Brass Enamel Plate
A brass enamel plate brings intricate metalwork and vibrant colour into a room, offering striking focal points for any collector of historic decorative arts.
Brass Enamel Plate
When searching for a brass enamel plate, buyers encounter a range of large decorative chargers, medium plates, and octagonal trays created for display. These pieces showcase detailed pictorial work featuring birds, dragons, koi, landscapes, and floral motifs.
The selection on this page draws heavily from Japanese Meiji period craftsmanship, alongside examples from the Qing dynasty and later decades such as the 1930s. Forms vary from sweeping chargers spanning fifty centimetres down to smaller decorative plates and pocket watch designs.
Originating across different centuries, these metal wares function primarily as wall-hanging or cabinet display pieces rather than everyday tableware. Their surface designs capture meticulous natural scenes through the interplay of metalwork and vitreous colour.
Materials and construction
Makers formed these items using sturdy bases of brass and copper, sometimes integrating gold plate or bronze elements to enhance the metallic structure. Cloisonné enamel techniques involved soldering thin metal wires to the metal body to create compartments for coloured glass pastes.
Once filled with enamel powders, the pieces underwent high-temperature firing and subsequent polishing to achieve a smooth, lustrous surface finish. The combination of rigid brass foundations with delicate glass enamel required considerable technical skill from the artisans.
Brass Enamel Plate Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for brass enamel plate 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.
Among the birds and landscapes, a lone shrimp makes an unexpected and delightful appearance across the metalwork.
Evaluating the craftsmanship
Quality in these decorative plates rests upon the precision of the wirework and the complexity of the pictorial subject matter. Superior examples display exceptionally fine wire outlines and harmonious colour blending within the enamel fields.
Larger chargers featuring intricate narratives, such as leaping koi, phoenixes, or detailed landscapes, typically represent higher levels of artisan effort. The crispness of the underlying brass and the depth of the polished glass finish further distinguish finer pieces.
The Brass Enamel Plate Glossary
- Charger
- A large ornamental plate intended for display on a wall or sideboard rather than for serving food. These substantial vessels often form the centrepiece of a collection.
- Cloisonne
- A decorative metalwork technique where thin wires are soldered to a metal base to form cells that hold coloured glass enamel. This method creates a distinct cellular pattern across the surface.
- Meiji Period
- A historical Japanese era spanning from 1868 to 1912 noted for a surge in high-quality decorative metalwork exported worldwide. Pieces from this time often display refined naturalistic motifs.
- Qing Dynasty
- The final imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 1644 to 1912, known for sophisticated craftsmanship in ceramics and metal arts. Items from this period reflect traditional oriental design aesthetics.
Brass Enamel Plate: Frequently Asked Questions
Are these plates meant for dining?
These pieces function purely as decorative works of art rather than functional tableware for serving food.
The delicate enamel surfaces and wirework are vulnerable to cutlery scratching and thermal shock.
How should I clean my enamel plate?
Dust the surface gently with a soft, dry cloth to prevent the accumulation of particles in the wire recesses.
Avoid chemical polishes and water immersion, which can damage the historic glass enamel and corrode the underlying brass.
What is the difference between a tray and a charger?
Chargers are generally round and designed specifically for vertical wall display or ceremonial presentation.
Trays often feature flat bases or raised rims, sometimes in octagonal forms, intended for resting on horizontal surfaces.