Copper Cloisonne Charger
These copper cloisonne charger pieces combine heavy metal bases with intricate vitreous enamel cells, offering striking decorative presence for any room.
Copper Cloisonne Charger
A copper cloisonne charger is a wide decorative plate or tray displaying elaborate surface work created through wire and enamel techniques. These objects originate from Japanese workshops spanning the Edo and Meiji periods.
Buyers will encounter various forms including large round chargers, square trays, and medium plates. The designs on these pieces frequently depict dragons, koi, phoenix birds, and figures such as samurai.
The selection here encompasses items dated from the mid nineteenth century through to nineteen hundred. Round formats dominate the offerings, alongside occasional square trays and plaques.
Materials and construction methods
The foundation relies on a beaten copper body shaped into a charger, tray, or plate. Artisans soldered thin brass or copper wire onto this metal base to form intricate compartments.
Vitreous enamel paste fills these tiny wire cells before the piece undergoes firing in a kiln. Polishing the hardened surface reveals the crisp metal outlines alongside the coloured enamel fields.
Distinctions in quality and execution
The precision of the wirework determines the crispness of the depicted subjects, such as dragon scales or bird plumage. Finer metal lines allow for more complex and convincing pictorial detail.
Enamel density and colour control separate standard production from masterworks. Uniformly fired vitreous surfaces with rich hues display superior technical mastery from the maker.
The Copper Cloisonne Charger Glossary
- Charger
- A large decorative plate or round tray intended for display rather than dining use. These pieces often feature wide borders and detailed central motifs.
- Cloisonne enamel
- A technique where wire is soldered to a metal base to create cells that hold vitreous enamel paste. Firing fuses this glass-like material to the metal substructure.
- Vitreous enamel
- Glass fused to a metal surface through high temperature firing. This material provides durable colour and a glossy finish.
- Ho-o bird
- A mythical phoenix motif frequently seen in Japanese decorative arts. It symbolises virtue and grace.
- Mon
- A Japanese heraldic badge or crest used to identify families or clans. These symbols appear within the decorative borders of certain plates.
Copper Cloisonne Charger: Frequently Asked Questions
What are copper cloisonne chargers?
These items are decorative metal plates featuring intricate wire cells filled with coloured enamel. Artisans formed them into wide chargers, plates, and square trays for display.
They showcase traditional Japanese imagery, including dragons, phoenixes, and historical figures, spanning the mid nineteenth century to the turn of the twentieth century.
How were they used historically?
These pieces served purely as decorative objects for display within interiors rather than utilitarian tableware. Their large formats and striking imagery made them focal points for rooms.
Craftsmen created them to highlight technical skill in metalwork and vitreous enamelling during the Edo and Meiji eras.
How do I care for a copper cloisonne charger?
Keep the object away from direct sunlight and excessive moisture to protect the metal base and vitreous enamel surface. Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth.
Avoid using liquid cleaners or chemical polishes, as these substances can damage the delicate wire outlines and enamel fills.
How do I identify Meiji period pieces?
Meiji period works often exhibit highly refined wirework and balanced pictorial compositions. Makers during this era produced elaborate depictions of flora, fauna, and legendary creatures.
Signed pieces frequently bear marks on the reverse or within the design, pointing to specific workshops of the late nineteenth century.