How were these decorative plaques displayed?

Nineteenth-century households typically mounted large chargers on walls using specialised wire hangers or displayed them upright on heavy wooden stands. Today, they function similarly as bold focal points above mantelpieces or within cabinet displays.

What subjects appear on these pieces?

Common motifs include dragons, koi fish, birds such as ibis and cranes, and scenes featuring samurai warriors. Floral arrangements involving chrysanthemums and bamboo also recur frequently across the enamel and porcelain surfaces.

How do I distinguish cloisonne from porcelain?

Cloisonne relies on a metal foundation of brass or copper with raised wire outlines separating fields of coloured glass paste. Porcelain pieces present a ceramic body with painted glazes and a smooth vitrified surface.

What is the Meiji period?

The Meiji period spans from eighteen-sixty-eight to nineteen-twelve, marking an era of rapid modernization and international artistic export in Japan. Craftsmen during this time produced exceptional metalwork and ceramics for Western markets.

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Meiji Period Decorative Plaque

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These Japanese meiji period decorative plaque examples are large round vessels and trays that bring rich nineteenth-century metalwork and ceramics into a room.