Antique Japanese Shippo Aventurine Cloisonne Enamel Pen Tray Meiji c 1900

A Japanese cloisonne or cloisonné (shippo - 七宝) enamel pen tray. It is decorated on a black and royal blue background and laid out in a geometric chevron pattern in restrained colours with flowers in shades of pink, green and blue, some with metallic flecks within the enamel or Chakin-seki 茶金石 (tea gold stone). Some collectors call this sparkly decoration aventurine or goldstone.

The pen tray has a copper metal base and has a patinated rim.The tray has been applied with a small metal cloisons (wires) to make the geometric and floral pattern with the black and blue ground colour and coloured enamels. There are turquoise circular or globular borders on the rim and across the base of the tray. The underside has a plain green enamel finish.

The tray is a roughly oblong with a shaped rim the underside of which is scalloped. This beautiful and decorative antique pen tray dates from the Meiji period circa 1900. 

In very good antique condition, no chips, cracks nor restoration to the top surface, some very minor bubbles and pitting in the upper surface, the lower surface has some very minor enamel flaking or chipping at each of the pointed ends. Unseen when in use.

Length 9 3/4 inches ( 24.7 cm)
Width 3 1/2 inches ( 9 cm)
Weight 172 grammes unpacked.

Free UK  postage when purchased at the listed price. International shipping at cost.