Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Charger. Spectacular Decoration. Circa 1870.

Huge Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Charger. Spectacular Decoration. Circa 1870.

High-quality cloisonné with skilled brass wire work and multi- coloured enamels. Body is decorated with spectacular multi-coloured patterns of Karakusa flowers, grasses and a variety of very complex geometrical patterns. The dark green and blue enamel is unique to this era. Substantial use of wires, both decorative and functional in anchoring the enamel in early Japanese cloisonne work. Further decorated with central scene of blossoming tree within a stream, with foliage and flowers in vivid coloured enamels. Attributed to workshop of Kaji Tsunekichi (1803–83) with extremely fine and detailed wire work and enamelling technique of this period. The reverse also elaborately decorated. Museum quality.

Condition: Superb original and unrestored condition. Some very minor hairlines and firing loss to base, and slightly irregular circular shape due to size.


Dimensions:

Diameter = 46cm

Height = 7cm

*In the 1830s, Kaji Tsunekichi of Nagoya obtained a piece of Cloisonné enamel and deconstructed it in order to examine how it had been made. He then reworked the piece to produce a small dish with wired enamel decoration. By the 1850s he had opened a workshop, taken on students and was appointed as the official maker of Cloisonné in the Owari province.