Cloisonné is a specific type of enamel ware in
which the individual colors that compose the
design are segregated by thin strips of metal.
The earliest examples of Cloisonné wares date as
far back as the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 A.D.)
and the technique is believed to have originated
in Beijing. Traditionally, the reign of Emperor
Xuande (1426-1456 A.D.), who ruled during the
Ming Dynasty, is sited as the period when the
finest Cloisonné wares were produced.
Sometimes Cloisonné is referred to as “Blue of
Jingtai” in reference to the reign of Emperor
Jingtai (1450-1456 A.D., coinciding with Xuande)
when craftsmen discovered a dark blue enamel
that gave Cloisonné wares a gorgeous, solemn
look and is still frequently employed today. The
technique involved in manufacturing Cloisonné
wares is quite complicated, involving base
hammering, making the red-copper roughcast,
forming patterns on the roughcast with thin
copper strips, filling patterns with enamel of
different colors, firing, polishing, and in some
cases gilding. During the Qianlong period
(1736-1795 A.D.) of the Qing Dynasty, the skills
of making Cloisonné reached their pinnacle when
pure copper began to be used for roughcasts.
Since the fabrication of Cloisonné integrates
bronze and porcelain-working skills, traditional
painting as well as etching, Cloisonné wares are
considered the pinnacle of traditional Chinese
crafts.
- (X.0606)
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