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
$314Sale Price|30% Off
Mid 20th Century Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vase Mounted as Table Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid 20th Century Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vase Mounted as Table Lamp Measures 5" in width x 5" in depth x 20.5" in height x 30" to the top of the porcelain finial
Enamel
Japanese Wall Light or Ceiling Light / Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a Japanese-style wall or ceiling light. It is a faithful reproduction of antique lights that were popular as exterior and interior lights in private homes and stores in Japan...
Brass
19th Century Antique Japanese Meiji Bronze Floor Lamp
Located in Point Richmond, CA
19th century antique Japanese Meiji bronze floor lamp. This finely cast, well composed, pedestal lamp depicts mythical creatures on the base, cranes in high relief on the stem are...
Bronze
Meiji Period Satsuma Pottery Table Lamp, Hand-Painted, 1890-1910
Located in Lincoln, GB
A Fine Meiji Period Japanese Satsuma Pottery Table Lamp An exceptionally vibrant and finely decorated Japanese Satsuma pottery vase, dating from the late Meiji period (circa 1890–191...
Brass
Japanese Wall Light / Reproduction of Japanese Antique Lighting Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is our Japanese wall light. It is a faithful reproduction of an antique light that was popular as an exterior or interior light in private homes and stores in Japan from the Mei...
Brass
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
Japanese Silver Wire Cloisonne Vase Lamp, Meiji Period, c 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A vibrant Japanese turquoise ground and silver wire cloisonne vase, now mounted as a lamp, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The tall vase of elegant rouleau shape, with a straight neck and body, slightly tapered food, and everted mouth. Crafted in the cloisonne technique upon a copper ground, the silver wires stand out and shimmer against the bright turquoise enamel ground. An ebullient design of blossoming peony (botanical) and morning glory (asago) graces the body of the vase. The large and heavy blooms of white peony especially striking and contrasting nicely with the more delicate and almost shy pastel morning glory blossoms hiding behind the large leaves. The cloisonne enamels especially well done within the silver cloisons, with the leaves and flowers displaying masterful shading. The foot decorated with a geometric and floral border. The vase drilled and wired and now mounted as a lamp. Set upon two wood bases. The actual lamp of brass plate, set with a single socket and tall, adjustable harp. The lamp is topped by an antique 19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty tumble polished natural rock crystal. The crystal finial originally served as a Chinese Mandarin hat finial...
Rock Crystal, Silver, Brass, Copper
Antique Japanese Kyoto Pottery Cream Monochrome Glaze Mingei Vase Lamp
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique Japanese Kyoto pottery vase, circa late 19th/early 20th century, made into a beautiful lamp. The vase is a cream white monochrome in mallet form with fine overall crackle gla...
Pottery
Meiji Period Japanese Imari Porcelain Table Lamp, Kinrande Style, 1890
Located in Lincoln, GB
A Charming Meiji Period Japanese Imari Porcelain Table Lamp A delightful and finely proportioned Japanese Imari porcelain table lamp, dating from the late Meiji period (circa 1890). ...
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Dragon Vase Table Lamps
Located in Studio City, CA
A pair of fabulous cylindrical forms Meiji Period (1868-1912) patinated bronze table lamps on carved wood bases with dragon, turtle, and mystical creatures motifs. Likely late 19th/Early 20th century. From a Los Angeles collection of fine Japanese vintage art...
Bronze
$712Sale Price|20% Off
Japanese Antique Bronze Electrified Shrine Lantern with fine Heart motif Designs
Located in South Burlington, VT
A Special Antique Interior Lighting Choice- One Of Kind And Over 100 Years Old Japan, a well loved antique heavy bronze shrine lantern with attractive Hoju jewel finial, heart shape...
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Period Carved & Bone Inlaid Bamboo Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Carved Bamboo & Bone Inlaid Lamp—Samurai on Horseback, c. 1900 This exquisite Meiji-period Japanese lamp (circa 1900) showcases masterful craftsmanship, featuring a hand-carved bamboo base with a striking relief of a samurai warrior on horseback. The warrior’s face is expertly carved in bone, creating a striking contrast against the deep, warm tones of the bamboo. The intricate carving highlights the samurai’s armor, horse, and surrounding motifs, demonstrating remarkable attention to detail and artistic skill. This rare antique Japanese lamp...
Metal
Japanese Cloisonne Vase fitted as an electric table lamp
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese Cloisonne Vase fitted as an electric table lamp. The bulbous vase form with tall narrow neck and flared mouth having a rich dark blue background with variegated blossoms of...
Enamel
Meiji period Cloissone Lamp
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A beautifully crafted Meiji period cloisonné table lamp featuring exquisitely detailed polychrome enameled mythical beasts, lending an air of mystique and elegance. The vase dates fr...
Brass, Enamel
$3,086Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Japanese Large cloisonné enamel Lamps , 19th Century
Located in NICE, FR
Charming pair of cloisonné enamel vases from the Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912), each with a mauve background featuring pretty swallows fluttering among flowering branches and fol...
Bronze
Meiji Period Japanese Ariake Andon Table Floor Lantern Lamp
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Traditional Japanese Ariake Andon are cube shaped lanterns, originally used as a kind of nightlight lamp. With washi paper and a black and red lacquer wood frame and handle, the out...
Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Antique Meiji Period Imari Porcelain Lamp
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Classic iron red and cobalt blue Imari Porcelain vase now as a lamp/ The circa 1900 Japanese vase, handprinted in the traditional colors, elec...
Porcelain
$1,200Sale Price / set|36% Off
Meiji Japanese Cast Bronze Relief Chrysanthemum & Birds Lamps 'Pair'
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of large, cast bronze, urn-shaped lamps made circa 1885-1890, during the Meiji period (1868-1912) in Japan. They are decorated in both relief and applique with chrysanthemums,...
Brass, Bronze
Pair of 19iCentury Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Censers Turned into Lamps
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A pair of baluster form patinated Meiji Period Japanese bronze censers with embossed geometric patterns and flowers all-over and handles of a s...
Bronze
$5,770 / set
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Bronze Lamps
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of bronze Meiji period lamps highly decorated with elephant head handles and ornate birds on flowering branches in the centre, top and base. Carved panels surround the central...
Bronze
Pair of Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Inlaid Table Lamps
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional and finely crafted pair of Japanese table lamps from the Meiji period (1868–1912), showcasing exquisite bronze bodies adorned with delicate inlaid decoration. The vases a...
Bronze
$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
Meiji Period Kyoto Satsuma Vase Table Lamp, Japan, circa 1880
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Antique Meiji Period Kyoto Satsuma Vase Table Lamp, Japan, circa 1880 Dimensions: – Height without lamp fitting: 21.7 cm – Height with lamp fitting: 27.5 cm – Height with lampshade:...
Stoneware
Japanese Champlevé Bronze Floor Lamp, Meiji Style, Elephants, 1880
Located in Montreal, QC
A Japanese floor oil lamp, crafted in bronze with a dark lush patina and decorated with enamel in a champlevé technique in floral designs with peasants....
Bronze, Enamel
Large Bronze Meiji Period Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A large Japanese hand-crafted bronze temple candlestick holder converted to a table lamp, dating from the Meiji era (1868-1912). The baluster shaped body is cast with a pierced scall...
Bronze
$2,730Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of 19th C Meiji Bronze Champleve and Cloisonne Enamel Vases Mounted as Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of 19th century Japanese Meiji Bronze Champleve and Cloisonne Enameled Vases Mounted as Lamps. Very rare pair. 8" x 8" x Adjustable height 21" to 24"H.
Bronze
Pair of Antique Japanese Bronze Vasiform Table Lamps
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PAIR OF JAPANESE PATINATED BRONZE VASIFORM LAMPS Japan, early 20th century 23 1/2" H x 5 9/16" W x 5 9/16" D ref. 512BDQ06P A matched pair of Japanese bronze urns later converted ...
Bronze
A fine Bronze Lamp stand vase Depicting Cranes and Bamboo Meiji period
Located in Den Haag, NL
Baluster-shape, Lamp stand the bronze vase attractively patinated to a dark reddish-brown finish, finely worked in relief with neatly incised details dep...
Bronze
Pair of Antique Asian Champleve’ Enameled Bronze Urns Fashioned As Table Lamps
Located in Forney, TX
For your consideration, a most distinctive pair of similarly styled Japanese archaic style urns from the late 19th century, repurposed as highly decorative table lamps. Japan, Meij...
Brass, Bronze
1900’s Satsuma Hand Painted Ceramic Lamps, a Pair
Located in Sarasota, FL
A pair of Japanese Satsuma table lamps circa 1900. Ceramic vases are reeded, and hand painted with Sakura cherry blossom trees and birds in cobalt blue, rust red and gilt line detail...
Brass
Large Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Sumo Wrestlers Lamp on Forged Bronze Base
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A heavy, solid-cast Japanese bronze of two sumo wrestlers, finely detailed with taut musculature, expressive faces, and traditional mawashi belts. The figures are mounted as a lamp o...
Bronze
Japanese Red Green Gold Porcelain Table Lamp
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite large Japanese contemporary gilded and intricately hand painted porcelain table lamp in an auspicious double gourd crackled fine porcelain body...
Gold, Brass
$3,685Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair Antique 19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Vase Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of antique 19th century Meiji Period Japanese patinated bronze vase table lamps. A pair of Japanese patinated bronze vases of cylindrical f...
Bronze
Satsuma Porcelain Table Lamp, Meiji Style, Enameled, Japan, Late 1800s
Located in Savannah, GA
Made for the European market in the Meiji period, this lovely Japanese Satsuma porcelain vase has been converted into a table lamp and mounted on a wooden base. Decorated with delica...
Porcelain
Extrordinary Pair of Japanese Jars with Mythological Scenes as Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Cylindrical jars glazed with striated colors in the top background. With overall dense raised colorful decoration of a mythological scene with a variety of figures. A prominent figur...
Ceramic
Circa 1900-1920 Japanese Vase Mounted as a Lamp
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900-1920 Japanese vase now mounted as a lamp. Antique cobalt & orange floral reserve porcelain vase made for the Western market, mounted as a lamp in the mid-20th century. Som...
Metal
Nippon Moriage Urn Lamp with Gilt Highlights, Meiji Style, Japan
Located in Savannah, GA
Nippon urn featuring raised Moriage decoration, gilt highlights, double handles and gorgeous open garden roses hand painted on either side. It has been conv...
Pottery
19th Century Chinese Export Royal Crane Vase Table Lamp
Located in Savannah, GA
In the Chinese culture cranes are the symbols of longevity. This ceramic vase was converted into a table lamp and features a pair of cranes with flowers on a decorative filigree brass base, lovely muted pastel colors, brass fittings and an Asian script...
Brass
$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
Japanese Bronze Lamp, 19th c.
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an outstanding example of a large Japanese Meiji period bronze vase now mounted as a lamp. The vase is cast with high relief and finely detailed cockerels and flaming pearls....
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th C., Pair of Japanese Satsuma Vase Table Lamps with Warrior Figures
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 19th pair of Japanese Satsuma vase table lamps, decorated with Japanese warriors., with floral and gold accents. Possibly Meiji period. This pair of columnar lamps, with a brass base, socket and harp, has an overall attractive appearance. Decorated on a white background with gold, blue, yellow and...
Porcelain, Paint
Kutani Porcelain Elephant Lamp, 19th Century Japanese
Located in El Monte, CA
A unique example of kutani polychrome porcelain mounted as a lamp from the Meiji period. An intricately designed porcelain elephant with pagoda is elaborately decorated in various color. The piece features overglazed enamel work typical of Japanese Kutani-ware and sits atop a red wood base. The elephant and pagoda produce a modern lamp outfitted with a hand painted green and gold lamp...
Porcelain
Antique Pair Japanese Patinated Bronze Vases Mounted as Lamps
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique Pair Japanese Patinated Bronze Vases Mounted as Lamps Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Bronze
19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Satsuma Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine quality hand painted Meiji period 1890 c. Satsuma pottery vase on a carved wood stand. This was converted to an electric table lamp in the first half of the 20th century. Re...
Porcelain
Yellow Bronze Lamp with Inlay Red Bronze and Silver, Japanese Meiji Period 1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
A solid yellow bronze with inlaid red bronze and silver vase converted to a lamp. The body of the vase would have originally had a dark green p...
Silver, Bronze
Japanese Porcelain Lamp, Decorated with Castles and Pagodas, Mid-20th Century
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
This Japanese porcelain lamp, dating from the mid-20th century, subtly blends tradition and aesthetics. With its elegant gourd-shaped form and square base, it is a true testament to...
Porcelain, Wood