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.
Antique Pair French Japonisme Gilt Patinated Bronze Marble Tables Gueridons
Located in London, GB
Antique Pair French Japonisme Gilt Patinated Bronze Marble Tables Gueridons French, c. 1880 Height 85cm, diameter 70cm Attributed to the celebrated French designer Édouard Lièvre (...
Marble, Bronze
$3,250 / set
H 26.5 in Dm 17 in
French Directoire Gueridon Tables, Black Marble & Bronze, 20th Century
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine pair of Stone and Bronze Gueridon tables in classic French Directoire style, well crafted and elegantly detailed with circular black marble tops with striations supported by...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Charles X Gueridon Table with Bronze & Marble
Located in Queens, NY
French Charles X-style (19/20th Century) round bronze gueridon end table with 3 scroll legs supporting a black marble top and shelf with a lower stretcher having a finial.
Marble, Bronze
French Gilt Two Tier Bronze Gueridon Table with Black Marble Top
Located in Essex, MA
A fine quality French gilt bronze and black marble gueridon table with impressive casting to lower acorn finial, hair paw feet on casters. Directoire or Regency style French guerido...
Marble, Brass
Maison Jansen-style Guéridon Marble and Gilt Bronze Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
The “ancestor” of this piece, a guéridon, was a small and typically round table that originated in mid-17th century France for holding a candelabrum to light the room or a vase. Even...
Marble, Ormolu
French Marble and Bronze Gueridon Table
Located in New York, NY
Antique bronze gueridon in the French Napoleon III period style with variegated charcoal/green marble top and x-form stretcher and scrolling foliate supports. 30 1/4 inches tall and...
Marble, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze and Marble Gueridon Table
Located in Water Mill, NY
Antique French gilt bronze and marble Gueridon center/side table with eagle heads and feet H 29 x D 29". Gilding in very good condition.
Marble, Bronze
$9,495 / set
H 33.25 in Dm 43.25 in
Pair of French Regency Solid Bronze Eagle and Rin Marble Top Gueridons Tables
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fine pair of bronze eagle head and ring Directoire or Regency style French gueridons. The gueridons are made of heavy solid bronze or possibly brass though we think they ar...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Fine French Gilt Bronze and Marble-Top Guéridon Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 19th century fine marble-top and gilt bronze guéridon with pawed feet and a gilt bronze and mahogany gilt bronze wrapped legs
Mahogany
French 19th Century Gilt And Patinated Bronze Side Table
By Paul Sormani
Located in Norwood, NJ
Finest quality 19th century French Louis XVI style gilt and patinated bronze side table/gueridon with breccia violetta marble top. Oval form table with four tapered column supports c...
Breccia Marble, Bronze
Very Fine Pair Marble Top Gilt Bronze Gueridons after Adam Weiswiler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine neoclassical style circular bronze stands with black marble tops. Raised on three double faux bamboo from bronze legs mounted on an incurved tripod base in figured wood. With th...
Bronze
$16,500 / set
H 27 in W 20 in D 10 in
Fine Pair of French Louis XVI Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Gueridon Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine pair of French mahogany and gilt bronze gueridon tables with marble tops. Fine quality.
Breccia Marble, Bronze
French Gilt Bronze and Marble Gueridon Table, circa 1940
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Elegant French guéridon table dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. The table features a circular marble top with beautiful grey veining, supported by a finely cast gilt b...
Marble, Bronze
GABRIEL VIARDOT 1900 Japonisme Two Tiers Pedestal In Gilt Walnut & Marble
Located in Miami, FL
French Japonisme two tiers pedestal designed by Gabriel Viardot (1830-1906). This is a gorgeous antique two-tiers pedestal created in Paris France by Gabriel-Frédéric Viardot, betwe...
Marble