Chinese cloisonne

Cloisonne enamel
The word cloisonne derives from the French word, cloison, meaning 'cell'. The term is used for two methods of applying colour to a metal surface. The method of manufacturing the metal framework is similar in both cases: strips of wire are set on edge and soldered or glued against a backing plate in patterns, creating enclosed areas, or 'cells'. In cloisonné enamelling, the cells are filled with powdered glass of different colours which is then heated and fused to the metal base.

Cloisonne Enamel Burner with Lotus Decoration and Elephant-trunk Handles
The Yuan dynasty (1206-1368)
Overall height: 13.9cm. Mouth diameter: 16cm. Foot diameter: 13.5cm.

Cloisonne Enamel Burner

The incense burner has a round and bulging brass body, two handles shaped like elephant trunks and a foot ring. Around the neck are 12 yellow, white, red and purple chrysanthemum flowers on light blue enamel ground. The body is decorated with six red, white and yellow entwining sprays of lotus flowers on sapphire blue ground. Below them is a band of lotus petals.

The enamel coating is shining and smooth. In some places, it is as transparent as glass. The colours of the enamel are harmoniously matched so the burner looks elegant and classical in style. The burner is a distinguished inlaid enamel work of the Yuan period. The inner brass body and the elephant-trunk handles, however, were fitted on at a later date.

Cloisonne jar from China
Ming dynasty, Xuande period (AD 1426-35)
Height: 62 cm

Boldly decorated jar with imperial mark

The Chinese perfected the cloisonne enamel technique in the fifteenth century. By the time this jar was made it was considered appropriate for imperial use, and many superb pieces were made for palaces and temples. Some of the vessel forms were borrowed from ancient Chinese bronzes. Other shapes, and some of the motifs, resemble contemporary porcelains.

The inscription on the neck of the jar shows that it was made under the auspices of the Yuyongjian, a division of the Imperial Household. The vigorous dragon among clouds parallels the decoration on blue-and-white porcelain of the period. The six-character mark in champlevé enamel is typical of the Xuande style.

Return