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.
19th Century Meiji Japanese Antique Hand-Carved Keyaki Wood Daruma Mold
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Originally made as a wooden mold for papier-mâché Daruma dolls, this piece is a type known as “Sawara-style,” associated with the Sawara area of Chiba Prefecture in Japan’s Kanto reg...
Wood, Hardwood
Japanese Bronze Noh actor, Meiji Period (1868-1912), Signed 'Matsumori'
Located in Bishop's Stortford, GB
Japanese Bronze Noh actor, Meiji Period (1868-1912), Signed 'Matsumori' the cloak man, with detatchable mask. The figure is a Noh actor in a dramatic stance with arms outstretched. ...
Bronze
Japanese Antique Hand-Carved Keyaki Wood Komainu Sculpture Early 20th Century
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique Japanese Wooden sculpture of Komainu (Lion Dog / Foo Dog), product of Taisho to early Showa period, Circa 1910s to 1930s. Main part are Hand-carved from a single solid slab o...
Wood, Hardwood
$7,077 / item
Large Crane Statues
Located in Westwood, NJ
A set of two large variously patinated brass cranes, standing on walking turtles. Inspired by 19th century Japanese Meiji period originals. Dimensions: 13" W x 19" D x 58" H.
Brass
Japanese Okimono Working Man Figurine
Located in Bradenton, FL
Hand-carved free-standing Japanese Working Man Figurine. Okimono is a Japanese term meaning for display as an art or decorative object. Figure is a smiling man dressed in traditional...
Bone
Antique Japanese Tachibina (Imperial couple) doll set.
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese Tachibina (Imperial couple), rare and exceptionally fine standing pair of figures for the Hina Matsuri. The emperor has his arms spread to the si...
Textile, Wood
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 Genryusai Seiya Meiji Period Antique Patinated Bronze Geisha
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Meiji period patinated bronze sculpture of a geisha waiving her hand in greeting signed Genryusai Seiya 19th Century The attractive young geisha is dressed in traditional Ja...
Bronze
Large Japanese Patinated Bronze Tiger Sculpture, Meiji / Taisho Period.
Located in New York, NY
Impressive Japanese bronze sculpture depicting a roaring tiger in motion, finely cast and richly patinated, with inset glass eyes, mounted on its original carved wooden base. The ti...
Bronze
A Fine Japanese Meiji Period Antique Bronze Sculpture of a Samurai Warrior
Located in Shippensburg, PA
BRONZE OKIMONO OF A SAMURAI Japan, Meiji Period, circa late 19th century Patinated sand-cast and engraved bronze, unmarked 20 1/2" H x 6 1/8" D x 9 3/4" W ref. 512SBP06X A finely...
Bronze
Japanese Antique Pair Buddhist Monju Fugen Bosatsu Nyorai Temple Shrine Buddhas
Located in Studio City, CA
Truly stunning pair of hand-carved wood Japanese buddha statues / sculptures that sit serenely atop their lotus petal thrones. The intricately c...
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
Fine Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Sculpture Okimono of Fire Watchman
Located in Shippensburg, PA
MEIJI BRONZE OKIMONO OF A FIRE WATCHMAN CARRYING A HYŌTAN Japan, late 19th century Patinated, lacquered, polychromed and gilded bronze over a wooden base Engraved to the bag "Hi no...
Bronze
Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Okimono Sculpture of a Samurai, 19th century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
JAPANESE BRONZE FIGURAL OKIMONO Japan, Meiji period, late 19th century 18" H x 7 5/8" D x 11 5/8" W ref. 512KST06P A very finely cast bronze okimono depicting a standing samurai a...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Meiji Bronze Erotic Sculpture of a Nude Sitting Woman, Japan
By Okazaki Sessei
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century Meiji bronze erotic sculpture of a nude sitting woman in the style of Okazaki Sessei, Japan By: Okazaki Sessei (in the style...
Metal, Bronze, Copper
Pair of Bronze Harvest Putti Cherub Figures on Marble Plinth.
Located in Germantown, MD
A Magnificent Pair of Bronze Harvest Putti Cherub Figures on Marble Plinth. Measures 2.75" in width, 2.75" in depth and 8.75" in height.
Marble, Bronze
Japanese Okimono Sitting Man Figurine
Located in Bradenton, FL
Hand-carved free-standing Japanese Sitting Man Figurine. Okimono is a Japanese term meaning for display as an art or decorative object. Figure is a smiling man dressed in traditional...
Bone
Antique Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Sculpture Okimono of Samurai Warrior
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PATINATED AND PARCEL-SILVERED AND GILDED BRONZE OKIMONO OF A SAMURAI WARRIOR Japan, Meiji period, probably late 19th century Unmarked 9 1/2" H x 6 3/4" diameter ref. 512DMB06P A J...
Bronze
Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Sculpture Of A Samurai Warrior By Yoshimitsu
Located in Dublin, IE
A superb Japanese bronze and gilded sculpture of a samurai warrior, Meiji period. Depicts a Japanese warrior in national dress and impetuous movement, the gilt details mon (heraldic ...
Bronze
Japanese Okimono Fisherman Figure
Located in Bradenton, FL
Hand-carved free-standing Japanese Fisherman Figurine. Okimono is a Japanese term meaning for display as an art or decorative object. Figure is a smiling man dressed in traditional c...
Bone
Jizai Koi and Water Motif, Japan, Miji Period
Located in Point Richmond, CA
This jizai is an excellent example of a well-balanced and pleasingly carved sculpture of koi swimming in waves. Once part of a Japanese hanger (jizagake) for a kettle hook, it served...
Wood
Antique Japanese Wooden Komainu Guardian Dog Sculpture / Wabi-Sabi / Edo-Meiji
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a Japanese "Komainu" (guardian lion-dog). Komainu are statues of guardian beasts placed in pairs at the entrances of Shinto shrines or in front of shrine buildings, protectin...
Hardwood, Urushi lacquer
19th Century 'Meiji Period' Japanese Carved Wood Seated Monkey Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
19th Century (Meiji Period) Japanese hand-carved wood seated monkey. The eyes are inlaid and made of glass. The fur and details are very realistic. The piece is signed on the bottom ...
Glass, Wood
Antique Japanese bronze statue of Buddha in ascetic practice / late 19th century
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This bronze statue of Shakyamuni undergoing ascetic practices is thought to have been made between the Meiji period and the early Showa period. Shakyamuni ascetic statues are Buddhis...
Copper
Japanese Contemporary Green Porcelain Mask by Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Mesmerizing signed contemporary decorative porcelain mask, intricately hand painted on both sides. It's a signed masterpiece by award-winning master por...
Porcelain
$304Sale Price|20% Off
Late Meiji Period Folk Wood Carving Japanese God of War, Arts, Shrines Protector
Located in Miami, FL
Probably more than likely from a Japanese home altar, this is a folk art rendition of Hachiman Yahata no Kani, Japanese God of War, Archery, Culture and Pro...
Wood
Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Figural Figure Meiji Period 19/20th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 12 grams Provenance: Collected in the 1980’s. From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuize...
Wood
Pair 19th Century Japanese Meiji Bronze Censer, Incense Burners
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of 19th Century Japanese Meiji Bronze Censer, Incense Burners. Measures 3" in width, 3" in depth and 9" in height.
Bronze
Two Rare Japanese Izumo Clay Dolls of Emperor and Tenjin, Meiji Period
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Two rare Japanese Izumo clay dolls of Emperor and Tenjin, Nara Prefecture, Meiji period. Material and simple execution impart a flavor of antiquity and great decorative power. Empero...
Clay
Japanese Tokyo School Bronze Okimono of a Farmer, Meiji Period
Located in Austin, TX
A very fine and detailed Tokyo School cast bronze okimono (decorative sculpture) of a smiling farmer, Meiji period, late 19th century, Japan. The e...
Bronze
Japanese Bronze Tiger Sculpture on Marble Base, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Meda, MB
Elegant bronze sculpture depicting a roaring tiger, finely cast with detailed musculature, expressive head and naturalistic fur texture. The animal stands in a dynamic pose on a rect...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Meiji Signed Japanese Figural Woman & Lantern Incense Burner with Base
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique Meiji period Japanese patinated and polychromed bronze is signed by an unknown artist and presumed to have been made in approximately 1880 in the period Meiji styl...
Bronze
Old Wooden Netsuke Japanese Figural Figure Meiji Period, 19/20th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and very detailed piece. Unsigned. Japan 19th or 20th century. Weight: 25 grams Provenance: Collected in the 1980’s. From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuize...
Wood
Japanese Okimono of Fukurokuju, the god of wealth and happiness, Meiji period
Located in Central England, GB
This exceptional Japanese Meiji period okimono depicts Fukurokuju, the lucky god of wealth and happiness. The figure is very finely carved from a single piece of dense tightly graine...
Wood
19th Century Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Collecting Sweet Chestnuts by Seiya
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A charming Meiji period bronze of a boy collecting sweet chestnuts by Seiya, he carries a basket and is looking down at an insect crawling over his hand, he is also evidently wearing...
Bronze
Meiji Period Bronze of a Boy Carrying Twigs
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period bronze of a boy carrying twigs, they are strapped onto his back on a carrying frame and he carries a gourd water bottle in his right hand, signed in a seal. Japanese, ...
Bronze
Meiji Period Bronze of a Cricket Catcher
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Meiji period bronze of a cricket catcher, shown holding a whistle to his mouth with his left hand and a long rod in his right hand, wearing traditional clothing with a wide-brimmed...
Bronze
Meiji Period, Bronze, 'Literate Writing', 19th Century
Located in Beaune, FR
Bronze with brown patina Meiji period representing a scholar sitting writing. The subject is presented on a small square-shaped base resting on 4 small feet. Very nice original brown...
Bronze