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.
F. GERDERÈS – Japanese-style billiard table in gilded and carved wood
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This rare Japanese-style pool table in gilt bronze and carved wood bears the plaque of the Parisian manufacturer F. Gerderès. Famous for the quality and inventiveness of their pool t...
Bronze
Louis XV Style Duvinage Brass-Inlaid Marquetry Games Table
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Attributed to Ferdinand Duvinage, the shaped square hinged handkerchief top rotating open to reveal a felt top, the frieze with two drawers, the who...
Bronze, Brass
Louis XV Style Games Table
Located in Beaune, FR
Elegant games table in solid cherry and veneer with Louis XV style marquetry games. This table has 2 double-sided game boards: Queen game and Chess game. Around 1850. Dimensions ...
Cherry
$82,652
H 35.83 in W 79.14 in D 149.61 in
Carved Walnut Full Size Billiard Table and Accessories by Cox & Yeman
By Cox & Yeman
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An exceptional carved walnut full size billiard table and accessories by Cox & Yeman. London, circa 1880. One end bearing an ivorine la...
Walnut
French Walnut Louis XV Style Game Table with Red Leather Top
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut Louis XV style game table from France with a red tooled leather top and four drawers and four pull out drink holders.
Leather, Walnut
$20,000
H 30 in W 38 in D 18 in
Masterful American Sheraton Serpentine Mahogany Inlaid Card Table. Boston C 1810
By John & Thomas Seymour
Located in Charleston, SC
Masterful American Sheraton mahogany hinged top serpentine card table with figured cross banded tulip wood, birch and satinwood inlays, outset corners, and terminating on the original bulbous reeded turned tapered legs, Early 19th Century. Attributed to John and Thomas Seymour...
Birch, Mahogany, Satinwood, Tulipwood
Gio Ponti Style Round Game Table in Wood and Blue Cloth, Italy 1950s
By Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Naples, IT
Refined and rare circular game table, made of wood with the top covered in a vibrant electric blue cloth. Along the edge are removable brass supports. These small saucers originally...
Baize, Wood
Contemporary Carved Wood Chess Board Table and Chessmen
Located in Astoria, NY
Contemproary Carved Wood Chess Table and Chessmen, the chess board top above two drawers. 25.75" H x 18" W x 18" D. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Wood
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$9,800
H 28.5 in W 33.5 in D 16.25 in
English Queen Anne Cuban Mahogany Acanthus Foliage Games Table w/ Pad Feet, 1750
Located in Charleston, SC
English Queen Anne Cuban mahogany one board hinged games table with flanking carved outset corners, supporting rear gate leg, flanking carved acanthus foliage knees, and resting on t...
Mahogany
$1,148Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
20th Century French Hand-Carved Walnut Foldable Game Table in Louis XV Style
Located in Sofia, BG
20th Century French hand-carved walnut foldable game table in Louis XV style with leather top. Once the piece is folded the measurements are 100 per 50 cm. Good original condition wi...
Walnut
$12,850
H 32 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in
Rare French Napoleon III Carom Billiard-Checkers-Draughts Card Game Table 'THIS'
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine and Rare French Louis Philippe Carom Billiard - Draughts - Card - International Checkers Game Table by "THIS". The elegant rosewood table features a removable square top ...
Wood, Fruitwood, Rosewood
$3,031
H 29 in W 36 in D 18 in
Liberty & Co. an Anglo-Moorish Arts & Crafts Walnut Fold over Card & Games Table
Located in London, GB
By Liberty & Co, a fold-over games and card table in walnut aligned to the Arts and Crafts movement (1880–1910), c.1890s. The top opens to a green baize playing surface. Below, a Moo...
Walnut
Early 20th Century Carved French Games Table with Leather Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 20th century carved French games table with leather top, circa 1920 Beautiful games table with a leather top, four corner pull-outs and a single drawer on each side. Dimensio...
Leather, Wood
$2,082
H 29.53 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
19th Century French Walnut Hand Carved Square Card Table in Louis XV Style
Located in Sofia, BG
Square foldable card table made of hand carved solid walnut with typical decoration for Louis XV period. Very good condition with dark red le...
Walnut
Japonisme Type Games/ Dining Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An X form constructed base with angular stretchers between the legs and a beautifully painted motif of birds and flowers. The top with canted corners and overall lacquered decoration...
Rattan