Jing Tai Lan (the Chinese for cloisonné) is a
unique form of art that combines sculpture,
painting, copper smithing and porcelain
making. Its name originates from a careful
pairing of “Jing Tai,” the name of a Ming
dynasty emperor during whose reign mass
production of such articles began, and “Lan,”
meaning blue, which is the background color
for most cloisonné goods. Cloisonné enamel
techniques were originally brought from
Persia to China’s Yunnan Province during the
Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming dynasty,
Persian techniques were then incorporated
with the traditional, native techniques for
metal inlaying and porcelain making, resulting
in the birth of a new kind of cloisonné called
Jing Tai Lan.
This figure of an ox and cart is elaborately
decorated in multi-colored enamels with leafy
interlacing scrolls bearing lotuses and floral
motifs. Patterning varies from surface to
surface though, with unique and vibrant
yellow gourds that stem from the axle of the
cart’s wheel, a window on the side of the cart
itself, a lavish pair of lotuses on the front of
the cart, and stunning abstract interlace on
most other surfaces.
With regard to content, the cart itself tilts
back at quite a severe angle and hooks on to a
hump on the ox’s back. Serving as an umbrella
for the cart and its wheels, a saddle-shaped
roof – no less intricately decorated – tilts back
in tandem. The ox is poised, still, with legs
four-square. Its mouth slightly agape and eyes
wide and human in condition. Small, novel
horns point forward to the ox’s destination
while its ears point backwards. The cart itself
also appears to be a container, which would
render the object functional as well as
decorative.
Jing Tai Lan is one of the most exquisite
cloisonné techniques in history, and as such,
it is by far the most popular and sought-after
type of cloisonné to be found. This rare and
ornate piece is a must for collectors of
Chinese art.
