What is a meiji period enamel charger?

These items are large decorative plates produced in Japan during the Meiji era, combining metal bases with coloured enamel designs. They served primarily as ornamental display pieces rather than tableware, showcasing the technical skill of late nineteenth-century artisans.

How were these chargers displayed?

Historically, large chargers were placed on specialised stands or hung on walls to showcase their pictorial designs. Today, they function as focal points in interior spaces, often displayed on mantelpieces or within cabinets.

What motifs appear on these pieces?

Common subjects include natural elements like birds, iris flowers, dragons, and Mount Fuji, alongside cultural figures such as samurai and Buddhas. Each motif often carries auspicious symbolism rooted in Japanese tradition and folklore.

How do copper and porcelain bases differ?

Traditional chargers utilise metal bases like copper, brass, or bronze for standard cloisonne work, while totai shippo pieces use porcelain cores. Porcelain-based examples often feature textured surfaces like faux tree bark beneath the enamel layers.