Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Plaque with Quail and Chrysanthemum

Description Japanese cloisonné enamel plaque decorated with quail and chrysanthemums, produced during the Japanese Meiji Period and executed in the style associated with the Kyoto enamel tradition influenced by the work of Namikawa Sōsuke. The plaque presents a finely balanced naturalistic composition derived from classical Japanese painting subjects that remained highly influential during the late nineteenth century export period. The scene depicts two quails standing upon a gently rising grassy knoll beside flowering chrysanthemums arranged against a soft sky blue ground. The decoration is created using exceptionally fine silver wire cloisonné filled with carefully shaded enamel tones, allowing subtle modelling within the birds and foliage. This controlled painterly approach reflects the technical developments achieved by Kyoto enamel artists working toward increasingly naturalistic surface effects. The subject closely relates to the traditional theme known as Quail and Autumn Flowers, a composition strongly associated with the celebrated court painter Tosa Mitsuoki of the Tosa school. Chrysanthemums paired with quail were long established in East Asian painting traditions, symbolising peace and longevity while also marking the autumn season. Works by Mitsuoki helped revive classical Yamato e painting during the seventeenth century, and such compositions continued to influence decorative arts into the Meiji Period as artists adapted established pictorial subjects into new mediums including enamel and metalwork. Although simplified for cloisonné production, the plaque retains the essential harmony of the original theme, focusing attention on the birds and chrysanthemum group while preserving the calm seasonal atmosphere characteristic of earlier Japanese painting. The plaque is mounted within an earlier English Georgian frame, reflecting the Western presentation often applied to Japanese works acquired during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The reverse displays a traditional fish scale enamel ground and retains an original collection or retailer label 七香 (Nanaka). Cloisonné enamel plaques inspired by classical painting subjects were produced for the international export market during the Meiji Period, when Japanese artists refined enamel techniques to an exceptional standard for collectors in Europe and America. Pieces influenced by the Kyoto school remain particularly sought after for their precision, colour control, and refined natural subjects drawn from established artistic traditions. A refined example of Japanese Meiji Period cloisonné enamel combining technical skill with a subject rooted in classical Japanese painting, well suited to collectors of Japanese art and carefully considered interiors. View the full Japanese Collection. MEASUREMENTS Frame Overall -19cm high 23.25cm Wide x 1.5cm Deep (7.5 x 9.15 x 0.6 Inches) Plaque 16.5cm High x 20.5cm Wide (6.5 x 8 Inches) CONDITION Very Good antique condition Literature Quail and Autumn Flowers by Tosa Mitsuoki (Japanese, 1617-1691), MET Museum 36.100.52. Who was Namikawa Sōsuke? Namikawa Sōsuke (1847 to 1910) was one of the leading Japanese cloisonné enamel artists of the Meiji Period and a key figure in the golden age of Japanese enamels between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Working in Tokyo, he played an important role in transforming cloisonné enamel from a decorative craft into a refined artistic medium capable of achieving painterly effects. During the 1880s Sōsuke operated the Tokyo branch of the Nagoya Cloisonné Company and gained international recognition through major world exhibitions including Paris and Chicago. His workshop became closely associated with technical innovations such as musen cloisonné, where wires were removed before firing, allowing smooth colour transitions and detailed pictorial compositions inspired by traditional Japanese painting. In 1896 he was appointed an Imperial Household Artist, one of only two cloisonné enamel masters to receive this honour, producing important works for Imperial residences and diplomatic presentation pieces. Today Namikawa Sōsuke’s work is held in major museum collections worldwide and remains among the most sought after examples of Meiji Period Japanese cloisonné enamel. What is the significance of the CHRYSANTHEMUM (KIKU)? The chrysanthemum, known as kiku (菊) in Japan, is one of the country’s most important symbols. Introduced from China in the 5th century, it quickly became associated with longevity, renewal, and autumn. By the 12th century, Emperor Go-Toba adopted the chrysanthemum as the crest of the Imperial family, where it remains today as the Imperial Seal of Japan, also called the Chrysanthemum Throne. The flower appears widely in art, poetry, festivals, and design, celebrated for both its seasonal beauty and its links to the virtues of loyalty, resilience, and honour. For further information see our article Chrysanthemums in Japanese Culture: The Imperial Flower of Autumn. WHAT IS CLOISONNE? Cloisonné is a traditional decorative art that involves applying thin metal wires to form compartments (cloisons) on a metal surface, which are then filled with colourful enamel. After multiple firings and polishings, the result is a vibrant, glass-like finish with intricate designs. The technique has roots in ancient China but was perfected in Japan during the Meiji period (1868–1912), often referred to as the Golden Age of Cloisonné. Japanese artists developed advanced methods such as musen shippō(wireless cloisonné) and shōtai shippō (plique-à-jour), creating seamless, naturalistic, and even translucent effects. Highly prized for its precision, artistry, and beauty, Japanese cloisonné is regarded as one of the finest forms of enamel craftsmanship in the world and remains highly collectible today. For further information see our article The Art of Japanese Cloisonné: History, Craftsmanship, and the Golden Age. What is the Japanese MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912)? The Meiji era marked Japan’s transformation into a modern nation and a golden age of decorative arts. With the end of samurai rule and Japan’s opening to the West, artisans produced works of exceptional quality for both domestic and international audiences. Supported by the government through world fairs and Imperial commissions, Japanese lacquerware, cloisonné, satsuma ceramics, bronzes, and ivory carvings reached collectors worldwide. Many leading artists of the time, including Makuzu Kozan and Namikawa Yasuyuki, were honoured as Imperial Household Artists, ensuring the Meiji period remains one of the most celebrated eras of Japanese art. For further information please see our article Japanese Meiji Period: Art, Collecting, and Cultural Transformation. WHY BUY FROM JACKSONS ANTIQUE? At Jacksons Antique, we are a small family-run business with over 10 years of experience in the fine antiques trade. We are proud members of LAPADA (The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers) and CADA (The Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers’ Association), trusted by collectors, interior designers, and private clients worldwide. Every piece we offer is individually sourced, carefully researched, and fully authenticated, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. We provide insured worldwide shipping and secure checkout via Stripe, a global payments provider trusted by companies including Amazon and Booking.com. 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