How were these plates used?

These pieces served primarily as decorative items for display within interiors rather than for serving food or practical use. Their detailed enamelled surfaces made them desirable ornamental objects for collectors. Larger chargers were typically exhibited on stands or hung upon walls to showcase their intricate pictorial designs. Smaller trays and plates functioned as tabletop display pieces in domestic settings.

What is totai shippo?

Totai shippo refers to a specialised technique where enamel is applied over a porcelain body rather than the usual copper or brass foundation. This method allowed makers to combine ceramic forms with traditional wirework. Examples utilising this method often feature textured surfaces, such as simulated tree bark, beneath the translucent enamel layers. These pieces represent a distinct variation within nineteenth-century Japanese enamel production.

How do I identify the period?

Identifying the period involves examining the stylistic characteristics, materials, and manufacturing techniques typical of late nineteenth-century Japanese production. Pieces from this era often display specific naturalistic motifs and distinctive wirework. Signed examples and particular structural forms can help narrow down the date of manufacture. Comparing the colour palette and subject matter to dated pieces assists in determining age.

What motifs appear on them?

The decorative subjects draw extensively from traditional Japanese art, featuring a wide array of animals, plants, and mythological figures. Common representations include dragons, phoenixes, birds, and floral arrangements. More elaborate examples depict narrative scenes involving samurai, demons, or historic figures alongside symbolic elements. These varied compositions reflect the artistic interests of the Meiji era.

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Meiji Period Cloisonne Plate

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When you search for a meiji period cloisonne plate, you enter a world of intricate metalwork and vibrant enamels created in Japan during the late nineteenth century.