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.
$11,610 / item
Rare Uchiwa II Table Lamp by Ingo Maurer, circa 1970s
By Ingo Maurer, M Design
Located in Wiesbaden, Hessen
Pair of rare table lamps by Ingo Maurer for Design M, 1970s, Germany. Executed in bamboo, rice paper fan and black lacquered iron. Socket: 1 x E27 or E26 (US) for standard screw bul...
Iron
$8,640Sale Price|20% Off
Striking Set of Four Portuguese Imari Style Vases Now Mounted as Lamps
By Vista Alegre
Located in San Francisco, CA
from the Vista Alegre Porcelain Factory (founded 1824) each rectilinear vase with flared neck above a tapering body ending in a splayed foot; hand decorated overall with vibrant flor...
Porcelain
Pair of Antique Japanese Arita Imari Porcelain Vase Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of antique Japanese Arita Imari porcelain vases, available as lamps. Meiji period (1868-1913) Japanese porcelain vases decorate...
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Arita Imari Porcelain Vase Lamps
Located in London, GB
A pair of antique Japanese Arita Imari porcelain vase lamps. Meiji period (1868-1913) Japanese porcelain vases decorated in bright enamels in Imari colours. The body is decorated wi...
Porcelain
$923Sale Price|45% Off
Bronze 19th Century Archaic Meiji Period Japanese Table Lamp
Located in Lomita, CA
The attenuated silhouette of this late 19th century bronze table lamp turns heads. It is an antique Asian archaic style bronze. The intricate carving and the oxidized bronze color sp...
Bronze
Sculpted Wood Japanese Style Lamp with Silk Shade, Red & Gold
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality sculpted wood Japanese style lamp, with custom silk shade. Red and gold crackle finish. This Japanese style table lamp was hand-crafted with attention to details, fr...
Silk, Wood, Paint, Faux Bamboo
Pair of Faience Oil Lamps, Attributed to Vieillard & Cie
By Jules Viellard
Located in London, GB
These wonderful oil lamps have been attributed to the prestigious ceramic company, Viellard & Cie. The firm was established in 1845 in Bordeaux, France. It was directed by Jules Viel...
Metal
Contemporary Handmade Ceramic Table Side Lamp, Olive Green with Lampshade
By Manolo Eirin
Located in Carballo, ES
This table lamp is made of ceramic, by a specialist in traditional pottery, with an exterior vitrified for greater light projection. The lampshade and the bulb are not included, but ...
Iron
$630Sale Price / set|30% Off
2 Vintage Japanese Moriage Satsuma Pagoda Landscape Gold Filligree Lamps 40"
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage Japanese Satsuma moriage painted table lamps. Made of porcelain featuring a chinoiserie theme landscape scene of pagodas, bridges...
Porcelain
Isamu Noguchi 1st Edition Table table. Model 22n. Made in Gifu. Washi & Bambo
Located in London, GB
Original shade in washi & bamboo rims Structure in black lacquered metal Hand-made form realized by Ozeki Company, Gifu, Japan Series started in 1951 Height: 43 1/2 / Diameter : ...
Bamboo
$1,998Sale Price / set|40% Off
Pair of Vintage Japonesque Faux Lacquer Painted Glass
Located in Lomita, CA
A pair of vintage Japonesque faux lacquer painted glass table lamps mid to third-quarter of the 20th Century and stunning. Of circular section and baluster form, with flared tops, st...
Gold Leaf
Large Mid century ceramic table lamp with Imari inspired motif.
Located in Herentals, BE
The lamp base has an attractive Imari-inspired floral pattern and is mounted on a brass base. The table lamp has a professionally handmade custom lampshade made of coarsely woven vel...
Brass
Pair of French Japonisme Ormolu Vases E. Lièvre, Executed by F. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Edouard Lievre
Located in New York, NY
An important and monumental pair of very fine 19th century French Japonisme/Orientalist ormolu vases designed by Edouard Lièvre and Executed by Ferdinand Barbedienne. Each body with an oval shape, finely sculpted in a floral design, fringed by orientalist style handles with cartouches, the neck surmounted by a circular pierced scrolling dragon frieze. Each vase resting on a group of four orientalist style jeweled elephant...
Bronze
$672 / set
Pair Japanese Bronze Table Lamps
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A very good pair of Japanese bronze table lamps with dragon handles, blossom relief to the fronts, in very good condition, rewired and ready for use. 15" high without shades You ar...
Bronze
$26,471Sale Price|20% Off
Japonisme Lamp Att. to E. Lièvre , Japan-France, Circa 1880
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Edouard Lievre
Located in PARIS, FR
Height with lampshade : 133 cm (52,3 in.) / without lampshade : 125 cm (49,2 in.) ; Lampshade - Height 74 cm (29,1 in.) ; Diameter : 86 cm (33,8 in.) Important Japanese style gourd-shaped lamp, made with a polychrome Kutani porcelain vase decorated with lake scene and flowers in cartouches, in the middle of flying waders on a red background. It is covered with its original beige pleated silk lampshade, embroided with flowers and waders. It rests on an « old gold » patinated bronze base with stylized openwork decoration, topped with a Fô dog on each foot. Related work : Japanese enamel porcelain...
Bronze
Japanese Cloisonné Table Lamp with Brass Base, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality Japanese Cloisonné Lamp, with blue, red and green enamel inlay on a brass base. This Japanese Cloisonne Table Lamp was hand-crafted wi...
Brass, Metal
19th Century French Satsuma Urn Table Lamp
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Satsuma urn table Lamp features hand-painted artistry protected by a proprietary glaze that made such artifacts all the rage in 18th & ...
Bronze
$825Sale Price|38% Off
Crackle Glaze Ceramic Lamp w/ Painted Peacock & Flower Scene
Located in San Francisco, CA
A French Japonisme piece from the early 20th century - this white, crackle glazed ceramic table lamp is incised and intricately hand painted with a colorful scene of peacocks, butter...
Brass
$1,530Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Hand-Painted Imari Table Lamps, Dutch Delft, New Japanese Lampshades
By Amitābha Studio, Delft
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Pair of hand-painted Delft Imari table lamps by Jaap Heinen, Netherlands, 1980s — cobalt blue, iron-red, and gold, with new navy and gold Japanese wave dru...
Brass
A Pair of Large Japanese Satsuma Lamps Japanese Moriage Satsuma
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Large Japanese Satsuma Lamps A pair of large Japanese Moriage Satsuma Handpainted Lamps dating from the Early 20th The lamps are ...
Ceramic
$12,000 / set
Pair of Satsuma Lamps
By Satsuma
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of Japanese Satsuma glazed earthenware vases with French dore bronze mounts originally as gas lamps, now electrified.
Bronze
Large Pair of 19th Century Japanese Bronze Vases / Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and striking pair of 19th century Japanese (Meiji period 1868-1912) patinated and embossed bronze vases / lamps. Each with inset panels of exotic birds and plants, ...
Bronze
A Highly Unusual Pair of English Japanism Motif Porcelain Vases Turned to Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A Highly Unusual Pair of 19th Century English Japanism Motif Porcelain Vases Turned to Lamps. Each with a waisted neck and wide-angled body, these lamps are very unusual in form. T...
Porcelain, Wood
A Large French Ormolu Mounted Japanese Blue & White Porcelain Vase/Lamp
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible and Quite Large 19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Japanese Blue and White Porcelain Vase Turned to Lamp, The moun...
Bronze
Pair of 'Japonsime' Blue Porcelain Vases Mounted as Lamps
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Pair Of 'Japonsime' Gilt-Bronze-Mounted Powder-Blue Porcelain Vases, Mounted As Lamps. By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Paris. Each with a square shaped body. The sides decorated with ...
Ormolu
Italian Faux Ivory Geisha Table Lamp by Amilcare Santini, 1940s
By A. Santini
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Japanese style Geisha Table lamp in Faux Ivory. Its made from hand-tooled white/creamy stone-mass and is hand signed by the maker. This example was made...
Cast Stone
Japanese Hand Painted Heron Ceramic Table Lamp
Located in Bradenton, FL
A hand painted Japanese ceramic table lamp. The vase is decorated on both sides with a mother and baby heron in the water, by stems of bam...
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Export Imari Porcelain Ginger Jar Lamp
Located in London, GB
An exceptional Chinese export hard-paste porcelain table lamp, circa 1900. Thrown and hand-decorated in the highly sought-after Imari palette, the piece showcases a masterfully exe...
Brass, Enamel, Gold Leaf
Antique Impressive Imari Vase Porcelain Big Tablelamp 19 Century Japan Meiji
Located in Halle, DE
This really impressive and extraordinary very big Imari Tablelamp was manufactured in Japan in the late 19 Century or maybe earlier. There a many different carefully detailed desi...
Brass
Japanese Mixed Metal Vase Mounted as a Lamp Meiji Period
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Japanese mixed metal vase Mounted as a lamp Meiji period The bulbous-form body with long conical neck decorated in high-relief copper w...
Brass, Copper
$520Sale Price|20% Off
17th Century Orange Blue White Japanese Arita Ware Charger Plate
Located in Lomita, CA
This Japanese Export porcelain charger is singular and speaks for itself in a beautiful palette of soft orange, blue and white. It is remimiscent of Imari, but the appraisers say it is from a 17th or 18th century kiln in Arita Japan. The colors are vibrant and clear, and there are no chips or other damage to this beautiful piece. Arita ware...
Porcelain
Ceramic Table Lamp with Cork Shade in Japan Bamboo Look by Leola, 1970s, Germany
By Leola
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
The lamp comes with E27 Edison screw fit bulb holder. They are with original wiring, in working condition. Size: Lamp base is 10.2" x 10.2" (26cm x 26cm).
Metal
Antique Japanese Moriage Table Lamp of Exceptional Quality with Heavy Beading
Located in Houston, TX
This very special Japanese Satsuma Moriage lamp has beautiful colors and a wonderful presence. The repetition of the hand-painted pattern allows...
Pottery
Gorgeous Modular Manon Table Lamp by Yamada Shomei, circa 1970
Located in Beirut, LB
The 1970s gorgeous red modulable manon table lamp is designed by Japanese manufacturer Yamada Shomei Lighting. The switch is inside the folding arm, the...
Plastic
Antique Japanese Painted Vase Table Lamp
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Japanese export vase lamp (circa 1900), newly wired for use within the USA. Sold without a shade (listed height measured to the top of the socket). This interesting lamp has...
Porcelain
Imari Vase Lamp and Bowl with Cover A Lovely Vintage set, a ginger jar vase
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Imari Vase Lamp and Bowl with Cover A Lovely Vintage set, a ginger jar vase and a covered bowl The lamp is in good condition, working and it come with its own shade, the 10” bowl h...
Ceramic
Large Figural Ceramic Table Lamp by D. Polo Uiato, Capodimonte Style
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large figural ceramic table lamp by D. Polo Uiato, Capodimonte style This is a large and rare piece lamp, the lamp is a colourful outdoor scene wi...
Ceramic
Lamp in Imari Porcelain and Gilt Bronze, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Baluster shaped lamp with Imari decor in porcelain and gilt bronze. Body adorned with red flower motifs on a white and blue background. Chiseled and gilt bronze mount. Quadripod hexagonal base. Work realized circa 1880. New and functional electric system. !The price doesn’t include the lampshade price. However, our workshop can advise you with pleasure and realize it with your size and color choices! Imari is a place of production of Japanese ceramics, otherwise known as “Arita porcelain”. It is the port of an island. Imari porcelain was first exhibited by the Dutch, with their Compagnie Orientale des Provinces-Unies (the V.O.C). These are Europeanized decorations but remaining very inspired by the great traditions of Asian spirituality. The Imari style is characterized by three dominant colors: cobalt blue, red tending to saffron and the white background of porcelain. Imari porcelain had a notable influence on the East India Company (Chinese Imari is referred to as East India Company porcelain...
Bronze
Signed Hand Painted Vase Lamp, in the Japanese Style A Lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Signed Hand Painted Vase Lamp, in the Japanese Style A Lovely piece a 6 sided ginger jar vase, hand painted with the artist’s monogram The lamp is in good condition, working and ...
Ceramic
Pair of Lamps in Satsuma Earthenware, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of egg-shaped lamps in a fine Satsuma earthenware. Body presenting Japanese dignitaries speaking together inside cartouches on a white background as well as red, golden, brown and green decorative and geometric motifs. Mount in gilt bronze adorned with openwork and chiselled Japanese style motifs. Work realized circa 1880. New and functional electric system. !The price doesn’t include the lampshade price. However, our workshop can advise you with pleasure and realize it with your size and color choices! Satsuma earthenware appeared at the 16th century in Japan on Satsuma lands. This kind of ceramics is characterized by a wide range of shapes evolving through time and ovens used...
Earthenware
Pair of Brown and Blue Porcelain Lamps, Japanese Style, Late 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of baluster shape brown and blue porcelain lamps. Decoration of Japanese style figures in a cartouche framed with vegetals and flowers with deep blue and gold highlights. Mounte...
Bronze
Satsuma earthenware vase with geishas, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of slightly bulged Satsuma earthenware lamps with a gilt bronze mount. Beige background decoration with geishas surrounded with dahlias in outside scenes and flanked by a palm l...
Faience
Elegant Oriental Style Black and Brass Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Elegant Oriental Style Black and Brass Table Lamp This is an elegant piece, with its large 6 sided linen Lamp Shade The lamp is in good origina...
Metal
$1,114Sale Price|20% Off
White Porcelain Lamp by Pillivuyt, Japonisme, France, circa 1970
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Beautiful white porcelain living room lamp. Far Eastern inspiration / Japonism, France, circa 1970-1980. Stamped "Pillivuyt France Porcelain since 1...
Porcelain
Pair 19th C. French Ormolu Mtd. Chinoiserie Baccarat Cut-Crystal Vases/Lamps
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Chinoiserie/Japanism Baccarat Hand-Diamond Cut Engraved and Copper-Wheel Cut Crystal Vases, Later Turned to Lamps, Never Drilled, Electri...
Crystal, Bronze
$6,111 / set
Pair 19th Century Japanese Satsuma Vases / Lamps
By Satsuma
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality pair of Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) Satsuma porcelain vases / lamps. Each with wonderful gilded classical motif decoration, with inset hand painted panels depicting various scenes of courtiers in attendance and Samurai warriors. Both mounted on ormolu oriental stands.
Porcelain
Lamp in Samson Porcelain and Gilt Bronze, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Baluster-shaped lamp in Samson porcelain and gilt bronze. Shaft in porcelain adorned with two large cartouches in which are represented several Japanese style characters. Red backgro...
Bronze
Pair of French Antique Japonisme Glazed Ceramic and Ormolu Mounted Lamps
By L. Malpass
Located in London, GB
Pair of French antique Japonisme glazed ceramic and ormolu mounted lamps French, Late 19th Century Lamps: height 104cm, width 36cm, depth 26cm Shades: height 33cm, diameter 50cm In the Japonisme style, these superb, exceptionally large lamps (converted from vases) are made from glazed ceramics and fitted with ormolu mounts. The beautiful vases are parcel gilt and decorated with exquisite images of, to the front, a Japanese male figure on one and a female figure on the other; complemented by images of Japanese landscapes including trees, birds (ducks), shrubbery, flowers, and insects, including stick insects and butterflies. Each piece is fitted with superb ormolu elephant...
Ormolu
Pair 19th Century Japanese Style Bronze Vases Lamps
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality pair of 19th century French patinated bronze vases / lamps in the Japanese style. Each with two handles on either side, embossed flower and bat decoration, supported b...
Bronze