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.
Zuber French Scenic Wallpaper Panels The Japanese Garden Landscape Scene
By Jean Zuber
Located in Firenze, IT
This antique and charming early 20th Century scenic wallpaper by French Zuber manufacture is made up of five rolls of wall coverings hand painted with...
Wood, Paper
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Peacock Chinoiserie Wallpaper Hand Painted Wallpaper on Silk Panel
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3 ft x 8 ft. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be a...
Silk
$1,932Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 58 in W 41 in D 0.1 in
Japanese Garden Wallpaper Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on gold gilded paper
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 41" wide x 58" The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be a...
Gold Leaf
$4,290Sale Price|20% Off
H 233.08 in W 19.57 in D 0.02 in
France 18th Century Wallpaper with Landscape Scenes in Turquoise Color
Located in Brescia, IT
It is not easy to find this kind of hand drawed and hand-made French wallpaper in good conditions. The shining turquoise and the scenes of the games of the characters and jugglers i...
Paper
$864Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 60 in W 30 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Panel Hand Painted Wallpaper on Green Silk, 2 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 30" W x 60" H each on green silk. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be applied to any designs and any base ground (silk, tea paper, metallic, fabric and etc.) Price There are 2 panels in the listed photo, price is for 2 panels of 30" wide x 60" high each, background is on silk. We accept custom size and painting colors. Price doesn't include the embroidery. Dear customer, please note: For safe delivery, all the panels roll in a strong tube. Please have the professional installer to install the wallpapers, there is a standard overlap between panels, and a black dot marked on the top and bottom of each panel, please check well before installing. Shipping We do our best to process & ship all orders...
Silk
Gracie Hand Painted Wallpaper Panel Chinoiserie Gated Garden
By Gracie
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous large 20th century hand-painted wallpaper panel featuring a chinoiserie style scene. Panel SY-217, S-14442. Gated garden depicts flowe...
Paper
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Blue Silk / Panel- 3 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3ft x 8ft The colorways in this sections present our...
Silk
$568Sale Price|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Emerald Green Silk / Panel
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3ft x 8ft The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be appl...
Silk
$1,932Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 58 in W 41 in D 0.1 in
Japanese Garden Wallpaper Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Gold Gilded Paper
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 41" wide x 58" The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be...
Gold Leaf
$6,454Sale Price|55% Off
H 83.86 in W 81.89 in D 1.19 in
20th Century Zuber Four Panel Wallpaper Paravent Hand Painted, around 1940
By Jean Zuber, zuber
Located in Berlin, DE
Crafted around 1940, the Rare 20th Century Zuber Four Panel Wallpaper Paravent is a masterpiece of artistic and decorative ingenuity. Each panel is ...
Beech, Paint, Paper
$1,328Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 72 in W 21 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Murals Hand Painted Wallpapers on Silk Panel, 4 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be applied to any designs an...
Silk
$1,656Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 16 in W 12 in D 0.1 in
Magnolia Chinoiserie Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Gold Metallic
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3ft x 8ft The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be appl...
Silk
Panoramic Wallpaper panel, Exotic scene in the Zuber style
Located in Paris, FR
Very large panoramic wallpaper panel in the style of the Zuber suites. In the tradition of the exotic panoramas that fascinated Europe in the early 19th century, this work offers an...
Paper
Sold
H 30 in W 2,160 in D 1 in
Vintage Gracie Studio Handmade Woven Natural Grasscloth Custom Wallpaper, 1991
By Gracie
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Gracie Studio handmade woven natural grasscloth custom wallpaper, 1991. Gracie was founded by Mr. Charles R. Gracie in 1898, in New York City. H...
Grasscloth