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.
$1,236Sale Price / item|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Charcoal Black
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Inspired by the sculptural forms, Frame Lounge Chair is a seating piece with a wider and lower design that presents a cocoon feeling to the person who sinks into it. With the idea of...
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
Woven Cane Bamboo Lounge Chair Yuzuru Yamakawa C, 261 Yamakawa Rattan
By Yuzuru Yamakawa 1, Yamakawa Rattan
Located in Munich, Bavaria
A beautiful organic woven cane chair with a frame made of Bamboo. Designed by Yuzuru Yamakawa for Yamkawa rattan. 1st version from the 80ties. The bamboo cane chair...
Bamboo, Cane
$1,161Sale Price|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Chocolate - Bone White
Located in Bomonti, TR
Inspired by the sculptural forms, Frame Lounge Chair is a seating piece with a wider and lower design that presents a cocoon feeling to the person who sinks into it. With the idea of...
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
$1,161Sale Price|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Chocolate - Brown
Located in Bomonti, TR
Inspired by the sculptural forms, Frame Lounge Chair is a seating piece with a wider and lower design that presents a cocoon feeling to the person who sinks into it. With the idea of...
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
$1,161Sale Price|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Chocolate - Caramel
Located in Bomonti, TR
Inspired by the sculptural forms, Frame Lounge Chair is a seating piece with a wider and lower design that presents a cocoon feeling to the person who sinks into it. With the idea of...
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
Rattan Lounge Chair by Isamu Kenmochi , 2022, Y･M･K-NAGAOKA
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This lounge chair was introduced by Isamu Kenmochi Design Laboratory in 1960. It was designed for installation at the Otone Country Club in Japan. It is a rare piece among Isamu Kenm...
Rattan
Carved & Tufted Orientalist Armchair Attrib. to G. Viardot - France, 19th C
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Impressive Asian-style armchair carved with fretwork detailing, mother-of-pearl inlays and large carved lion's paw feet. Beautifully upholstered in 100% silk brocade with deep button tufting. The fabric is Tassinari & Chatel's Cernuschi collection. Attributed to Gabriel Viardot or Perret & Vibert (La Maison des Bambous).
$1,011Sale Price / item|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair 2/3 Oak Honey - Papyrus White
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Framed by sculptural simplicity, Frame Lounge Chair 2/3 is the compact edition of our iconic Frame Lounge Chair. Designed at a more versatile scale, it preserves the same distinctive...
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
$1,011Sale Price / item|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair 2/3 Oak Honey - Dark Olive
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Framed by sculptural simplicity, Frame Lounge Chair 2/3 is the compact edition of our iconic Frame Lounge Chair. Designed at a more versatile scale, it preserves the same distinctive...
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
$1,161Sale Price / item|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Mist - Brown
Located in Bomonti, TR
Inspired by the sculptural forms, Frame Lounge Chair is a seating piece with a wider and lower design that presents a cocoon feeling to the person who sinks into it. With the idea of...
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
$1,161Sale Price|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Mist - Bone White
By Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı
Located in Bomonti, TR
Inspired by the sculptural forms, Frame Lounge Chair is a seating piece with a wider and lower design that presents a cocoon feeling to the person who sinks into it. With the idea of creating a cozy chair that ensures freedom to the body, it presents a great comfort thanks to its generous size. Hence, you can sit for longer periods of time and enjoy it both indoors and outdoors. In the meantime, it has a well-thought armrest that you can work or eat by putting your laptop or bowl on it. Frame Lounge Chair is made from oak-veneer plywood which is a robust material. It is flatpack; the parts gently join each other with just six screws and no need for glue. The wooden pieces are obtained from sustainable forests, and coated with natural lacquer that provides durability and feel to the material. Features Flat pack Easy to assemble Materials Info: Armrest and Skeleton: Oak veneer birch plywood Legs: Solid oak wood Seat and Backrest: Natural canvas fabric Finish: Mist coloured natural oil Designer Gökhan Eryaman & İsmail Dağlı
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
$1,161Sale Price / item|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Mist - Caramel
By Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı
Located in Bomonti, TR
Inspired by the sculptural forms, Frame Lounge Chair is a seating piece with a wider and lower design that presents a cocoon feeling to the person who sinks into it. With the idea of creating a cozy chair that ensures freedom to the body, it presents a great comfort thanks to its generous size. Hence, you can sit for longer periods of time and enjoy it both indoors and outdoors. In the meantime, it has a well-thought armrest that you can work or eat by putting your laptop or bowl on it. Frame Lounge Chair is made from oak-veneer plywood which is a robust material. It is flatpack; the parts gently join each other with just six screws and no need for glue. The wooden pieces are obtained from sustainable forests, and coated with natural lacquer that provides durability and feel to the material. Features Flat pack Easy to assemble Materials Info: Armrest and Skeleton: Oak veneer birch plywood Legs: Solid oak wood Seat and Backrest: Natural canvas fabric Finish: Mist coloured natural oil Designer Gökhan Eryaman & İsmail Dağlı
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
$1,090Sale Price / item|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair 2/3 Charcoal Black - Blue Dusk
By Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı
Located in Bomonti, TR
Framed by sculptural simplicity, Frame Lounge Chair 2/3 is the compact edition of our iconic Frame Lounge Chair. Designed at a more versatile scale, it preserves the same distinctive...
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
$1,090Sale Price / item|20% Off
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair 2/3 Charcoal Black
By Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı
Located in Bomonti, TR
Framed by sculptural simplicity, Frame Lounge Chair 2/3 is the compact edition of our iconic Frame Lounge Chair. Designed at a more versatile scale, it preserves the same distinctive...
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
$1,560Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 42.5 in W 36.5 in D 38 in
1980s Sculptural Rattan Faux Bamboo Wing Chairs with Ottomans by Lane
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of rattan faux bamboo wing chairs and ottomans by Lane. These large sculptural curved wicker lounge chairs have original removable seat and back...
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
On Hold|$11,500
H 41.5 in W 30.25 in D 32 in
Danish 1940s Flemming Lassen Attributed High Back Lounge Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful Flemming Lassen attributed high back lounge chair made circa 1940. This iconic lounge chair is probably one of the most perfect high backs ever designed. Perfect statement ...
Wool, Beech
Black Leather Wooden Frame Mid Century Lounge Chair
By Grete Jalk
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the Epitome of Mid-Century Elegance: The Jatoba Wooden Lounge Chair Experience timeless luxury in your living space? Look no further than our stunning Mid-Century Jatoba ...
Leather, Wood
Toshiyuki Kita "Dodo" Reclining Lounge Chair by Cassina
Located in Highland, IN
Winner of the 1999 Good Design Award, the "Dodo" chair by Toshiyuki Kita is a dynamic chair with swivel & recline features as well as a retractable footrest. This allows versatile f...
Aluminum
vintage Ikea rattan lounge chair
Located in Brecht, BE
vintage Ikea rattan lounge chair ...
Rattan
Yuzuro Yamakawa Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Rattan and Bamboo
Located in Dallas, TX
Lounge chair and ottoman designed by Yuzuro Yamakawa. Made of bamboo and rattan. Ergonomic design, great sculptural design. Ottoman is 18.9"H x 22.4"W x 20.8"D, Chair is 38.2"H x 33....
Bamboo, Rattan
$3,278
H 27.96 in W 25.99 in D 29.14 in
Børge Mogensen Model 2256 Lounge Chair, Aniline Leather, Oak Frame
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Børge Mogensen lounge chair new upholstered with vintage aniline leather. Frame of oil treated oak. Model 2256, made by Fredericia furniture.
Leather, Oak
$4,850 / set
H 29.25 in W 33 in D 35 in
Isamu Kenmochi Sculptural Rattan Lounge Chairs Mid Century Modern Japan
By Isamu Kenmochi, Yamakawa Rattan
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Rattan Lounge Chairs, designed by Isamu Kenmochi for Yamakawa Rattan, Japan, circa 1960s. They are a near pair, as the chair seen on the right in the first photo is slight...
Upholstery, Wicker, Rattan
$2,880
H 40 in W 33 in D 40 in
Toshiyuki Kita Wink Charcoal Gray Leather Lounge Chair for Cassina, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Charcoal gray leather Wink lounge chair designed by Toshiyuki Kita for Cassina, 1980s. Wink rises out of the complex interweaving of Western ways and Asian influences, a versatile...
Leather
Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Stacking Vintage Stool
By Akita Mokko, Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Designed by Isamu Kenmochi and produced by Akita Mokko, this stool is considered one of the icons of Japanese modern design. Kenmochi is known for his works that blend traditional J...
Wood
Danish Modern 1940s Wingback Lounge Chair With Wooden Wings
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Great example of early Danish midcentury design, circa 1930-40s wingback chair in hand carved solid oak with exposed sides and brass tacks. Sturdy and strong construction of generous...
Wool, Oak
Danish Midcentury Highback Lounge Chair with Teak Frame 1950's
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very cool Danish midcentury armchair in solid teak covered in wool and very representative of the easy chairs of the time designed by such icons as Ib Kofod-Larsen and Edvard Kindt-L...
Wool, Teak
Bamboo Chair by Ubunji Kidokoro
By Ubunji Kidokoro
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a bamboo chair designed by Ubunji Kidokoro, who was enrolled in Mitsukoshi Furniture Design Office in 1937. In 1937, Ubunji Kidokoro was enr...
Bamboo
Rattan Chair and Foot Rest by Yuzru Yamakawa, Japan, 1980
Located in Rijssen, NL
Exceptional rattan chair and footrest CL-261 by Yamakawa, Japan, circa 1980s. Yuzru Yamakawa joined the family rattan furniture business at its inception in the 1950s. A gifted de...
Bamboo, Rattan
Rattan Chair and Foot Rest by Yuzru Yamakawa, Japan, 1980
Located in Rijssen, NL
Exceptional rattan chair and footrest CL-261 by Yamakawa, Japan, circa 1980s. Yuzru Yamakawa joined the family rattan furniture business at its inception in the 1950s. A gifted de...
Bamboo, Rattan
Sold
H 25.4 in W 21.66 in D 25.99 in
Lounge Chair Designed by Junzo Sakakura Manufactured by Tendo Mokko in Japan
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Lounge chairs designed by Junzo Sakakura manufactured by Tendo in Japan. Three for 1980s, one for 1970s. Please contact our for details.
Fabric, Wood, Plywood
Pair of Junzo Sakakura Lounge Chairs
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Pair of lounge chairs designed by Junzo Sakakura manufactured by Tendo in Japan, circa 1970s.
Teak