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.
$814Sale Price / item|20% Off
Wa Bench by İsmail Dağlı, Oak Wood, Japonisme Style, Turkey, 2022
By İsmail Dağlı, Tuğberk Kurtaran, Gökhan Eryaman
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
$16,053
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
$3,410Sale 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
$3,500 / item
H 18 in W 16 in D 60 in
Oak Rustic Wabi-Sabi Brutalist Style Bench, Handcrafted Solid Oak Wood Bank
Located in İnegöl, TR
Dimensions: Length: 160 cm (approx. 63 in) Width: 40 cm (approx. 15.75 in) Height: 45 cm (approx. 17.7 in) Materials: Solid Oak Wood Embrace the beauty of organic minimalism wit...
Wood, Chestnut
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
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
Handcrafted Solid Oak Wood Bench – Rustic Farmhouse Style, Heavy Duty
Located in İnegöl, TR
Dimensions: Length: 160 cm (approx. 63 in) Width: 40 cm (approx. 15.75 in) Height: 45 cm (approx. 17.7 in) Materials: Solid Oak Wood Embrace the beauty of organic minimalism wit...
Wood, Oak
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
Brutalist Iron and Wood Slats Stools, France, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Minimalist and sturdy slats bench. Some scratches and misses on paint.
Steel
Brutalist Bench in Solid Oak Wood - Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Oak, Walnut
$4,000 / item
H 16.54 in W 14.97 in D 66.93 in
Curved Bench, Large, by Rain, Contemporary Bench, Laminated Oak Wood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Curved benches exploit the flexibility of wood to assimilate the curves of the body. Alluding to a fundamental building system, the benches form a trilitic sctructure, where two vert...
Wood
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
Gio Ponti Style Bench
By Gio Ponti
Located in Red Lion, PA
This Gio Ponti style wooden bench combines classic design with comfort. The dark wood frame and curved legs give it an elegant, timeless look.
Fabric, Wood
Charlotte Perriand style wood bench
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Charlotte Perriand style wood pine bench
Wood
$4,434 / item
H 21.65 in W 61.02 in D 18.11 in
Hibi Bench – Upholstered Sculptural Bench in Solid Wood
Located in Baguim Do Monte, PT
The Sabi Bench celebrates the quiet beauty of simplicity and natural imperfection, expressed through a refined balance of solid wood structure and a softly upholstered seat. Warm, co...
Fabric, Ash, Oak
Bertu Wood Bench, Oak Wood Bench, the Cicely Collection
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Price includes thick weave fabric and finish of your choice. Multiple fabric colors available. We absolutely love the leg design - chunky, fresh, modern, and looks great with any aesthetic. Every piece in the Cicely Collection...
Fabric, Oak
Chrome Slat Bench by Milo Baughman, 1970s
By Milo Baughman, Design Institute America
Located in New York, NY
Chrome Slat Bench by Milo Baughman for the Design Institute of America Chrome Bench, 1970s.
Metal, Chrome
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