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 Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
Mid-20th Century American Japonisme Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Pottery
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Marble
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Silk
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
Late 20th Century Chinese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Smoked Glass, Wood, Oak, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Faience, Ceramic
1980s Portuguese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Paint, Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
1950s Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Art Glass
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1980s French Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Enamel
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Jade
Early 20th Century French Japonisme Furniture
Brass
1920s English Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Paint
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric, Plastic
20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century European Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Silk, Wood
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
2010s Danish Japonisme Furniture
Stainless Steel
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Silk
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Enamel, Brass
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Art Glass
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Paper
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Tin
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Composition
1890s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Birdseye Maple
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Mirror
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze