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.
KITA LIVING Wa Stool - Oak Mist
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Wa Stool Contoured by a lyrical structure, Wa Stool takes its name from the Japanese word “harmony”. It characterizes its presence in the balance of soulful forms and delicate detail...
Oak
KITA LIVING Wa Stool - Japanese Red
By Tuğberk Kurtaran, İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Wa Stool Japanese Red Contoured by a lyrical structure, Wa Stool takes its name from the Japanese word “harmony”. It characterizes its presence in the balance of soulful forms and ...
Oak
Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko Stacking Vintage Stool
By Isamu Kenmochi, Akita Mokko
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
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
Ratan Stool by Isamu Kenmochi , 2022, Y･M･K-NAGAOKA
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This is the smallest of Isamu Kenmochi's Ratan stools. It is just the right size for small children. The cushion is fixed so it will not fall off. This is...
Rattan
Japanese antique pine stool 1800, handcrafted unique
By Axel Einar Hjorth, José Zanine Caldas
Located in Forest, BE
Unique Japanese pine stool. Lots of patina, it's a true beauty of minimal craftsmanship. Lightweight and easy to move. A true eye catcher in any interior. __________________________...
Pine
KITA LIVING Wa Stool - Charcoal Black
By Tuğberk Kurtaran, İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Contoured by a lyrical structure, Wa Stool takes its name from the Japanese word “harmony”. It characterizes its presence in the balance of soulful forms and delicate details. The ...
Oak
$375Sale Price|21% Off
Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquer Low Japanese Stool with Gold Leaf Accents
Located in San Diego, CA
1950s solid black lacquer wood and gold leaf accents low stool/table, stamped made in Japan solid construction with a polished finish that shows natural wear age soft scratches, a co...
Wood, Lacquer
$943 / item
KITA LIVING Hana Stool Charcoal Black
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Hana Stool takes shape from the three-petal form of the hana flower, reflecting a soft and balanced design language. Its rounded edges and organic geometry introduce a quiet rhythm a...
Stainless Steel
Ryosuke Harashima Contemporary Zen ebony stool
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Utopia Stool made of Copper base and Ebony wood. Artist Statement Growing up, I was often taken to art museums. I did not dislike putting myself in an unusual space and stand...
Copper
KITA LIVING Hana Stool Charcoal Black - Chrome
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Hana Stool takes shape from the three-petal form of the hana flower, reflecting a soft and balanced design language. Its rounded edges and organic geometry introduce a quiet rhythm a...
Stainless Steel
KITA LIVING Hana Stool Oak Chocolate - Chrome
By Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı
Located in Bomonti, TR
Hana Stool takes shape from the three-petal form of the hana flower, reflecting a soft and balanced design language. Its rounded edges and organic geometry introduce a quiet rhythm a...
Stainless Steel
$943 / item
KITA LIVING Hana Stool Oak Mist - Black
By Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı
Located in Bomonti, TR
Hana Stool takes shape from the three-petal form of the hana flower, reflecting a soft and balanced design language. Its rounded edges and organic geometry introduce a quiet rhythm a...
Stainless Steel
$943 / item
KITA LIVING Hana Stool Oak Mist - Chrome
By Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı
Located in Bomonti, TR
Hana Stool takes shape from the three-petal form of the hana flower, reflecting a soft and balanced design language. Its rounded edges and organic geometry introduce a quiet rhythm a...
Stainless Steel
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood...
Wood, Oak
Rustic Oak Milking Stool
Located in London, London
Oak milking stool This charming rustic stool is crafted from solid oak wood, showcasing a simple yet robust design. T stool features a round, flat seat with visible wood grain patte...
Oak
Scandinavian Modern Solid Pine Stools, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Solid pine stools / side tables manufactured in the 1970s. In the style of Roland Wilhelmsson, Gilbert Marklund, Yngve Ekström, Axel Einar Hjorth etc. Two stools available.
Pine
$1,800 / set
H 16.54 in W 13.59 in D 13.59 in
Set of Japanese Old Octagon Wood Stools 1940s-1960s / Side Table Stool Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a vintage octagonal stool crafted in Japan, dating from the Taisho to early Showa period (1940s–1960s). Made from KIRI (Paulownia wood), a traditional material cherished in J...
Wood
$2,500
H 17.33 in Dm 29.53 in
Macaron Stool Designed by Daniel Basso and Estudio Florida, Argentina, 2022
By Daniel Basso, Estudio Florida
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
"Macaron" stool designed by Daniel Basso and Estudio Florida. Argentina, 2022. The Argentinian artist Daniel Basso joins the architecture studio Estudio Florida to create an everyday...
Fabric, Wood
Bertu Stool, Tulum Black Wood Stool, Red Cedar
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Stool, Tulum Black Wood Stool, Red Cedar Why buy Bertu Home stumps? Kiln Dried Our stumps and stools all go through a drying process in our k...
Cedar
Pine Stools with Linen Fabric Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Set of 3 stools by unknown designer. Produced in Sweden.
Linen, Pine
Jacobean Oak Joint Stool
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular original seat over a conforming frieze with chip carved detail, raised on turned legs joined by a box stretcher.
Oak
$1,200Sale Price|31% Off
H 13 in W 17 in D 12 in
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Molded Blonde Rosewood for Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Chicago, IL
The Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi, (1915 - 2011) an iconic figure in Japanese industrial design. Originally created in 1954 using the moulded plywood technique that had been newly ...
Rosewood
$1,200Sale Price|40% Off
H 13 in W 17 in D 12 in
Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Molded Blonde Rosewood for Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Chicago, IL
The Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi, (1915 - 2011) an iconic figure in Japanese industrial design. Originally created in 1954 using the moulded plywood technique that had been newly c...
Rosewood
$4,850 / set
H 29.25 in W 33 in D 35 in
Isamu Kenmochi Sculptural Rattan Lounge Chairs Mid Century Modern Japan
By Yamakawa Rattan, Isamu Kenmochi
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
Japanese antique wooden stool/1900-1920/small chair
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a wooden stool made of cedar wood from the late Meiji and Taisho periods (around 1900-1920) in Japan. It is believed to have been actually used in old private homes and farmh...
Cedar
Pair of Stacking Chairs by Isamu Kenmochi for Akita Mokko
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
Meiji Period Japanese Shop Keepers Stool Early 20th Century
Located in Oakland, CA
Early 20th Century Japanese shop keepers stool, this one is a bit unusual in that it has the open architecture as opposed to the enclosed form. Having a great patina from age and use.
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Shop Stool Meiji Period
Located in Oakland, CA
Early 20th Century Meiji period Japanese shop keepers stool, crafted with a cut out for storage. A very nice architectural form that blends in with any interior. The wood has a soft ...
Wood
A Fumidai stool - Japan - 1920
By Sori Yanagi
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Ce tabouret en bois de paulownia (kiri) incarne l'esthétique sobre et épurée du mouvement Mingei tel que défini par Sōetsu Yanagi dans son ouvrage "L’Idée du Mingei" (1933). Il reflè...
Wood
Sold
H 17.33 in W 17.72 in D 19.3 in
Japanese Driftwood Stool /Exhibition Table / Flower Stand /Wabisabi Stool
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It will be a stool with a loneliness made of driftwood. It is practical and has a beautiful appearance as an object. Size: W 45 D 49 H 44 (cm) Weight about 2kg.
Wood
Japanese Wooden Block Stool / Side Table Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It will be a new material stool. It is a stool that gives you a feeling of Japanese beauty and wabi-sabi with a finish similar to lacquer. It is a size and weight that can be used...
Wood
Pair of Vintage Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Two stools covered with handstitched orange leather. Ebony accents on the wood frame.
Leather, Ebony
Four Stacking Stools by Isamu Kenmochi for Tendo Mokko
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Iconic stacking stools originally designed by Isamu Kenmochi in 1958. These stools were manufactured by Tendo in Japan in the 1970s. These beautiful, minimalistic stools are made of...
Beech
Three Stacking Stools by Isamu Kenmochi for Tendo Mokko
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Iconic stacking stools originally designed by Isamu Kenmochi in 1958. These stools were manufactured by Tendo in Japan in the 1970s. These beautiful, minimalistic stools are made of ...
Beech
Pair of Sori Yanagi "Butterfly Stools for Tendo Mokko
By Sori Yanagi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Rare butterfly stool designed by Sori Yanagi, manufactured by Tendo in Japan. One of the two has a number written in the matching part. 1970s.