Japonisme Seating
JAPONISME STYLE
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.
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Style: Japonisme
Woven Cane Bamboo Lounge Chair Yuzuru Yamakawa C, 261 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...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Cane
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Charcoal Black
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...
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Canvas, Plywood, Oak
Minimalistic Japandi Bench or Coffee Table, the Netherlands, 1970s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Solid wooden bench or coffee table. Wabi sabi, japandi style.
With beautiful joints.
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Japonisme Seating
Materials
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...
Category
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
1880s Vietnamese Antique Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of 3 Japonisme style / Aesthetic Movement chairs, France, circa 1900
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Set of 3 chairs in Asian style.
Japonism / Aesthetic Movement, France, circa 1900
Structure in good condition, traces of use. Damaged canings.
Dimensions:
height 92 cm
width 48 cm...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
KITA LIVING Daybed
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...
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Oak
Ratan Stool by Isamu Kenmochi , 2022, Y･M･K-NAGAOKA
Located in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JP
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...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Seating
Materials
Rattan
KITA LIVING Wa Bench
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...
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Oak
Bamboo Chair 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...
Category
1930s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Seating
Materials
Bamboo
Rattan Sofa by Isamu Kenmochi , 2022, Y･M･K-NAGAOKA
Located in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JP
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...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Seating
Materials
Rattan
Rattan Lounge Chair by Isamu Kenmochi , 2022, Y･M･K-NAGAOKA
Located in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JP
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...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Seating
Materials
Rattan
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Elliptical - Oak Black
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...
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Oak, Plywood
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Elliptical - Oak Mist
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...
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Oak, Plywood
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Rectangular - Oak Mist
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...
Category
2010s Asian Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Oak, Plywood
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Rectangular - Oak Black
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...
Category
2010s Asian Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Oak, Plywood
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Elliptical - Oak Chocolate
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...
Category
2010s Asian Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Oak, Plywood
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Mist - 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 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
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
KITA LIVING Frame Chair Rectangular - Oak Chocolate
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...
Category
2010s Asian Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Oak, Plywood
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...
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
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...
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
KITA LIVING Frame Lounge Chair - Oak Mist - 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 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
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
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...
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
KITA LIVING Wa Stool
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
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...
Category
2010s Turkish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
Reflex Stool Natural Oil
Located in Birkerød, DK
The REFLEX stool is a sculptural approach to comfortable seating. The stool consists of 1 shape multiplied 8 times. The result is a simple stool in a simple construction.
REFLEX is ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Japonisme Seating
Materials
Oak, Wood
Reflex Stool Black Stained Matt Lacquer
Located in Birkerød, DK
The REFLEX stool is a sculptural approach to comfortable seating. The stool consists of 1 shape multiplied 8 times. The result is a simple stool in a simple construction.
REFLEX is ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Oak
Reflex Stool Black Oil
Located in Birkerød, DK
The REFLEX stool is a sculptural approach to comfortable seating. The stool consists of 1 shape multiplied 8 times. The result is a simple stool in a simple construction.
REFLEX is ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Lithuanian Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Oak
Viva Premium Velvet Bench Manufactured in Spain in Artisan Ateliers, Houtique
By Carolina Micó Navarro
Located in Madrid, ES
VIVA, subtlety and rotundity in a bench that plays with your perception.
Discover HOUTIQUE’s experimental atelier, a space where creativity and craftsmanship come together thanks to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Japonisme Seating
Materials
Velvet, Wood
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, ...
Category
1880s French Antique Japonisme Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Seating
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
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...
Category
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Seating
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
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.
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Seating
Materials
Softwood
Gabriel Viardot , Solid Palisander Chair with Bronzes Design, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Gabriel Viardot (attributed to), solid palisander chair with bronzes design, 19th century
Ancient restorations.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Seating
Materials
Palisander
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Seating
Materials
Softwood
Pair of Oriental Chairs, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very stylish pair of late 19th century Japanese side chairs, each with wonderful carved leaves and orchids to the backs and legs.
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Seating
Materials
Softwood
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.
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Seating
Materials
Softwood
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.
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Seating
Materials
Softwood
Exquisite Pair of Chairs Attributed to Gabriel Viardot, France, circa 1890
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rare and wonderful pair of "Pagoda" side chairs by Gabriel Viardot.
Mahogany, with ivory and bronze detailing. The back medallions feature a dragon.
Newly reupholstered with ve...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Seating
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).
Category
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Seating
Japonisme seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Japonisme seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Japonisme seating made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı, Akiko Ken Made, and Isamu Kenmochi. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $375 and tops out at $14,000 while the average work can sell for $921.
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