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.
Rare Large Antique White Japanese Cotton Nabesima Dantsu Rug with Ningxia Design
Located in Milan, IT
Carpet weaving was introduced in Japan during the 17th century, when rugs began to be imported as luxury goods from China. Since Taisho period in the early 20th century, rugs were commonly referred to as 'Dantsu', deriving from the Chinese word...
Cotton
Antique Japanese Nabeshima Carpet (Dantsu)
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Japanese Nabeshima Carpet (Dantsu) Nabeshima dantsu (carpets) are some of the earliest examples of rug making in Japan. The original weavers learned their craft from Chinese...
Cotton
$11,983Sale Price|20% Off
W 51.97 in L 98.43 in
Antique Rugs Blue Caucasian Kazak Rugs, Geometric Carpet Livingroom Rug
Located in Wembley, GB
Kazak rugs have primarily been produced as village productions rather than city pieces. Made from materials particular to individual tribal provinces and the rugs of the Caucasus typically display bold geometric designs in primary colours. Kazak rugs are a type of Armenian rug...
Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Antique Tribal West African Stool Chair with Brass Patch
Located in New York, NY
This hand-carved wooden stool was made in Tanzania by hand with native repair. The patch was added from hand-hammered brass. This piece has great energy and patina, giving it a cool ...
Wood
Wonderful Purple Color with Dragon Design Antique Chinese Ningxia Rug
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Chinese Ningxia Carpet ( 6'4" x 9' - 193 x 274 )
Wool
Antique Akha Hill Tribe Silver Cuff Bracelet, Golden Triangle
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A large Akha Tribe woven silver bracelet with spiral design. This Tribal bracelet encompasses tradition Hill tribe silversmithing techniques with each silve...
Silver
$5,000Sale Price|23% Off
H 113 in W 49 in D 0.8 in
Large framed Antique Indonesia Ceremonial Ikat Hinggi from Sumba
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large and striking woven Ikat from Sumba, Indonesia, circa early 20th century or earlier. This ceremonial cotton Hinggi with fringes is made from two panels joined together, which ...
Cotton
Antique Navajo Chief Blanket
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sometimes categorized as the fourth-phase chief blanket, this wonderful piece of Navajo textile art is well preserved and can be dated to 1890-1910. Wov...
Wool
Vintage Moroccan tribal Azilal carpet
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Very beautiful vintage Moroccan Berber tribal carpet. Hand knotted by tribal women in the Moroccan mountains. Joyful colors and design. Important Shipping Information: All of our r...
Wool
20th Century Japanese Reed Fishing Basket, Woven Design, Antique Decor
Located in Wainscott, NY
20th century Japanese fishing basket. Beautifully woven with long rope handles. Handles extend approximately 2 feet past the top of the basket....
Reed
Antique Ethnic Brass Traditional Anklet Bracelet from India Vide Poche
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Dhokra art old ethnic tribal brass traditional ankle bracelet from India, repurposed as ashtrays ,catchall, or vide poche. Handcrafted of a hollow band of heavy brass decorated with chevron repoussé banding and lost wax granulation. The brass inner plate was later added to use the bracelet as a small ashtray. The closure was a push pin mechanism that was closed. India, circa 1920s. Measure: 7"5 D x 2" H. "Dhokra is an ancient folk art tradition prevalent in India in the eastern states of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Dhokra craft objects are made through the process of non-ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique, which is one of the earliest and most advanced methods of metal casting known to human civilization. Its roots can be traced back 4500 years to the ancient city of Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley Civilization. The name Dokra or Dhokra was used to indicate a group of craftsmen of nomadic type from the Dhokra Damar tribe, scattered over the regions of Bengal, Orisa and Madhya Pradash, whose wares were identified by their beautifully shaped and decorated metal products. The enchanting Dhokra art objects have motifs inspired by indigenous folk...
Metal
Antique Akha Tribe Silver Bracelet Pair, Golden Triangle
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This pair of Akha tribe bracelets are smaller and thinner than the majority of Akha woven silver bracelets encompassing this spiral design, the Akha tribe lives on the hills borderin...
Silver
$1,245Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.27 in W 7.88 in D 5.12 in
Antique Copper Coin Sculpture from Zaire, Folk Art, 1920
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
That's a true antique copper anklet from Zaire, very rare, as a modern simple sculpture . I have another one in my home . I saw some others like this, but there were not authentic:...
Copper
Antique Akha Hill Tribe Silver Cuff Bracelet, Golden Triangle
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An Akha Tribe Woven Silver Bracelet with spiral design. This Tribal bracelet encompasses tradition Hill tribe silversmithing techniques with each silver str...
Silver