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.
Su Hall Table in Solid Wenge with Cherry Tenons by Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Su Hall Table is built from a measured framework of slender uprights and horizontal rails. Made in wenge with cherry details, its open construction and gently lifted top reflect ...
Cherry, Wenge
Pair of Black Lacquer Ebonized and Inlaid Wood Organic End Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of black lacquer ebonized and inlaid wood organic end tables. Also great as nightstands.
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Pair of Black Lacquer Ebonized and Inlaid Wood Organic End Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of black lacquer ebonized and inlaid wood organic end tables. Also great as nightstands.
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Pair of Baker Neoclassical End Tables or Nightstands
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant pair of Neoclassical end tables or night stands, by Baker, American, circa 1980s. Like all Baker furniture, they are extremely well made wi...
Wood
$16,500 / set
H 21 in W 27 in D 27 in
Beautiful Restored Pair of Mahogany, Rattan and Brass End Tables by McGuire
By McGuire, John and Elinor McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
These fabulous end tables are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and completely installation ready. ...
Brass
Pair of John Stuart Neoclassical Nightstands End Tables
By John Stuart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern end tables by John Stuart. Dark walnut finish. Solid Brass Pulls. One drawer stands with shelves.
Walnut
$3,400 / set
H 22 in W 18 in D 21 in
Pair of Art Deco Burl Wood End Tables Nightstands with Brass Hardware Pulls
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice Mid-Century Modern or Art Deco end tables in burl walnut with brass hardware.
Brass
$7,800 / set
H 24 in W 24 in D 18 in
Pair of Honey Amber Lacquer Edmond Spence Two Drawer Nightstands End Tables
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Swedish Mid-Century Modern honey amber tone two drawers night stands end tables by Edmond Spence.
Birch
Sven Larsson Side Table in Solid Pine
By Sven Larsson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sven Larsson for Sven Larsson Möbel-shop, side table, pine, Sweden, 1970s This side table is designed by Sven Larsson, dating back to the seventies. With a solid and sturdy look, t...
Pine
$7,647 / item
H 17.72 in Dm 15.75 in
Side Table, Night Stand in Solid Wood, Auxiliary Table Socle 1 by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle 1 Side Table, Auxiliary Table, Night Stand Socle is a small solid wood table designed by the NONO design team. Made of solid wood, its elaborated construction serves as a sup...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Inlaid Mahogany Hall Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
A small occasional or hall table having a rectangular top with three-sided raised surround with scalloped sides on a drawer with double brass ring pulls above a plinth apron, standin...
Mahogany
Lacquered Horn Nightstand or End Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Lacquered horn nightstand or end table, American, circa 1980s. It is constructed of lacquered horn with beautiful color and graining. It is a versatile size and can be used as a nigh...
Wood, Horn
$2,650 / item
H 21.66 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Carv Tall Side Table / Pedestal in Solid Carrara Marble by FORMAR
Located in 中西區, HK
A tall sculptural side table carved from a single solid block of Carrara marble. Use it as an end table beside a sofa or armchair, as a pedestal or plinth for a lamp or objects, or a...
Marble, Carrara Marble
$8,950 / set
H 23.75 in W 21 in D 13 in
Gorgeous Restored Pair of End Tables by Widdicomb in Cream Lacquer, circa 1938
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant and rare pair of end tables (series number 1110) by Widdicomb, circa 1938. Stout mahogany construction with exquisite case and foot detail. Fabulous nickel screen accent i...
Nickel
$6,117Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Side Table, Night Stand in Solid Wood, Auxiliary Table Socle 8 by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle side table, auxiliary table, night stand Socle is a small solid wood table designed by the NONO design team. Made of solid wood, its elaborated construction serves as a suppor...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$11,381 / set
H 19.69 in W 20.48 in D 20.48 in
Black Lacquer Brass Two-Tier End Tables Guy Lefevre for Maison Jansen, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
Simple lines point to these two-tier end tables french mid-century roots. Designed by Guy Lefevre for Maison Jansen, it features silky brass legs, with black lacquered top and drawer...
Brass
Sold|$13,657 / set
H 22.84 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Michel Pigneres Black Lacquered Brass Nightstands Tables 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This rare pair of French midcentury single drawer black lacquered nightstands or end tables would be stunning in any room. Designed by Michel Pignères in France in the late 1970s, th...
Brass
Green Limestone and Cherry Side Table by Elliott Marks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Green limestone top with a honed finish notches into intricately joined solid cherry base. This piece is made and ready to ship from Los Angeles. Solid American Cherry is hand select...
Limestone
Rustic Japanese Kotatsu Low Table, Handcrafted Joinery, Circa 1930s
Located in Oakland, CA
Low Kotatsu table circa 1930s, hand crafted without the use of nails or adhesive but relying on the joinery to give the table its structural integrity. Having a nice patina from over...
Wood
George Nakashima Nightstand for Widdicomb, 1959
Located in Coronado, CA
A stunning nightstand designed by George Nakashima and manufactured by Widdicomb in 1959. This example executed in exotic East Indian Laurel wood. Original brass handle. Freshly rest...
Brass
Sold
H 17.33 in Dm 11.42 in
Antique Arts And Crafts Liberty & Co. Japanese Carved Side Table Wine Table
Located in London, GB
Antique Arts And Crafts Liberty & Co. Japanese Carved Side Table Wine Table Commissioned and retailed by Liberty & Co, London C.1900 A Japan...
Fruitwood
Pair of Bamboo Tile Top Tables or Stands
By Ficks Reed
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic pair of mid century tables or stands designed by John Wisner for Ficks Reed in a Japanese form with tiles on top over bamboo bases with reed wrapped joints.
Bamboo
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18 in D 13.5 in
19th Century French Japanned Black Hand-Painted Lacquer Nightstand, End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Japanned nightstand, end table is a product of the late 19th century which saw the popularity of all things Oriental reach a cr...
Black and Red Japanese Lacquer Coffee Table, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Coffee table made with a top in Japanese Lacquer from 1900-1920 and mounted circa 1950 on a black lacquered and golden varnish Louis XV style base, standing on four curved legs. Land...
Wood, Lacquer