Cloisonne Enamel Charger
A cloisonne enamel charger displays metal wire cells filled with vitreous paste, creating intricate pictorial surfaces.
Cloisonne Enamel Charger
A cloisonne enamel charger represents a broad category of decorative plates, trays, and large dishes originating primarily from Japanese Meiji and Edo periods, alongside Qing Dynasty examples. These heavy wall-hanging or table display vessels commonly measure between thirty and fifty centimetres across.
The buyer meets numerous variations depicting natural subjects such as cranes, koi, dragons, phoenixes, and chrysanthemums. Many surface designs utilise copper or porcelain bodies combined with brass wire formations.
Earlier pieces date from the mid-nineteenth century, while the majority span the late nineteenth century into nineteen hundred. Forms alternate between circular chargers, square trays, and octagonal dishes.
Materials and construction
Artisans formed the base plate from hammered copper, bronze, or sometimes porcelain, then shaped thin brass or copper wire into complex compartments called cloisons. These wires were soldered onto the metal body to outline the intended motifs, such as birds, landscapes, and dragons.
Vitreous enamel paste was packed by hand into each individual cell before firing the entire vessel in a kiln. After cooling, workers ground and polished the surface until the metal wire rims and the hardened enamel rested in a smooth plane.
Cloisonne Enamel Charger Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for cloisonne enamel 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.
Listings span from the eighteenth century through the Meiji period, utilising copper, porcelain, brass wire, and enamel.
Assessing quality
Quality rests upon the fineness and complexity of the wirework, where tightly spaced, delicate cloisons demand greater technical mastery than broader geometric outlines. The density and evenness of the enamel fill also distinguish standard production from exceptional works.
The ambition of the subject matter plays a role, as complex pictorial compositions involving multiple figures, subtle shading, or realistic animal anatomy require advanced skill from the workshop. Signed pieces by established makers often demonstrate superior polish and compositional balance.
Kinkozan
The Cloisonne Enamel Charger Glossary
- Cloison
- A tiny metal wire soldered to a metal base to form compartments that hold enamel paste. These individual walls create the distinct outlines visible across the surface of the charger.
- Totai shippo
- A specific technique where enamel and wire are applied over a porcelain body rather than a traditional metal base. This method produces plates with a ceramic structure beneath the decorative skin.
- Meiji Period
- An era in Japanese history spanning from eighteen sixty-eight to nineteen twelve, noted for major advancements in metalwork and decorative arts. Many chargers on the market date from this productive phase.
- Ho-o bird
- A mythical phoenix symbol frequently depicted in traditional Asian art and enamelwork. It appears with flowing tail feathers among floral motifs.
- Mon
- A Japanese heraldic badge or crest used to identify families or clans. These circular emblems occasionally form part of the decorative border.
Cloisonne Enamel Charger: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cloisonne enamel charger?
A cloisonne enamel charger is a large decorative plate or tray decorated with vitreous enamel held within soldered metal wire compartments. Artisans created these pieces primarily as ornamental display objects.
They depict detailed natural scenes, animals, and mythical subjects using copper or porcelain foundations.
How were these chargers displayed?
Owners typically exhibited these large decorative vessels on walls or tables to showcase their intricate enamel work and pictorial designs. Their substantial size made them focal points in nineteenth-century interiors.
Many examples feature flat bases or built-in hanging loops suited for prominent placement.
How do I identify a Meiji period piece?
Meiji period chargers, dating between eighteen sixty-eight and nineteen twelve, often display highly refined wirework and naturalistic subjects like birds and flowers. Makers during this era achieved exceptional control over coloured enamels.
Signatures on the reverse or base frequently help pinpoint the workshop of origin.
What is Totai shippo?
Totai shippo refers to enamelwork applied over a porcelain body rather than the usual copper or brass foundation. This technique combines ceramic bodies with wire-work cells.
Plates made this way often feature textured grounds resembling tree bark beneath the enamel design.