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.
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
1890s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Japonisme Furniture
Wool, Jute, Cotton
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Majolica
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Steel
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Gold
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1910s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century English Japonisme Furniture
Bone, Hardwood
2010s Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Brass
2010s Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Sandstone
Mid-18th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Silver
1930s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Onyx, Bronze
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Polyester
1880s Belgian Antique Japonisme Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Mirror, Bamboo
Late 17th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Faience
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Onyx, Bronze
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Rattan, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Pottery
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
1940s English Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Silk, Beads
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
20th Century Spanish Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century East Asian Antique Japonisme Furniture
Zinc
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Art Glass
1920s English Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century Antique Japonisme Furniture
Fruitwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Japonisme Furniture
Paper
1820s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Belgian Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
1970s French Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Spanish Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain