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.
Coffee Table by "Inui Saburo" for Tendo Mokko, 1970's
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This exceptional coffee table, crafted from zelkova wood (keyaki), features an elegant curved design by Saburo Inui and was manufactured by Tendo Mokko in Japan during the 1970s. R...
Bentwood
Large coffee sculpture Table Ryosuke Harashima Contemporary Zen Japanese Mingei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Table or sculpture made by Ryosuke Harashima. This work is made of antique Japanese antique sled that was used for caring bamboo charcoal at kiln, coper ...
Copper
Carved and Patinated Wood Table, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Carved and patinated wood table, France, late 19th century. Attributed to Gabriel Viardot.
Wood
Elephant Head Center Table with a Japonisme Top
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Square center table with a japanned or ebonized finish featuring a lacquered panel on top with an embossed stylized landscape. The legs have carved elephant heads with bone tusks...
Bone, Hardwood
Luger Gun Table Lighter, 1970s Japan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Put your hands where I can see them! This novelty table lighter is cast in the form of a Luger-style pistol, with a checkered grip panel and articulated trigger guard. The flip-top l...
Metal
$240
H 12 in W 9 in D 0.2 in
Contemporary French Tapestries, rare and collectible coffee table book, 1966
Located in View Park, CA
A very rare and collectible coffee table catalogue: Contemporary French Tapestries: New York, Charles E. Slatkin Inc., Galleries, 1965. Paperback. Brown wrap with orange lettering. 40 pp. Numerous color and black and white plates...
Paper
The Peoples of North America, the Japanese Americans
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The peoples of North America, the Japanese Americans. Discusses the history, culture, and religion of the Japanese, factors encouraging their emigra...
Paper
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 15 in W 17 in D 12 in
Japanese Geisha Princess Doll in Original Glass & Wood Case
Located in Plainview, NY
Japanese Geisha Princess Doll in Original Glass & Wood Case : This exquisite antique Japanese Geisha doll is a beautifully preserved example of traditional craftsmanship, elegantly presented in its original glass display case. The doll is depicted in a graceful reclining pose on a woven tatami mat, dressed in an opulent ivory kimono...
Porcelain, Fabric, Glass, Wood
$1,310Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.39 in W 47.64 in D 29.93 in
Tendo Mokko “Zataku” Japanese Modern Low Coffee Table 1970s
By Tendo Mokko
Located in Debrecen, HU
An original Tendo Mokko Japanese low table, representing one of the most refined expressions of post-war Japanese modern design. Crafted using Tendo’s renowned molded plywood techno...
Plywood
$2,621Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.6 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Square glass coffee table G. Ausenda for NY Form 1970's
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Square coffee table model 'Shilling' designed in the 1970s by Giovanni Ausenda, Guido Baldo Grossi & Gianni Gavioli for NY Form. Gold-colored table with green mirror top divided into...
Glass, Wood
$19,850
H 32.5 in W 56 in D 33.25 in
French Belle Époque 19th-20th Century Giltwood Carved Rococo Style Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Charming French Belle Époque 19th-20th century giltwood carved Rococo-Louis XV style center hall table. The rectangular frame with serpentine front and sides with four cabriolet legs connected with an "X" stretcher centered with a draped finial, all intricately carved with floral swags and garlands below a pierced apron centered with a framed seashell...
Marble
Large Inui Saburo Coffee Table for Tendo Mokko
By Tendo Mokko
Located in Dallas, TX
A large laminated wood coffee table designed by Inui Saburo for Tendo Mokko.
Wood
$14,985Sale Price|49% Off
H 31.5 in W 55 in D 32 in
Fine French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Gildwood Carved Center Hall Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XVI style gildwood carved center hall table. The rectangular shaped intricately carved frame with an X-stretcher centre with a urn, all surmount...
Marble
French Provincial Coffee Table Brass & Glass 1970s by Chapman
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Brass
Vintage Kokeshi Doll, Handcrafted Wood, Japonisme Style, Japan 1987
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Kokeshi or Kokashi doll handmade by Japanese artisans from wood. The dolls have a simple trunk as a body and an enlarged head. One characteristic of Kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms and legs. signed underneath as follow. Kokashi Doll Kegon Waterfall Japan 1987. Kokeshi (???, ???), are simple wooden Japanese dolls with no arms or legs that have been crafted for more than 150 years as a toy for...
Wood
Japanese Modern Coffee Table By Isamu Kenmochi for Tendo Mokko
By Isamu Kenmochi, Tendo Mokko
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Immerse yourself in the elegance of mid-century modern design with this authentic Isamu Kenmochi coffee table, crafted by the esteemed Tendo Mokko company in the 1960s. This piece is...
Oak, Bentwood
Ebonized Custom Solid Wood Low Coffee Table 1970s
Located in Bellport, NY
A beauty in this 1970s large ebony custom crafted coffee table. Removable casters (optional) the top having the appearance of four cut out triangles, slightly oriental in style, made...
Wood
Carved Asian Center Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Intricately carved Asian center table. Beautiful dragon carved in to top with a foo dog base.
Wood