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.
$1,102Sale Price|50% Off
Japanese Library Furniture - Shou Sugi Ban Technique
Located in TARBES, FR
Japanese Library Furniture - Shou Sugi Ban Technique Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of Japan with our remarkable bookcase inspired by the anc...
Wood
$3,249Sale Price|20% Off
Swivel Bookcase Table with Marble Top by Gabriel Viardot, Japonism, circa 1880
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Rare pedestal table / bookcase in Japanese / Chinese / Asian style, richly carved. With red marble top, swivel shelves and tripod base carved with dragon / demon heads and clawed le...
Marble
$2,784Sale Price|20% Off
Swivel Bookcase Table with Carved Top by Gabriel Viardot, Japonism, circa 1880
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Rare pedestal table / bookcase in Japanese / Chinese / Asian style. Richly carved : top decorated with a dragon, openwork swivel shelves and tripod base carved with clawed legs. Ar...
Wood
$2,037
H 31.7 in W 19.49 in D 19.49 in
Antique Sheraton Revival Hardwood & Satinwood Revolving Bookcase Side End Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine antique Sheraton Revival Mahogany & Satinwood revolving bookcase table A very good looking well made and decorative piece. Made i...
Hardwood, Satinwood
Bamboo Occasional Table with Lacquered Top, English, ca. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Bamboo Occasional Table with Lacquered Top, English, ca. 1880. The art of using bamboo in furniture making originated in China, dating as far back as the early 1600's and would later...
Bamboo, Rattan
Small French brass table with marble top, circa 1910
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Elegant small brass table with a marble top, dating from circa 1910. This piece of furniture is characterized by a sleek, geometric design and carefully finished details. The warm pa...
Marble, Brass
$945Sale Price|55% Off
H 32 in W 16 in D 10 in
Victorian 1880 Walnut Carved Side Table with White Marble Top
Located in Lomita, CA
A rectangular white marble top rests on a walnut base with this occasional table. It is from the Victorian period. The carved walnut marble-topped table is American or English, and...
Marble
Louis XVI Side Table with Marble Top, France, Circa 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A refined expression of French neoclassical design, this Louis XVI side table dates to circa 1900 and showcases the timeless elegance of the period. Crafted in solid wood and topped ...
Marble
French Empire Gueridon Side Table, Ebonized Mahogany, Marble Top, 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Side table from France in the French Empire style. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a high gloss French polish finish. The “gueridon” has a tri...
Carrara Marble, Brass
English Breakfront Library Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good English painted breakfront library bookcase. All adjustable shelving. 1840. Dimensions 122 inches (310 cms) Wide 18.5 inches (47 ...
Oak
Freeform Library, France 2024
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Low free-form bookcase in French Elm, France 2024. The four shelves, joined by Sipo spacers, are decorated with corks. The original shape of the tree has been respected, polished and...
Elm
$2,037
H 37.6 in W 20.08 in D 20.08 in
Large circa 1880 Antique Victorian English Oak Revolving Bookcase Book Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very well made English oak circa 1880-1900 revolving bookcase table with newspaper shelf A good looking and well mad...
Oak
Mina INT3 Library
Located in Pesaro, IT
Harmonious proportions and gentle curves characterise10 this sophisticated bookcase, its wide four shelves sustained by the combination of a central vertical panel and two cylindrica...
Steel
English Oak Library Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good quality 19th century English oak library bookcase. 1870. Adjustable shelving on top and bottom. Upper shelf depth: 6.5-inches Base shelf depth: 1...
Oak
$3,192
H 44.49 in W 26.38 in D 26.38 in
Very Large circa 1880 Antique Victorian English Oak Revolving Bookcase Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very well made English oak circa 1880-1900 revolving bookcase table with printed numbers on the shelves Pl...
Oak
Sold
H 63 in W 28.35 in D 16.15 in
Showcase with Inlaid Panels, attributed to Perret and Vibert, Japonisme, 1880
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Superb walnut vitrine / showcase with 3 beautiful lacquered panels inlaid with depicting animal and plant scenes: there is a pond, flowers, foliage and various birds, cranes, waders. The 2 shelves are modular. The bottom of the showcase is covered with a red lacquer. Openwork pediment and base. Art Nouveau Japonism, France, around 1880. Attributed to Perret & Vibert / La Maison des Bambous...
Bronze
20th Century Century Japanese Sliding Glass Door Shop Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome Japanese 19th century sliding glass door display cabinet in two pieces. Top portion is all display with one interior shelf....
Iron
Japanese Double Glass Sliding Door Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
!9th century Japanese showcase. In good condition. 4 interior shelves. Back panels have shrunken with age and have some space in-between boards. T...