Plate
1878-1879 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The influence of Japanese metalwork, in which precious and non-precious metals were often combined, is visible on this plate, which uses two colours of gold to create a colourful effect. The use of coloured inlays is very unusual in British silver, as hallmarking regulations only permit inlays of gold. The Japanese fondness for depicting the natural world has influenced the decoration of the plate with its stylised insects and plants.
Time
The influence of Japanese art on western goods was particularly strong in the late 19th century after Japan ended its self-imposed isolation that had lasted for nearly 200 years. Exhibitions of Japanese art caused a sensation in London in 1862 and in Paris in 1867. As in the decoration of this plate, the West borrowed heavily from the wide range of techniques and styles used by Japanese artists and craftsmen, which were then re-interpreted for a western market.
Historical Associations
This plate, made by the London firm of Daniel and Charles Houle, has been decorated in two coloured gold inlay in imitation of Japanese sword-mount making techniques. The Houles not only copied Japanese styles and techniques but sent some of their work to Japan for decoration there.
The influence of Japanese metalwork, in which precious and non-precious metals were often combined, is visible on this plate, which uses two colours of gold to create a colourful effect. The use of coloured inlays is very unusual in British silver, as hallmarking regulations only permit inlays of gold. The Japanese fondness for depicting the natural world has influenced the decoration of the plate with its stylised insects and plants.
Time
The influence of Japanese art on western goods was particularly strong in the late 19th century after Japan ended its self-imposed isolation that had lasted for nearly 200 years. Exhibitions of Japanese art caused a sensation in London in 1862 and in Paris in 1867. As in the decoration of this plate, the West borrowed heavily from the wide range of techniques and styles used by Japanese artists and craftsmen, which were then re-interpreted for a western market.
Historical Associations
This plate, made by the London firm of Daniel and Charles Houle, has been decorated in two coloured gold inlay in imitation of Japanese sword-mount making techniques. The Houles not only copied Japanese styles and techniques but sent some of their work to Japan for decoration there.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, chased and inlaid with two colours of gold |
| Brief description | Silver plate with insect decoration, London hallmarks for 1878-9, mark of Daniel and Charles Houle. |
| Physical description | The centre of the plate chased with two blank panels, one edged with scrolls and floriated ornament and the other with a trail of leaves and buds with a lotus flower in the centre of each side. Around the panels are chased a beetle, a butterfly, a dragonfly and a bee. There are three plant trails on the border including one of a convolvulus; raised reeded edge. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Object history | Made in London by Daniel and Charles Houle Inlays of different coloured precious metals were unusual in British silver. The hallmarking laws made such effects very difficult, as the only metal permitted to be inlayed into silver was gold. Because of the more relaxed hallmarking laws, it was American firms like Tiffany that experimented most with this kind of decoration. The influence of Japanese metalwork, which often alloyed precious and non-precious metals for effect, is visible on this piece. The Houle firm seem to have sent some work to Japan for decoration there. This piece, however, is an imitation of Japanese techniques. Neg._No: HE 2143 HE 1802 |
| Historical context | The polychromatic effect found on Japanese metalwork is seen as the primary influence in the design of this piece. Japanese motifs are incorporated on the decorative side, although the traditionally European form of the dish has remained unaltered. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type The influence of Japanese metalwork, in which precious and non-precious metals were often combined, is visible on this plate, which uses two colours of gold to create a colourful effect. The use of coloured inlays is very unusual in British silver, as hallmarking regulations only permit inlays of gold. The Japanese fondness for depicting the natural world has influenced the decoration of the plate with its stylised insects and plants. Time The influence of Japanese art on western goods was particularly strong in the late 19th century after Japan ended its self-imposed isolation that had lasted for nearly 200 years. Exhibitions of Japanese art caused a sensation in London in 1862 and in Paris in 1867. As in the decoration of this plate, the West borrowed heavily from the wide range of techniques and styles used by Japanese artists and craftsmen, which were then re-interpreted for a western market. Historical Associations This plate, made by the London firm of Daniel and Charles Houle, has been decorated in two coloured gold inlay in imitation of Japanese sword-mount making techniques. The Houles not only copied Japanese styles and techniques but sent some of their work to Japan for decoration there. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.355-1977 |
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| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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