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Edo Busts

EDO STYLE

Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.

Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.

Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.

Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.

Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Edo
Monk Head Bamboo and Glass Sculpture, Japan 19th Century, Edo Period
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb bamboo sculpture with glass eyes of a Japanese monk. Japan, 19th century, Edo period. In good condition. Slight wear and small dent seen in photos. Dimensions in cm (H x L x...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Edo Busts

Materials

Bamboo, Glass

Monk Head Bamboo and Glass Sculpture, Japan 19th Century, Edo Period
Monk Head Bamboo and Glass Sculpture, Japan 19th Century, Edo Period

Monk Head Bamboo and Glass Sculpture, Japan 19th Century, Edo Period

$5,754
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Japanese Carved and Lacquered Wood Shogun, Edo Period, 19th Century, Japan
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Pair of Japanese Edo Period Musha Ningyo Courtier Dolls
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Small wooden Buddha statue from the Edo period in Japan/17th to 19th century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We are pleased to present a small wood carving of a flanking Bodhisattva made around the Edo period. This work is thought to be one of the Kannon ...
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18th Century Japanese Antique Edo Busts

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Small wooden Buddha statue from the Edo period in Japan/17th to 19th century
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Japanese Antique Edo Period Stone Buddha / 19th Century / Garden Ornament
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This is a small Jizo Bodhisattva statue believed to have been made in the late Edo period (19th century). It is believed to be made of granite. Its rough texture exudes a gentle aura...
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19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Busts

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Stone

Japanese Antique Edo Period Stone Buddha / 19th Century / Garden Ornament
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Japanese Antique Edo Period Stone Buddha / 19th Century / Garden Ornament

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H 11.15 in W 3.39 in D 2.76 in
Large Antique Japanese Arita Imari Bowl Edo Meiji Period, 19th Century
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19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Busts

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Large Antique Japanese Arita Imari Bowl Edo Meiji Period, 19th Century
Large Antique Japanese Arita Imari Bowl Edo Meiji Period, 19th Century

Large Antique Japanese Arita Imari Bowl Edo Meiji Period, 19th Century

$719 Sale Price
24% Off
H 3.35 in Dm 7.29 in
Japanese Antique Wooden Buddhist Figure, Edo Period 1603-1868
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This antique wooden Buddhist figure was crafted in the Edo Period (1603–1868). Although the specific identity of the deity it represents is unknown, the figure has a gentle presence...
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Mid-17th Century Japanese Antique Edo Busts

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Japanese Antique Wooden Buddhist Figure, Edo Period 1603-1868

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$460
H 8.59 in W 2.96 in D 2.29 in
Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Elegant Japanese pillar clock, 'SHAKU-DOKEI', c. 1820 The very fine 30-hour, weight-driven movement is constructed between bars and consists ...
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Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Busts

Materials

Hardwood

Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820
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19th Century Mannekin Head
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A 19th century French mannekin head in beech with original polychrome remains.
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Late 19th Century French Antique Edo Busts

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19th Century Mannekin Head
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19th Century Mannekin Head

$1,423
H 11.82 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
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Located in Chicago, IL
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Edo Period Japanese Bodhisattva Shrine
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H 25 in W 11 in D 8 in
Japanese Bronze Tiger Sculpture on Marble Base, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Meda, MB
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Busts

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Marble, Bronze

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H 6.7 in W 12.6 in D 4.73 in
Japanese Bronze Usubata with Waves and Plovers, Edo Period, Mid-19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
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Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Edo Busts

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Edo busts for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Edo busts for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage busts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with bamboo, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Edo busts made in a specific country, there are Africa, Benin, and Sub-Saharan Africa pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original busts, popular names associated with this style include and Benin People. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for busts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,542 and tops out at $5,396 while the average work can sell for $4,969.

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