Japonisme Furniture
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.
2010s Italian Japonisme Furniture
Fabric, Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Danish Japonisme Furniture
Stoneware, Ceramic, Pottery
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Earthenware
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
1890s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Blown Glass
1960s Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Mirror
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Beech, Mirror
1980s Belgian Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Oak
1950s French Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Japonisme Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Silk
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Cotton, Silk
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Metallic Thread
Early 2000s Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Silk
1990s Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Cotton
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Pottery
1880s English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Spanish Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
19th Century Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century French Japonisme Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Stoneware
1870s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Enamel, Ormolu
20th Century French Japonisme Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Metal
19th Century Russian Antique Japonisme Furniture
Silver, Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Mirror, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Bronze