Floral Japanese Cloisonne Charger
These floral Japanese cloisonne charger examples bring Meiji period metalwork into your home with intricate wirework and enamel.
Floral Japanese Cloisonne Charger
A floral japanese cloisonne charger represents a decorative brass, copper, or bronze base decorated with soldered wire compartments filled with enamel. These display various floral motifs, birds, landscapes, and auspicious symbols.
Most pieces seen here date from the Meiji period, specifically spanning the late nineteenth century through to around nineteen hundred. They take the form of large chargers, plates, dishes, trays, and octagonal serving pieces.
How they were made
Artisans formed the vessels from copper, brass, or bronze bases, shaping them into wide plates and chargers. They then soldered thin metal wires onto the surface to create cellular compartments that outline the floral and animal subjects.
Workers filled these tiny wire cells with coloured enamel pastes before firing the piece in a kiln and polishing the surface smooth. This meticulous technique yielded durable coloured surfaces with distinct metallic outlines.
Floral Japanese Cloisonne Charger Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for floral japanese cloisonne 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.
Among the formal floral arrangements, occasional frogs and butterflies peer out from the wirework to surprise the observant viewer.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the precision of the wirework and the complexity of the enamel palette used across the surface. Finer examples display exceptionally delicate wire cells forming intricate chrysanthemums, birds, or landscapes without visible flaws.
The density and ambition of the decoration also separate standard production items from superior works. Pieces featuring detailed pictorial subjects such as frogs, butterflies, or specific avian scenes demand greater technical skill.
Kinkozan
The Floral Japanese Cloisonne Charger Glossary
- Cloisonne
- An enamelwork technique where metal wire forms raised barriers on a metal base to hold coloured pastes. These wires remain visible on the finished surface as distinct metallic outlines.
- Meiji Period
- The era in Japanese history lasting from eighteen sixty-eight to nineteen twelve. Much of the finest decorative metalwork and enamel originates from this time.
- Charger
- A large decorative plate or tray intended for display rather than dining use. These pieces often serve as central focal points on walls or furniture.
- Enamel
- A glassy substance fused to metal surfaces through high-temperature kiln firing. It provides vibrant colour and a smooth, hard finish to the metalwork.
Floral Japanese Cloisonne Charger: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a heavy charger safely?
Use a specialised spring-loaded wall hanger designed specifically for heavy metal and enamel plates. Ensure the fixing securely anchors into a wall stud rather than just plaster.
Check that the wire or brackets grip the rim firmly without putting undue pressure on the enamel surface.
Can I polish the brass rim on my plate?
The exposed metal rims and wires often develop a natural patina over decades of age. Many collectors prefer to leave this untouched rather than brightened.
If cleaning is necessary, use a very gentle cloth and avoid getting metal polish onto the enamel fields.
How do I tell an 1870 piece from 1900?
Earlier pieces from eighteen seventy often feature heavier copper bases and distinct colour palettes. By nineteen hundred, wire techniques became even finer and more intricate.
Examining the weight, wire thickness, and signature styles helps distinguish the specific decades within the Meiji period.