A charger is a large decorative plate or dish designed primarily for display rather than everyday dining use. These substantial pieces often showcase the most elaborate artistry of their respective period. In Japanese ceramics and metalwork, chargers frequently depict complex mythological scenes, auspicious symbols, or detailed landscapes spanning their wide surface.

How do I identify Meiji period pieces?

Meiji period items generally date between 1868 and 1912, a time of rapid modernisation and flourishing decorative arts. They often exhibit exceptional technical mastery in porcelain painting, lacquer, or metal inlay. Many pieces from this era combine traditional Japanese motifs with an increasing focus on intricate detail designed for international export markets.

What is Imari porcelain?

Imari porcelain refers to Japanese wares decorated in a distinctive palette consisting mainly of underglaze blue, iron red, and supplementary gold leaf. The style originated in Arita and was shipped from the port of Imari. These designs typically feature dense floral, geometric, and figurative patterns distributed symmetrically across plates, bowls, and large chargers.

How were cloisonne enamel dishes made?

Cloisonne pieces were constructed by applying thin metal wires to a metal base, such as copper, to form bounded compartments called cloisons. Artisans then filled these individual sections with coloured enamel pastes before repeated firing and polishing. The resulting surface displays crisp metallic outlines framing smooth, colourful depictions of flora, fauna, or historical figures.