Copper Enamel Charger
These copper enamel charger pieces bring intricate Japanese cloisonne and domestic Arts and Crafts metalwork directly to your wall or table.
Copper Enamel Charger
A copper enamel charger is a wide decorative plate or tray designed for display, utilising a metal base fused with coloured vitreous glass. When you search for a copper enamel charger, you encounter items spanning the middle of the nineteenth century through to the opening decades of the twentieth century.
The objects on this page belong primarily to Japanese production from the Edo and Meiji periods, alongside British Arts and Crafts output. Japanese examples dominate the selection, offering large plates decorated with dragons, phoenixes, koi, and botanical motifs.
Forms range from standard round chargers to square trays and large presentation plaques. These pieces served as decorative display items in period interiors, valued for their scale and surface detail.
How they were made
Makers formed the body of each piece from hammered or spun copper, often employing brass wire to outline detailed motifs on the Japanese examples. This wire created compartmentalised cells known as cloisons, which held the coloured vitreous enamel pastes before firing.
The surfaces underwent multiple firings in a kiln to fuse the glass powders to the metal substrate, followed by careful grinding and polishing to achieve a smooth finish. British Arts and Crafts pieces relied on simpler hand-beated copper surfaces combined with enamel panels, focusing on the texture of the metal alongside the vitreous colours.
Listings span Japanese Meiji and Edo periods alongside British Arts and Crafts copper work.
What varies in quality
Quality in these pieces rests upon the precision of the wirework and the complexity of the pictorial design. Finer items exhibit microscopic cell work and subtle colour shading that depict feathers, scales, and landscapes with immense clarity.
The ambition of the subject matter and the scale of the copper plate also separate standard examples from masterworks. Larger chargers featuring dragons, birds, or historical figures demand greater technical control during the firing process to prevent warping or discolouration of the enamel.
The Copper Enamel Charger Glossary
- Cloisonne Enamel
- A technique where thin metal wires are soldered to a metal base to form cells that hold coloured glass paste. These cells are fired and polished to create a patterned surface.
- Vitreous Enamel
- A glass material fused to the surface of metal through high-temperature firing. This substance provides a durable, glossy coloured finish that resists fading.
- Charger
- A large decorative plate intended primarily for display on a wall or sideboard rather than for serving food. These items often measure over thirty centimetres across.
- Meiji Period
- A historical Japanese era spanning from eighteen sixty-eight to nineteen twelve. Work from this time is noted for high technical refinement in decorative arts.
- Edo Period
- The period in Japanese history preceding the Meiji era, lasting from sixteen hundred and three to eighteen sixty-seven. Pieces from the late part of this era show early mastery of complex enamel designs.
Copper Enamel Charger: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a heavy charger?
Large copper and enamel plates require sturdy wall fixings that support the entire weight of the metal base. Spring-loaded brass plate hangers with protective rubber tips secure the rim safely without biting into the enamel.
Ensure the fixing engages directly with wall studs or utilises heavy-duty wall plugs. Avoid hanging these pieces in areas subject to vibrations or direct dampness.
Were these pieces used for dining?
These items functioned almost exclusively as decorative display objects rather than tableware. The delicate vitreous enamel surfaces and fine wire cells would scratch or crack under regular use with cutlery.
Their substantial weight and pictorial designs indicate they were meant to be showcased on stands or mounted on walls in reception rooms.
How do I date a Japanese charger?
Dating relies on stylistic markers, the type of wire used, and the complexity of the subject matter. Pieces attributed to the late Edo period often display heavier copper foundations and distinct colour palettes compared to later Meiji examples.
Signatures or marks on the reverse can occasionally narrow down the decade of production, though many fine decorative chargers remain unsigned.