Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Charger With Crab, Fish, and Marine Life in Net

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Description

Japanese Cloisonne Charger with Marine Life and Botanical Motifs Japan, Meiji Period, Circa 1890 Diameter: 12 inches

This exceptional Japanese … Read more Japanese Cloisonne Charger with Marine Life and Botanical Motifs Japan, Meiji Period, Circa 1890 Diameter: 12 inches

This exceptional Japanese cloisonne charger is a masterful example of the technical brilliance and artistic imagination that defined the finest enamel workshops of the Meiji period (1868–1912). Richly decorated with an extraordinary array of marine creatures, botanical forms, and wildlife, the composition presents a fascinating glimpse into the natural world rendered through one of Japan’s most demanding decorative arts.

The centerpiece of the charger features a delicately rendered wading bird set against a striking turquoise blue reserve, surrounded by flowering plants, reeds, and graceful butterflies. The vivid blue ground creates a dramatic contrast with the intricate decoration that unfolds across the remainder of the surface, drawing the viewer into a carefully balanced and highly detailed composition.

What immediately distinguishes this charger from more commonly encountered examples is the remarkable netting pattern that envelops the entire outer field. This lattice-like design, executed entirely in cloisonne wire, represents an immense amount of labor and technical skill. Every strand of the net had to be individually formed, applied, and filled with enamel before firing. The complexity of this decorative treatment required extraordinary precision and patience, making such examples considerably rarer than standard floral or geometric designs. The net serves not only as a decorative framework but also as a symbolic reference to the marine theme that dominates the charger.

Suspended throughout this intricate network is an impressive assortment of sea life. Various fish appear throughout the design alongside a finely rendered shrimp, squid, shells, aquatic vegetation, and a monumental crab occupying the lower foreground. The crab is particularly striking, commanding the composition with its scale and detail while reinforcing the coastal character of the scene. Each marine creature is rendered with remarkable attention to detail, creating a composition that rewards close examination and reveals new elements with every viewing.

The artist further enriches the decoration with flowering branches, maple leaves, and delicate butterflies, creating a harmonious balance between marine and terrestrial motifs. This sophisticated combination of imagery reflects the Japanese appreciation for nature and seasonal beauty, themes that were central to the finest decorative arts of the Meiji era.

The enameling itself displays a refined palette of black, turquoise, coral red, soft pink, pale green, white, and gold. The exceptional use of wirework defines each element with precision while maintaining a remarkable sense of movement and vitality. Particularly noteworthy are the finely articulated scales of the fish, the segmented body of the shrimp, the detailed form of the squid, the textured surface of the crab, and the beautifully executed plumage of the central bird. The dramatic contrast between the luminous turquoise reserve and the dark netted ground creates an effect of remarkable depth and visual richness.

Examples featuring such extensive marine decoration combined with this level of labor intensive netting work are seldom encountered. The charger stands as a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship achieved by Japanese cloisonne artists during the late nineteenth century, a period widely regarded as the golden age of Japanese enameling.

A visually captivating and highly decorative work, this charger combines technical virtuosity, exceptional detail, and an unusually complex marine iconography, making it a significant and memorable example of Meiji period Japanese cloisonne artistry.

Condition: Excellent overall condition. The charger presents beautifully and retains its vibrant enamels throughout. There is one very small and unobtrusive scratch visible within the turquoise blue central reserve near the upper portion of the design. Aside from this minor imperfection, the piece is in near mint condition with no significant condition issues observed. Please refer to photographs for details. See less