Green Cloisonne Charger
These green cloisonne charger plates bring intricate Japanese metalwork and vitreous enamel into the home.
Green Cloisonne Charger
A green cloisonne charger provides a broad display surface dominated by vibrant enamelled decoration set against a verdant ground. These pieces predominantly originate from nineteenth-century Japanese workshops spanning the Edo and Meiji periods.
Most examples date from the 1860s through to 1900, representing the height of traditional decorative metalwork and enamelling techniques. These large plates function effectively as centrepieces or wall displays.
Materials and Construction
Artisans constructed these chargers using a foundation base of copper or brass, forming the solid body of the plate. Fine brass wire was then bent and soldered onto the metal surface to create the detailed cellular compartments.
Vitreous enamel paste was packed into these individual wire cells before the piece underwent high-temperature firing in a kiln. Artisans frequently polished the finished surface until the metal wire rims and hardened enamel achieved a uniform plane.
Materials documented across the inventory include copper, brass, wood, ceramic and vitreous enamel.
Factors of Distinction
The complexity of the wirework and the precision of the cell layout dictate the technical accomplishment of each piece. Finer wire gauges allow for intricate pictorial rendering of feathers, foliage and figures.
The depth of colour within the vitreous enamel and the smoothness of the final polished surface distinguish finer examples. The inclusion of artist signatures or unusual subject matter indicates superior workshop production.
The Green Cloisonne Charger Glossary
- Cloisonne Enamel
- A decorative technique where thin metal wires are soldered to a metal base to form cells that hold coloured glass paste. Subsequent firing and polishing create a smooth, patterned surface.
- Charger
- A large ornamental plate traditionally used for ceremonial display rather than dining. These wide vessels provide an expansive canvas for detailed pictorial compositions.
- Meiji Period
- The era in Japanese history lasting from 1868 to 1912, noted for significant artistic output and the export of refined metalwork. Works from this period display exceptional technical precision.
- Totai Shippo
- A specific Japanese technique involving translucent enamel applied over a ceramic or wire mesh body. This method allows light to pass through portions of the vessel wall.
- Vitreous Enamel
- A material made by fusing powdered glass to a metal substrate through intense heat. The resulting coating provides durable colour and a glossy finish.
Green Cloisonne Charger: Frequently Asked Questions
How were green cloisonne chargers displayed?
These large plates were traditionally utilised as decorative display items rather than functional tableware. Owners placed them on heavy wooden stands or mounted them directly onto walls to showcase the pictorial enamel work.
The considerable diameter of these chargers ensures the intricate imagery remains visible from a distance within a room.
What motifs appear on these chargers?
Common decorative themes include mythological creatures such as dragons and ho-o birds, alongside natural subjects like bamboo, owls and Mount Fuji. Figurative compositions featuring samurai or demons also appear within the wirework.
Each motif is carefully outlined in brass wire before being filled with green and complementary coloured enamels.
How do I identify a Meiji period piece?
Meiji period chargers typically date between 1868 and 1900, displaying precise brass wirework and polished vitreous enamel surfaces. Many of these items bear maker signatures on the reverse or near the rim.
Earlier examples from the late Edo period share similar copper bases but often exhibit distinct stylistic proportions in the depicted flora and fauna.
Are these chargers made of copper?
The primary structural foundation of these pieces is formed from copper or brass sheet metal. Artisans shaped this base metal into wide circular or octagonal trays before applying the wire cells.
This metallic body provides the rigid support necessary to prevent the fired vitreous enamel from cracking.