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
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
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
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
$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
Murano Glass Spiral Chandelier, Venini Style
By Paolo Venini, Venini, Toni Zuccheri
Located in Houston, TX
Murano glass Spiral chandelier, Venini style. Italian midcentury Venini style Murano glass spiral chandelier or Murano lantern with clea...
Chrome
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
Midcentury Venini Style Murano Chandelier
By Barovier&Toso, Toni Zuccheri, Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, 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
$2,700
H 21.5 in W 17.5 in D 8.5 in
Japanese Marquetry Hanging or Table Cabinet, Meiji Period, c. 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large and remarkable Japanese lacquer and marquetry decorated table or hanging cabinet, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The cabinet of square form surmounted by an arched top with upturned scroll ends. Eight drawers of various shapes and sizes adorn the exterior of the cabinet. Doors on either side open to reveal interiors fitted with cubby holes over a single drawer. The front of the cabinet is decorated with scattered geometric marquetry patterns of various design utilizing contrasting woods, including hardwood and burl, all in the yosegi zaiku technique. The sides and top of the cabinet of black lacquer with maki-e lacquer painted designs of flowers and grasses. The back of plain black lacquer with two hoops for hanging. The interior of the cabinet doors and the interior drawers decorated in the wakasa lacquer technique, with gold rhomboid accents against a polished black lacquer ground. Overall a striking accent piece and nice example of Japanese yosegi...
Metal, Brass, Copper
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
Huge Aldo Tura Red Goatskin Lantern Table Lamp
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Superb lantern table lamp made by Aldo Tura, Italy in the 1960s. The lamp was executed in lacquered red goatskin with brass rings and includes a little bowl and it is in very good...
Goatskin
Bell Jar Lantern w/ Brass Details
Located in San Francisco, CA
A lovely lantern made with an antique blown glass bell jar and smoke bell. The brass details- decorative etched rim, chain, stem, finial, and candle covers make a refined and cohesiv...
Brass
Gilt Wrought Iron Chinoiserie Style Chandelier with Glass Geisha
Located in Antwerp, BE
Elegant chandelier with scrolled arms and leaves and unusual frosted crystal candleholders and central figure in the form of a Japanese geisha, circa 1920. Total height with the cha...
Brass
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
Gilt Wrought Iron Chandelier with Japanese Geisha in Crystal
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian chandelier with scrolled arms and leaves and unusual frosted crystal candleholders and central figure in the form of a Japanese geisha, circa 1920. Total height with the c...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$5,000Sale Price|50% Off
H 31 in W 72 in D 25 in
Antique Japanese Zelkova Base Console Table With Black Cashew Top
Located in Asheville, NC
This Japanese console table is composed of an antique base made from a fallen ancient Zelkova tree in Japan. The natural texture and patina give this pie...
Wood
$2,621
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
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, GB
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
Sold
H 20 in W 10 in L 20 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
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
Pair of Antique Japanese Andons
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of antique Japanese Andons, Meiji period (1868-1912) andons with wood and silk shades and a lacquer base. Fitted with candle pricks, sold as a pair.
Silk, Wood, Lacquer