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.
$728Sale Price|41% Off
Japanese Tall Antique Electrified Temple Lantern With Fine Details
Located in South Burlington, VT
Special Antique Interior Lighting Choice, One-Of-A-Kind Japan, a handsome large antique Signed Temple Lotus Lantern enhanced with new interior paper and new electric light for your ...
Bronze
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Japanese Tansu Style Wooden Crate Cage Chandeliers
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fascinating pair of Japanese wooden crates or cages made in a Tansu style with iron strapping. The square crates have a house shaped roof made of an eboni...
Brass, Iron
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Japanese Fine Antique Lotus Leaf Bronze Lantern Extraordinary 19thc. Shogun Art
Located in South Burlington, VT
Hard to Find Lotus Lantern- First we have seen Please enjoy our video. An innovative heavily hand cast, and extraordinary designed Lantern that could emit brilliant night light. ...
Bronze, Copper
$180Sale Price|69% Off
Japan Early Ikebana Planter Garden Cart with Children, Meiji Period
Located in South Burlington, VT
A rare 19th century hard to find Japanese Usubata Flower Planter Cart "Norimono", Late Meiji Period. Japan, this handsome quality old style "garden cart" ikebana planter is an exceptionally rare find and an authentic old work of Japanese art. Brilliantly designed and a handsome plant presentation with removable ikebana vase inserted into an openwork wicker basket set on a wheeled cart...
Iron
Japanese Meiji Bronze Hanging Lantern with Enamel Flowers, circa 1880
Located in Hannover, DE
An exceptionally rare and highly atmospheric Japanese bronze hanging lantern from the Meiji period, dating to circa 1880. This remarkable lantern is distinguished by its substantial...
Bronze, Enamel
Japanese Big Pair Orchid and Flower Lighting Lanterns
Located in South Burlington, VT
A decorative and functional hard to find pair (2) of handsome old "Orchid Flowers" garden lanterns in a convenient portable size. These rugged hand cast lanterns hand painted in ga...
Iron
Japanese Red Wall Lantern, Ribbed Glass, Metal, Antique, 1960s, Japan
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1-4074ab oriental wall lantern with ribbed glass Rewired
Metal
Japanese Meiji Bronze Pedestal with Dragon Motif
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Exceptional Japanese bronze pedestal from the Meiji period (1852–1912), featuring its original patina and remarkable craftsmanship. Originating from Japan, this rare piece is entirel...
Bronze
Small and Lovely Napoleon / Empire Style Bronze Chandelier / Pendant Light
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare size chandelier from the 1920s. If you look at the shape of the centre and the shape of the arms that grow out of this pendant then you capture the essence of it. It is stylish...
Bronze
French Louis XVI Style Gilt and Silvered Bronze Figural Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A French Louis XVI style gilt bronze and silvered bronze figural chandelier embellished with four figures of soldiers. The chandelier featur...
Bronze
$700
H 15.94 in W 15.55 in D 8.27 in
Japanese Antique Small drawer Reddish Black/1860s~1900s Wabi-Sabi Storage Tansu
Located in 足利市, JP
This striking regional small chest (Ko-tansu) dates back to the early Meiji period (late 1860s to 1870s), originating from the rural areas of the Tohoku region in northern Japan. Mas...
Iron
Antique Fine Gold Bronze Hall Lantern, circa 1890-1910
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique fine gold bronze hall lantern, circa 1890-1910. LAN127.
Bronze
Four-Sides Brass and Bronze Vintage Hanging Lantern
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elegant hanging lantern made of solid brass and bronze four side of beveled glass with three 60/wall light .newly electrified and ready to use. One more is available on line.
Brass, Bronze
Venini Style Murano Glass Chandelier or Lantern
By Paolo Venini, Toni Zuccheri, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Barovier&Toso, Venini
Located in Houston, TX
Venini style Murano glass chandelier or lantern Hand blown Venini style Murano glass pendant, Murano chandelier or Murano glass chandelier with bronze fittings...
Murano Glass
$2,585
H 27.96 in W 33.47 in D 15.56 in
Japanese Antique Tansu Drawer Chest Edo Meiji Small Drawers Wabi Sabi Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a Japanese antique drawer chest, believed to date from the late Edo period to early Meiji period circa 1800s to 1900s. Constructed from solid wood and finished in a deep tim...
Iron
$1,750
H 28.35 in W 27.56 in D 13.39 in
Japanese Antique Tansu Drawer Chest Edo Meiji Small Drawers Wabi Sabi Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a Japanese antique drawer chest, believed to date from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period, circa 1800s to 1900s. Constructed from solid wood, this piece has a sim...
Iron
Midcentury Venini Style Murano Chandelier
By Toni Zuccheri, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Barovier&Toso, Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Houston, TX
Midcentury Venin style Murano chandelier. Unusual Italian midcentury Murano glass chandelier inspired by Venin. This vintage Murano glass chandelier is comprised of unusual oval shaped textured blown glass tubes suspended from a chrome frame. This Hollywood Regency Murano chandelier...
Chrome
Japanese Vintage Electrified Shrine Lantern with exceptional Arabesque Details
Located in South Burlington, VT
Special Antique Interior Lighting Choice- One Of Kind. Japan, a lovely large vintage bronze and copper shrine Lantern with attractive Hoju jewel finial and handsome arabesque scroll...
Bronze, Copper
Japan Huge Antique Chrysanthemum Floral Bronze Orb Lantern, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
First chrysanthemum orb lantern we've seen in this huge size Japan, a fine antique hand cast bronze round lantern with unique "champleve” enameled floral chrysanthemum leaves and tree branches - an orb with exquisite details from the 19th century. It is one of the finest lanterns...
Bronze
Japanese Pair Antique Garden Cart Planters Children, Meiji Period
Located in South Burlington, VT
A rare pair (2) of 19th century hard to find Japanese Usubata Flower Planter Carts "Norimono", Late Meiji Period. Japan, this handsome quality ol...
Iron
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Temple Lantern Light
Located in Norwich, England
A beautiful antique Japanese Meiji Period bronze temple lantern light. Circa 1890. Delivery is Included for all areas in Mainland UK via a selected p...
Bronze
Japanese Tall Antique Stone Pathway Garden Lighting Lantern, 38"
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our most recent Japanese garden acquisitions Only one: This 19th century icon Our unique and tall 38 inch stone Arts & Crafts antique stone lantern. Japanese fine pathway stone lantern with original and beautiful lichen and patina from great age They work especially well at night with an oil candle. See our photo. Upon request, we will include one complimentary bottle to get you started. Install them as pathway, deck, or pool lights, or as handsome entry or exit walkway lighting. Fine original condition. Dimensions: 38 inches tall and 10 inches wide at top Period: Late Meiji period (1900-1912) Quality: Very good condition with good details and carved from a dark solid gray hued stone One of a kind in this tall size. The well proportioned carved stone lantern fashioned with a Classic minka house style top portion and, tapered square cut crane leg pole Firebox features Sun and crescent moon carvings. Provenance: acquired from a Southern Japanese antique garden lantern...
Stone
Japanese Antique Basket Garden Lighting Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
Dating over one hundred years ago comes this dainty Japanese antique Meiji period "basket ring" form hand lantern in a simple 12 horizontal ring tapered p...
Copper
Japanese Matching Pair Antique Yukimi Lanterns, Signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
Yukimi Pair Lantern find Japan, a fine matching pair (2) of large 17 inch diameter antique "signed" top hand cast Yukimi lanterns with handsome detail...
Iron
Sold
H 15 in W 10 in D 10 in
Fine Antique Japanese Andon Lamp 1880, Historical Treasure, Immediately Usable
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare find. Historical treasure. This fine 140 year old Japanese Andon lamp wooden light fixture, would look wonderful in your interior and it is immediat...
Wood
Fine Antique Japanese Andon Lamp 1880, Historical Treasure, Immediately Usable
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare find. Historical treasure. This fine 140 year old Japanese Andon lamp wooden light fixture, would look wonderful in your interior and it is immediat...
Wood
Japan Antique Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
Seldom available- a rare petite antique beauty. Japan, a fine pathway stone lantern with original and beautiful lichen and patina from great age They work especially well at night with an oil candle. See our photo. Upon request, we will include one complimentary bottle to get you started. Install them as pathway, deck, or even pool lights, or as handsome entry or exit walkway lighting. Fine original condition. Dimensions: 30 inches tall and 8.5 inches diameter, two pieces Period: Meiji period (1868-1890) Quality: Very fine condition with good details and carved from a dark solid gray hued stone One of a pair currently available. The well proportioned carved stone lantern fashioned in two parts with a Classic minka house style top portion and, square cut crane leg pole Provenance: acquired from a Southern Japanese antique...
Stone
Sold
H 12 in W 18.5 in L 12 in
Japanese Antique Lantern "Treasure Fortune Ship" Takarabune, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our recent Japanese acquisitions, the first we have seen Do you have a ship to deliver you good fortune this year? Suited for a museum, special indoor gallery space, or garden comes this Japanese superbly hand cast lantern in the form of the fortune treasure ship...
Iron
Japanese Tall Antique Arts & Crafts Stone Pathway Lantern, 30”
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our most recent Japanese garden acquisitions Only one: This 19th century icon Our unique and tall 30 inch stone "Arts & Crafts" antique stone lantern. Japanese fine pathway stone lantern with original and beautiful lichen and patina from great age They work especially well at night with an oil candle. See our photo. Upon request, we will include one complimentary bottle to get you started. Install them as pathway, deck, or pool lights, or as handsome entry or exit walkway lighting. Fine original condition. Dimensions: 30 inches tall and 10 inches wide at top, two pieces Period: Late Meiji period (1900-1912) Quality: Very good condition with good details and carved from a dark solid gray hued stone One of a kind in this tall size. The well proportioned carved stone lantern fashioned with a Classic minka house style top portion and, tapered square cut crane leg pole Firebox features Sun and crescent moon carvings. Provenance: acquired from a Southern Japanese antique garden lantern collection Stone lanterns, Ishidoro were introduced to Japan via Korea and China in the 6th century AD. They were used initially in temples and later shrines as votive lights. About the 16th century stone lanterns were adopted for secular purposes and designed and placed in the gardens of tea houses and private residences made famous by tea master Sen Rikkyu (1522-1592). Many of our customers place LED candles inside the main section making a romantic and enjoyable decorative accent for entertaining friends and family. It's a good choice for your indoor or outdoor garden space. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our Asian works of art come with our lifetime authenticity guarantee. About Japanese stone lanterns: Japan’s stone lantern tradition is a concept that was imported from India and has existed in Japanese temples and gardens since the 7th century. Japan’s lantern tradition was originally conceived as entrance lighting and guardians to temples and pagodas and when lit served as an offering to Buddha. Some of the earliest stone lanterns were carved with Buddhist images on the firebox and usually had compartments for an oil lamp or candle. Later on, they became more secular in nature, and their use evolved as functional and decorative elements in traditional Japanese tea gardens where they served as a spiritual source of light for evening tea ceremonies. Often carved from granite stone, today’s vintage survivors serve as fashionable aesthetic elements in modern day Japanese and Asian inspired gardens. Today, during festivals and ceremonies, rice paper is often cut to fit stone lantern windows to increase reflection of candles placed inside them. Soon these paper lenses disappear and for one special evening and event, the glow is surreal. There are four main categories of antique Japanese stone lanterns...
Stone