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.
Japanese Rare Antique Double Tiger Hand Painted Ceramic Garden Planter Bowl
Located in South Burlington, VT
A rare design "Double Tiger" glistening antique glazed ceramic form planter or big bowl, formerly a hibachi from old Japan dating to circa 1900, Meiji period. A rare find especiall...
Ceramic
19th Century Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Jardinière by Genryusai Seiya
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Japanese Meiji Period bronze Jardinière by Genryusai Seiya. Outstanding large 19th century Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912) high relief bronze jardinière by Genryusai ...
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Zoomorphic Champleve Enameled Bronze Jardiniere, Circa 1870s
Located in Germantown, MD
A large mid 19th century Japanese Meiji Zoomorphic Champleve Enameled Bronze Jardiniere, Circa 1870s. Measures 14" in width, 14" in depth and stands 11" tall.
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Period Champleve Enameled Bronze Jardiniere, Circa 1870s
Located in Germantown, MD
A large mid 19th century Japanese Meiji Zoomorphic Champleve Enameled Bronze Jardiniere, Circa 1870s. Measures 12" in width, 12" in depth and stands 8.5" tall.
Bronze
Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Jardiniere with Carp Relief, 19th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Oriental Japanese (19th Century) bronze large jardiniere with a green patina and carp in relief and raise on 4 cloud form feet (Koyoto School; Meiji Period)
Bronze
Meiji Period Japanese Wood Root Round Hibachi with Brown Patina, circa 1900
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period wood root hibachi from the early 20th century, with brown patina. Born in Japan during the early years of the 20th c...
Wood
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Wood Planter
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Meiji Period Japanese Planter in carved wood, featuring mother of pearl butterfly and floral insets, and finished copper inserts. Incredible craftsmanship and detail. Wood species un...
Wood
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Wood Planter
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Meiji Period Japanese Planter in carved wood, featuring mother of pearl butterfly and floral insets, and finished copper inserts. Incredible craftsmanship and detail. Wood species un...
Wood
Japanese Lacquer Hibachi (Brazier)
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese Lacquer Hibachi (Brazier), Meiji period (1868 - 1912) Box- shaped Japanese hibachi with mother of pearl inlay, handles on two sides, and a cop...
Copper
Rustic Japanese Meiji Period Freeform Hibachi with Unusual Design, circa 1880
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Japanese Meiji period freeform hibachi from the late 19th century, with unusual design. Created in Japan during the Meiji period, this freeform hibachi will make for a great decora...
Wood
19th Century Majolica Jardinière with Hen & Rooster
Located in Austin, TX
A 19th century Majolica jardinière , in Country style painted with rooster ,hens and chick on straw , the back side is decorated with straw and bucket signed Aistis. Impressionist style. Attributed to Montigny sur Loing.
Faience, Ceramic
Japanese Red Painted Wood Barrel Planter Bowl on Stand
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-557 Large red painted Barrel footed plant stand with brass banding Inside diameter 15.5".
Hardwood
$1,777
H 11.82 in Dm 13 in
Antique Large Oriental Japanese Chinese Bronze Champleve Enamel Jardiniere Meiji
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique large quality Oriental Japanese chinese bronze champleve enamel Jardiniere planter bowl C1920. Would look amazing in the right location. Rare la...
Bronze
Double Cone Planter in Rare Indigo
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Indigo double-cone planter in the style of Lagardo Tackett and Architectural Pottery. Classic design in a rare, enticing color. Unmarked.
Clay
$2,539
H 20.87 in W 18.31 in D 14.18 in
Very Rare 19th Century Hand Carved Qing Dynasty Chinese Hongmu Jardinière Stand
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare 19th century hand carved Chinese Qing Dynasty Hongmu stand A very good looking well mad...
Wood
Chinese Enamel and French Gilt Bronze Chinoiserie Jardinière
Located in London, GB
Chinese enamel and French gilt bronze Chinoiserie jardinière The enamel Chinese and the gilt bronze French, 19th century Measures: Height 40cm, width 53cm, depth 30cm. This Chin...
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
19th Century Castiron Jardinière or Planter
Located in Brecht, BE
sublime grey and blue patina on this castiron jardinière or planter.
Iron
$784Sale Price|34% Off
H 5.75 in Dm 6.5 in
19th-Century German Bronze Footed Urn with Avian Reliefs and Gargoyle Motifs
Located in Wainscott, NY
19th-Century German Bronze Footed Urn with Avian Reliefs and Gargoyle Motifs Exquisite 19th-century German bronze urn featuring six intricately cast panels...
Bronze
Antique Japanese Bronze Bonsai Planter
Located in Bradenton, FL
Fine Bronze from Japan with great weight and strength. Large form for Bonsai presentation. Elegant style and beautiful patina. Incised decoration on the front and bronze elephant hea...
Bronze
Fine Antique Cast Stone Footed Garden Planter
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Antique Cast Stone Planter with an unusual Goblet form and having deeply cut foliate and scrolled motifs in relief. Dimensions: 19” ...
Cast Stone
$1,244Sale Price|30% Off
H 6.7 in Dm 9.06 in
Antique Oriental Japanese Large Fine Quality Bronze Bowl Planter Jardinière
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique fine quality large Oriental Japanese bronze Jardinière planter bowl censor Meiji Period, 19th Century. Would look amazing in the right location and make a fabulous centre ...
Bronze
$2,397Sale Price|30% Off
H 11.42 in Dm 13.78 in
Japanese Bronze Jardinière Planter Bowl Pot- 19th Century Meiji Period, Antique
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique Large Oriental Japanese Bronze Jardinière Planter Bowl Censor - Exquisite Meiji Period Piece! This stunning bronze jardinière planter bowl, originating from the 19th Century...
Bronze
Antique Japanese Arita Porcelain Blue & White Planter Jardiniere Nippon Era
By Arita
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique Japanese Arita porcelain planter. Circa late 19th/early 20th century. Hand turned and hand painted. Beautiful rendering of a pair of bir...
Porcelain
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
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
Japan 1900s Meiji Period Bronze Planter on Stand Mailand-Smith
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Japan 1900s Meiji Period Bronze Planter on Stand Mailand-Smith Impressive patinated bronze planter with bronze tripod stand by Maitland-Smith. The planter, in the shape of a pumpkin...
Bronze
Large Japanese Bronze Jardiniere with Bird Decoration
Located in Milford, NH
A fine large round Meiji bronze jardiniere with rooster decoration, accented with geometric shapes around the rim and foliate designs around th...
Bronze
Japanese Big Antique Brilliant Blue And White Gold Fish Bowl
Located in South Burlington, VT
An amazing and glistening blue and white glazed "Koi" ceramic bowl crafted during the Meji period . Beautiful white flowers are revealed in under glaze cream and blue colors. Fine...
Ceramic
Sold
H 4.5 in W 20 in D 20 in
Japan Rare Antique Hand Carved Stone Flower Or Display Base 19thc Hard To Find
Located in South Burlington, VT
From Japan comes this seldom found , one of a kind large granite stone display base featuring four sets of altar steps- an impressive and spiritually significant object for displayin...
Limestone
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Wood Planter
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Meiji Period Japanese Planter in carved wood, featuring mother of pearl, leaves and floral insets, with finished copper insert. Incredible craftsmanship and detail. Wood species unkn...
Wood
Japanese Antique Huge Plant Cover 1860s-1920s / Wooden Basket Wabisabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a very old oversized wooden tub made in Japan. The item dates from the Meiji period (1860s-1920s). It is made of cedar wood and bamboo. It is a beautiful tool that reminds u...
Bamboo, Cedar
Sold
H 7 in W 27 in D 12.5 in
Japan Big Boat Shape Antique Stone Water Basin Planter Tsukubai , one of a kind
Located in South Burlington, VT
One of a Kind Find From our recent Japanese Acquisition Travels- comes this unusual long boat shaped garden stone vessel with a pair of elevated bottom feet - likely repurposed fr...
Granite
Sold
H 18.5 in Dm 20.5 in
Two Japanese Meiji 19th Century Usu Mortars with Rustic Character, Sold Each
Located in Yonkers, NY
Two antique Japanese late Meiji period tulip shaped rustic usu mortars from the late 19th century, with rustic appearance, perfect to be used as planters. We are pricing and selling these usu mortars individually. Created in Japan during the late Meiji period at the end of the 19th century, each of these two usus features a tulip shape and boasts a great rustic character. Usus were typically used for pounding rice into mochi (a rice cake) and were usually operated by two people at the same time. One person would swing the kine (the pestle) to pound the rice in a similar motion to chopping wood. It is physically demanding work and is usually done by men who often chant to...
Wood
Sold
H 18.5 in Dm 20.5 in
Two Japanese Meiji 19th Century Usu Mortars with Rustic Character, Sold Each
Located in Yonkers, NY
Two antique Japanese late Meiji period tulip shaped rustic usu mortars from the late 19th century, with rustic appearance, perfect to be used as planters. We are pricing and selling these usu mortars individually. Created in Japan during the late Meiji period at the end of the 19th century, each of these two usus features a tulip shape and boasts a great rustic character. Usus were typically used for pounding rice into mochi (a rice cake) and were usually operated by two people at the same time. One person would swing the kine (the pestle) to pound the rice in a similar motion to chopping wood. It is physically demanding work and is usually done by men who often chant to...
Wood