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.
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Japonisme Furniture
Wool, Jute, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Paper
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Silk
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bentwood
1910s South Korean Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
1970s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Gold Leaf
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Enamel
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Enamel
1920s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Copper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain, Paint
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Iron
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Brocade, Silk
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
1890s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Oak, Plywood
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Cement
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Rattan, Wood, Parchment Paper
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Oak
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Canvas, Plywood, Oak
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Paper, Wood
1890s Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Silk
1980s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo, Cane
2010s Turkish Japonisme Furniture
Oak
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Silk, Paper
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Smoked Glass, Wood, Oak, Plywood
1930s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Tin
2010s Asian Japonisme Furniture
Wood, Oak, Plywood
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Furniture
Iron
1940s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Japonisme Furniture
Wool
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Cotton, Silk
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Japanese Japonisme Furniture
Silk





