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Japanese Mixed Metal 'Takazogan' Plate, Meiji Period (1868-1912)

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Estimated value

$250 - $650

Rarity

Uncommon(5/10)

Category

Asian Art

Era

Meiji Period, circa 1880-1910

Origin

Japan

Visual assessment

Photo-based interpretation · not authenticated

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JAPANESE MIXED METAL 'TAKAZOGAN' PLATE, MEIJI PERIOD (1868-1912): IDENTIFICATION

A circular brass or bronze dish featuring a high-relief (takazogan) mixed metal scene. The composition depicts a seated figure under a flowering cherry or plum tree adjacent to a river with a covered boat, cranes, and lotus blossoms. The figure and fauna are executed in contrasting alloys, specifically copper-rich shakudo and silver-colored shibuichi, with incised detailing (kebori) for the water and foliage.

Compare with other Asian art pieces in the archive: Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Plate with Sentoku and Shakudo Inlays, Japanese Imari-style Porcelain Plate with Landscape Motif, Japanese Imari-Style Porcelain Cabinet Plate.

DYNASTY & PROVENANCE

During the Meiji Period (1868-1912), the abolition of the samurai class led highly skilled sword-fitting makers (tosho) to pivot toward decorative objects for the Western export market. This plate demonstrates the transition from weapon ornamentation to 'kinkozogan' (inlaid metalwork), characterized

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by the use of traditional Japanese alloys to create pictorial landscapes that appealed to Victorian-era collectors of Japonisme.

SCARCITY

Uncommon · 5/10 estimated rarity

This is a qualitative collection score, not a measured survival count, market percentile or proof of authenticity.

Visual assessment

Photographs alone cannot establish authenticity. The following analysis notes have not been independently verified; references to a match or confirmation are interpretations, not documentary evidence.

  • Construction techniques for the figure and crane inlays are consistent with late 19th-century Japanese craftsmanship
  • Patina on the reverse side shows natural age-related transition rather than artificial chemical coloring
  • Absence of a signature is common for standard export wares of this period
What photo analysis can and cannot establish

ANALYSIS NOTES

AI-assisted notes based on the photographs and supplied context. These are interpretations, not an examination by a human specialist or proof of authenticity.

The iconography and alloy variety are classic for late Meiji export ware, allowing for a high confidence in the period, though the lack of a mark prevents a higher-tier artist attribution.

OBSERVATIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

  • 1Inlays are 'takazogan' (high relief) rather than simple plating, a hallmark of Meiji-era kinkozogan.
  • 2Presence of multiple alloys (shakudo and shibuichi) indicates a sophisticated workshop origin.
  • 3Traditional kebori (hairline engraving) on the water and boat canopy follows established period styles.
  • 4The footrim profile and oxidation on the underside are consistent with bronze/brass alloys used between 1880 and 1910.

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Lack of 'Dai Nippon' or artist signature reduces the certainty of a specific workshop attribution.
  • •Uneven surface spotting suggests the plate may have been stored in a high-humidity environment.

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Examine the very edge of the plate and the inner footrim with a 10x loupe for small stamped signatures.
  • →Gently clean a small area with a soft dry cloth to see if the spotting is superficial or etched into the metal.
COLLECTOR GLOSSARY (3 terms)
Takazogan
High-relief metal inlay where the design stands out significantly from the background.
Shakudo
A Japanese alloy of copper and gold that develops a blue-black patina when treated.
Kebori
Fine-line engraving used to create hair-like detail or subtle textures on metal.

Condition & estimated grade

A visual condition estimate. This is not a professional grading certificate.

Grading breakdown

Condition is typically described as 'Good' for its age, noting the surface oxidization and lack of signature which impacts the grade.

Condition

Significant surface grime and circular spotting are visible on the obverse, likely from old moisture or improper cleaning. The reverse shows uneven patination and potential carbon residue, though the structural integrity of the inlays appears sound.

ASIAN ART VALUATION

$250 - $650

Estimate recorded: May 11, 2026

Estimate context (not a documented sale): Unsigned Meiji mixed-metal dishes of this size (6-10 inches) typically achieve between $300 and $500 at specialist auctions like Bonhams or through Etsy/eBay sold listings (2023-2024).

Who buys this

Collectors of Japanese Meiji-era metalwork and enthusiasts of 19th-century Japonisme decorative arts.

What increases value

  • •Quality of the mixed-metal inlays
  • •Condition of the silver and copper contrast
  • •Complexity of the pictorial scene

What lowers value

  • •Surface spotting and pitting
  • •Anonymity of the maker (unsigned)
  • •Polishing which would destroy the historical patina

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Signature from a known workshop like Komai of Kyoto
  • •Use of gold (nunome-zogan) gold-foil highlights
  • •Pristine, undisturbed dark patina

Grade & condition

Surface integrity, clarity of the inlays, and degree of oxidation on the background metal.

Rarity & demand

UncommonModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar asian objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

BR

bruinsma

The Connoisseur•59 items

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