Blue Cloisonne Charger
A blue cloisonne charger brings complex metallic wirework and rich enamel colour into a room, offering large-scale decorative presence.
Blue Cloisonne Charger
A blue cloisonne charger is a wide decorative plate or plaque meant for display rather than dining. When searching for this phrase, collectors encounter large circular vessels originating primarily from nineteenth-century Japan, alongside examples from the Qing dynasty and eighteenth century.
The objects on this page span several decades, featuring prominent forms such as large chargers, medium plates, and trays. Japanese Meiji period pieces and late Edo period examples dominate the selection, often measuring up to fifty centimetres across.
Surface designs on a blue cloisonne charger typically display detailed subjects such as dragons, leaping koi, birds, and floral arrangements like chrysanthemums. These pieces function as focal points in a room, traditionally displayed on stands or hung on walls.
How they were made
Makers formed a blue cloisonne charger by soldering thin metal wires, usually brass or silver wire, onto a solid base of copper, brass, or bronze. These wires created raised compartments, known as cloisons, which mapped out the intricate outlines of dragons, birds, or landscapes.
Artisans filled the resulting cells with vitreous enamel paste, carefully packing the coloured glass compounds before firing the vessel in a kiln. Once cooled, workers ground down and polished the surface until the metal wire network sat flush with the hardened enamel layer.
Blue Cloisonne Charger Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for blue cloisonne charger among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
A frog occasionally shares the metallic landscape with chrysanthemums and butterflies, keeping watch from the edge of a nineteenth-century plate.
What varies in quality
Quality in a blue cloisonne charger depends heavily on the precision of the wirework and the depth of the enamel palette. Masterpieces demonstrate microscopic cell work and seamless polishing where the wire grid remains perfectly even across a wide surface.
The complexity of the imagery also separates standard decorative plates from exceptional works. Pieces featuring detailed pictorial narratives like samurai figures or multi-coloured avian subjects reflect greater technical skill than simpler geometric patterns.
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The Blue Cloisonne Charger Glossary
- Cloisonne
- A decorative metalwork technique where thin wires form raised compartments that hold coloured vitreous enamel paste. This method allows artisans to create detailed pictorial designs on copper or brass bases.
- Charger
- A large ornamental plate or shallow dish traditionally used for display on tables, sideboards, or walls. These substantial vessels provide a wide canvas for complex enamel artwork.
- Meiji Period
- A significant era in Japanese history spanning from 1868 to 1912, noted for a massive surge in the export of high-grade metalwork and ceramics. Pieces from this time often exhibit exceptional technical refinement.
- Vitreous Enamel
- A material made by fusing powdered glass to a metal substrate through high-temperature firing. It produces a durable, glossy surface with rich, lasting colour depth.
- Edo Period
- The period in Japanese history lasting from 1603 to 1867, preceding the Meiji era. Early cloisonne output from the late portions of this era tends to show robust forms and deep blue tones.
Blue Cloisonne Charger: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I display a blue cloisonne charger safely?
A large charger requires a sturdy wooden display stand designed to support significant weight without tipping. Alternatively, specialised wall hangers with coated prongs distribute the load evenly across the rim.
Keep these display pieces away from direct sunlight to protect the deep blue enamel tones from fading over decades. Regular dusting with a dry, soft cloth maintains the polished sheen of the copper and brass wire framework.
Are these chargers made of solid brass?
The structural body of a blue cloisonne charger typically consists of hammered copper, bronze, or brass, serving as a stable foundation for the enamel work. Thin brass or silver wires are then applied to the surface to form the individual design cells.
Solid metal appears primarily on the un enamelled backs and rims of the plates. The weight of each piece comes largely from this thick metal base combined with layers of fired glass enamel.
What does a dragon motif signify on these plates?
Dragons depicted on nineteenth-century Japanese and Chinese pieces represent power, wisdom, and auspicious protection. These mythical creatures were frequently rendered in dynamic poses amidst clouds or waves.
Artisans used varied shades of blue enamel to create swirling background effects that emphasised the central dragon figure. Such imagery was prized for its symbolic association with imperial authority and good fortune.
How can I tell a Meiji period piece apart?
Meiji period examples generally display extreme fineness in wirework and a wider, more experimental palette of enamel colours. Artisans during this era perfected symmetrical balance and highly detailed naturalistic subjects like birds and flowers.
Earlier pieces from the late Edo period tend to feature heavier copper foundations and darker, more restrained blue backgrounds. Examining the reverse of the plate often reveals characteristic finishing marks and base metal treatments unique to these distinct eras.