Cloisonne Charger Info Sought

[hddennis]

Latest find at local antique shop. Any information as to age and or school greatly appreciated. It measures11 7/8 inches across and is 1 1/2 inches deep.

Thanks, Howard Dennis

 

[Bazza]

A far from tranquil scene!!  I'm somewhat surprised to not see any marks??  And a question - is the body solid silver, do you think??

 

BaZZa.

[hddennis]

25 minutes ago, Bazza said:

A far from tranquil scene!!  I'm somewhat surprised to not see any marks??  And a question - is the body solid silver, do you think??

 

BaZZa.

Very heavy metal, brass or bronze with a matte black back with wire scroll work embedded.  

Howard Dennis

[1kinko]

You've got a remarkable local antique shop- jealous yup.

[Matsunoki]

Howard, dealing firstly with the construction, the dish itself will be copper and the rim and foot rim could be gilded copper or brass. Silver was rarely used for the actual body (apart from some ginbari enamels), not even by the likes of Namikawa or Hayashi. These dishes usually employ a brass alloy for the wires which is sometimes gilded. Silver wires are found on more expensive examples but from the images we can’t really tell what your wiring on the front is made from. The swirl pattern on the back will most likely be brass and the swirls are there to hold the counter enamel paste securely during firing. The reverse needs to be counter enamelled to keep it stable during firing or it distorts and cracks upon cooling.

 

These plates and dishes were made in vast quantities during Meiji (this is Meiji C1890 ish) by numerous scattered studios and unless signed (very few are) it is not possible to pinpoint a maker…..there were many. They were aimed as usual at the gaijin market in Japan and later for mass export. 

 

The quality can vary hugely as can the aesthetics of the design. Hawks, falcons and owls were all massively popular subjects in Japan and yours shows a Goshawk (??haven’t actually checked the bird book) hitting a nest of sparrows. It looks a better quality piece with lovely colour graduation etc. The chick falling out of the nest is a bit sad🙂

 

Overall looks to be a better quality piece with a dramatic scene. 
 

……hopefully not damaged?

 

[hddennis]

Thank You to all who responded, it has all been very helpful and informative. I agree about it being a dramatic but sad scene a response expressed by many viewers. Another responder suggested it could possibly show the results of Falconry or possible a political statement of the times such as the weak being dominated by the strong?? there is no damage other than a fading of the polish of the black due to wear .The wires are either gilded or polished brass as they have a brass colored shine to them. The rim is gilded. There is another very similiar one on eBay now but it is definitely of a lower quality as it has less detail. I have always wanted a cloisonne charger for my collection and I think this one fills that slot about as well as anyone could hope for.

Howard Dennis