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Meiji Furniture

MEIJI STYLE

From 1868 to 1912, Emperor Mutsuhito oversaw an era of transformation in Japan. Formerly a country of feudalism and isolation, Japan entered an age of modernization influenced by newly established trade and exchange with the West. The Meiji period, or period of “enlightened rule,” also saw the global impact of the East Asian country’s culture. Japanese Meiji furniture was exhibited at expositions from Paris to San Francisco and created for export.

Prior to the Meiji era, furniture was mostly made by commission for the ruling class; now there were new domestic and international markets. European styles like Japonisme appropriated Japanese design while craftsmen in places like Wales and England employed japanning, a varnishing technique that approximated the appearance of lacquer for the surfaces of furnishings.

Meiji furniture made for Japanese homes and buildings constructed in Western styles resulted in taller tables, chairs, cabinets with large drawers and other features. The government invested in areas such as transportation and communication, and because people could freely choose occupations after the restrictions of feudalism, industries of various types were energized by expressive new ideas during those years. Art schools were formed and, for the first time, design was an area of study in the country, leading to the evolution of professional design as a career by the 1890s.

The work of Japanese designers was transmitted widely through lavishly illustrated pattern books that included designs for screens and lacquerware for the home. While screens today may be of use as decorative accents or partitions to ensure privacy in one’s space, Japanese screens were adorned with paintings and were featured in performing arts such as concerts, tea ceremonies and more. The color illustrations that characterize Meiji woodblock prints, a genre of Japanese art that grew out of 17th-century developments in printing and book publishing, depicted the sweeping changes that the era brought to East Asia.

Although it was a time of societal and cultural shifts, a bolstered interest in art and design elevated Japanese craft traditions. From colorful porcelain table lamps with silk shades and hardwood tables decorated with dark lacquer to cabinets featuring iron hardware and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Meiji furniture showcased Japan’s artistic heritage to the world.

Find a collection of antique Japanese Meiji period case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Meiji
Toyohara Kunichika Japanese Triptych Woodblock Print of Kabuki Theater Actors
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully composed, beautifully, and richly colored triptych woodblock print by famed Japanese artist Toyohara Kunichika featuring four dramatic and quite intense Kabuki theatre ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Paper

Japanese Blue Red Porcelain Charger by Master Artist, 4
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary vivid red, blue and gold Japanese contemporary porcelain charger in museum quality , a signed masterpiece by master porcelain artist of the Imari-Arita region of Japan’...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Gold

Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Elephant Fighting Tigers By Genryusai Seiya
Located in King's Lynn, GB
A Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Elephant Fighting Tigers By Genryusai Seiya. Genryusai Seiya: Genryusai Seiya was a master craftsman in charge of a workshop which specialised in exp...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Set of Cup and Tea Bowl Porcelain Eggshell
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice set. Very nicely decorated. They are marked on the base. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: Japan Period: 19th century, 20th century...
Category

19th Century Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Green Pink Porcelain vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
This extraordinary Japanese contemporary museum-quality decorative porcelain vase features a patch of thistle plants and flowers -- a traditional motif in Imari-Arita porcelain art. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Blue White Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 4
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in various shades of blue on an elegant ovoid body, a signed piece by master porcelain artist fr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese ink on paper painting of Plum Blossoms, Tani Buncho
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese ink on paper painting of Plum Blossoms and Poem, scroll mounting, signature & single seal: Tani Buncho (1763 - 1840). A famous and prol...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Paper

Lovely Modern Porcelain Art Japanese or Chinese porcelain PROC Vase 20th/21st
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Fabulous japanese earthenware Satsuma Vase of great shape and scene. Taizan Yohei style. Meiji Period It was made into a lamp, there is a hole in the base, a cork in the neck and a b...
Category

19th Century Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Old Japanese small Stone Figurine in the Shape of Daruma / Scholar's Stone
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is collected from rivers and mountains. It is a natural stone, and only the surface has been polished. It is rounded, so I think it was probably picked up from a river. I think...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Stone

Japanese Contemporary Red Green Purple Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in soft red, green, gold and purple on a stunningly shaped porcelain body, a signed masterpiece by...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meji Period Imari Japanese Porcelain Plate Arita, Japan, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this lovely Japanese Imari deep dish from the Meiji period. With very nice floral design. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: Japan Perio...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique ca 1900 Japanese Satsuma Top Quality Mini Vase Richly Decorated
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Sharing with you is this nice satsuma miniature vase decorated with birds in an mountainous landscape scene. Condition Overall Condition missing chips and restuc...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Late Meiji Period Folk Wood Carving Japanese God of War, Arts, Shrines Protector
Located in Miami, FL
Probably more than likely from a Japanese home altar, this is a folk art rendition of Hachiman Yahata no Kani, Japanese God of War, Archery, Culture and Pro...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Woodblock Print, Dutch Lady with Child and Servant
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique Japanese Woodblock – Dutch Lady with Child and Servant – Meiji Period attributed to Utagawa Kuniteru II Yokohama-e – Yokohama-e are prints depicting foreigners in Yokohama ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Paper

Antique Japanese CHaiwan Meiji/Taisho Period Set Of Tea Bowls Porcelain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description A very nice set of 9 tea bowls decorated with flowers. Amazing quality. Box included. All will be packed neat and sent track and trace airmail with insurance. Packages ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Totai Shippo Porcelain Covered Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Japanese porcelain box. Decorated to the exterior with a dark turquoise enamel ground with floral decorations. The figural finial as wel...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Antique Arita Japanese Armorial Plate with Fine Details Arms of Powel, 19th C.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this magnificent lovely plate from the late 19th century, with high quality painting. It’s a Fukagawa mark armorial dish with the arms of Powell. The text says; Pro patria se...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Meiji Porcelain Garden Seat or Table
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning 19th century Japanese Meiji period hand decorated porcelain garden seat, garden stool or table. This antique Japanese garden seat is bea...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Noh/Kabuki Shakkyo painting, Torii Kiyotada
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese colors, gofun and metallics on silk painting of Noh/Kabuki Dancers, depicting two figures of actors dancing in the play Shakkyo portraying a pair of shishi (lions), one on a...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silk

Japanese Purple Blue Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite gilded and intricately hand-painted Japanese contemporary porcelain vase in an elegant shape, extremely intricately hand-painted in various hues of purple and blue, a signe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Gold

Pair of 19th C Meiji Bronze Champleve and Cloisonne Enamel Vases Mounted as Lamp
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of 19th century Japanese Meiji Bronze Champleve and Cloisonne Enameled Vases Mounted as Lamps. Very rare pair. 8" x 8" x Adjustable height 21" to 24"H.
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Blue White Porcelain Charger by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary museum-quality porcelain charger, extremely intricately hand-painted masterpiece hand-painted in blue underglaze in various shades of blue on a stunni...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19th c Japanese Meiji Arita plate in Ming Chinese Style Landscape Wan
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Very nice Japanese dish with a scene relating to Late Ming Xieyi painting Condition Perfect. Size 23.5x4CM DiameterxHeight Period 20th century
Category

17th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 19C Japanese Satsuma Flowers Foliage Jar with Landscape Japan
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description A Japanese Satsuma vase, Meiji period Of ovoid shape and decorated with flowers and foliage between cell borders, later white metal collar and cover. Condition ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Antique Japanese Bronze Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair Antique Japanese Bronze Vases clearly illustrate the mastery of the metalsmiths of Japan! Cast and sculpted in bronze and given a rich oil-rubbed antique finish, each features ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Black Lacquer Panels Mounted in a Shadowbox Frame, Japanese
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900 pair of black lacquer panels mounted in a shadowbox frame, Japanese. Elegant, later Meiji period work. Gilt painted, overlaid & inlaid with abalone & mother of pearl. One ...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer

Saki-Ori Farmers Coat, Northern Japan, Meiji Period
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Saki-ori farmers coat, Northern Japan, Meiji period A very heavy and substantial saki-ori coat, made of cotton with an indigo kasuri lapel. Several patches of hand sewn stitching ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Japanese Contemporary Porcelain Box Orange Green by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Magnificent Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain box/centerpiece, a museum-quality exhibition piece extremely intricately hand-painted in vivid blue, orange and green on a stun...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Meiji Terracotta Wall Plaque Vantines Oriental Store New York
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare Japanese Meiji terracotta wall plaque depicting a traveller being attacked dating from around 1890. The plaque depicting a relief moulde...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Large Meiji Period Bronze Twin Handled Urn with Decoration
Located in Redding, CT
Large Meiji period bronze twin handled urn with decoration. Decoration consists of raised birds, branches with cherry blossoms and a dragon. Nice patina to this gorgeous vase that ca...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Contemporary Framed Red Black Silk Brocade Oshie Decorative Art
Located in Takarazuka, JP
A sophisticated technique is used to transform highest quality kimono fabrics into exquisite antique pieces of kimono fabric to recreate a Genryoku kosode kimono . Tagasode is the wa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silk, Brocade

Antique Japanese Print by Hiroshige Block 53 stations of Tokaido Road, Japan
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice block print by Hiroshige. Kinryusan Temple at akusa. 53 stations of Tokaido Road. Hakone Lake View Additional information: Material: Paper Region of Origin: Japan Period...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Paper

19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Satsuma Vase Fitted as Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Large antique Japanese Meiji period Satsuma vase fitted as table lamp with two standard sockets, wiring and plug, mounted on ebonized wooden stand.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Brush Painting of a Standing Bodhisattva of Mercy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Japanese brush painting of a standing Bodhisattva of Mercy, beautiful colors and brush work, 19th century, original brocade mount
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Paper

Japanese Contemporary Blue Pink Gold Black Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Unique Contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in blue and pink on a beautifully shaped body, set against a stunning background of intricate tenmoku...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Platinum

19th Century Japanese Flower Arranging Ikebana Basket with Handle
Located in Germantown, MD
A Meiji Japanese Flower Arranging Ikebana Basket. Hancrafted and handwoven in bamboo, split reed and bamboo skins. Bamboo construction with twisted rope design Great antique conditio...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Reed, Wood

Japanese Contemporary Blue Red Porcelain Lidded Jar Vase
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari style porcelain lidded temple jar/vase, intricately hand-painted in cobalt blue, iron red and green with generous application of gold on an e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Gold

Japanese Meiji Chikanobu Toyohara Framed Woodblock Print with Archery Tournament
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese signed woodblock print by Chikanobu Toyohara (Chikanobu Yoshu), 1838-1912, titled "Start of an Archery Tournament", a tript...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper, Glass

Japanese Contemporary Blue Red Purple Porcelain Charger by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain charger, hand painted in vivid purple, red and blue, a signed work by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist of Japan’s Imari-A...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Of Satsuma Earthenware Vases "zenkozan" Japan, Meiji Period
Located in Bilzen, BE
Pair of Earthenware vases from Satsuma Japan Each side with different decoration Signature under the base "Zenkozan" end of the Meiji period Height 22 cm Perfect condition
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Old Wooden Netsuke 19/20th C Japanese Japan FROG Meiji Period
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 8 grams Provenance: Collected in the 1980's. From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen, ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Japanese bronze vase decorated with Kintaro riding Carp Koi - Meiji - 19th Japan
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very pretty Japanese Meiji bronze vase representing a naked boy, like a cherub, very muscular on a Koi carp in the middle of crashing waves. The bronze work is very beautiful, the mo...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japanese Bronze / copper Statue Incense Burner Fisherman on a fish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
a very nice statue of a fisherman on a fish Condition 40 x 35 cm. Good condition with sign of ware. Period 19th century
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

19th / 20th c Bronze Netsuke Squirrel with a nut Japanese Japan
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
19th / 20th c Bronze Netsuke Squirrel with a nut Japanese Japan Signed Condition Period 20th century Meiji Periode (1867-1912)
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Antique Japanese Meiji 'Black Ship' Imari Porcelain Cup & Saucer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine of antique Japanese Imari porcelain cup & saucer. In the 'Black Ship' pattern. Decorated throughout with painted depictions of Western sai...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Porcelain Large Box in the form of a Butterfly
Located in Downingtown, PA
Japanese Porcelain Box in the form of a Butterfly, Mid-19th Century, The Japanese porcelain Imari box is molded in the form of a large butterfly with differ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Fine and Large Antique Asian Altar Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique Japanese altar table. Dark brown stained wood tall narrow altar table with a small drawer on each end, the apron in front with roughly carved panels and scrolled ends. The en...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Japanese Porcelain Plate Arita Japan Zoshuntei marked Base Geisha, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Cool plate Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Type: Plates Region of Origin: Japan Period: 19th century Japan Dynasty Period: Meiji Period (1867-1912) Japanese St...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Pair of Mixed Metal Meiji Period Vases
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large pair of mixed metal Meiji Period vases, Each of baluster form, with ring and mask handles, decorated throughout with silver gold and shak...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Metal

Meiji Japanese Yamashita Fish Figure Bird Mountain Porcelain Plate, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Beautiful Japanese porcelain plate with a high quality scene of a landscape with figures, birds and fish. Details are amazing. 22-2-19-21-6 Additional information: Material: Porcel...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Yellow Blue Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese Contemporary decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately hand painted In vivid green, yellow and blue on a stunning bottle shaped body with an elegant long ne...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Large Matching Pair Satsuma Meiji Era Figural Vases Figures in Clouds Gold Leaf
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
LARGE Matching Pair Satsuma Meiji Era Figural vases figures in clouds gold leaf. Amazing multi color decoration. Vases display prominently from any decor...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Japanese Contemporary Pink Blue Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 8
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately gilded and hand painted on a beautifully shaped porcelain body in various shades of purple, blue and red to cre...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Gold

Japanese Okimono of Fukurokuju, the god of wealth and happiness, Meiji period
Located in Central England, GB
This exceptional Japanese Meiji period okimono depicts Fukurokuju, the lucky god of wealth and happiness. The figure is very finely carved from a single piece of dense tightly graine...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Japanese Medicine "Kanban" 'Shop Sign', Late Meiji Period
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Japanese Medicine "Kanban" (Shop Sign) with mirror, Meiji Period. The Medicine being advertised is a soothing cream used to relieve itchin...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Large Arita Bowl Beautifull Japanese Porcelain 19th Century Edo/Meiji Period
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice Arita Meiji bowl 11-2-20-1-4 Condition Overall condition perfect. Size: 238mm Period 18th century.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Japanese Porcelain 19th c Meiji Arita Figural Polychrome dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing with you this unusual and magnificent bowl from the Meiji period (19th century). It has a very interesting and lovely blue and gold scene Unmarked at the base. Condition 1 ...
Category

18th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meiji Japanese Patinated and Gold Speckled Bronze on Wooden Stand
Located in New York, NY
Antique Meiji Japanese Patinated and Gold Speckled Bronze on Original Wooden Stand.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Rare Large Japanese Porcelain Presentation Plate Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large presentation plate with striking pictorial design from the studio of Japanese Potter Makuzu Kozan. Also known as Miyagawa Kozan (1842–1916),...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Enamel Bronze Vase Censer in the Shape of a Bell Bird, Japan, Edo or Meiji
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nicely made artifact. Stand not included. Condition: Overall condition perfect. Size: 295mm Period: 18th century 19th century Edo Period (1603–1867).
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Meiji furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Meiji furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Satsuma, Kinkozan, Ando Jubei, and Makuzu Kozan. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $190,804 while the average work can sell for $2,112.

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