Japonisme Lighting
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.
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Iron
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Porcelain
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Lighting
Bamboo, Paper, Rope
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Porcelain, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Porcelain
20th Century German Japonisme Lighting
Bamboo, Paper, Rope
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Porcelain
1960s French Vintage Japonisme Lighting
Brass
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Lighting
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Lighting
Onyx, Bronze
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japonisme Lighting
Brass
1980s French Vintage Japonisme Lighting
Acrylic, Beech
20th Century German Japonisme Lighting
Bamboo, Paper, Rope
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Bamboo, Paper, Elm
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Bamboo, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Japonisme Lighting
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Marble
1980s Portuguese Vintage Japonisme Lighting
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Japonisme Lighting
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Japonisme Lighting
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Iron
1970s German Vintage Japonisme Lighting
Bamboo, Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Metal, Brass
2010s Italian Japonisme Lighting
Fabric, Paper
2010s Danish Japonisme Lighting
Stainless Steel
Late 17th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Japonisme Lighting
Oak, Paper
2010s Danish Japonisme Lighting
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Japonisme Lighting
Oak, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Japonisme Lighting
Oak, Paper
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Lighting
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Iron
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 20th Century Japonisme Lighting
Ceramic
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Japonisme Lighting
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Japonisme Lighting
Ceramic
1970s French Vintage Japonisme Lighting
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lighting
Plastic
19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Bronze
1950s Japanese Vintage Japonisme Lighting
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Japonisme Lighting
Metal
Early 20th Century French Japonisme Lighting
Bronze
1880s French Antique Japonisme Lighting
Bronze
1880s Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Bronze
20th Century German Japonisme Lighting
Bamboo, Wicker, Parchment Paper
19th Century French Antique Japonisme Lighting
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Japonisme Lighting
Brass
Early 20th Century European Japonisme Lighting
Bronze, Brass
20th Century Japonisme Lighting
Copper
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Brass, Copper
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Japonisme Lighting
Enamel, Bronze