Vintage Cloisonne Platter
These vintage cloisonne platters are remarkable works of metalwork and vitreous enamel, offering intricate avian and dragon motifs to elevate any collection.
Vintage Cloisonne Platter
A vintage cloisonne platter brings centuries of decorative metalwork tradition directly into a room, taking the form of chargers, decorative trays, and plates. Buyers hunting for a vintage cloisonne platter encounter pieces originating from the Edo and Meiji periods, showcasing remarkable Japanese craftsmanship.
The objects available here span several decades from the mid nineteenth century through the turn of the twentieth century. These items manifest as large chargers depicting Mount Fuji and owls, medium plates featuring fine decoration, and octagonal trays displaying birds.
How they were made
Artisans constructed these vessels using a base of copper, brass, or bronze, shaping them into plates and chargers. They soldered fine brass wire or silver wire onto the metal surface to create intricate cellular compartments known as cloisons.
Workers filled these tiny wire cells with enamel paste before firing the metal base in a kiln. After repeated firings and polishings, the surface achieved a smooth finish where the metallic outlines frame vibrant enamel designs.
Vintage Cloisonne Platter Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage cloisonne platter among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature items spanning the 1850s to the 1900s, utilising copper, brass, bronze, and silver wire.
What varies in quality
The fineness of the wirework largely determines the distinction between standard production and masterwork pieces. Skilled makers executed exceptionally complex pictorial subjects, such as leaping koi, samurai figures, and detailed dragons, requiring immense precision.
Subtlety in the colour gradients of the enamel and the overall crispness of the design separate ordinary decorative dishes from signed pieces. The presence of signatures from workshops like Kinkozan indicates a higher tier of Meiji period production.
Kinkozan
The Vintage Cloisonne Platter Glossary
- Cloisonne enamel
- A decorative metalwork technique involving enamel applied within wire compartments soldered to a metal base. This method creates vibrant, multi-coloured pictorial surfaces on copper or brass.
- Charger
- A large decorative plate or dish intended for display rather than dining use. These substantial pieces often showcase complex thematic scenes.
- Meiji Period
- The era of Japanese history spanning from 1868 to 1912, celebrated for exceptional metalwork and enamel exports. Pieces from this time frequently exhibit highly refined wirework.
- Ho-o bird
- A mythical phoenix symbol common in traditional Japanese decorative arts. It appears frequently alongside floral tendrils and auspicious motifs.
- Mon
- A traditional Japanese emblem or badge used to denote family lineage or heraldry. These heraldic crests often anchor the composition of Meiji period designs.
Vintage Cloisonne Platter: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I date a vintage cloisonne platter?
Dating relies on stylistic markers, materials, and specific historical periods associated with the piece. Items often date from the Edo period through the Meiji period, marked by shifts in wire thickness and subject matter.
Earlier nineteenth century pieces often feature heavier construction, while later Meiji examples frequently display microscopic wirework and highly pictorial scenes.
Where were these platters made?
These decorative platters originated in Japan during the nineteenth century, particularly flourishing through the Edo and Meiji periods. Master workshops produced them for both domestic appreciation and international export.
Japanese artisans perfected the handling of copper bases and brass wire to achieve extraordinary pictorial depth.
How should I display a cloisonne charger?
Displaying a large charger safely requires a sturdy plate stand designed to support the weight of copper and bronze vessels. Position them away from direct sunlight to preserve the rich tones of the fired enamel.
Ensure the wall brackets or display stands securely cradle the rim without putting pressure on the delicate wire cells.