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ID #SA1111710
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£3,000
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Masterpiece Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Charger. Late Edo Period. Circa 1860.
For sale by Dragoncharger Antiques
for sale €3,510     $3,810
£3,000

Dragoncharger Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2024
Browse dealers 175 items
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    Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.
Id #SA1111710
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Masterpiece Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Charger. Late Edo Period. Circa 1860.

19th century
Description

Masterpiece Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Charger. Late Edo Period. Circa 1860.

Important early japanese cloisonne charger. Superbly and finely decorated early Japanese cloisonne piece. Central decoration with fierce dragon chasing / guarding pearls within the clouds (of the heavens). Surrounded by elaborate circular brocade, stylised waves, mosaic crosshatching and grasses. High-quality cloisonné with skilled brass wire work and multi- coloured enamels. Body is decorated with patterns of Karakusa flowers and geometrical patterns. The dark green enamel is unique to this era and came about through a botched attempt at recreating the turquoise blue of Ming Dynasty cloisonné. Substantial use of wires, both decorative and functional in anchoring the enamel in early Japanese cloisonne work. Attributed to Kaji Tsunekichi (1803–83) with fine wire work and enamelling technique of the period. Museum quality.

Condition: Excellent condition and good circular shape. [Stand not part of Sale]

Dimensions: Height = 7.5cm; Diameter = 46cm (approx).

* In Japanese culture, dragons are often depicted carrying a pearl, which symbolizes power, wisdom, and spiritual energy. The pearl is said to give dragons the power to ascend into the heavens.

* In the 1830s, Kaji Tsunekichi of Nagoya obtained a piece of Cloisonné enamel and deconstructed it in order to examine how it had been made. He then reworked the piece to produce a small dish with wired enamel decoration. By the 1850s he had opened a workshop (Nagoya), taken on students and was appointed as the official maker of Cloisonné in the Owari Province

Date of Manufacture

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Charger to the 1860s.

Independent Date Guide ID 08781970
Dealer's Item Date1860s
Sellingantiques Date1860s
Sellingantiques agingItem 145-170 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1860s:
Dark green ground and opaque palette: early Owari enamels before modern clear colours.
Dense brass wires forming tight scrollwork: Japanese method developed in the mid-nineteenth century.
Thick textured counter-enamel on the underside: early backing applied to prevent metal warping.
Heavy plain brass rims: spun copper-alloy base used on early large chargers.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions
Height
7.5cm (2.95")
Width
46cm (18.11")
Depth
46cm (18.11")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1111710
Dealers Internal Reference
D:02226 180
Description
Masterpiece Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Charger. Late Edo Period. Circa 1860.

Important early japanese cloisonne charger. Superbly and finely decorated early Japanese cloisonne piece. Central decoration with fierce dragon chasing / guarding pearls within the clouds (of the heavens). Surrounded by elaborate circular brocade, stylised waves, mosaic crosshatching and grasses. High-quality cloisonné with skilled brass wire work and multi- coloured enamels. Body is decorated with patterns of Karakusa flowers and geometrical patterns.

“
The dark green enamel is unique to this era and came about through a botched attempt at recreating the turquoise blue of Ming Dynasty cloisonné.
Dragoncharger Antiques

Substantial use of wires, both decorative and functional in anchoring the enamel in early Japanese cloisonne work. Attributed to Kaji Tsunekichi (1803–83) with fine wire work and enamelling technique of the period. Museum quality.

fig 1. A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels.
fig 1. Masterpiece Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Charger. Late Edo Period. Circa 1860.

Condition: Excellent condition and good circular shape. [Stand not part of Sale]

Dimensions: Height = 7.5cm; Diameter = 46cm (approx).

In Japanese culture, dragons are often depicted carrying a pearl, which symbolizes power, wisdom, and spiritual energy. The pearl is said to give dragons the power to ascend into the heavens.

fig 2. A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels.
fig 2. Masterpiece Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Charger. Late Edo Period. Circa 1860.

In the 1830s, Kaji Tsunekichi of Nagoya obtained a piece of Cloisonné enamel and deconstructed it in order to examine how it had been made. He then reworked the piece to produce a small dish with wired enamel decoration. By the 1850s he had opened a workshop (Nagoya), taken on students and was appointed as the official maker of Cloisonné in the Owari Province

Date of Manufacture

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Charger to the 1860s.

Independent Date Report ID 08781970
Dealer's Item Date1860s
Sellingantiques dating1860s
Sellingantiques agingItem 145-170 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1860s:
Dark green ground and opaque palette: early Owari enamels before modern clear colours.
Dense brass wires forming tight scrollwork: Japanese method developed in the mid-nineteenth century.
Thick textured counter-enamel on the underside: early backing applied to prevent metal warping.
Heavy plain brass rims: spun copper-alloy base used on early large chargers.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
7.5cm (2.95")
Width
46cm (18.11")
Depth
46cm (18.11")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1111710
Dealers Internal Ref
D:02226 180
Dragoncharger Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2024

Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Dragoncharger Antiques Profile Page

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A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels.
1 / 13
Archive I A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels.

Masterpiece Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Charger. Late Edo Period. Circa 1860.

Archive II A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View II
Archive III A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View III
Archive IV A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View IV
Archive V A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View V
Archive VI A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View VI
Archive VII A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View VII
Archive VIII A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View VIII
Archive IX A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View IX
Archive X A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View X
Archive XI A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View XI
Archive XII A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View XII
Archive XIII A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07974 144321
Location
Bristol
United Kingdom
Verified Since Aug 2024
Items For Sale 175
Items Sold 20
Dragoncharger Antiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Verified
Aug 2024
For Sale
175
Sold
20
A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels.
Masterpiece Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Charger. Late Edo Period. Circa 1860.
Ref: SA1111710
A large circular dark blue Japanese cloisonne enamel charger decorated with a central dragon motif and surrounding fan-shaped panels.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectPlatters & Chargers
  • Period19th century
  • StyleJapanese Edo Period
  • MaterialEnamel, Copper, Brass
  • ColourDark Blue
  • MotifsDragon motif, Fan panels, Chrysanthemum pattern
  • SizeH 7.5 cm (3 in) x W 46 cm (18 in) x D 46 cm (18 in)

This large circular Japanese cloisonne enamel charger originates from the late Edo period, circa 1860. The dark blue copper and brass body displays multi-coloured enamels including dark green, turquoise, and pink, enriched by skilled brass wire work. A fierce dragon chasing pearls within clouds occupies the central circular medallion. Surrounding this focal point are elaborate circular brocade bands, stylised waves, mosaic crosshatching, grasses, Karakusa flowers, and geometrical patterns. Various fan-shaped panels containing floral and avian motifs punctuate the outer field alongside scattered chrysanthemum blossoms. The charger measures 7.5 cm high, 46 cm wide, and 46 cm deep. It functions as a striking decorative display piece suitable for placement upon a sideboard top in a traditional living room, dining room, or study. The item maintains an excellent condition with a good circular shape. The surface glaze exhibits deep tonal variations across its dark blue and green ground, contrasting with the intricate metallic wire outlines defining every motif. Traditional Japanese iconography governs the composition, blending celestial dragon symbolism with seasonal botanical and fan patterns characteristic of mid-nineteenth-century Owari province workshops. The substantial employment of both decorative and functional wires anchors the enamel securely to the metal substrate. Collectors of fine Asian metalwork and early cloisonne will find this piece a significant example of the medium's technical development during the transition into the Meiji era.

Edo period Japanese cloisonne, known as Shippo, refers to decorative enamelling techniques where fine metallic wires form cell walls filled with vitreous enamel pastes before firing.

Chargers are constructed using a base metal, typically copper or brass, onto which thin metal cloisons or wires are soldered to form compartments filled with coloured glass enamels.

Authentic 19th-century pieces feature copper or bronze bases, distinct wires separating opaque enamel colours, and characteristic minor surface pits or firing flaws typical of early hand fabrication.

Display the charger vertically on a plate stand atop a sideboard or mount it securely on a wall to introduce historic color, pattern, and Asian decorative tradition into a contemporary space.

Clean the surface gently using a dry, soft microfibre cloth, avoiding water, harsh chemical detergents, or abrasive polishes that could damage fragile enamel coatings.
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