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Meiji Furniture

MEIJI STYLE

From 1868 to 1912, Emperor Mutsuhito oversaw an era of transformation in Japan. Formerly a country of feudalism and isolation, Japan entered an age of modernization influenced by newly established trade and exchange with the West. The Meiji period, or period of “enlightened rule,” also saw the global impact of the East Asian country’s culture. Japanese Meiji furniture was exhibited at expositions from Paris to San Francisco and created for export.

Prior to the Meiji era, furniture was mostly made by commission for the ruling class; now there were new domestic and international markets. European styles like Japonisme appropriated Japanese design while craftsmen in places like Wales and England employed japanning, a varnishing technique that approximated the appearance of lacquer for the surfaces of furnishings.

Meiji furniture made for Japanese homes and buildings constructed in Western styles resulted in taller tables, chairs, cabinets with large drawers and other features. The government invested in areas such as transportation and communication, and because people could freely choose occupations after the restrictions of feudalism, industries of various types were energized by expressive new ideas during those years. Art schools were formed and, for the first time, design was an area of study in the country, leading to the evolution of professional design as a career by the 1890s.

The work of Japanese designers was transmitted widely through lavishly illustrated pattern books that included designs for screens and lacquerware for the home. While screens today may be of use as decorative accents or partitions to ensure privacy in one’s space, Japanese screens were adorned with paintings and were featured in performing arts such as concerts, tea ceremonies and more. The color illustrations that characterize Meiji woodblock prints, a genre of Japanese art that grew out of 17th-century developments in printing and book publishing, depicted the sweeping changes that the era brought to East Asia.

Although it was a time of societal and cultural shifts, a bolstered interest in art and design elevated Japanese craft traditions. From colorful porcelain table lamps with silk shades and hardwood tables decorated with dark lacquer to cabinets featuring iron hardware and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Meiji furniture showcased Japan’s artistic heritage to the world.

Find a collection of antique Japanese Meiji period case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Meiji
Place of Origin: Asian
Japanese Contemporary Blue White Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 5
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in blue underglaze in various shades of blue on a stunning ovoid shape body, a signed work by high...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese White Red Green Porcelain Vase by Contemporary Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase hand painted in red, white and green on a beautifully shaped body, a signed work by highly acclaimed Japanese master porcela...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Green Black Gold Red Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exqusite Japanese contemporary porcelain decorative vase, intricately gilded and hand painted in vivid green, red and deep blue on an ovoid porcelain body in a stunningly beautiful shape, a signed work by highly acclaimed Japanese master porcelain artist in the Imari-Arita tradition and the recipient of numerous awards for his exceptional porcelain work and his unique signature gold and platinum work on porcelain. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain, a large lidded jar in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. His profile is available upon request. It depicts a whimsical interpretation of a cherry tree with its graceful trunk in beautiful deep blue and its hanging branches stretching across the whole body of this stunningly shaped vase, and blossoms in deep blue, red and purple hanging...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Gold

Japanese Blue Red Porcelain Charger by Master Artist, 4
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary Japanese contemporary museum-quality decorative porcelain charger in gold and vivid red and blue, a signed masterpiece by master porcelain artist of the Imari-Arita reg...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Gold

Japanese Contemporary Brown Blue Red Hand-Glazed Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary highly collectible large hand-glazed decorative porcelain vase, an exhibition masterpiece titled "Dawn" by master porcelain artist from the Arita-Imari region ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Blue Yellow Porcelain Vase by Contemporary Artist, 3
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary porcelain vase, intricately hand painted on an elegant gourd shape, a signed masterpiece by a Kutani master porcelain artist. The spirit of Kutani war...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Contemporary Platinum Pink Green Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional very large signed contemporary Japanese dimpled decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in blue and pink on an elegantly shaped porcelain body against a stunning platinum background, a signed masterpiece by widely acclaimed Japanese master porcelain artist in the Imari-Arita tradition. In 2016, the British Museum added a work by this artist to its collection of contemporary Japanese porcelain, a large lidded jar in the Imari-Arita polychrome enamel tradition. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his exceptional porcelain work and his unique signature gold and platinum work on porcelain. The artist's profile is available upon request. This graceful massive vase depicts elegant Japanese toad...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Platinum

Large Contemporary Japanese Whit Blue Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Unique contemporary Japanese porcelain decorative vase, intricately hand painted in underglazed blue on an elegantly shaped globular porcelain body, a signed piece by widely respecte...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Platinum Brown Contemporary Hand-Glazed Porcelain Vase by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary Japanese contemporary hand-glazed signed decorative porcelain vase in a stunning black/brown color and zirconium that creates the mesmerizing luster, an award-winning e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Platinum

Japanese Two-Piece Indigo Asa Kyogen Festival Costume Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A two-piece Japanese festival costume based on Kyogen theater performance circa late 19th century (Meiji Period). The matching assemble consists of an oversize jacket (Suo) and a pai...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Linen

Japanese Contemporary Green Red Gold Porcelain Vase by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Extraordinary museum-quality contemporary Japanese decorative porcelain vase, extremely intricately gilded and hand-painted in stunning shades of red and green on a stunningly shaped...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Gold

A pair of 19th C Japanese Meiji period miniature porcelain Kutani ware bowls
Located in Central England, GB
These superb miniature porcelain bowls originate from the Kutani region of Japan dating from the Meiji period circa 1880. They are superb examples of some of their finest workmanship...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Okimono sculpture of a Chinese cabbage or Pe-Tsai realised in Boxwood
Located in PARIS, FR
Okimono of a Chinese cabbage made in boxwood. The texture and veins have been delicately detailed. Native from China, it is an herbaceous plant of the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Boxwood

Japanese Two-Panel Screen: Geese in a Country Setting
Located in Hudson, NY
Country farm geese with early spring blossoms and a bamboo fence. Beautiful details on the feathers. Signature and seal read Keibo Joshi (Ms. Keibo) min...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood, Paper

Japanese Contemporary Green Yellow Porcelain Charger by Master Artist, 2
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exceptional Japanese contemporary large decorative deep porcelain charger, dramatically hand-painted on the finest quality porcelain, a signed masterpiece by highly acclaimed award-...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Lovely Antique Chinese Bronze Cloisonne Charger Gold Fish Fishes, 19 Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and beautifully made piece. With a stunning gold fish scene. Originally of the Catherina collection of Japanese bronzes and cloisonne that was partl...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japanese bronze sculpture of a ginseng root, ganodermas mushrooms growing on it
Located in PARIS, FR
Bronze sculpture representing a group of genoderma mushrooms developing on the long stem of a Ginseng root that is standing on two kakis. Logically this root would be Panax ginseng, ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Ikebana in bronze of an Hawk designed to display flowers hanged on the wall
Located in PARIS, FR
Bronze intentded for hanging (銅掛斜生, dô kakenanaike, « hanging bronze ») depicting a hawk, placed on a branch. The inside is hollow so a bouquet a flowers can be put inside and thus, ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Porcelain Lamp, Decorated with Castles and Pagodas, Mid-20th Century
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
This Japanese porcelain lamp, dating from the mid-20th century, subtly blends tradition and aesthetics. With its elegant gourd-shaped form and square base, it is a true testament to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood

Nightingale on Branch Meiji Period Scroll Japan 19/20c
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silk

Japanese bamboo sculpture of a Monkey holding Longevity Peaches in its two hands
Located in PARIS, FR
Chiseled wood sculpture representing a seated monkey holding peaches of longevity in his hands. The impression of the fur is quite realistic, and its e...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

19th Century Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Vase
Located in North Miami, FL
19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese bronze vase. It is realistically cast as a gnarled pine tree trunk with vines growing around it.  
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze sculpture of a Mouse holding a korn knob
Located in PARIS, FR
An interesting bronze sculpture of a seated mouse holding a small corn knob. Realistic treatment of the fur, eyes, hears nose and mouth, its tail is curving on the left side of the s...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Large Showa Period Japanese 20th Century Porcelain Kutani Deer and Immortal
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Lovely and detailed piece with a great decoration of a Deer and Magu the goddess of immortality. Box included. Condition Overall condition perfect. Size: 260 x ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Monumental 19th C. Ryukyu Hariko (Papier Mâché) Vase, Meiji Period (1868-1912)
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A stunningly attractive exceptionally large baluster shaped ‘Ryukyu Hariko’ (papier mâché) vase, masterfully decorated overall with hand painted images of a fruiting peach tree...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Lacquer, Paper

Antique 19/20th C Japanese Yoshida Kyo Satsuma Samourai Plate Japan Katana
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Fabulous Japanese Satsuma dish/serving plate with a Katana Samourai scene. Marked ??Yoshida Kyoto piece. Condition Perfect. Size 173 x 40mm DXH Pe...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Kutani Porcelain Elephant Lamp, 19th Century Japanese
Located in El Monte, CA
A unique example of kutani polychrome porcelain mounted as a lamp from the Meiji period. An intricately designed porcelain elephant with pagoda is elaborately decorated in various color. The piece features overglazed enamel work typical of Japanese Kutani-ware and sits atop a red wood base. The elephant and pagoda produce a modern lamp outfitted with a hand painted green and gold lamp...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Carrying Twigs
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period bronze of a boy carrying twigs, they are strapped onto his back on a carrying frame and he carries a gourd water bottle in his right hand, signed in a seal. Japanese, ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Porcelain Polychrome Charger CRANE Flowers Marked, circa 1900
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Large and amazing charger with a scene of cranes deer and flowers. Nicely restored with crams. Marked at the base. Condition / Overall condition; restored with crams. Size app...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Perfect Antique circa 1900 Colorfull Charger Porcelain Japanese Flowers
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very lovely and richly decorated charger. Late Meiji in our opinion. The plate is not warped, in the last photo it seems that way but this is only because of the hanger ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

Japanese Meiji Satsuma Covered Scenic Jar
Located in Sarasota, FL
Japanese Meiji satsuma covered scenic jar. Very detailed hand gilding and hand decoration. Maker's mark present on the bottom .
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Chinese Paktong Basin, 19th Century
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Chinese paktong basin, engraved with scenes of many children at play and before pagodas, within borders of shou characters, bats and flowerheads, the flattened rim with vases of flowers and lingzhi, swords, lotus pods...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Metal

Japanese Two-Panel Screen Three Jewels of Buddhism
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese two-panel screen: Three Jewels of Buddhism. Meiji period (1868-1912) painting. The three jewels of Buddhism are the teacher, the lesson, and the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silk, Wood, Paper

19th Century Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Collecting Sweet Chestnuts by Seiya
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A charming Meiji period bronze of a boy collecting sweet chestnuts by Seiya, he carries a basket and is looking down at an insect crawling over his hand, he is also evidently wearing...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Set of Eight Japanese Meiji Era Woodblock Prints
Located in London, GB
A set of eight Japanese Meiji Era woodblock prints. Japanese, Late 19th century. Frames: small: height 40cm, width 31cm, depth 1cm - prints: 25 x 17. Medium: height 49cm, width 37...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Paper

Japanese Meiji Period Bronze and Champlevé Enameled Censer
Located in Long Island City, NY
This Japanese censer incense burner, inspired by Chinese pieces, is of spheroidal form, the bronze body with polychrome champlevé enamel work flanked b...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japanese Bronze Vase with Landscape and Red Patina
Located in Hudson, NY
Antique Japanese bronze vase with landscape and red patina, Meiji Period (1868-1912) bronze vase with wild grasses under a silver moon. Re...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Japanese Bizen Flower Vase
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868 - 1912) ceramic vase from Okayama Prefecture. Comes with collector's box. Signature reads Kinetsu.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

A Japanese Bronze Vase With Applied Lotus Leaf Design
Located in Stamford, CT
A Japanese patinated bronze vase with alternating lotus leaf design. Meiji Period
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A Very Fine Japanese Mixed Metal Bronze Censer on Stand, Taisho Period
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine Taisho Period bronze censer of bellied oval form, richly decorated overall with hand enamelled and 'shibuichi' 'shakudo' motifs, depicting geometric designs, pine t...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A Meiji bronze vase by Nobuhira
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji bronze vase by Nobuhira, of baluster shape with a spirally twisted neck, the body decorated with four high relief crabs and several partially...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Japanese Bronze Ikebana Flower Arranging Basket with Frog
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868-1912) bronze flower arranging basket with a small frog climbing up the side. Excellently rendered details in the basket weaving. Signature on the bottom reads: Eiho.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Enamel Vase
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive Japanese bronze and cloisonne enamel vase having raised decoration depicting a carp in the river, with a deer under a tree.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A small fine quality Meiji period cloisonné enamel vase
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A small fine quality Meiji period cloisonne enamel vase, with silver wires and gilt rims decorated with lappets of dragons of ho-ho birds on a brown ground, with textile designs arou...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Metal

Japanese Bronze Koro ‘Incense Burner’ in the Shape of a Turkey
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868-1912) bronze, with removable top, stylized geometric shape and silver inlay. Signature reads: Miharu Kadayashi.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Late 19th Century Japanese Zitan Wood Carved Stand in the Form of a Table
Located in Stamford, CT
An Zitan wood low table / stand. Late 19th century Japanese Meiji Period. Zitan is an extremely dense wood which sinks in water. It is a member of the rosewood family. The wood is bl...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Zitan

Japanese Burl Presentation Platform
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji Period (1868 - 1912) burl wood slab for presenting a flower arrangment or beautiful object.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Burl

Iga-ware Earthenware Flower Container
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868-1912) vase with characteristic Iga-ware ears and rough, sandy clay. Comes in original storage box with silk jacket and drawstring.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Antique Meiji Period Earthenware Vase with Butterfly Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique earthenware vase was made in Japan is circa 1900 in the Meiji period and style. This vase stands a foot high and is done w...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

A Large Japanese Meiji Period Porcelain Charger, Circa 1890
Located in Central England, GB
A Superb Large Japanese Meiji Period Porcelain Charger, Circa 1890 This large scale Japanese porcelain charger is finely hand-painted in rich c...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Japanese Vases, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful pair of Japanese vases. Embossed and chiseled bronze with floral motifs. Meiji period. This artwork is shipped from Italy. Under existing legislation, any artwork in Italy...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Oversize Antique Japanese Hanging Flower Basket
Located in Hudson, NY
Oversize antique Japanese hanging flower basket. Dramatic and large (36" long) flower basket built to be hung on a wall with an insert so you can enjo...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Cigar Box , 1880 - 1920s
Located in Braintree, GB
An impressive Chinese export solid silver dragon box, crafted circa 1880–1920 from substantial heavy-gauge silver, 900 purity and intended for the Western market. The rectangular fo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silver

20th Century Meiji Japanese Solid Silver Fuji Mountain Bowl, c.1900
By Kuhn Komor 1
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
20th Century Japanese Meiji period silver bowl, double walled, depicting the view of mount Fuji from a lake, with boats and small island with banzai trees,...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silver

Pair of Japanese Large Bronze Vases with Turtles and Cranes
Located in Hudson, NY
Early Meiji period (1868-1912) bronze vases, incised, detailed designs on each vase. One vase is decorated with a family of cranes at a rocky water's edge, with flowers and an old pine tree. The other vase depicts turtles at a rocky water's edge with bamboo, along with turtles swimming...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Small Japanese Bamboo and Black Lacquer Utility Stand
Located in Hudson, NY
Small Japanese bamboo and black lacquer utility stand. Meiji period (1868 - 1912) furniture with one small shelf.
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Lacquer

Meiji period bronze
Located in Atlanta, GA
Very fine Japanese bronze of two territorial beasts, on a decoratively carved teak base. The base is 34 inches long, the bronze is 29 inches long.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Meiji Period Solid Silver Bowls by Eigyoku
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Meiji period solid silver bowls by Eigyoku, each of lobed oval form on four scroll feet, deeply embossed with continuous chrysanthemum hea...
Category

1910s Japanese Vintage Meiji Furniture

Materials

Silver

Meiji Period, Bronze, Literate Writing , 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Bronze with brown patina Meiji period representing a scholar sitting writing. The subject is presented on a small square-shaped base resting on 4 small feet. Very nice original brown...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Meiji Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Meiji furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Meiji furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Satsuma, Kinkozan, Ando Jubei, and Makuzu Kozan. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $65 and tops out at $190,804 while the average work can sell for $2,112.