Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
What is the difference between cloisonne and enamel?
1 Answer

Enamel is a decorative technique in which colored and powdered glass is vitrified and fused to metal or ceramic. Cloisonne is a type of enamel work. The word cloisonné comes from the French word cloison, meaning to divide or partition. Cloisonne uses wire to separate various colors of enamel to create patterns and images.

Lotus GalleryMarch 17, 2021
Shop for Japanese Enamel on 1stDibs
Vintage Khmer Cast Bronze Head of Shiva, Angkor Wat Style, 1970's, Thailand
Located in Austin, TX
A well cast vintage Khmer, Angkor Wat style, bronze head of Shiva, circa 1970's, Thailand.
Shiva, the Hindu god of creation, change and destruction, is identified by the third eye...
Category
Vintage 1970s Thai Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Carved Longyan Wood Stand, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite late Qing dynasty display Stand of longyan wood, carved as a miniature "kang" table.
The center panel features an amazing grain that delights the eye, while a soft glo...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
Chinese Archaistic Bronze Tripod Censer, late Qing Dynasty, c 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
A small and well cast Chinese archaistic bronze tripod incense burner, censer, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China.
The small censer features a squat and bulbous body, very short n...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Ceramics
Materials
Bronze
Khmer Bronze Figure of Prajnaparamita with Eleven Faces
Located in Austin, TX
The embodiment of transcendental wisdom, Prajnaparamita is often referred to as the mother of all Buddhas.
In this extremely rare tantric form, she is portrayed seated in the hal...
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Cambodian Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Marquetry Hanging or Table Cabinet, Meiji Period, c. 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large and remarkable Japanese lacquer and marquetry decorated table or hanging cabinet, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan.
The cabinet of square form surmounted by an arched top wit...
Category
Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass, Copper
Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty Gold and Spinel Hair Ornaments, 17th c
Located in Austin, TX
A rare and unusual pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty hair ornaments crafted in high karat gold with cabochon spinels, and featuring images of cranes amongst clouds, early to mid 17th cent...
Category
Antique 17th Century Chinese Ming Antiquities
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Gold
Shop More furniture from Lotus Gallery on 1stDibs
Pair Chinese Ming Dynasty Gold and Spinel Hair Ornaments, 17th c
Located in Austin, TX
A rare and unusual pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty hair ornaments crafted in high karat gold with cabochon spinels, and featuring images of cranes amongst clouds, early to mid 17th cent...
Category
Antique 17th Century Chinese Ming Antiquities
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Gold
Japanese Lacquer Tray by Zohiko, Meiji/Taisho Period, Early 20th Century, Japan
By Zōhiko Studio
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely Japanese lacquer decorated tray with images of hemp leaves, maple leaves, and cherry blossoms by Zohiko, Meiji or Taisho Period, early 20th century, Japan.
The graceful tra...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Lacquer
Materials
Lacquer, Wood, Urushi lacquer
Japanese Kodaiji Maki-e Lacquer Kyarabako Incense Box, Momoyama Period
Located in Austin, TX
A striking and rare Japanese Kodaiji style lacquer kyara-bako, box for precious agarwood incense, Momoyama period (1573-1615), late 16th to early 17th century, Japan.
The rectangula...
Category
Antique 16th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Materials
Copper
19th Century Japanese Lacquer Document Box, Ryoshibako, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A resplendent Japanese gold maki-e lacquer ryoshibako, document box, Meiji Period, late 19th century, Japan.
The large document box, known in Japan as a ryoshibako, is decorated al...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Lacquer
Materials
Gold, Silver
Large Antique Tibetan Hand Hammered Copper Ritual Vessel or Butter Lamp
Located in Austin, TX
An unusually large antique Tibetan hammered copper ritual offering vessel or butter lamp with inset turquoise, 19th/20th century, circa 1900, Tibet.
The hand hammered copper vessel...
Category
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Metalwork
Materials
Stone, Copper
Large 18th Century Chinese Porcelain Turquoise Blue Glazed Budai Buddha
Located in Austin, TX
A large and impressive Chinese turquoise blue glazed figure of Budai, the Happy Buddha, presented on a fitted hardwood stand, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, China.
The jovial and corpu...
Category
Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Ceramics
Materials
Porcelain, Hardwood
Japanese Lacquer Suzuribako with Fighting Cocks, Edo Period, 17th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A powerful Japanese lacquer decorated suzuribako, writing box, featuring an image of fighting cocks, early Edo Period (1603 - 1868), 17th century, Japan. Ex. Charles Gillot Collectio...
Category
Antique Late 17th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Materials
Gold, Silver, Pewter, Gold Leaf




