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
$2,451Sale 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
$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 Dressing table Mirror Art Nouveau - circa 1900
Located in TEYJAT, FR
Dressing table Mirror Art Nouveau - circa 1900 Attractive oval mirror set in a rectangular frame, purposefully distorted to create an organic form decorated with trailing ivy leaves...
Metal
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
19th Century Indian Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Located in Topanga, CA
A charming teak tabletop vanity mirror with scrolled side supports, original arched top mirror frame and a drawer at the bottom. The mirror surface reveals the passage of time with a...
Glass, Wood
Sliver Plate 'Plateau' mirror, Late 19th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very finely cast silver plated frame 'plateau' with floral decoration, showing beautifully detailed fruit and flowers. Fitted mirror glass, this would also make a stunning picture ...
Silver Plate
$1,600 / set
H 15.5 in W 9.625 in D 0.375 in
Pair of French Bronze Dore Mirrors with Mascarons and Floral Motifs, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of small bronze doré mirrors are from France, circa 1880, and were made in the style of Louis XIV. The intricate bronze doré frames have a large cartouche at the top of the frame that depicts a mascaron with a floral headband...
Bronze
French antique Golden Lead Mirror 19th century
Located in BELFORT, FR
Antique mirror made of golden lead, from the 19th century. Beautiful decorative object.
Metal, Lead
French Empire Dressing Mirror, Circa 1830
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An antique French Empire mahogany dressing mirror dating to the early 19th century, constructed with a rectangular tilting mirror supported by upright posts on a stepped base. The fr...
Bronze
$2,925
H 27.17 in W 24.41 in D 5.91 in
Victorian Mirror with Carved Dragon in the Manner of Gabriel Viardot ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Victorian Mirror with Carved Dragon in the Manner of Gabriel Viardot ca. 1880 A great Victorian dragon mirror in the style of Gabriel Viardot. The mirror in oval shape is held by a ...
Mirror, Wood
$600Sale Price|50% Off
H 24.5 in W 6.75 in D 20 in
Late 19th Century Biedermeier Revival Shaving Mirror
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A handsome shaving mirror. Biedermeier revival, c.1870-90. Mahogany with satin mahogany, ebonizing and ebony paint; mahogany secondary. Obelisks support the original tilting mirror w...
Glass, Wood
Late 19th century carved oak rococo revival vanity mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century carved oak rococo revival vanity mirror circa 1890. Rectangular shaped mirror with carved oak frame, supported by a frame of carved swags and leaves. Standing on ...
Mirror, Oak
Large 19th century early Victorian vanity mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century early Victorian mahogany vanity mirror circa 1840. Fine quality early Victorian vanity mirror circa 1840. Adjustable angle mirror, supported by 2 carved scrolling suppo...
Mirror, Mahogany
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
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