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.
Fine Japanese Lacquer Takamakura Geisha Pillow, First Half of the 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A fine Japanese lacquer Takamakura Geisha pillow, first half of the 20th century. Depicting Shi-Shi Lion between peony and rock in gold, silver, red and ...
Abalone, Lacquer
Zabihi Collection Pink Vintage Suzanni Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
late 20th Century Suzanni Textile in bright pink Details rug no. 9614 size 7' 4" x 9' 8" (224 x 295 cm) rug type Suzanni,Textile
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Japanese Silk Obi Accent Pillow
Located in New York, NY
A knife-edge rectangular accent pillow, made out of an Early 20th century Japanese Silk Obi. The Obi is the long sash that wraps around a k...
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Silk Obi Accent Pillow
Located in New York, NY
A knife-edge rectangular accent pillow, made out of an Early 20th century Japanese Silk Obi. The Obi is the long sash that wraps around a k...
Brocade, Silk
Japanese Silk Obi Bolster Pillow, Floral Brocade, 1920s
Located in New York, NY
A knife-edge rectangular bolster pillow, made out of an Early 20th century Japanese Silk Obi. The Obi is the long sash that wraps around a ...
Silk, Brocade
Zabihi Collection Round Vintage Hungarian Embroidery Textile
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind colorful hand-embroidered Hungarian textile from the late 20th century Measures: 33” x 34”.
Wool, Cotton
$440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Moss Green Floral Trompe L’Oeil Handprinted Linen, Schumacher, Kent Garden, 1971
By Schumacher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Moss green floral Trompe L’Oeil hand printed Linen, Schumacher, Kent Gardens, 1971. English country through the lens of Japonisme chic and an intriguing 1970s moss green color way. T...
Textile, Linen
Zabihi Collection Vintage Suzanni Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th-century Suzanni Textile in bright pink Details rug no. j5119 size 14'' x 16'' rug type Suzanni,Textile
Wool, Cotton
Japanese Silk Bolster Pillow, Gold Brocade, 1920s Obi
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular bolster pillow, made out of an early 20th century Japanese Silk Obi. The Obi is the long sash that wraps around a kimono to fasten it to the body, which through histor...
Brocade, Silk
$654 / item
Cushion Phoenix 61
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Square cushion in an earthy green colour with a delicate, tone-on-tone phoenix embroidery framed with contrasting, multicolour fabric. The phoenix is a Japanese symbol for rebirth an...
Satin
Antique Japanese Chrysanthemum Design Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Made from an antique Chrysanthemum motif Japanese silk obi and raw silk, this lumbar pillow is both elegant and sophisticated. Beautiful golden e...
Silk
Pillows Fabricated From Antique Japanese Obis in Shades of Grey
Located in New York, NY
Made from antique Japanese silk obis, this lumbar pillow is both elegant and sophisticated. It is fabricated from complimentary Asian brocade textiles in shades of grey and taupe. A ...
Silk, Velvet
$654 / item
Cushion Phoenix 64
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Square cushion in a rich bronze colour with a delicate, tone-on-tone phoenix embroidery framed with contrasting, multicolour fabric. The phoenix is a Japanese symbol for rebirth and ...
Satin
$654 / item
Cushion Phoenix 59
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Square cushion in a vibrant orange colour with a delicate, tone-on-tone phoenix embroidery framed with contrasting, multicolour fabric. The phoenix is a Japanese symbol for rebirth a...
Satin
$654 / item
Cushion Phoenix 56
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Square cushion in a vibrant red colour with a delicate, tone-on-tone phoenix embroidery framed with contrasting, multicolour fabric. The phoenix is a Japanese symbol for rebirth and ...
Satin
$654 / item
Cushion Phoenix 21
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Square cushion in a natural cream colour with a delicate, tone-on-tone phoenix embroidery framed with contrasting, multicolour fabric. The phoenix is a Japanese symbol for rebirth an...
Satin
$654 / item
Cushion Phoenix 40
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Square cushion in a natural gold colour with a delicate, tone-on-tone phoenix embroidery framed with contrasting, multicolour fabric. The phoenix is a Japanese symbol for rebirth and...
Satin
$654 / item
Cushion Phoenix 65
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Square cushion in an sky blue colour with a delicate, tone-on-tone phoenix embroidery framed with contrasting, multicolour fabric. The phoenix is a Japanese symbol for rebirth and lo...
Satin
$654 / item
Cushion Phoenix 50
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Square cushion in a rich blue colour with a delicate, tone-on-tone phoenix embroidery framed with contrasting, multicolour fabric. The phoenix is a Japanese symbol for rebirth and lo...
Satin
$654 / item
Cushion Phoenix 34
By Kenzo Takada
Located in Cadorago, CO
Square cushion in an rich blue-green colour with a delicate, tone-on-tone phoenix embroidery framed with contrasting, multicolour fabric. The phoenix is a Japanese symbol for rebirth...
Satin
Vintage Linen Upholstery Textile Fabric
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Mt. 12,40 x cm. 52 of a vintage tissue, suitable for armchairs upholstery in a country or seaside home: difficult to find this quantity.! This tissue was used for French mail bags...
Canvas
Vintage Anatolian Velvet Pillow Cases, Mid-20th Century
Located in Istanbul, TR
They do not come with inserts but bags made to the size to accommodate insert materials. linen in the back zipper closure dry cleaning is recommended.
Metallic Thread
Obi Pillow Cover, Japan, Mid 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert. Cotton in the back. Zipper closure. Dry cleaning is recommended.
Silk
Palestinian Pillow Case , mid 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert. Linen in the back. Zipper closure. Dry Cleaning is recommended.
Silk
Japanese Lacquer Smoking Box, Tabako Bon, Edo Period, 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine Japanese maki-e lacquer decorated tabako bon, or smoking box, late Edo Period, mid-19th century, Japan. The elegant smoking box of black lacquer decorated with a wonderful gold lacquer takamaki-e design of a gnarled and elegantly twisted plum tree with branches in full bloom. A border of golden cranes in flight to the top. The smoking box, called a tabako bon, is comprised of an open section at the top with inset with two cylindrical metal canisters...
Lacquer
$156Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15 in Dm 6 in
Vintage Brocade Silk Bolster Pillows Turquoise Blue and Gold Colors with Peacock
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Brocade silk bolster pillows made from silk sari fabric in turquoise blue and gold colors. Set of two Indian Mughal style pillows with majestic pea...
Silk
Vintage Japanese Obi Textile, Mid 20th C
Located in Istanbul, TR
An obi in very good condition that can be utilized as a table runner, wall hanging.
Silk
Pillowcase Made from an Antique Hungarian Embroidery
By Seref Ozen
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert. Linen in the back. Zipper Closure. Dry Cleaning recommended.
Silk
Vintage Hand Embroidery Pillow, Wool & Silk, Uzbekistan, 1980
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful pillow made of hand embroidery with exceptional happy colors of geometric repeated motifs. Quality silk backing, fresh new insert.
Wool
Pillowcase Made from a Vintage Anatolian Embroidery
By Seref Ozen
Located in Istanbul, TR
Pillowcase Made from a Vintage Anatolian Embroidery It does not come with an insert. Linen in the back. Zipper closure. Dry cleaning reccommended.
Cotton
Vintage Velvet Pillow Cover With Metal Embroidery
Located in 中央区, JP
This decorative pillow cover is crafted from a vintage velvet textile with intricate metal embroidery, most likely of Moroccan origin and dating to the 20th century. The rich purple ...
Metallic Thread
Obi Pillow Cover, Japan, Mid 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert. Cotton in the back. Zipper closure. Dry cleaning is recommended.
Silk
Japanese Silk Bolster Pillow, Gold Brocade, 1920s Obi
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular bolster pillow, made out of an early 20th century Japanese Silk Obi. The Obi is the long sash that wraps around a kimono to f...
Silk, Brocade
Foo Dog Silk Metal Thread Indonesian Textile
Located in New York, NY
A 19th century Indonesian silk textile with a foo dog on a yellow field. Measures: 16" x 36".
Metallic Thread
Vintage Japanese Indigo Pillow
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful newly-made pillow constructed from a vintage Japanese striped indigo dyed panel, backed with linen, and filled with down.
Wool
Set of Vintage Japanese Indigo Plaid Pillows
Located in Chicago, IL
A set of pillows made from vintage Japanese handwoven blue and white indigo with a plaid pattern, filled with down. These pillows are slightly different sizes and slightly different ...
Cotton
Schumacher Lotus Garden Aqua Two-Sided Linen Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Lotus Garden in Aqua, an enchanting pattern recreated from a 1920s document from our archives. This masterful design is an ode to Japanese natural motifs. Feathe...
Linen
Vintage Suzanni Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind colorful hand embroidered Suzanni textile. Measures: 58” x 86”.
Wool, Cotton
Set of Four Japanese Silk Kimono Pillows
Located in Chicago, IL
A set of four pillows made from an early 20th century, circa 1920s, Japanese men's golden windowpane pattern silk kimono, backed in linen, filled with down. One small: 14.5 in. W ...
Silk
Colorful Vintage Suzanni Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind colorful square motif Suzanni embroidery.
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Kimono Cushions Set of 4
Located in Søborg, DK
Set of 4 cushions made from vintage kimonos. Great interior design pieces with wonderful colors and patterns. Filled with duck down and measuring 45 x...
Silk
Vintage Japanese Silk Kimono Cushions
Located in Søborg, DK
Unique original Japanese silk kimono cushions. Stunningly beautiful woven patterns to the silk. 5 cushions available from one Kimono. Measures: 40 x 4...
Silk
Vintage Japanese Kimono Silk Cushions
Located in Søborg, DK
Beautiful and unique pair of vintage silk cushions made from a Japanese wedding Kimono. Each set is unique and made from hand picked kimonos. ...
Silk
Vintage Japanese Silk Kimono Cushions
Located in Søborg, DK
Beautiful and unique set of vintage silk cushions made from a Japanese Kimono. Each set is unique and made from hand picked kimonos. This set h...
Silk