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.
$1,209 / item
Footrest Azami 157
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This is a jacquard cube pouf, seat in vibrant pink and green tones. Each edge of the pouf is divided by thin, gold sateen piping. The different patterns on the sides of the pouf are ...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Peonia 157
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This is a jacquard cube pouf, seat in vibrant pink and orange tones. Each edge of the pouf is divided by thin, gold sateen piping. The sides of the pouf are designed with a chic patt...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Hanatsugi 121
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This jacquard cube pouf, seat in natural cream and green tones is made with metallic, lurex threads and a Kintsugi pattern. The pouf is beautifully designed with small floral pattern...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Kori 150
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This is a jacquard cube pouf, seat in blue, green, and gold tones. Each edge of the pouf is divided by thin, gold sateen piping. The different patterns on the sides of the pouf are b...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Warabi 148
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This is a jacquard cube pouf, seat in natural green and orange tones. Each edge of the pouf is divided by thin, gold sateen piping. The patterns on the pouf include rich 3D green lea...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Sumie 157
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This is a jacquard cube pouf, seat in a vibrant yellow tone. The sides of the pouf features a playful floral pattern in inverted colours and the top of the pouf is designed with styl...
Fabric
$3,917 / item
Michelle Beige Pouf
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This pouf exudes refined elegance with its sumptuous and timeless silhouette. It is upholstered with the double-faced Kaede fabric in an iridescent beige, adorned with an array of delicate mother of pearl feather...
Wood
$2,308 / item
Charles K Pouf
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This exceptionally soft and comfortable pouf is upholstered in the double-faced Kaede fabric, featuring a dynamic black and white pattern with feather motifs. It is the perfect compa...
Wood
$1,209 / item
Footrest Doubustu Gara 148
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This is a flame retardent velvet cube pouf, seat in natural brown and gold tones. Each edge of the pouf is divided by thin, gold sateen piping. The patterns on the pouf are designed ...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Hanatsugi 160
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This jacquard cube pouf, seat in contrasting black and ivory tones is made with metallic, lurex threads and a Kintsugi pattern. The pouf is beautifully designed with small floral pat...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Daria 150
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This is a jacquard cube pouf, seat in blue, green, and gold tones. Each edge of the pouf is divided by thin, gold sateen piping. The pouf features a pattern of beautiful large blue d...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Kori 160
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This is a jacquard cube pouf, seat in black and gold tones. Each edge of the pouf is divided by thin, gold sateen piping. The different patterns on the sides of the pouf are beautifu...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Pivoine 121
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This is a pouf, cube seat in a natural cream colour with gold detailing made with jacquard fabrics. The different patterns on the sides of the pouf are beautifully designed with smal...
Fabric
$1,209 / item
Footrest Hanatsugi 156
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This jacquard cube pouf, seat is a vibrant red colour with metallic, lurex threads and a Kintsugi pattern. The pouf is beautifully designed with small floral patterns and geometric f...
Fabric
Egypt Pictured Pouf Ottoman Footrest Poof Pouffe Made of Leather, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful leather footrest poof ottoman. The leather poof is in a very good used condition, wood with a nice patina, gives your living room a beautiful ...
Leather
$481Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.09 in W 13.78 in D 9.85 in
Victorian Embroidered Footrest – Ornate Carved Giltwood Base with Floral Decor
Located in Bochum, NRW
Antique Victorian Embroidered Footrest – Ornate Carved Giltwood Base with Floral Needlework Add a touch of refined elegance to your interior with this exquisite antique Victorian foo...
Wood, Upholstery
Ottoman Footrest by Dunbar
Located in New York, NY
Ottoman, footrest manufactured by Dunbar. This example is structurally sound, and sturdy, it shows cosmetic wear and will need to be reupholstered. Asymmetrical form, upholstered top...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,683
H 12.6 in W 20.08 in D 15.75 in
1930s Art Deco Stool, Footrest in Ebonized Walnut Restored, New Upholstery
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Art Deco stool, footrest in ebonized walnut, restored, spring seat with white leatherette new upholstery. Measures cm: H 32, W 51, D 40.
Leather, Walnut
Lombok Stool or Footrest Indoor or Outdoor
Located in Paris, FR
Stool or footrest lombok indoor or outdoor with structure in steel and natural rattan. With cushion seat included. Colors finish in taup, brown, or ocher. Lead time production if on ...
Steel
Set of Three "Contempo" Ottomans, Benches, Footrests, Poufs
By Contempo
Located in New York, NY
Three ottomans selling either as a lot, or individually, priced individually. These will need to be reupholstered as the foam cushions have become hardened. Square chrome legs, uphol...
Chrome
Thonet Rocking Footrest
By Thonet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Thonet rocking footrest in very good original condition with signs of usage.
Rattan, Bentwood
1960s Footrest, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - Wooden parts has been refurbished.
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
Regency Style Leather Footrests
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage style ottomans with leather seats and wrought iron frames. Please confirm location.
Iron
$1,197Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 16.5 in W 23.2 in D 16.1 in
Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Lehnstuhl Hocker Footrest in Black with Woven Cane
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Adolf Loos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nigel Coates widens his furnishing proposal for Wiener GTV Design by introducing in his collection an extremely original element: the Lehnstuhl-Hocke...
Wood
$1,230
H 20.08 in W 25.99 in D 14.57 in
19th Century James Shoolbred London Victorian Gothic Oak Footrest Stool
Located in Norwich, GB
An unusual Victorian gothic oak footrest/stool made by James Shoolbred of London. Circa 1880. Maker's label. The footrest has shaped ends with pierced de...
Oak
$1,262 / item
H 15.75 in W 21.26 in D 9.06 in
Footrest Stool "Pollicino" Design Ezio Didone for Selle Regina Busnelli, 1976
By Busnelli, Ezio Didone
Located in taranto, IT
Very rare "Pollicino " footrest designed by Ezio Didone production Selle Regina for Busnelli made of polyurethane foam, dark gray color, base size 54x23 cm, height 40 cm, in excelle...
Foam
Sold
H 18.51 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in L 18.51 in
Gorgeous Pair of Footstools Attributed to G. Viardot, France, circa 1890
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Exquisite pair of "Japonisme" stools in ebonized wood, with carvings typically found in furniture by Gabriel Viardot. Original velvet, brocade and trimmings -- lovely but worn.