Green Cloisonne Plate
A green cloisonne plate brings rich enamelling and detailed wirework into a room, offering striking imagery from Japanese Meiji and Edo craftsmanship.
Green Cloisonne Plate
When you search for a green cloisonne plate, you encounter decorative chargers, large trays, and wall plates originating from the Meiji and late Edo periods. These pieces often feature natural or mythical motifs such as birds, phoenixes, dragons, and Mount Fuji executed across broad circular or octagonal surfaces.
The objects on this page span the latter half of the nineteenth century into the opening years of the twentieth. They function primarily as decorative chargers meant for display on walls or stands rather than utilitarian tableware.
How they were made
Artisans built these works on copper or brass foundations, soldering thin brass wire to form distinct compartments for the design. They then filled these cells with vitreous enamel before firing and polishing the surface to a smooth finish.
Certain variations incorporate specialised techniques such as totai shippo, where enamel is applied over a ceramic body to simulate textures like tree bark alongside traditional metal bases.
Listings span the periods from 1860 to 1900, incorporating copper, brass, and ceramic bases with vitreous enamel.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the precision of the wirework and the depth of the enamelling. Finer examples display intricate detail in subjects like feathers and scales, alongside clean polished surfaces free from major pitting.
Signed pieces and those depicting complex single subjects or narrative scenes such as samurai demonstrate greater ambition from the workshop, elevating them above simpler decorative items.
The Green Cloisonne Plate Glossary
- Cloisonne enamel
- A metalworking technique where fine wires create cells to hold coloured glass paste before firing. This method allows for sharp outlines and detailed pictorial designs.
- Charger
- A large ornamental plate intended for display rather than serving food. These pieces form the majority of the decorative trays seen here.
- Totai shippo
- Japanese enamelware created on a ceramic or porcelain core instead of metal. It often imitates organic textures like wood and bark.
- Meiji period
- The era of Japanese history lasting from 1868 to 1912, marked by significant artistic production and international export. Most items from this era show high technical refinement.
Green Cloisonne Plate: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a large charger?
Large chargers require sturdy wall mounting hardware designed to support heavy metal and enamel plates safely. Ensure the fixings grip the rim securely without putting pressure on the enamelled centre.
Position the plate away from direct sunlight to protect the coloured enamel from fading over extended periods of time.
Can I use these plates for food?
These decorative plates are strictly intended for display rather than culinary use. The metal and vitreous enamel surfaces are not suited for serving food.
Exposing the plates to moisture and acidic foods can damage the historic enamel and corrode the underlying copper or brass wire.
How do I clean a cloisonne plate?
Dust the surface gently with a dry, soft cloth to remove everyday particles. Avoid using liquid cleaners, abrasives, or chemical polishes which can ruin the polished vitreous finish.
Keep the piece in a stable indoor environment to prevent thermal shock from cracking the delicate enamel cells.
What motifs appear on these plates?
Common subjects include natural elements like bamboo, trees, and waves alongside birds such as owls and ho-o phoenixes. Mythical creatures and figures like dragons and samurai also feature prominently.
These designs are rendered through careful placement of brass wire within the green enamel background.