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 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
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
Antique European Style Standing Wood Dressing Floor Mirror
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Absolutely incredible, antique European style, free standing, cheval dressing floor mirror. The mirror features a warm wood frame, stepped cornice, and graceful scroll supports. Set...
Brass
Floor Standing Handmade Large Format Hardwood White Oak Mirror
By George Nakashima, BDDW, Figure Ground, Arne Jacobsen
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
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 80 in W 32 in D 2 in
Crura Mirror Large Format Minimal Floor Standing Mirror
By BDDW, Figure Ground, George Nakashima, Arne Jacobsen
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
$2,633
H 53.94 in W 16.15 in D 14.97 in
Mid Century Italian Neoclassical Brass Cheval Floor Standing Mirror C.1950
Located in London, GB
Mid Century Italian Neoclassical Brass Cheval Floor Standing Mirror C.1950 A brass cheval mirror in the Empire revival taste, the rectangular tilting plate set within a fine brass f...
Brass
Crura Mirror Large Format Minimal Floor Standing Mirror
By George Nakashima, Arne Jacobsen, Figure Ground, 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
Stunning Brass and Onyx Standing Floor Mirror, 1950s, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning Brass and Onyx Standing Floor Mirror, 1950s, Italy.
Onyx, Brass
$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
19th Century French Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Vanity Table Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Graceful curves and finely cast ornament distinguish this antique freestanding vanity mirror. Crafted in France circa 1870, the dressing mirror is made of gilt bronze in the Louis XV...
Bronze
$5,160 / item
H 70.87 in W 23.63 in D 1.58 in
PERFIDIA_01 Floor Mirror in Solid Wood and Bronze Details by ANDEAN
Located in Miami, FL
Floor mirror made of steel rod frame and solid seike wood with a natural oil finish, lathed bronze or stainless steel base, and hardware. The first Perfidia collection, composed of ...
Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,331Sale Price|37% Off
H 26.38 in W 18.51 in D 9.85 in
19th Century Biedermeier Cherry Psyche / Table Mirror
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier psyche / table mirror from around 1830. The psyche is made of cherrywood (solid and veneer). The mirror is rotatable and there is a drawer in the base. In very ...
Cherry
$1,911Sale Price|19% Off
H 75.99 in W 46.46 in D 4.73 in
Antique Eclettica Floor Mirror, Carved Wood and Gilt, Italy, 1800s
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Eclectic mirror made of carved and gilded wood, worked with leaf motifs, acanthus leaves, rocaille-style elements, and drooping festoons on the sides. Italy second half 19th century
Wood
$1,312Sale Price|39% Off
H 19.69 in W 13.39 in D 6.3 in
19th Century Cast and Gilt Iron Table Mirror with Heraldic and Knights Motifs
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This striking 19th-century French table mirror is cast in heavy metal and richly adorned with detailed heraldic motifs. The frame is crowned with a royal-style crown resting on cross...
Iron
Japanese Antique Wall Mirror 1860s-1920s / Wall Art Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an antique Japanese wall mirror, distinguished by its finely decorated wooden frame with a beautifully aged gilt finish. Combining the richness of over a century of patina wi...
Cedar, Plaster, Mirror
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
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 Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, 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 Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate-gun, 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