Featured What is this cloisonne item? Is it Chinese?

I thought this was a bowl, but the "bottom" has a chrysanthemum on it, plus it doesn't sit totally flat. I forgot to measure it, but I think it's 4" to 5" in diameter.

Is it the top of a ginger jar?

Also, I think it's Chinese rather than Japanese... is that correct? How old probably?

And last but not least... with this kind of damage is there any point to trying to sell it on eBay? I assume it's not old enough or rare enough? Or even desireable if it's only a top without the bottom?

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

What are the measurements? It looks to me like a warped Chinese enamel on brass cloisonne bowl! I like the colors!

You may get bites on Ebay, but the value goes down for sure with the issues. As for age and pricing, some experts should be along.

 

I think it's about 4 to 5 inches in diameter.

Yes, it's definitely cloisonne enamel. I did think a bowl at first, but have never seen a Chinese or Japanese bowl with a flower on the bottom... plus it isn't totally flat and rocks a little.

With paper items, sometimes I've been able to sell antique pieces with damage. But I've listed very few enamel/glass/pottery pieces (in any condition) and haven't a clue how much damage buyers will accept!

 

If not a bowl, maybe half of a trinket box?

I sell online sometimes. In my experience, buyers usually want nothing to do with a piece that isn't pristine (or close to it)—unless of course it's an antique Chinese piece. However, I have sold some vintage cloisonne pieces with dings and enamel wear.

 

I'd think it's too tall for the top of a trinket box?

 

Probably. I've seen some that are bigger on top, but usually not so tall. I'm still leaning towards a bowl for your piece.

 

I think it's the top of a ginger jar.

 

Thanks... I'm pretty much convinced that's what it must be.

I don't remember ever seeing in my mother's things a good sized jar that would have matched this top. I suspect she saw it in a shop or flea market and it appealed to her so she went for it, undoubtedly at a cheap price, even if it was a bottom-less top!

 

I seem to remember a site that compared Japanese and Chinese cloisonne from different time periods, but I can't find it now. Can anyone suggest a good site on cloisonne?

 

https://web.archive.org/web/20140517113129/http://idcloisonne.com/

 

Your bowl is described there as a drinking bowl!
Similar peony rounded base.
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/a...ded-peony-base-mid-19th-century/id-f_8875043/

 

Thanks, Kyratango. That's the site I remember using before.

 

Gee, that does seem very similar! Is it a peony or a chrysanthemum? I was searching for the latter so that may have affected my search results.

The dragon would look odd if the 1stdibs piece were a top flipped vertically, so maybe they're right about it being a bowl.

One thing that gives me pause, though, is this piece on the idcloisonne.com site, identified as Chinese c1920 and later. The wires in the background have the same type of geometric design that mine does and the flowers seem at least somewhat similar. Did Chinese pieces have geometric designs in the mid-1800s? Or is it more of an Art Deco thing produced for Western tastes in the 1920s-30s? This curious mind would love to know!

 

I am the person who owned IDcloisonne, for 6 years I had a good following, and things grew from the site purpose, such as being asked to identify Asian cloisonne pieces for auctions etc. Just noticed lately the interest is growing again, and the prices are fantastic.

I am answering the last comment and the membership who participated here, I don't remember ever seeing this shape item as a lid for a jar, I still think it is a bowl, and was probably part of a saucer and bowl set, perhaps for some other use during a meal, for water to dip your fingers in, or for holding leftover bones and such.

The type of cloisonne wire detail for the background was traditional Chinese symbols, that often had a role in the subject matter, I think for most of the 100 years Chinese cloisonne exports were popular, 1890-1990, these same backgrounds were done, but as time went by, they became sparser and applied by machine instead of by hand, the footless bowl here is called the 'T Fret' and the other pieces actually show how it was modified as well as the brilliant gold application on the newer cloisonne pieces.

 

Welcome to Antiquers, @IDcloisonne ! The original poster, @Pat P hasn't come here for a while. She is my friend on Facebook and I have an email address for her. I will send a message to inform her of your information.