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.
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Oak, Plywood
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Smoked Glass, Wood, Plywood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Paint
1860s English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
1920s British Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Japonisme Furniture
Iron
1920s British Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Paper
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Stoneware
1870s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Faience
1940s French Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Faience
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Iron
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Oak
Late 20th Century Chinese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
17th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Paint, Paper
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Silver
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Paint
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Oak
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
Early 1900s American Antique Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Faience, Majolica, Pottery
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
15th Century and Earlier Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Stone
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Silk
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ivory, Softwood
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s German Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
1940s English Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Metal
18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Iron, Gold Leaf
Early 1800s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Fabric, Silk
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal
1970s Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer, Rosewood
1870s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Faience
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s German Antique Japonisme Furniture
Stoneware
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century European Japonisme Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Wire
1910s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Paper
1930s French Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Pottery