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.
$1,046 / item
KITA LIVING Wa Bench
By Tuğberk Kurtaran, İsmail Dağlı, 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
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
$1,541 / item
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
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 İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman, Tuğberk Kurtaran
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 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
Woven Cane Bamboo Lounge Chair Yuzuru Yamakawa C, 261 Yamakawa Rattan
By Yamakawa Rattan, Yuzuru Yamakawa 1
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
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
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
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Elliptical - Oak Mist
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Characterized by elliptical forms, Frame Chair is an expression of comfort and well-balanced geometry. The confident relationship between skeleton, seat and backrest figures its pres...
Wood, Oak, Plywood
Set of 2 La Cuza low chairs by Yasushiro Shimuzu for Tendo Mokko, Japan
By Tendo Mokko
Located in Athens, Attiki
A cool pair of Japanese "La Cuza" low chairs by Yasushiro Shimuzu for Tendo Mokko, 1980s Bentwood, adjustable headrest and seat pad in gray-green fabric.
Fabric, Bentwood
19th Century Japanese Armchair
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very dramatic late 19th century Japanese carved softwood armchair. Having mythical dragons entwined to the backrest and arms, raised on carved cab...
Softwood
$2,219 / set
Set of 6 Chairs in the Japandi Brutalist Style
Located in Beerse, VAN
Set of six chairs in the minimalist Japandi style. Simplicity, natural materials and traditional techniques are the main components here. The chairs are made of solid oak with a dar...
Oak
$400 / set
Antique Rosewood Carved Chairs
Located in Phoenix, AZ
(2) Antique rosewood chairs. Each chair has a delicate hummingbird and cherry blossom carving. Dimensions: Height – 37.5 inches from floor to the highest point and 36.5 inches fro...
Teak
Oriental Carved Sofa, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A beautiful 19th century Japanese sofa, having carved classical oriental foliate, floral decoration, with mythical dragons to the arms and raised on scrolling cabriole legs.
Softwood
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
Late 19th Century Japanese Armchair
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very dramatic 19th century Japanese carved armchair. Depicting mythical dragons to the arms and back, amongst clouds. Raised on carved cabriole legs.
Softwood
$3,503Sale 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
$8,334Sale Price|20% Off
Hand-Woven Japanese Rope and Bamboo Sofa by Sir Terence Conran, 1970
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Beautiful unique low Japanese rope and bamboo sofa, sold at Conran shop in the 1980s, with the back even more beautiful then the front. Conran is a high end shop. About themselves t...
Steel
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 Gökhan Eryaman, Tuğberk Kurtaran, İsmail Dağlı
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
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
$17,407 / item
Louis Blue Armchair
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
This armchair has a sumptuous design, upholstered with an eclectic combination of four distinct satin fabrics, making it a charming statement piece for modern living spaces. The soli...
Wood
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair 2/3 Oak Honey - Dark Olive
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
$1,174 / 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
$1,174 / 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
$7,755 / item
Rattan Sofa by Isamu Kenmochi , 2022, Y･M･K-NAGAOKA
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This is a custom-made model, exclusive to CASA DE, produced by YMK Nagaoka (formerly Yamakawa Rattan), which has been manufacturing rattan furniture since the 1950s. The supple curve...
Rattan
$1,360 / item
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
Pair of lacquered wood and rattan "meditation" chairs - Japan, early 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Asian Art - Antique Decoration Measures : 80x60cm H:91cm SH:43cm Discover this pair of lacquered wood and rattan meditation chairs, dating from the early 20th century in Japan. Thei...
Rattan, Wood
$1,448 / item
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
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
$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
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Elliptical - Oak Chocolate
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Characterized by elliptical forms, Frame Chair is an expression of comfort and well-balanced geometry. The confident relationship between skeleton, seat and backrest figures its pres...
Wood, Oak, Plywood
$940 / 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
$5,140 / set
Large Pair of 19th Century Oriental Armchairs
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive large pair of Japanese carved softwood armchairs, each depicting carved exotic flowers and foliage.
Softwood
$2,487 / item
KITA LIVING Daybed
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Born in a monumental serenity, Daybed is a piece of furniture that blends comfort and pure geometry. Characterized by structural appearance, it is a balance of horizontal and vertica...
Oak
$134 / item
Frame Cushion Rectangular
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Frame Cushion Rectangular is a seating pad characterized by a simple geometric form. It presents a comfortable experience by creating a pouf-like feeling for those who sit on it. Th...
Polyester
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
$1,448 / item
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Mist - Caramel
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 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
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Mist - Bone White
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 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
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Elliptical - Oak Black
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Characterized by elliptical forms, Frame Chair is an expression of comfort and well-balanced geometry. The confident relationship between skeleton, seat and backrest figures its pres...
Wood, Oak, Plywood
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Rectangular - Oak Black
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Characterized by rectangular forms, Frame Chair is an expression of comfort and well-balanced geometry. The confident relationship between skeleton, seat and backrest figures its pre...
Wood, Oak, Plywood
U Stool Takuya Hamajima Contemporary Zen Japanese Ceramic
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Contemporary Japanese style chair. Rather sculpture than chair. Made of rusted steel, ceramic, and wood. Base is steel. Seat is ceramic. Arm pane...
Ceramic, Wood
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 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
$940 / item
KITA LIVING Hana Stool Oak Mist - 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
$940 / item
KITA LIVING Hana Stool Oak Mist - 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
Minimalist Platform Sofa by Studio Yann Gandon in Solid European Beech
Located in København S, DK
The Platform Sofa by Studio Yann Gandon is a minimalist, Japanese-inspired piece that brings a sense of calm and visual clarity to any interior. Handcrafted in Denmark from solid Eur...
Hardwood, Beech
$134 / item
Frame Cushion Elliptical
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Frame Cushion Elliptical is a seating pad characterized by a simple geometric form. It presents a comfortable experience by creating a pouf-like feeling for those who sit on it. Thi...
Polyester
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Rectangular - Oak Mist
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
Characterized by rectangular forms, Frame Chair is an expression of comfort and well-balanced geometry. The confident relationship between skeleton, seat and backrest figures its pre...
Wood, Oak, Plywood
$6,540Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 important Asian armchairs with Bats and Cranes, Indochina, Circa 1880
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb set of 4 important Asian armchairs in carved Chinese mahogany wood (toona sinensis). Carved with plant and animal motifs: 3 sculpted bats (symbols of good fortune, happiness ...
Wood
$12,525 / item
Anne Yellow Armchair
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
An exceptional work of craftsmanship by wood and textile artisans, this plush armchair is a charming addition to refined modern interiors. Hand-carved from solid beech and finished i...
Wood
$3,503Sale Price / set|25% Off
Japanese Chairs attributed to Gabriel Viardot, France, circa 1880, set of 4
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb set of 4 Japanese chairs. Carved and inlaid wood. Backrest pediments decorated with vegetal friezes marquetry. Feet in the shape of animal claw paws, ...
Fabric, Wood
$16,491
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
$1,174 / 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
$1,174 / 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
$1,174 / 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
$1,174 / 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
$8,543 / item
Charles K Daybed
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
A sophisticated and clean design, this lounge chair is upholstered with a striped velvet jacquard fabric, offering an elegant centrepiece for modern living spaces. Resting on a matte...
Wood