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.
$1,053 / item
KITA LIVING Wa Bench
By Tuğberk Kurtaran, Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı
Located in Bomonti, TR
Contoured by a delicate structure, Wa Bench takes its name from the Japanese word “harmony”. It characterizes its presence in the balance of soulful forms and refined details. Wa Be...
Oak
$3,530Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Teak Extendible Slat Bench, Japandi Style, Handcrafted, 1970s
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Extendible slat bench in teak. Japandi style. Beautiful thin slats, moves easy to extend from 80 to 150 cm. W: 38 cm. H: 47 cm Handcrafted in the...
Teak
$16,619
Torii: Japanese Style Bench
By Ewan Lamm
Located in Timisoara, RO
Inspired By The Grandeur Of Torii Gates, The Japanese Mythological Structure, The Torii Bench Mirrors Its Sibling Stool’s Bold Beam Structure And Culturally Significant Roof Silhouet...
Wood
$3,720 / item
Cassandre Green Bench
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
A beautiful complement to one of K3's extraordinary bed designs, this bench exudes a sense of timeless refinement. The matte-black lacquered plywood structure is softly padded with m...
Wood
$3,234 / item
Paco Black Bench
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
A chic accent piece for modern interiors, this exquisite bench exudes timeless charm, upholstered with the elegant satin Kogo fabric embroidered with golden monograms. Resting on a m...
Wood
$3,038 / item
Camille Black and White Bench
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Reminiscent of an artistic collage inspired by Japanese aesthetics, this bench is upholstered in the unique Hanatsugi-Sakura jacquard fabric, featuring an extraordinary patchwork wit...
Wood
Art Deco Style Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Art Deco Style Bench, a bold statement with a handsome tight back design featuring curved corners set upon a reeded carved frame and tapered legs. Dimensions: 55" W x 20" D x 24" H ...
Upholstery, Wood
$412Sale Price|43% Off
H 20.08 in W 67.72 in D 10.44 in
Vintage French Provincial Slatted Pine Bench Seating
Located in Trensacq, FR
French Provincial pine benches from the South West region of France C1980. These simple but stylish, artisan-made wooden 'bancs' sit easily in almost any setting. At over five feet l...
Pine
Black polished adjustable piano bench
By KAUNUS
Located in CASTELLÓN DE LA PLANA, VC
The Back to Black collection has deeply emotional origins. It was born in a moment of reflection and strength, inspired by the life and legacy of Zayda’s father, the visionary behind...
Steel
Temi Bench, Minimalist Velvet Bench
By Sun at Six
Located in San Jose, CA
Plush, soft, and velvety. The Temi Bench brings a soft feel to any room. No worrying about bumping into sharp corners. Available in a variety of colors. The fabric is durable, meant ...
Velvet
1960s Regency Style Bench
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Regency style bench. Gilt wood balls accent top. Needs reupholstering.
Wood
$4,300
H 31.5 in W 53.875 in D 16.625 in
A Hepplewhite Style Black and Ochre Painted Upholstered Window Bench
Located in New York, NY
The rectangular seat and outward scrolling arms upholsted in a Neoclassical green and yellow woven fabric; the painted frame decorated with foliate and interlaced scrollwork decorati...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Paint
Classic Antique Style Bench
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Elegant Empire style bench in walnut. Canes seat and sides, generous size-44" wide. Practical and sturdy.
Walnut
$1,140 / item
H 16.93 in W 55.12 in D 13.78 in
Wired Bench, Minimal Handcrafted Three-Person Bench in Walnut and Black Steel
Located in beirut, LB
The wired bench is a minimal, handcrafted raw bench featuring solid wood seating and a steel frame. The wood is encased by a signature solid steel frame in ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Antique Limestone Bench - Old Stone Bench - Garden Bench
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
This old Limestone bench was hand carved and installed in a Large Italian countryside home along with several other benches and architectural elements. This piece has been well preserved throughout the years and was recently reclaimed by our team. The natural stone aging process that took place throughout the years is quite apparent all throughout this lovely architectural element, giving it such an amazing distressed texture and color undertone. Centuries of sun, soil, rain and exposure to the elements of nature have given this piece its real character and wonderful patina. This antique limestone bench...
Limestone
Contemporary Green Bench, Wood and Fabric, Italy
Located in Brussels, BE
Contemporary Green Bench, Wood and Fabric, Italy
Fabric, Wood
1970s Vintage Ercol Love Seat Bench
By Ercol
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
The Ercol loveseat is a representative of UK modernity and is still a popular brand founded by designer Lucian R. Ercolani in 1920. The smooth form of the seat, made of hard, bend-re...
Beech, Elm
Saint Bench
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Saint Bench in oak, designed in 2024. This bench combines traditional design features with a simplistic appearance. Crafted from solid wood . The cushion is available in customer's ...
Oak
Set of Lacquered Sofa and Pair of Armchairs in a Japanese Style
Located in Winter Park, FL
A three-seat sofa and a pair of armchairs, lacquered black with Japanese motif, cushion recovered with a burgundy velvet. All in good condition and comfortable. Sofa: 75"w x 25"d x...
Asian Form Upholstered Bench
Located in Bellport, NY
A stunning hand crafted Mont style upholstered bench. Made of birch woods and finished with a deep mahogany brown high lacquer finish. The seat is upholstered in a soft velvet brown ...
Velvet