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.
Large wabi sabi style wooden bench with beautiful patina, Japan 19th century
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A serene and soulful 19th‑century Japanese wooden bench, embodying the essence of wabi‑sabi aesthetics: simplicity, imperfection, and the quiet beauty of natural aging. Crafted from ...
Wood
$842Sale Price / item|20% Off
KITA LIVING Wa Bench
By Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı, Tuğberk Kurtaran
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
$16,622
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
Sculptural Bench in Linen Contemporary Design
By Kristian Sofus Hansen, Tommy Hyldahl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculptural bench in linen with a contemporary design inspired by Japanese minimalism. Its pure geometric composition combines cylindrical upholstered volumes to create a balance betw...
Linen, Foam
$3,531Sale 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
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
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
Bamboo Bench – 1970s
Located in Roma, RM
Bamboo Bench – 1970s Product details Bamboo structure with rush bindings. Dimensions: 120 W x 90 H x 65 D cm Seat height: 40 cm
Bamboo, Straw
1970s bench, Drabert
By Drabert, Gerd Lange
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic waiting bench from the 1970s. High-quality steel and stainless steel frame with two plastic seat shells in brown a table top with original HPL coating and plastic edge in bro...
Steel
Japanese Bench
By AFM
Located in Highland, IN
This striking bench has a combination of wood slats and woven jute seats. Manufactured by AFM Quality Furniture in Japan it has a hand-hewn quality and the understated design reminds...
Jute, Wood
$1,163
H 20.28 in W 46.66 in D 16.74 in
Sculptural Live-Edge Bench in Solid Walnut, Freeform Studio Design, 1990s
Located in Rødding, DK
This bench is crafted from a solid slab of walnut with a live, freeform edge running along both long sides. The top rests on two shaped trestle legs, each carved with a soft, organic...
Walnut
Rustic Wabi Sabi Elmwood Bench
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Hand-crafted from elmwood, this bench carries a history of being a versatile piece. The natural patina and aged repairs create a truly unique, one-of-a-kind piece. Highly detailed, w...
Wood, Elm
Andrianna Shamaris Wabi Sabi Bench
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful bench hand made from a single thick 80 year teak log with lovely patina. Both usable and sculptural. This bench was hand made in the spirit of Wabi-Sabi, a Japanese philo...
Wood, Teak
Primitive Wabi Sabi Dug-Out Caldas Style Elm Bench
Located in London, GB
A chunky mid 20th century primitive dug-out bench very much in the style of Zanine Caldas. Sourced in the Netherlands, origin unknown but believed to be French. Bleached out and n...
Elm
Rustic Wabi Sabi Bench, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic wooden bench that embodies a raw, rustic charm that speaks to the authenticity of folk art and the beauty of imperfection. With its weathered surfaces and simple construction,...
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Bench.
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Very Unique heavily carved Swedish Gustavian style bench, it was just restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White" the seating is also restored and covered in M...
Muslin, Wood
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
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