Copper Cloisonne Dish
A copper cloisonne dish brings intricate wirework and vibrant enamel into any room, offering a tangible piece of Meiji and Edo period craftsmanship.
Copper Cloisonne Dish
A copper cloisonne dish is a decorative metal vessel created during the Meiji and Edo periods in Japan. When searching for a copper cloisonne dish, collectors encounter various forms including chargers, plates, trays, and plaques. These items display intricate imagery such as dragons, phoenixes, koi, and floral motifs.
The most common examples on this page date from the mid-nineteenth century through to 1900. Pieces range from smaller trays measuring around thirty centimetres up to massive chargers spanning forty centimetres. Each object serves primarily as a decorative display piece rather than a functional vessel.
Materials and construction
Craftsmen built these pieces using a solid copper base shaped into plates, bowls, or chargers. They soldered fine brass or copper wire onto the metal surface to outline the detailed compartments, known as cloisons.
Vitreous enamel paste was then packed into these individual wire cells before firing the piece in a kiln. The resulting surface was polished down to create a smooth finish where the metal wires separate each colour of enamel.
Keep an eye out for microscopic shrimp rendered entirely in wire and enamel, proving that nineteenth-century artisans enjoyed depicting unusual subjects.
Distinguishing quality
Quality in these pieces rests upon the precision of the wirework and the complexity of the enamel design. Finer examples display exceptionally thin wire lines that form elaborate pictorial scenes of dragons, birds, or figures with great clarity.
The depth of colour and the overall ambition of the composition set superior examples apart from standard work. Masterpieces often feature signed bases and intricate pictorial themes that require advanced technical skill in both enamelling and polishing.
The Copper Cloisonne Dish Glossary
- Cloisonne enamel
- A metalwork technique where vitreous enamel is applied within compartments formed by soldered wires on a copper base. This method creates detailed patterns defined by thin metal lines.
- Charger
- A large decorative plate or dish intended for display rather than for serving food. These pieces form a significant portion of the larger items available.
- Meiji Period
- The era of Japanese history lasting from 1868 to 1912, noted for a massive expansion in the production and export of high-quality metalwork and enamels. Many items on this page originate from this time.
- Edo Period
- The period of Japanese history preceding the Meiji era, running from 1603 to 1868. Pieces from the late Edo period show early mastery of the craft.
- Ho-o bird
- A mythical phoenix motif frequently depicted in traditional Japanese art and enamelwork. It appears regularly on chargers and plates alongside floral and celestial themes.
Copper Cloisonne Dish: Frequently Asked Questions
How are copper cloisonne dishes displayed?
These pieces are generally shown on walls using specialised plate hangers or displayed flat on stands and tables. Their substantial size and detailed imagery make them natural focal points in a room.
Because they feature delicate enamel surfaces, they should be placed away from direct sunlight and areas of high moisture to protect the finish.
What motifs appear on these dishes?
Common subjects include dragons, phoenixes, leaping koi, owls, and samurai figures. Floral designs featuring irises and peonies also appear frequently across various plates and chargers.
Some pieces incorporate auspicious symbols or Mount Fuji, reflecting traditional Japanese artistic themes from the nineteenth century.
How do I identify a Meiji period piece?
Meiji period items typically date between 1868 and 1912, exhibiting highly refined wirework and complex pictorial compositions. Many of these pieces represent the peak of Japanese export enamel production.
Examining the base and the fineness of the brass wire can help distinguish these works from later or simpler reproductions.
Are these dishes signed by makers?
Some pieces feature artist signatures or workshop marks integrated into the design or stamped on the base. Signed examples often indicate higher quality and greater craftsmanship.
Unsigned pieces remain common, as many workshops produced fine decorative chargers without individual maker signatures.