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.
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Japanese Theatre Mitsumekozo Theatre Mask Meiji Period, circa 1900
Located in Prahran, Victoria
Unusual Japanese Folk Art theatre mask depicting the playful character Mitsumekozo, a three eyed goblin often portrayed as a mischevious creature in comical plays, late Meiji period,...
Wood
Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Peanuts Meiji Period, Japan, 19/20th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 9 grams Provenance: Collected in the 1980’s. From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen...
Wood
Early 20th Century Industrial Wooden Foundry "Y" Pipe Mold, USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early 20th Century Wooden Foundry "Y" Pipe Mold Great original patina. Perfect to hang on a wall if your first or last name starts with a "Y". This piece will add interest to a...
Hardwood
19th Century Wooden Rocking Horse
Located in Sheffield, MA
The 19th century charming and rustic rocking horse now mounted on two straight boards is made of handcrafted wood pieces cleverly assembled, and has a leather saddle, reins and stirrups. A great addition for those who collect Early American country antiques...
Wood
Vintage Balinese Theater Mask, Hand-Carved Teak, Polychrome, 1975-80
Located in New York, NY
A vintage theater mask from Bali, Indonesia, circa 1975-1980. Polychromed hand-carved teak, mounted on a black metal stand. This type of mask is used at Indonesian Topeng or Mas...
Teak
$1,495
H 10 in W 14.5 in D 9.5 in
Japanese Asian Wood Shi Shi Shishi Mai Lion Dance Gashira Noh Mask Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, beautifully crafted Japanese festival Shishi Lion Dance (Shishi Mai) mask (Gashira). The shishi mask represents a mythical lion that prote...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Japanese Meiji Period Shibayama and Rosewood box
By Shibayama Factory
Located in Sarasota, FL
Meji period shibayama top box with rosewood body, circ 1890's. Fine carving and application. Unsigned..
Horn, Shell, Abalone, Rosewood
$995
H 8 in W 5.5 in D 3 in
Japanese Signed Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask of Doji, Early Showa Period
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theatre. The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood and is signed by the maker. This mask is o...
Wood
Early 20th Century Carved Wooden Figure of a Mormon
Located in London, GB
The Mormon We are proud to offer a unique hand carved early 20th century figure of a traditional Mormon. Wonderfully carved from a single piece of hard wood, detailing an angel at t...
Wood, Paint
Large Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Crab (B) Okimono
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Large Japanese naturalistically modeled bronze okimono in the form of a crab. One of 5 designated by the (B) in the title.
Bronze
Large Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Crab (C) Okimono
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Realistically modeled Japanese okimono of a crab raised on its toes. I of 5 designated by the (C) in the title.
Bronze
$4,500
H 7.7 in W 5.7 in D 2.1 in
Japanese Antique Edo Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask Otobide 17th-18th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly beautiful, wonderfully aged, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theater. The naturally faded beauty and unique character drew us to this mask immediately. The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood, clearly by a master of his trade. We believe this mask is of the Noh theatre character Otobide. This mask dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). It comes with a wooden storage box (which may have been added at a later date). A rare, unique, and exquisite mask. Finely carved and executed. Would be a great addition to any Japanese or Asian art/artifacts collection or an eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting. Mask dimensions: 7.7" high, 5.7" wide, 2.1" deep...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Vintage Hand-Carved Indonesian Theater Mask, Teak, 1975-1980
Located in New York, NY
A vintage theater mask from Bali, Indonesia, circa 1975-1980. Polychromed hand-carved teak, mounted on a black metal stand. This type of mask is used at Indonesian Topeng or Mas...
Teak
Japanese Meiji Bronze Tiger Sculpture, 1900s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Japanese Meiji Bronze Tiger Sculpture, 1900s. A japanese patinated solid bronze sculpture of a roaring tiger from the Meiji-period. Complete with o...
Bronze
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H 9.65 in W 8.27 in D 7.88 in
Japanese Antique Wood Carving Daruma 1860s-1920s / Sculpture Wabi Sabi Mingei
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old daruma wood pattern made in Japan. The expression of the wood grain and traces of handwork suggest that it was made between the Meiji and Taisho periods (1860s-1920s)....
Walnut
Japanese Antique Hand Carved Wood Koi Good Fortune Fish 19thc
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our recent Japanese Acquisitions Travels- a neat catch with a sassy tail. A large fine old Japanese 19th century hand carved wooden KOI fish sc...
Wood
Old Japan Pair Magnificent Bronze Cockatoo Parrots
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our recent Japanese acquisitions First we have seen A rare pair (2) of Japanese hand cast bronze "cockatoos" or parrots dating to the early 20th century. They possess much...
Bronze
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H 11.42 in W 14.97 in D 15.36 in
Japanese Old Wood Carving Lion Head/Antique Folk Art Figurine Object Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an item of Japanese culture. Since ancient times, the Japanese have created lion heads and dedicated them to shrines to ward off hunger and plague. Originally it is lacquer...
Wood
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H 10.91 in W 3.86 in D 2.96 in
Japanese Antique Wood Carving Daikokuten / Folk Art Sculpture / Buddha Statue
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Originally a synonym for the Hindu god Shiva. However, in Japan, it was incorporated into Buddhism long ago and has become a familiar existence as a god named Daikokuten. An old go...
Cypress
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H 12.41 in W 8.08 in D 5.12 in
Japanese Old Unfinished Doll 1860s-1920s/Antique Folk Art Buddha Statue Figurine
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is an unfinished Japanese doll made of sawdust solidified on a core wrapped in paper. It seems to be an item from the Meiji era. (1860s-1920s) I think it is a wonderful object t...
Wood
Sold
H 15 in W 7 in D 9 in
Japanese Mingei Kitsune Fox Head, Carved Wood and Plaster, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful Japanese mingei (folk art) carved animal head, depicting a kitsune (fox), carved soft wood with painted plaster, Meiji Period, Japan. The charming animal head portrayin...
Plaster, Softwood
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H 3.35 in W 4.34 in D 7.49 in
Japanese Old Wood Carving Turtle 1900s-1920s/Antique Figurine Sculpture Fork Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a Japanese wood carving turtle. It is a hand carving using a wooden knob. It is an item from 1900 to 1920. The material is unknown, but it has grown to a great taste. I f...
Wood
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H 11.42 in W 9.85 in D 6.7 in
1800s-1900s Wabisabi-Art Japanese Folk Art Wooden Mask/Sculpture Wall Decoration
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
1800s-1900s Wabisabi-Art Japanese Folk Art wooden mask or sculpture wall decoration Size: W 250, D 170, H 290 Meiji period.
Cedar
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H 14 in W 19.5 in D 9 in
Japanese Large Hand Carved Wood Koi Good Fortune Fish Sculpture with Rope & Hook
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully carved old Japanese Koi fish, a symbol of prosperity, perseverance, and good fortune. The sculpture retains its original dark, rich patina. Traditionally, these works w...
Wood
Japanese Wood Carved Okame Woman Netsuke in Display Frame
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully detailed and displayed miniature well-carved wood Japanese netsuke of a old smiling woman. These decorative pieces often hung from drawstrings of small Inro pouches, which Japanese men customarily wore suspended and sometimes hidden on their waist. From a collection of Japanese artifacts...
Wood
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H 11 in W 7.5 in D 5.5 in
Japanese Signed Gigaku Noh Theater Meiji Mask of Taikofu the Elderly Widower
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly fantastic, riveting mask, clearly made for and used by a Japanese Noh theater actor. The mask is handcrafted. The maker uses a process of hemp cloth mixed with wood dust a...
Lacquer, Wood