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 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
1910s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Japonisme Furniture
Paper
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Mirror, Bamboo
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Mirror, Wood
2010s Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Copper
1950s American Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Abalone, Wood
1870s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Shell, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Enamel, Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Brass, Copper
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Jade, Metal
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal
1890s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Art Glass
1940s English Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Earthenware
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Brass
1960s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze, Brass
1870s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Gold
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century French Japonisme Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Silk
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Glass, Art Glass
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s German Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Metal
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Late 17th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Late 19th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Spelter
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Rattan, Wood, Parchment Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Metal
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Fabric, Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Earthenware
21st Century and Contemporary American Japonisme Furniture
Paper
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century American Antique Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker, Wood