Antique Japanese Plique-à-Jour Cloisonné Enamel Bowl Peonies Meiji Taisho

A beautiful antique Japanese plique-à-jour enamel bowl, finely decorated with flowering peonies and foliage.

Plique-à-jour is a particularly delicate form of enamel work in which translucent enamel is held within fine metal cells without an opaque metal backing across the main body, allowing light to pass through the enamel and creating a jewel-like, stained-glass effect.

This small bowl is particularly finely worked, with an intricate repeating scale-pattern ground surrounding pink and red peonies, green foliage and turquoise details. A dark floral border encircles the rim.

The interior incorporates an elaborate circular floral medallion, while the underside of the foot is also beautifully enamelled with a colourful floral design.

When held towards the light, the translucent enamel becomes especially striking and reveals the remarkable delicacy of the construction.

The style and workmanship suggest Japanese manufacture from the late Meiji to early Taishō period, approximately c.1900–1920. The piece is unmarked, so the dating is an attribution based on its construction and decorative characteristics.

Dimensions

• Diameter: approx. 9 cm
• Height: approx. 4 cm
• Weight: approx. 36 g

Condition

In excellent antique condition overall.

Careful examination of the photographs shows no obvious significant cracks, dents or major losses to the delicate plique-à-jour enamel. There are minor surface marks, patination and small irregularities consistent with age and hand manufacture.

Please examine all photographs carefully, including the backlit photographs which demonstrate the translucent nature of the enamel and form an important part of the condition description.

A particularly attractive and delicate example of early Japanese plique-à-jour enamel work.