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Meiji Platters and Serveware

MEIJI STYLE

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.

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Style: Meiji
Circa 1880s Lobed Form Imari plate, Japanese. Meiji period
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880s lobed form Imari plate, Japanese. Meiji period. Undulating border. Deep cobalt underglaze. Floral reserves. 8.5" dia., 1.5" h. Whitehall Antiques is a family business th...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Circa 1860-80 Oval Scalloped Imari Platter, Japanese
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1860-80 oval scalloped Imari platter, Japanese. Centered with 2 foo dogs (kylin) chasing streamered balls; surrounded by an extensive floral tendrils & butterfly border. 13.25"...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese Lacquer and Geometric Meiji Period Inlaid Tray
Located in Garnerville, NY
Japanese inlaid, lacquered and gilded tray. Possibly for the sacred tea ceremony. This tray has beautiful geometric inlays with a gilded edge and a bla...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood, Oak, Lacquer

Large Arita Blue & White Charger
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very large Arita blue & white charger hand-painted in the prunus pattern. The charger dates to the early or mid-20th century and is in overall ver...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Late 19th Century Japanese Imari Charger
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century Imari charger, Japanese. Boldly decorated with lobed border. Three primary reserves of humorous man with fan. Small reserves of flowers, cranes & turtles. Chop impr...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Japanese Pure Imari Decorative Platter
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Large Japanese Imari Decorative Platter in great antique construction . Measures 10" in diameter and 2" in height.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Large Chinese Rose Medallion Decorative Platter
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Large Chinese Rose Medallion Decorative Platter in great antique construction . Measures 16" in diameter and 2" in height.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Extra Large Japanese Decorated Wall Platter
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century 22" Extra Large Japanese Polychrome Decorative Platter in great antique condition. Ready to hang or on stand . Measures 22" in diameter and 3" in height.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Large Japanese Pure Imari Decorated Platter
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Large Japanese Imari Decorative Platter in great antique condition. Ready to hang or stand . Measures 16" in diameter and 2" in height.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Meiji Period Fukagawa Blue & White Fish Plates, 2 Available
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Meiji Period Fukagawa blue & white fish plates, 2 available Japan Circa 1900s Offering two similar Fukagawa (Attributed) realistically decorated by hand-painting and cobalt blue enamel. With decorated backs, Unmarked. Sold individually. Please let us know if you would like to purchase the top fish plate or the lower plate. The lower plate has some firing marks on the fishes face...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th century Japanese Imari Petite Charger
Located in Savannah, GA
Petite Imari charger featuring a center medallion with butterflies. The edges are painted with intricate geometric, floral and bird motifs in lovely pale colors. Designs painted on b...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Raised Tea Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
After a period of excess under the shogun, traditional aesthetics of the tea ceremony returned to the classic roots of simplicity and tranquility during the Meiji period. This darkly...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood

Japanese 19th Century Imari Charger with Phoenix Rising Motif
Located in Wells, ME
Japanese Imari charger of large and impressive size being 15 13/4 inch in diameter. The decoration is hand painted in underglaze blue and overglaze enamels, highlighted by gold leaf ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Imari 19th Century Charger with Mt. Fuji and Shishi Motifs
Located in Wells, ME
Japanese Imari 19th century 15 1/2 inch charger, hand painted decoration in underglaze blue and over glaze enamels, highlighted in gold leaf. This Meiji pla...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Imari Porcelain Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
A Japanese Imari hand painted porcelain bowl possibly for presenting cooked rice at a celebration. It appears to be styled after a sushi oke, a wooden tub u...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Lacquer Tray
Located in New Orleans, LA
As beautiful as it is practical, this Japanese Meiji-period lacquered tray is distinguished by its exceptional craftsmanship. It exhibits a phenomenal artistry as the entire tray is ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Imari Charger, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A nicely decorated Japanese Meiji Period Imari charger, late 19th century, Japan. The porcelain charger featuring a design of a hoho bird, or phoenix, per...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel

Japan Imari Porcelain Dish Shaped like a Scallop Shell Blue, Red and Turquoise
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Plate with palms forming scallop shell in Imari porcelain. Decor of birds and flowers, blue red orange and turquoise. Japan. 19th century.
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Carved Burl Banana Leaf Tray
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868-1912) beautifully carved tray in the shape of a folded banana leaf, so the viewer can appreciate both sides of the leaf from a single va...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Burl

Related Items
Japanese Porcelain Charger finely Hand Painted, Meiji Period circa 1880
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality, hand decorated Japanese porcelain charger, large plate or bowl with an Imari pattern, dating to the late 19th centur...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Antique English Hand-Painted Ridgway Ironstone Imari Decor Platter
Located in Charleston, SC
Fine antique English hand-painted ironstone Imari decor platter with extraordinarily colorful "Imari" pattern. "Fraction-style" painted pattern number attributes maker of platter ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ironstone

19th Century Rose Medallion Platter
Located in High Point, NC
19th century platter in the rose medallion pattern. Losses to paint at edges from age and use.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Stoneware

19th Century Rose Medallion Platter
19th Century Rose Medallion Platter
H 2 in W 16 in D 12.63 in
Lacquer Table, Late Meiji Period, Japan, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Lacquer table, Art Deco period, Japan, circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Lacquer

Large 19th Century Japanese Imari Charger
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century Japanese Imari charger, having the typical blue and orange grond colors, having segmented painted inset panels with ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th-C. English Mason’s Ironstone Platter W/ Imari Coloration Pagoda Chinoiserie
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early English Mason’s Ironstone platter. It has Imari coloration chinoiserie inspired themes throughout. It is marked. There are two available. Please note the turquoi...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ironstone

Brown Wedgewood Transferware wall plates England, 1880s
Located in Milan, IT
Set of Three Brown Wedgewood Transferware wall plates England, 1880s The smaller wall plates measure 16.8 x 16.8 x H 3 cm
Category

1880s British Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Large Wedgwood Platter Imari Colors with Floral Decorations England Circa 1840
Located in Katonah, NY
A large and lovely Wedgwood platter decorated with the Imari colors of orange and deep blue with accents of light green and gilt. The colorful decoration depicts loose sprigs of leav...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Creamware

19th century Japanese Imari Petite Charger
Located in Savannah, GA
Petite Imari charger featuring a center medallion with butterflies. The edges are painted with intricate geometric, floral and bird motifs in lovely pale colors. Designs painted on b...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

English Ironstone G&J Meakin Scalloped Oval Platter
By J.&G. Meakin
Located in Malibu, CA
English ironstone "classic white" oval serving platter with a grooved border by J&G Meakin. Light crazing, no chips or cracks.
Category

20th Century English Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ironstone

19th Century Blue Willow Platter
Located in High Point, NC
19th century English platter from the Staffordshire region. The pattern is the much collected "Blue Willow", which has been a favorite of...
Category

19th Century English Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Blue Willow Platter
19th Century Blue Willow Platter
H 1.5 in W 13.75 in D 11 in
19th Century Austrian Fish Platter
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite 19th-century Austrian hand-painted porcelain fish platter is a true work of art. Adorned with myriad painted fish and eels, as well as delicate lily pads at each end, ...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Austrian Fish Platter
19th Century Austrian Fish Platter
H 2 in W 21.5 in D 10 in
Previously Available Items
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, square top with raised sides and rounded...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, squ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, squ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, squ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, C. 1850
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, C. 1850
H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This Japanese serving tray exemplifies the refined style of Meiji-era lacquerware. Elevated by a splayed footed base, the tray has a shallow, squ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
Japanese Red Lacquer Serving Tray, c. 1850
H 5.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in
Japanese Red Lacquer Tea Tray, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered wood tray exemplifies the refined style of Japanese tea ceremony objects. The square tray is elevated by a trestle base comprised of short, s-curve corner legs and fla...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood

Japanese Red Lacquer Tea Tray, C. 1900
Japanese Red Lacquer Tea Tray, C. 1900
H 7 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in
Antique Large Japanese Meiji Blue & White Decorated Charger Late 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique and oversized Japanese Meiji charger offers porcelain construction with landscape scene in blue on white ground, en verso decoration,...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Antique 19th Century Japanese Imari Charger
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous 19th-Century Japanese Imari porcelain charger with a hand painted floral design in the traditional Imari colors. This fine large plate has lovely scalloped edges and is qu...
Category

1880s Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Large Japanese Blue and White Arita Ware Porcelain Charger, Meiji Period
Located in Austin, TX
A fine and large antique Japanese porcelain blue and white decorated Arita ware charger with scalloped rim, Meiji Period, mid to late 19th century, ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese 19th Century Imari Shaped Charger with Potted Bonsai and Flower
Located in Wells, ME
Japanese 19th century Meiji period Imari 12 inch charger. This unusually shaped charger is hand painted with underglaze blue and overglaze enamels highlighted by gold leaf detailing....
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Large Meiji Imari Fish Plate, VI
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Meiji Imari fish plate, VI A fine example, well decorated, good size, Unmarked, circa 1890 This examples measures 16-inches wide x 10.75-inche...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Large Meiji Imari Fish Plate, VI
Large Meiji Imari Fish Plate, VI
H 10.75 in W 16 in D 1 in
Meiji Imari Fish Plate, by Fukagawa V
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Meiji Imari fish plate, by Fukagawa V A fine example, well decorated, good size, marked, circa 1890 This examples measures 11.5-inches wide x 9.75-i...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Meiji Imari Fish Plate, by Fukagawa V
Meiji Imari Fish Plate, by Fukagawa V
H 9.75 in W 11.5 in D 1 in

Meiji platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Meiji platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage platters and serveware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji platters and serveware made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for platters and serveware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $310 and tops out at $8,850 while the average work can sell for $718.

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