Fine Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Plate With Butterflies Morning Glories Goto

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A superb Japanese cloisonne enamel plate attributed to Goto Seizaburo, one of the most distinguished enamel artists working in Yokohama … Read more A superb Japanese cloisonne enamel plate attributed to Goto Seizaburo, one of the most distinguished enamel artists working in Yokohama during the late Meiji period. The plate features a vivid cobalt blue central medallion with finely rendered peony blossoms, morning glories, butterflies, and moths, all outlined in exceptionally delicate gilt wires. The naturalistic shading of the flowers and the precision of the line work reflect the sophisticated craftsmanship for which Goto is celebrated.


Encircling the floral medallion is a wide border composed of numerous geometric fields, each meticulously executed in a different pattern. These tessellated patchwork sections relate closely to the geometric borders found on the documented Goto plate in the Victoria and Albert Museum. The museum example, acquired directly from Goto in the early 1880s, offers a compelling point of comparison, not only in motif but also in the elevated caliber of technique and artistic refinement. The interplay of textile inspired designs, color transitions, and densely constructed wire work is characteristic of Goto’s most ambitious creations.


The reverse is decorated with a continuous pattern of gilt spirals on a soft blue ground, demonstrating the same thorough attention to detail seen on the front.


The overall composition is balanced, intricate, and visually striking, representing the height of Yokohama cloisonne production and aligning unmistakably with Goto’s workshop aesthetics.


Diameter eight inches. Condition is excellent with minor age related surface wear consistent with Meiji enamel. The bronze rim around the plate has a small dent that does not affect the cloisonne. See less