Japonisme Furniture
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.
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
1920s British Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Paper
1920s British Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Paper
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Plaster, Ceramic
20th Century Unknown Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
19th Century American Antique Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Oak
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Danish Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper, Cotton
1920s Asian Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Plastic, Bakelite, Wood
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bentwood
1940s English Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Concrete
1880s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Faience
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Faux Bamboo
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century Unknown Japonisme Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Enamel, Ormolu
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1940s English Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
1940s English Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Copper
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
1890s French Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Japonisme Furniture
Pottery
16th Century Italian Antique Japonisme Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Paint, Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Cast Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Aluminum
1970s Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Glass, Oak
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Japonisme Furniture
Metal
1890s English Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Glass, Wood