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.
$1,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
Japanese Rare 19th Century Antique Bronze Bell - Unique Family Heirloom
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare Bronze Antique Fire Bell With Unique Family History And Provenance One of a kind fine bronze "Hansho" fire bell . This rare bell was used by t...
Bronze
Japanese antique stone basin "Tsukubai" / Garden ornament / 1868-1920
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old tsukubai (stone basin) believed to have been made in Japan. In Japanese culture, there is a long-standing tradition of designing gardens that reflect the changing bea...
Stone
Japan Antique Stone Tea Garden Lantern, Stunning Design
Located in South Burlington, VT
A tall 80 Inch antique classic tea motif lantern with all original pieces. Please view our video. The Zendō-ji Gata lantern Ishidōrō (禅導寺型石灯籠) is a unique design and very special ...
Granite
Japanese Early Antique Stone Four Buddhas Pagoda 10 feet, Best In Class
Located in South Burlington, VT
Just discovered from an old Kyoto area garden. Call or message us for details or to reserve. Please view our video. For the finest garden- an exceptional and spiritual representation of the Buddha expressed in this unique and substantial 10 feet five roof pagoda with four buddha images carved on base. Japan, a monumental antique stone pagoda...
Granite
Japan Magnificent Huge Antique Bronze Crane, 58 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
First crane of this massive size we've seen, almost 5 feet tall Fresh find from our latest Japanese Acquisitions Realistically modeled with natural verdigris. Only one. See our v...
Bronze
18th Century English Staddle Stone 'Mushroom' Garden Ornament
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
18th Century English Staddle Stone ‘Mushroom’ Garden Ornament Add a piece of history to your garden with this gorgeous 18th-century English Staddle Stone, often referred to as a ‘Mu...
Stone
Medusa Mask Garden Ornament, Molded Cast Stone, Antique, USA, 1970s
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderfully weathered Medusa mask in cast stone as a garden ornament.
Cast Stone
$900Sale Price|42% Off
H 7.75 in W 5 in D 2.75 in
19th Century Antique Bronze Chinese Sculpture of Three Figures
Located in Miami, FL
Finely detailed antique bronze of three Chinese figures with a wonderful patina. A beautiful and bold conversation piece for any home. Measures: 7 3/4" H x 5" W x 2 3/4" D Delightfu...
Bronze
![Japanese antique stone god/[Daikokuten]/Stone Buddhas from the Edo period](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/japanese-antique-stone-god-daikokuten-stone-buddhas-from-the-edo-period-for-sale/f_54872/f_406808721721288384637/f_40680872_1721288385010_bg_processed.jpg?width=240)
![Japanese antique stone god/[Daikokuten]/Stone Buddhas from the Edo period](https://a.1stdibscdn.com/japanese-antique-stone-god-daikokuten-stone-buddhas-from-the-edo-period-for-sale-picture-2/f_54872/f_406808721721288415793/DSC_6038_master.jpg?width=240)
$800
H 8.47 in W 5.12 in D 4.34 in
Japanese antique stone god/[Daikokuten]/Stone Buddhas from the Edo period
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Do you know what Daikokuten is? This god in Japan is an old god who has existed since the end of the Muromachi period (16th century) as one of the seven gods who bestow happiness. He...
Stone
Japanese Iron Pagoda Garden Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Japanese cast iron pagoda lantern with lattice fret work hinged door. Bird and bamboo iron cut outs surround pagoda. Beautiful slo...
Iron
English Stone Gargoyle Griffin Garden Statue
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a wonderful English gargoyle or griffin statue Great piece for the garden We've shown it here on a Gothic pedestal stand which is availa...
Stone
Japanese Antique Stone Buddha from Niigata Prefecture /Edo period
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a stone statue of Jizo Bodhisattva, believed to have been created on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture during the Edo period. On Sado Island, there is a small Jizo hall known as “Nashinoki Jizo,” where numerous stone Buddha statues dedicated by local people since the Edo period are still enshrined today. The sight of these statues, densely covering the ground, conveys the everyday prayers of the people of that time—their heartfelt wishes for children’s growth, recovery from illness, and protection in daily life. Against this background, Jizo worship on Sado Island is closely connected to the concept of “Migawari Jizo,” or substitute Jizo. This belief holds that Jizo takes upon itself the misfortunes and suffering that would otherwise befall people. It was a common practice for people to dedicate Jizo statues...
Sandstone
Japanese Antique “Tamari-Ishi” Stone Object / wabi-sabi object
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
An old carved stone object sourced in Japan. Featuring a deeply recessed center and a softly rounded form, the piece exists somewhere between natural formation and human interventio...
Stone
$425Sale Price|50% Off
H 12 in W 6 in D 5.5 in
Japanese Rare Oversized Owl Garden Candle Lantern with Antique Chain
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-992 Rare tall Japanese owl garden candle lantern supplied with antique chain for hanging.
Iron
Antique Shell Form Lead Garden Basin
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and heavy Neoclassical style lead shell form Garden Water Basin in the form of a large Scallop Shell. Dimensions: 28" x 23" x 5 5/8" H Condition: Please see detail photos...
Lead
Iron Garden Ornament
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
The lovely and elegant proportions of this urn will add grace to that quiet space in the garden or act as a focal point in an interior space. A high sheen black paint contemporizes this ancient form making it a perfect accent piece in a modern space. Fleurdetroit is pleased to offer this item and many other fantastic garden...
Iron
$1,750 / set
H 9 in W 4.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Japanese Cast Bronze Figures of Niō, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A well cast pair of Japanese mixed metal okimono figures of Buddhist guardians, known as Nio or Dharmapala, protectors of Buddhist faith, Meiji Period, Japan. The smiling bronze g...
Bronze
Japanese Stone Yukimi-Doro Garden Lantern
Located in Chicago, IL
Sculptural lanterns of carved stone or wood are traditionally placed throughout Buddhist temple grounds or courtyard gardens to contrast lush foliage and cast light on their surround...
Limestone
Japanese Rare Pair Antique Stone Ornament Collectibles, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
Here's a rare, seldom found pair of old hand carved stone granite Japanese Buddhist temple post or bridge post top giboshi that date in the 19th century, meiji period. They still ret...
Stone, Granite
Sold
H 30 in W 30 in D 30 in
Japan Big Antique Stone Classic Yukimi Lantern With Extraordinary Lichen Detail
Located in South Burlington, VT
A rare early Yukimi stone lantern from the Meiji period, 19th century. It is in a classic style, portable and convenient size 30" Tall And 30 " Diameter. Beautiful patina with origin...
Stone
Japan Tall Antique Classic Kasuga Stone Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
An antique beauty with all original pieces. Please view our video. Japan, a tall and stone lantern with engraved designs, carefully crafted in six pieces for ease of portability. ...
Stone
Japanese Large Antique Hand-Carved Tsukubai Water Basin Natsume, 19thc
Located in South Burlington, VT
Japan a beautiful large hand carved Tsukubai Water Basin "Natsume" (tea container) shape, granite, Meiji period, 19th century. Please view our video. Dimensions: 29 inches tall an...
Granite
Japan Tall Antique Kasuga Stone Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
An antique beauty with all original pieces. Please view our video. Japan, a tall and stone lantern with engraved designs, carefully crafted in six pieces for ease of portability. ...
Stone
Japanese Special Antique Pair Bronze Garden Rabbits, Mint And Signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare "Signed" Pair From Old Japan Fine quality hand cast rabbits signed with their original artist makers signature on bottom This is a pair (2) of solid hand cast effigies of play...
Bronze
Japanese Seated Praying Buddha Handsome Antique Stone
Located in South Burlington, VT
An older and substantial late 19th to early 20th century stone Buddha/Jizo Guardian sculpture in a mudra of prayer Good garden candidate In Japan, Kṣitigarbha, known as Jizō, or re...
Stone, Granite
Japanese Large Antique Bronze Temple Dragon Spout
Located in South Burlington, VT
From our recent Japanese acquisitions A rare surviving example of a Japanese antique bronze dragon water spout miraculously saved from a temple vessel ...
Bronze
Old Japanese garden ornaments/Small "tsukubai"/Stone bowl/1868-1920
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a traditional Japanese item from ancient times. There is a culture in Japan that makes gardens beautiful. It is this stone that is placed in the place where visitors wash th...
Stone
Sold
H 74 in W 27 in D 29 in
Antique Japanese Meiji Kasuga "Deer" Granite Stone Garden Pagoda Lantern 1800
Located in Portland, OR
Antique Japanese Meiji period fine tall Kasuga granite stone pedestal garden lantern, circa 1800. This well proportioned carved stone lantern is fashioned in six parts, with a classi...
Granite
Japan Antique Stone Tea Garden Lantern, Stunning Design
Located in South Burlington, VT
An antique classic beautiful tea motif lantern with all original pieces. The Zendō-ji Gata lantern Ishidōrō (禅導寺型石灯籠) is a unique design and very special Japanese stone lantern. It...
Granite