24k Gold Chokin Collection - Chokin

Name: Chokin
 
Type: Decorative small dish collection
 
Year: Late 20th century, ca. 1980s–1990s
 
Set: Yes (Three small artistic decorative dishes from the same maker)
 
Mark: Chokin - Japanese Chokin artisans (studio production, not individually signed)
 
History: These three small Japanese porcelain plates are classic examples of The Art of Chokin, a decorative metal engraving technique that originated over 800 years ago. The art involves etching images into pure copper and finishing them with gilding in gold and silver. Historically used to embellish samurai armor, Chokin saw a resurgence in the 20th century as a refined decorative medium, especially for export ceramics.
 
 
Each plate features a circular copper inlay etched and gilded in 24KT gold and silver, framed by glazed porcelain with gold edges. The imagery is quintessentially Japanese:
 
 
A pair of elegant swans swimming among irises, with fine etching detail and subtle metallic gradients.
 
 
A cherry blossom and songbird design rendered in gold with black background enamel, exuding a serene aesthetic.
 
 
A vibrant red-ground plate depicting two peacocks among chrysanthemums, striking in both color and metallic contrast.
 
 
The backs of these pieces vary slightly in label design but consistently emphasize that they are “24KT Gold Edged” and “Not for Food Use”—highlighting their function as decorative collectibles. Two have adhesive silver foil labels; one has printed brown transfer lettering on the porcelain base.
 
 
These Chokin plates were popular souvenir and giftware items from Japan during the 1980s and 1990s, often presented in boxed sets. They have retained collector interest due to the uniqueness of the engraving technique, the use of real gold, and their crossover appeal between porcelain and metal arts.
 
Flaws: Age related faint gilt fading on one dish