Copper
$2,829
H 45.28 in W 16.15 in D 8.27 in
Large Italian Art Deco Wrought Iron Lantern, Paolo Buffa Style. 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
Large Italian Art Deco Lantern in the style of Paolo Buffa, Italy, 1940s This is a highly elegant piece, crafted thanks to the remarkable technical expertise of Italian craftsmen. T...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Bamboo Rattan Large Drum Pendant Lights / Lanterns
Located in Barcelona, ES
A cool pair of handcrafted rattan drum shaped ceiling suspension lamps with inner paper lampshades. France, 1960s These large lanterns have an...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Paper
$2,534
H 31.5 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Pair of Antique Louis XVI French Lanterns Chandeliers in Gilt Bronze & Cut Glass
Located in Coimbra, PT
Beautiful antique pair of Louis XVI French lanterns. Four cast gilt bronze frames with cut and etched glass panels shade. Price per unit. Dimensions : "Width" 7.88 in/ 20 cm "Depth"...
Bronze
Crystal Tea Light Hurricane Lantern by Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Deborah Ehrlich's crystal tea light hurricane lantern is made up of four nested pieces of handblown, hand-cut Swedish crystal. Used with a clear tea light candle, the flame moves ...
Crystal
Large Glass and Gilt Bronze Hanging Hall Lantern
Located in London, GB
This hall lantern has been exquisitely crafted from glass and gilt bronze (ormolu). The piece will look wonderful placed in a grand entrance hall, living or dining room. The light it...
Ormolu, Bronze
$3,650 / set
H 21 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in
Wonderful Pair Chinoiserie Gold Gilt Pagoda Lantern Bell Chandeliers Fixtures
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of Chinoiserie Gold Gilt Pagoda lantern chandeliers With 3 Candelabra Lights Completely Rewired With Bells On Each Corner, These Fixtures...
Glass
Japanese Antique Sun Faced Pagoda Roof Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare Japanese "Sun Face" Garden Lantern Iconic design.......... This beautifully hand-cast lantern sculpture in a classic Japanese pagoda form with a "sun face" on all four side p...
Iron
$2,350
H 32 in W 19 in D 19 in
Wonderful 3 Large Navy Blue Gold Gilt Pagoda Bamboo Chinoiserie Lantern Fixtures
Located in Roslyn, NY
Available are 3 wonderful large navy blue gold gilt pagoda bamboo chinoiserie lanterns each with 4-candelabra light fixtures, ready to install with chain and canopy Each lantern sol...
Enamel
French Wrought Iron Chinese Chippendale Style Pagoda Lantern
By Raymond Subes, Addison Mizner, Edgar Brandt, Oscar Bruno Bach
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning French Wrought Iron Chinese Chippendale Style Pagoda Lantern. This heavy duty hand forged black wrought iron pagoda shaped lantern has been newly wired to U.S. specification...
Wrought Iron
Japanese Antique Pair Double Pagoda Lighting Lanterns
Located in South Burlington, VT
Hard to find Pair (2) "double pagoda roof" form garden lanterns Japan, an attractive and sturdy antique lantern pair with a "Double Pagoda Roof" motif. Fine original used garden c...
Iron
62-Piece "China Garden" Bone China Set by Fine China Japan
Located in Germantown, MD
Fine 62-Piece "China Garden" Bone China set made in Japan. Blue Lattice, Orange Fans, Floral, Birds Made by Fine China
Bone, Porcelain
Brutalist Concrete Candle Lantern, White
Located in Camp Meeker, CA
Cast concrete with semigloss finish. Fits a 3" diameter candle up to 6" tall. Candle not included. Small batches, with limited quantities available. Chris has recently shifte...
Concrete
Japanese Iron Garden Lantern Old Gold Finch and Bamboo
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Japanese outdoor cast iron garden lantern with gold finch and bamboo design. Round gold finch, bamboo, and pine tree motif outdoor patio or garden lantern....
Iron
Japanese Lantern in Tole, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A 19th century Japanese tole hanging lantern, pagoda form, with cicada on handle.
Tôle
Japanese Iron Garden Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Japanese cast iron pagoda lantern has circular screen sides with tree and bird motif, hinged door. Single candle holder interior.
Pair of Antique Japanese Bronze Lanterns
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A non-matching pair of Japanese patinated bronze lanterns with new wiring. One with a swirling dragon and the other with a floral motif. Both of the same approximate size and shape s...
Bronze
Cloud Light
By Yuri Kinoshita
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large scale hand made Japanese paper woven light, called Nagagumo . Can be made in custom sizes. Beautiful shape over a table creating soft light.
Wire