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.
Colorful Black Cloisonné Dragon Ware Jar with Lid - Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite dragon motif cloisonné jar in black with a matching lid. The small chinoiserie jar is made from brass or copper, and encrusted with a cloisonné dragon design. Cloisonné piec...
Metal, Enamel
Pair of Antique Japanese Cloisonne Covered Jars with Floral Motif Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of antique cloisonne covered jars or urns are unsigned, but originate from Japan from approximately 1900 in a Japanese export style. The pair is done in muted tones and are...
Metal
Large Japanese Antique Shigaraki Tsubo Jar
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique Japanese stoneware storage jar, known as tsubo from Shigaraki kiln, circa 17th-18th century (early Edo possibly Momoyama period)....
Ceramic
Pair of Large Powder-Blue Gilt-Decorated Jars, Japon 1840 .
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of Large 19' century powder-blue gilt-decorated jars. Each gold painted with a composite floral patterns, all against a powder blue ground enriched in gilt with scattered flower...
Porcelain
Mid 20th C. Kutani Style French Porcelain Lidded Ginger Jars - A Pair
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., a pair of Japanese Kutani style porcelain lidded jars, stamped on Porcelaine de Paris underside of foot. The mark indicates the piece was produced in the 1970's. The jars are decorated in deep orange, tangerine and gold motifs on a white background. On one side, both jars have matching decoration depicting a scroll showing a pastoral scene. On the other side, each jar has a seperate floral depiction; one including bamboo. Both are highly decorative. Founded 1773 by Jean-Baptiste Locre, Porcelaine de Paris, was one of the first manufactures to use the Chinese secret of porcelain. It immediately aimed for the luxury trade, selling to the Royal Courts of Europe. After surviving the French Revolution, Porcelaine de Paris steadily produced tableware as well as purely decorative pieces, receiving orders from all over Europe. Productivity was astonishing, creating one new model every day over 30 years! Around 1830, Jean-Marx Clauss, a German-born potter bought a building at Rue de la Pierre-Levee, where he took over Locre's activity. M. Achille Bloch...
Gold
Japanese Porcelain Vase with Relief Surface Makuzu Kozan
By Makuzu Kozan
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare porcelain vase by Makuzu Kozan (1842-1916) circa 1870-81 (late Meiji period). The vase is dated to the earlier work from Kozan's studio during his early period (Takauki-ware p...
Ceramic
Japanese Miniature Hand Painted Porcelain Ginger Jar
Located in New York, NY
Hand painted Japanese porcelain miniature ginger jar with handled top. Old Japan motifs of a peacock with chrysanthemum flower, dogwood trees, clouds and and butterfly. Stamped with signature on bottom, T & T Made in Japan Hand paint.
Porcelain
5 Mid Century Tin Japanese Nesting Tea Caddy Coffee Canisters Kanji Jars 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of five vintage nesting Japanese tea caddy / canisters. Made of tin, cylindrical form painted black and embellished with a word in gold. Two sti...
Tin
Raku Glazed Polychrome Crackle Japanese inspired Design Ceramic Set with Tray
Located in Miami, FL
Handcrafted set of three white ceramic decorative objects with a tray. These very nice quality pieces were created following the ancie...
Ceramic, Bamboo
Vintage Japanese Satsuma Covered Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Japanese Satsuma Covered Ginger Jar This Japanese jar decorated with birds, flowers, and satsumas would be a beautiful gift for a vin...
Porcelain, Paint
Karl Lindström and Nils Emil Lundström for Rörstrand, Lidded Porcelain Jar
Located in København, Copenhagen
Karl Lindström and Nils Emil Lundström for Rörstrand. Lidded porcelain jar decorated with grape vines in gold on a beautiful dark blue base. Japan...
Porcelain
Karl Lindström and Nils Emil Lundström for Rörstrand, Lidded Porcelain Jar
Located in København, Copenhagen
Karl Lindström and Nils Emil Lundström for Rörstrand. Lidded porcelain jar decorated with grapevines in gold on the beautiful dark blue base. Japa...
Porcelain
Michaela Frey Lidded Jar, Matte Porcelain, Op Art Design, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Modern Op Art matte bone white lidded jar of high quality matte bisque porcelain. The exterior is decorated with a beautiful organic dotted circle relief pattern on both lid and body. The interior has been given a white smooth highly glossy glaze. Designed by Michaela Frey...
Porcelain
19th Century Large Japanese Imari Ginger Jars
Located in New York, NY
A large and very fine condition pair of antique Japanese Imari Ginger jars from the second half of the 19th century. Each is 12 inches in diameter and...
Ceramic
Japanese Satsuma Ginger Jar Vase, circa Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful small Japanese Satsuma ginger jar vase, circa early-20th century, Japan. Colors include cream, copper, green, blue, white, black, orange...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery
Pair of Cloisonné Bronze Vases, Japan, Circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of cloisonné bronze vases, Japan, circa 1900, accident on one, slight depression Measures: H 19cm, D 10cm. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Bronze
$1,950
H 17.5 in Dm 9.5 in
Qing Dynasty Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Jar with Lid and Foo Dog Finial
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty blue and white porcelain lidded jar from the early 20th century with dragon motifs. This blue and white porcelain jar exudes timeless elegance with its intricatel...
Porcelain
$81,706 / set
H 43.31 in W 18.51 in D 16.54 in
Large Pair of Rococo Style Gilt Bronze and Blue Ceramic Vases
Located in London, GB
The two vases are of large, ovoid form, and feature fluted bodies which are crafted in ceramic with a mottled blue colouring. The vases are mounted with twin gilt bronze scrolling ha...
Ormolu
Pair of Bohemian Green and Gilt Glass Vases, circa 1840
Located in New York, NY
Pair of bohemian green and gilt glass vases, circa 1840.
Art Glass
Japanese Contemporary Imari Blue White Porcelain Vase
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite Japanese contemporary decorative porcelain vase, hand painted in underglaze blue on a beautifully shaped body in pure white, a signed piece by widely acclaimed master porce...
Porcelain
$1,800Sale Price|35% Off
H 26 in Dm 10 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty Crackle Glazed Dragon Vase with Kiln Error
Located in Rio Vista, CA
20th century rare Qing dynasty crackled (GE) glazed vase with molded three dimensional dragon forms. This very fine quality vase is particularly interesting by the presence of a kiln...
Earthenware, Porcelain
Multi-Color Porcelain O-Jar with Lid
By Erin Turkoglu
Located in Helsinki, FI
O-Jar is a sculptural hand made porcelain vessel. A soft pink colored matte porcelain body is complemented with an oversized ball cap. The inside of the...
Porcelain
Japanese Cloisonné Vase Ando Jubei with Storage Box
By Ando Jubei
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully decorated cloisonné vase with silver rims by Ando Jubei (1876-1956), the celebrated Japanese Shippo studio. The piece is dated to late Meiji to early Showa period circa...
Metal, Silver, Enamel
20th Century Porcelain Capodimonte Ornamental Urn or Jar
Located in Miami, FL
20th century porcelain Capodimonte ornamental urn or jar.
Ceramic
19th Century Japanese Stoneware Saki Jar Vessel
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality glazed stoneware saki jar or pot. This traditional Japanese piece has wonderful colors and a beautiful shape, 19th century. Dimensions: Height: 8.5 in (21.59 cm) D...
Ceramic
Vintage Japanese Cloisonne Ginger Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
A riot of color contained in a single form: this mid-20th century Japanese cloisonné ginger jar dazzles with a large-scale chrysanthemum and peony pattern, each petal and leaf outlin...
Brass, Enamel
Japanese Patinated Bronze "Dragon"Jar
Located in Astoria, NY
Japanese patinated bronze jar with applied high-relief three-clawed dragon chasing the flaming pearl, seal mark underneath. Dimensions: 7.25" H x 8" Diameter. Dealer: S138XX
Bronze
Antique Japanese Kutani Satsuma Moriage Porcelain Lidded Biscut Ginger Jar
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Japanese kutani Satsuma cookie / biscuit / ginger jar / tea caddy. Made of porcelain featuring hand painted detail with landscape of fi...
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Fukagawa Lidded Jar
By Fukagawa
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th Century, Meiji period (1868-1912) Japanese Kukagawa porcelain lidded jar. Having a Foo dog finial to the lid, classical motif decoration to the boarders, won...
Porcelain
Sold
H 18.5 in W 14 in D 14 in
Japanese Satsuma Vase with Gold Gilt High Relief Decoration Depicting a Goddess
Located in Stamford, CT
Japanese Satsuma vase with gold gilt high relief decoration with the goddess Quan Yin mounted on a raised elephant. Signed on bottom with signature and label. One of several large decorated vase...
Pottery
Ceramic Pot with Lid Japanese Mizusashi by Makoto Yabe
By Makoto Yabe
Located in Atlanta, GA
A piece of studio ceramic art made by Makoto Yabe (1947-2005), Massachusetts, circa late 20th century. The lidded pot is known as Mizusashi in Japanese tea ceremony and is used to ho...
Ceramic