Antique Japanese Meiji Bronze Charger Plate, 1880

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Fine Japanese Meiji Period Bronze & Mixed-Metal Charger – Bijin in a Boat, c.1880 明治時代 日本美術 A striking Japanese bronze … Read more Fine Japanese Meiji Period Bronze & Mixed-Metal Charger – Bijin in a Boat, c.1880 明治時代 日本美術 A striking Japanese bronze and mixed-metal charger dating to the Meiji period (1868–1912), circa 1880–1900, finely worked in high relief with an atmospheric waterside scene. The composition depicts an elegantly dressed bijin (美人) seated within a small boat, holding an open folding fan, her elaborately decorated kimono rendered with particularly fine detail. Beyond her is a second vessel with an elaborate mythical bird or Hō-ō (鳳凰 / Japanese phoenix) form to the prow, set against a mountainous landscape with pine trees and rippling water. The scene is executed in unusually deep and sculptural relief, with contrasting patination and mixed-metal detailing giving depth to the figure, costume, boats and surrounding landscape. The whole is enclosed within a finely decorated geometric and foliate border. The reverse retains a rich, naturally aged bronze patina and raised circular foot. A later hanging wire has been fitted to the reverse for display. A particularly decorative example of the sophisticated metalworking produced in Japan during the Meiji era, when Japanese craftsmen achieved an extraordinary international reputation for bronze casting, chasing, patination and mixed-metal decoration. Comparable Meiji chargers were produced using combinations of bronze, copper, silver, gold and shakudō, with both hirazōgan and takazōgan techniques appearing on finer examples. 明治時代 日本製 銅製飾皿 Meiji-period Japanese bronze decorative charger 美人と舟の風景 Landscape depicting a bijin and boats

Condition wise we have deep cleaned, hand condition waxed and hand polished it from top to bottom, there may be some age and use related patina marks based on normal use and transport

Dimensions Height: 18.5cm Width: 18.5cm Depth: 2cm See less