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
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
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
$2,492Sale 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
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 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
$7,656Sale 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
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
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
Italian Rococo Giltwood Tabletop Mirror, Hand-Carved, Mid-19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Rococo style tabletop mirror for a vanity. Exuberantly carved with a double layer of acanthus leaf decoration, a tour de force of carving. Mid 19th century. 16 inches high...
Wood, Giltwood
Carved Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late English mirror features a meticulously carved oak frame, highlighted by its thick, square shape and beveled glass. The ornate yet understated detailing and rich natural pat...
Wood
$1,318Sale 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
Late 19th Century French Vanity Bronze Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite late 19th century French Louis XV vanity mirror. The bronze carved mirror features impressive details with two cherubs. The mirror ...
Bronze
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
$2,108 / item
H 48.04 in W 31.5 in D 1.5 in
GABRIEL mirror with brass color detail on center and rounded ends
Located in Frazão, Porto
With an eclectic design, the GABRIEL mirror is a delicate piece of furniture, perfect to complete any environment. Enriched with a brass colored detail in the center of the mirror, ...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$22,000 / set
H 61 in W 39.75 in D 3.5 in
Large Pair of 19th Century French Regence Style Repousse Mirrors
Located in Dallas, TX
A large pair of French repousse mirrors in the regence style dating from the late 19th century. These impressive mirrors are beautifully made an...
Brass
$14,850
H 35.5 in W 71.25 in D 0.63 in
Italian Etched Mirror With Brass Accents Att. To Max Ingrand For Fontana Arte
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Etched Mirror With Brass Accents Att. To Max Ingrand For Fontana Arte. This magnificent large Italian mid century modern horizontal mirror has a beautiful etched dragon desig...
Brass
Gio Ponti Att. Carved Walnut Wall Mirror, Italy, circa 1930
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
A very fine hand-carved walnut framed mirror attributed to Gio Ponti, circa 1930. The thick beveled glass plate echoes the shape of the walnut frame, with decorative stepped carving...
Mirror, Walnut
$7,800
H 63.5 in W 41.25 in D 5 in
Large German Black Forest Carved Mirror with Bird Motif from the 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This large late 19th century French mirror is set within a rectangular carved Black Forest style crested wooden frame. The intricate decor is composed of beautifully detailed openwork intertwined vines with leaves and grapes while a bird with its spread wings just landed on the crest. The artistically distributed foliage is highly decorative and the very naturalistically carved bird brings an unexpected and charming presence to the piece. This wooden German Black Forest style mirror...
Mirror, Wood
French Early 19th Century Mirror
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French early 19th century mirror.
Mercury Glass, Gesso, Wood
$3,768
H 23 in W 21 in D 6 in
Antique & Quality Carved Dragon Sculpture Holding a Moon Shaped Beveled Mirror
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, practical size and extremely sculptural wall or table mirror (both are possible). If you are appreciative of rare and sculptural antiques then this wall mirror could be exactl...
Iron
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