Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Plate Charger Bird Among Flowering Vines Goto

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This finely executed Japanese cloisonne enamel dish, measuring approximately 12 inches in diameter, dates to the Meiji period circa 1880 … Read more This finely executed Japanese cloisonne enamel dish, measuring approximately 12 inches in diameter, dates to the Meiji period circa 1880 to 1890 and can be confidently attributed to Gotō Seizaburō, one of the most technically accomplished cloisonne artists of late nineteenth century Japan. The dish exemplifies Gotō’s mature style, characterized by meticulous wirework, complex ground treatments, and a refined balance between pictorial imagery and decorative pattern.


The central medallion depicts a delicately rendered bird perched among flowering vines, set against a luminous blue ground. The composition is animated by slender stems, carefully veined leaves, buds, and blossoms, all outlined with exceptionally fine metal wire and filled with evenly fired enamels. The bird is portrayed with precise attention to plumage and posture, conveying a sense of quiet naturalism that reflects Gotō’s deep engagement with nature as subject matter. The clarity of the central scene is enhanced by the restrained palette and the subtle contrast between the blue ground and the surrounding decorative field.


Encircling the medallion is a broad field of deep reddish brown enamel worked with an extraordinarily dense and intricate geometric and floral wire pattern. This type of ground is a defining hallmark of Gotō Seizaburō’s production and represents one of the most technically demanding aspects of Japanese cloisonne. Thousands of minute wire segments form repeating motifs that create a textile like surface, revealing increasing complexity upon close inspection. Set within this field are carefully placed geometric and floral roundels, each rendered in harmonized tones of turquoise, ochre, soft green, black, and muted gold, adding visual rhythm without overwhelming the composition.


The reverse of the dish is fully decorated, rather than left plain, and features an equally sophisticated arrangement of patterned enamels, including a central botanical motif. This level of finish on the reverse is strongly associated with Gotō Seizaburō’s highest quality works and underscores his philosophy that every surface of an object should be treated with equal care and artistic intention.


A closely comparable cloisonne dish by Gotō Seizaburō, featuring a samurai subject and employing the same type of densely patterned ground and geometric organization, is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. That documented example provides important institutional context and strongly supports the attribution of the present work through shared technique, scale, and design language.


The dish is preserved in mint condition, with no cracks, chips, restorations, or enamel losses. The enamels retain their original luster and depth, and the wirework remains crisp and undisturbed throughout. Works by Gotō Seizaburō of this size, complexity, and state of preservation are scarce, particularly examples with fully realized reverses and museum level comparanda. This dish stands as an outstanding example of Meiji period Japanese cloisonne at its highest level, suitable for an advanced private collection or institutional decorative arts display. See less