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.
Elegant and Striking Japanned Tray or Cocktail Table French, Mid-20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Elegant and striking Japanned tray or cocktail table, French, mid-20th century, of Louis XV style in brilliant vermilion with gold. The top is hand paint decorated in Japanese manner...
Wood
Japonisme bamboo side table
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Bamboo side table in Japanese style with 2 trays. The trays, in 2 sizes, are decorated in Japanese lacquer, with flowers and births.
Bamboo, Lacquer
Teak Tray Side Table, Danish Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful teak tray side table, top is removable and legs fold together. Ready for a new home.
Teak
$895Sale Price|22% Off
H 18 in W 24.5 in D 17.5 in
Wonderful Bamboo Oval Handpainted Tole Coffee Cocktail Side Tray Table
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Bamboo Form Base Oval Handpainted Tole White With Gold Coffee / Cocktail / End / Removable Tray Table
Metal
English Chinoiserie Style Faux Bamboo Lacquered Tray Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming English chinoiserie style faux bamboo cocktail table featuring a paper-maché lacquered tray top decorated with intricate Asian motifs. The tray has parcel gilt pagodas and landscapes over a dramatic red ground. The lacquer has a desirable aged craquelure fine webbing on the finish. The later constructed faux bamboo green...
Wood
$4,895
H 19.5 in W 28.75 in D 21.88 in
Chinoiserie Papier Mache Tray Table (Tray on Stand) from England
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful English tray table or tray on stand from the Aesthetic Movement Period, featuring a rectangular tray of papier mache with a recessed center showing a decorative Chinoiser...
Wood, Paper
$1,595
H 22.25 in W 25 in D 19 in
Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Table With Removable Trays
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early twentieth century French tole tray table is painted yellow with black detailing. Its two removable trays feature central lyre motifs and are detailed with a leaf motif. Ea...
Tin
Moroccan Folding Tray Table in Brass and wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Traditional Moroccan Folding Tray Table, Brass, Wood, Morocco, 1940s-1950s. This moorish brass tray table features a round brass tray...
Brass
Mid-Century Colonial Style Bamboo Folding Tray Table
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Bamboo decoration - Mid-century Vintage bamboo folding side table Colonial Style. Measures : 61x41cm TH:78cm H:73,5cm Material: Bamboo - Rattan
Bamboo, Rattan
$2,950
H 28.5 in W 23.5 in D 15 in
French Aesthetic Movement Japonisme Burnt Bamboo & Black Lacquer Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Aesthetic Movement Japonisme Burnt Bamboo & Black Lacquer Side Table An exceptional French Aesthetic Movement bamboo side table or occasional table, executed in the Japon...
Brass
$1,133
H 22.45 in W 25.2 in D 19.3 in
French Midcentury Bamboo Folding Tray Table, Lacquered Wood, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
French Midcentury Bamboo Folding Tray Table, Lacquered Wood, 1970s Beautiful side table with removable tray, made in France in the 1950s. The tray and table legs are made of lacquer...
Bamboo, Wicker
Baker Furniture Chinoiserie Tray Table Faux Bamboo Mid Century
Located in Norman, OK
Vintage Baker Furniture Mid Century Tray Table with a Faux Bamboo Tortoiseshell Finish Stand and a Black Ebonized and Gilded Removable Scalloped Hand Painted Tray. Made in the 1950's
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
Swedish Modern Teak Tray Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous teak tray side table designed and manufactured in Sweden c. 1960's, This side table features a sculpted four-legged teak frame that supports a removable round teak tray that...
Teak
$2,400
H 17.5 in Dm 30.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Round Walnut Spider Leg and Bronze Moroccan Tray Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut spider leg round coffee table with a Moroccan bronze scalloped design tray. The base folds up for easy storage and th...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 30 in W 30.5 in D 16 in
French Antique Root Bamboo & Lacquer Tray Table By Perret et Vibert, C.1880
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this exceptional French Japonism Root Bamboo and Lacquer tray table late 19Th c.This table is by the famous Maison Perret et Vibert. The tray has...
Bamboo, Lacquer
1870s Orientalist Hand-Painted Wood Two-story Italian Table
Located in Catania, Sicilia
An hand-painted side table manufactured in Italy in the second half of 19th century. It has orientalist floral and faunal decors on a black background. It' in good condition and only...
Brass