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.
Japanese Antique Wall Mirror 1860s-1920s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique mirror made in Japan. Quietly standing within a space, it exudes a strong and undeniable presence, bringing a sense of depth and subtle shadow into everyday life. ...
Mirror, Wood
Japanese Antique Keyaki Solid wood Standing Floor Mirror 1900s-30s
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique Japanese standing mirror with wooden frame and stand made of quality, solid Keyaki Zelkova hardwood. It dates from the Meiji-Taisho era (1900s-1930s), as estimated by its sty...
Mirror, Wood
Japanese Antique Wall Mirror 1860s-1920s / Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese mirror. Its calm black frame, accented with delicate ornamentation, quietly emerges from the surface and brings a refined yet substantial presence to any spac...
Mirror, Plaster, Cedar
$180Sale Price|54% Off
Japanese Bronze Mirror, Meiji Period 1868-1912
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Japanese bronze mirror. Great surface colors; old string handle wrap, Meiji period 1868-1912. Wear from polishing. Extensive inscription. 9 5/16...
Bronze
19th Century Japanese Red And Black Lacquer Table Mirror Gilt Brass Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Japanese black and red lacquer table mirror with gilt and etched brass mounts, beveled glass. This mirror has a lovely shape, reminiscent of a Shinto temple. It is cover...
Brass
$560Sale Price|37% Off
H 16.15 in W 15.16 in D 7.29 in
Japanese Antique Copper Table Mirror 1920s-1940s / Modern Stand Mirror
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old tabletop mirror made in Japan. The frame is made of copper and has a unique, subdued shine. It was made in the early Showa period (1920s-1940s), and is a gem that show...
Copper, Iron
Bronze Table Mirror and Picture Frame
Located in London, GB
Organic table mirror pivots into a picture frame by touch. The bronze has been cast into a relief of natural lines inspired by Art Nouveau depicting a landscape and sunset. The frame...
Bronze
Strawberry Hill Style Chinoiserie Japanned Vanity Mirror
Located in Bruton, GB
A highly decorative Strawberry Hill style mirror, featuring a shaped and faceted mirror plate set within a black japanned frame adorned with delicate gilt chinoiserie decoration. The...
Mirror, Wood
$185
H 10.75 in W 7 in D 0.125 in
Antique Japanese Edo Period Kagami Bronze Hand Mirror Cranes Gnarled Pine 11"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Japanese Edo Period bronze kagami / hand mirror. Cast with a design featuring two large pieces of calligraphy over a landscape showing a pair of cranes by a gnarled pine tree...
Bronze
18th Century Italian Baroque Period Giltwood Mirror
Located in Forney, TX
This exceptionally carved Baroque period Italian mirrored mercury glass giltwood wall hanging / mantel mirror captures the reason why we love Eur...
Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 80 in W 32 in D 2 in
Crura Mirror Large Format Minimal Floor Standing Mirror
By George Nakashima, Figure Ground, Arne Jacobsen, BDDW
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Constructed from black walnut the mirror is a portal to another universe. The Crura mirror extends the floor in an infinite illusion. Standing on two legs it doubles space and stands...
Mirror, Walnut
Floor Standing Handmade Large Format Hardwood White Oak Mirror
By Figure Ground, Arne Jacobsen, George Nakashima, BDDW
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Constructed from ash the mirror is a portal to another universe. Standing at 6’+ tall it doubles space and stands at your favorite wall for the creation of the day's outfit. The larg...
Mirror, Ash
$3,500 / item
H 84 in W 32 in D 6 in
Modern Nakashima Style Modern Handmade Large Format Floor Standing Mirror
By George Nakashima, Figure Ground, Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Constructed from solid American walnut, the mirror is a portal to another universe. Standing at 6’+ tall it doubles space and stands at your favorite wall for the creation of the day's outfit and beyond. The frame on this mirror double chamfers for exquisite shadows. Made to order in American black walnut or white oak. Own a figure ground...
Mirror, Ash, Walnut
Solid Oak Free Standing Full Length Mirror, 1970's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A full length free-standing mirror in solid oak with cantilever legs. The mirror tilts and can be tightened into place. In very good original condition and only showing light wea...
Oak
$541
H 9.85 in W 8.27 in D 5.91 in
Late 19th Century Table Mirror / Picture Frame - Empire Style - Gilt Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Charming French gilt bronze mirror, late 19th century, in Empire style. The rectangular frame is richly decorated with acanthus leaves and classical motifs, crowned with a laurel wre...
Brass, Bronze
Elegant Art Déco wall mirror. Designed France 1920s.
Located in Köln, NW
Elegant small Art Déco mirror. Design 1920s. France. Art Déco style. Later version. Silver-plated bronze frame . Geometric octagonal shape. Stylized floral motiv.
Silver, Bronze
$5,850
H 70.8 in W 34 in D 2.36 in
Mid-century elegant solid wood full-length floor mirror with solid brass
The stunning full-length floor mirror, is handcrafted in solid wood, elevates your space with a captivating blend of artistry and serenity. The design boasts an elegant structure th...
Mirror, Wood, Oak
Japanese Antique Wall Mirror 1860s-1920s / Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese mirror, a piece in which a timeless sense of beauty is quietly distilled within its calm and composed presence. Though originally created as a utilitarian obj...
Mirror, Plaster
Sold
H 14.18 in W 14.18 in D 1.19 in
Imported antique mirrors remade in Japan / Meiji period / 1868-1912
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This rare mirror is a large full-length mirror imported to Japan during the Meiji period, which was later reworked and refurbished. It was discovered in an old Japanese home, and the...
Mirror, Wood
Japanese Antique Wall Mirror / Meiji Period 1908s Wabi-sabi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese-made black mirror. The back is inscribed with the date "Meiji 41," indicating it was made around 1908, dating back to the Meiji period. It was likely used in...
Cedar, Mirror, Plaster
Japanese Antique Wall Mirror Meiji Period 1860s-1900s / Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a very old mirror made in Japan. It is estimated to have been made in the Meiji period (1860s-1900s), and the decoration is impressive, reflecting the strong influence of Wes...
Mirror, Plaster, Cedar
Japanese Antique "Urushi" Mirror, Meiji Era'1868-1912'Wabi Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This is a mirror crafted during the Meiji era (1868–1912). Finished with black urushi lacquer, it exudes a sense of elegance and gravitas. Over time, the mirror has developed a rich...
Cedar
Japanese Antique Wall Mirror 1860s-1920s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old wall mirror made in Japan. This mirror is from the Meiji period (1860s-1920s). The cedar wood frame is decorated with a pattern in plaster. The mirror surface is ...
Mirror, Plaster, Cedar
Sold
H 67.5 in W 26 in D 1 in
Rare Japanese Meiji Dressing or Full Length Floor Mirrors (H 67 1/2 x W 26)
Located in Austin, TX
A rare and beautiful pair of Meiji era dressing or full length floor mirrors with lacquered frames from the Empire of Japan, circa 1900 - each mirror featuring a moulded surround wit...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Japanese Antique Wall Mirror 1860s-1920s / Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This account consists of five companies. As for me, I specialize in Japanese antiques and deal in carefully selected items. With my 20 years of experience, I am re-proposing Japanese...
Mirror, Plaster, Cedar
Japanese Antique Wall Mirror 1860s-1920s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old wall mirror made in Japan. This mirror is from the Meiji period (1860s-1920s). The cedar wood frame is decorated with a pattern in plaster. The pattern is carved ...
Mirror, Plaster, Cedar
Sold
H 43.71 in W 31.89 in D 1.97 in
Japanese Antique Large Mirror / Meiji Period 1868-1912s Wabi-sabi Japandi
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old Japanese black mirror. It was from the Meiji period, and it was probably used in a Western-style building. On the back, there is an old Japanese paper pasted at that...
Wood, Cedar, Paper
Sold
H 12.01 in W 9.06 in D 0.99 in
Japanese Antique Small Mirror 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi Object Wall Decoration
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old Japanese small mirror. It comes with a box. This mirror is from the Meiji era (1860s-1900s). The wooden frame is covered with plaster and finally coated with la...
Mirror, Plaster, Wood
Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Mirror
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A Japanese bronze mirror of courting cranes with good rafia handle cover, Meiji period, 1868-1912. A very nice example, often bridal gifts. 9 1/...
Bronze