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.
Gabriel Viardot 19th Century Carved Wooden Dragon Crescent Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
This rare and exceptionally detailed bevelled crescent moon mirror is an iconic example of the Japonisme movement, attributed to the renowned 19th...
Mirror, Sycamore
Carved Wood and Crystal Mirror, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Carved wood and crystal mirror. France, late 19th century.
Wood
English Faux Bamboo Pine Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An English pine mirror carved to resemble bamboo stalks. This style of mirror was popular from the 1880s to the 1920s as interest rose in East Asian-inspired aesthetics. The turned...
Glass, Mirror, Pine
$1,500 / set
English Pair of Faux Bamboo Mirrors
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of English pine mirrors carved to resemble bamboo stalks. This style of mirror was popular from the 1880s to the 1920s as interest rose in East Asian-inspired aesthetics. Th...
Glass, Mirror, Pine
$7,421Sale Price|20% Off
Japanese Style Viardot Mirror with Dragon, circa 1880
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb Japanese-style mantel / fireplace mirror in lacquered wood, carved with an imposing dragon and decorative motifs. Japonism, France, circa 1880. Attributed to Gabriel Viard...
Fabric, Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
$2,412Sale Price|20% Off
Dragon mirror, by Gabriel Viardot, Japonisme, France, Circa 1880
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
By Gabriel Viardot. Gabriel Viardot (January 2, 1830 in Paris - March 19, 1904 in Paris) is a Parisian cabinetmaker specializing in the production of furniture freely interpreted "C...
Mirror, Wood
Mirror with Carved Dragon att. Gabriel Viardot
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Glass mirror with hand carved wood dragon attributed to French sculptor and cabinetmaker Gabriel Viardot (January 2, 1830 - March 19, 1904). Viardot was a French cabinet maker and sp...
Glass, Wood
A Large 19th Century French Bamboo Mirror
Located in New York, NY
With rectangular mirror plate within a conforming natural bamboo surround with the upper corners overlaid with bamboo fretwork; surmounted by assymetrical bamboo lattice of Japonisme...
Bamboo, Mirror
Carved Wood and Crystal Mirror, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Carved wood and crystal mirror, France, late 19th century.
Wood
19th Century French Bamboo Coat Rack, Japonisme Design, Hand-Crafted
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French bamboo hall tree, or coat rack, of Japonisme design, with a circular beveled mirror and decorative elements attached to a...
Mirror, Bamboo
Large Mirror From The End Of The 19th Japanese Style, Attributed To Viardot
Located in Charmes, FR
large Japanese style mirror from the end of the 19th century, attributed to Viardot, superb quality of sculpture,
Wood
Gilted Faux Bamboo Wall Mirror
Located in Toronto, ON
Gorgeous hollywood Regency style faux bamboo gilted gold wooden extra Large wall mirror. This stunning mirror has a double faux bamboo in gilted gold wooden frame. It's circa 1970s,...
Other
$606
H 19.69 in W 17.72 in D 1.38 in
ANTIQUE ENGLISH DECORATIVE FAUX BAMBOO WALL MiRROR WiTH FOXED GLASS
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London Antique English Decorative Faux Bamboo Wall Mirror with Foxed Glass A charming antique English decorative wall mirror, featuring a beautifully turned faux bam...
Faux Bamboo
$1,275Sale Price|24% Off
H 23.43 in W 12.21 in D 1.97 in
Louis the xvi Style Gilt and Painted Wood Mirror, French, 19th Century
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This Louis the XVI style mirror is made of gilt and painted wood. This is a French work, 19th century.
Mirror, Wood
Italian Rococo Giltwood Mirror, Hand-Carved, Mid-19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Rococo style wall mirror. Exuberantly carved with a double layer of acanthus leaf decoration, a tour de force of carving. Mid 19th century. 16 inches high 14 wide
Wood, Giltwood
$500
H 12.75 in W 6 in D 1 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Hand Mirror with Mercury Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a vanity, powder room, or dressing table with this elegant antique French hand mirror, crafted circa 1870 in the Black Forest tradition. The Louis XV–inspired form features ...
Mercury Glass, Walnut
French Faux Bamboo Mirror
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French faux bamboo mirror. Lovely foxing on the original glass plate. 1890. Reference: 8219 Dimensions 24.5 inches (62 cms) Wide 1.5 inches (4 cms) Deep 31.5 inches (80 cms)...
Faux Bamboo, Mirror
French Faux Bamboo Mirror
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French faux bamboo mirror with original mirror plate. 1890. Reference: 8216 Dimensions 25 inches (64 cms) Wide 1.5 inches (4 cms) Deep 30 ...
Faux Bamboo, Mirror
19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Golden Wall Mirror
Located in Prato, IT
Made in France, circa 1880, the antique mirror has traditional lines with rounded corners. The frame is gilded with pure gold leaf on an engraved motif of matt and glossy stripes. A ...
Gold Leaf
Chinese Bronze Mirror with Cast Relief Dragon, Late 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique Chinese mirror is cast of bronze in the tang-dynasty style, with a lobed rim of eight flower petals, each filled with small cloud ...
Bronze
Pair of Japanese Bronze Bookends, circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Japanese bronze bookends, circa 1880.
Bronze
Pair of Japanese Bronze Bookends, circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Japanese Bronze Bookends, circa 1880
Bronze
Antique French Carved Wood Dragon Mirror Attributed to Gabriel Viardot
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Antique French Chinoiserie mirror, hand-carved stained pine frame, attributed to Gabriel Viardot, c. 1860s. The asymmetrical, dynamic Chinoiserie ornament and refined carving reflect...
Mirror, Wood
Large C19th French Faux Bamboo Mirror
Located in London, GB
Large C19th French faux bamboo mirror. Beautiful turned fruitwood mirror with ebonised grooves and original back. In very good condition with light wear and foxing. Height 81cm 61c...
Mirror, Fruitwood
19th Century French Bamboo Hall Tree or Coat Rack
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French bamboo hall tree with a large mirror surrounded by a wide decorative border. Nine hooks for coats and hats, and an umbrella rack with removable tin drip tray. Large finials...
Bamboo
French Bamboo Hall Tree or Coat Rack
Located in Winter Park, FL
A French bamboo hall tree, or coat rack with a beveled mirror, five bamboo hooks and rack for umbrellas and walking sticks. Light weight, sturd...
Mirror, Bamboo
Sold
H 55.12 in W 42.13 in D 8.47 in
Rare Large Gabriel Viardot French Japonisme Dragon Mirror with Cherub
Located in Benington, Herts
A very large and rare aesthetic movement French Japonisme 19th century carved mahogany dragon mirror with Cherub, Gabriel Viardot (1830-1906). France circa 1880. A stunning example of Gabriel Viardot’s work, surmounted by an iconic carved dragon mid-flight at full wing span, grasping the original bevelled edge mirror plate, above a rarely seen affixed cherub with spear to the bottom righthand corner. In excellent original condition having a warm natural colour, the original glass plate having a small amount of tarnishing which can be seen in the image against a grey background but not noticeable or prominent when in situ. This mirror by Gabriel Viardot is signed to the verso and has to be one of the best examples I have seen along with the imposing scale and carving on this piece being exceptional. The signature to the verso is definitely in Viardot style...
Mahogany, Mirror
Tiffany & Co. 1881 Sterling Silver Japonesque Easel Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. sterling silver hand-hammered Japonesque style easel mirror from 1881. It measures 8 1/2'' in height by 4 1/2'' in width by 5'' in depth, and bears hallmarks as shown. ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century French Bamboo Hall Tree or Coat Rack
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French bamboo hall tree, or coat rack, of exceptional design, with asymmetric openwork bamboo sections, marquetry panels and an ...
Mirror, Bamboo, Wood
Sold
H 17 in W 9.5 in D 4 in
French Japonisme Ormolu and Champleve Cloisonne Enamel Mirror, Edouard Lievre
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A French Japonisme Ormolu / Bronze and Champleve Cloisonne Enamel Vanity Mirror attributed to Edouard Lievre, circa 1880 The circular bevelled mirror supported by a pair of bir...
Bronze, Enamel
Wall Mirror by Sori Yanagi for Akita Mokko
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
It is a wall hanging mirror of Akita woodwork which was designed by Sori Yanagi in 1977. Two types of round and oval type, two colors are also presented. This item is round shaped,...
Beech