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Cloissoné Decorative Objects

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Technique: Cloissoné
Antique Bronze Enamel Elephant Incense Sculpture Cloissone Champleve
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Enameled bronze elephant incense scupture, figure. Either Japanese Cloissone or French Champleve . No makers markings.
Category

19th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Antique Japanese Bronze Cloisonné/Champleve Vase Urn
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Japanese Bronze Cloisonné/Champleve Vase Urn This Antique Japanese Bronze Cloisonné/Champleve Vase Urn showcases the timeless artistry of traditional Japanese craftsmanship...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Anglo-Japanese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Pair Chinese Cloisonné Cranes as Candlestick Prickets
Located in New York, NY
This darling pair of cloisonné crane pricket candlesticks would be the perfect addition to any home. In Chinese mythology the symbol of the crane represents longevity, and the depict...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Gold Leaf

Vintage Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Floral Motifs on Wooden Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table or a buffet with this colorful baluster vase. Created in China circa 1980, the vase sits on a carved ebonized wood stand and features floral motifs on branches in th...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Brass

2 Cloisonné Bowls, Asia, Late 19th-early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
2 cloisonné bowls decorated with multicolored flowers and leaves. The porcelain interior is decorated with blue and red flowers on a white background. Wear and tear, a chip and ...
Category

Late 19th Century Asian Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Rare Antique Japanese Bronze Vase with Temple Mark on the Underside, 19th C.
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique Japanese Bronze Vase With a Temple Mark on the underside Japan Rare Additional information: Material: Bronze, Cloisonne & Metal Region of Origin: China Period: 19th century ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Meiji Box Dragon, Foo Dog, Phoenix Bird, Butte
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper footed rectangular double-bottom box with hinged lid. Late Meiji period, The piece is decorated with cloisonne enamel depictions of dragons, phoenix bird, flowers against the swirl motif background. Collectible Oriental Vanity...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Pair Qing 19th Century Chinese Cloissone Vases, Vibrant Colored Enamels
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A tall vibrant pair of cloissone vases of the Qing period, the last imperial dynasty from 1644 to 1912. Crafted with the fine metalwork they were known for and featuring lush botanic...
Category

1840s Chinese Qing Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Copper, Enamel

Ando Wireless Cloisonne Jade Green Silver Mounted Vase, Showa Era, 1930's, Japan
By Ando Shippo Ten, Ando Jubei
Located in Austin, TX
An alluring Japanese Ando Jubei musen shippo (wireless cloionne) "jade green" silver mounted vase by the Ando Cloisonne Company (Ando Shippo Ten) ...
Category

1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Copper, Enamel

Antique 19C Vietnamese Inlaid Metal vase Vietnam Silver Figural Symbols
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Bronze baluster vase with polychrome niello decoration representing on one side a lively scene with musician on a terrace, and on the other side a military parade, taotis, Greeks. It...
Category

19th Century Vietnamese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Antique Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
These beautiful Japanese vases were crafted during the Meiji period of the late 19th Century, which was referred to as the Golden Age of cloisonne enameling. The vases are of elo...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Antique Chinese Cloissone Enameled Vase with Bronze Base, Garden Scene, c1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Chinese vase offers Cloissone enameled design in garden theme with flowers throughout, seated on bronze base, c1900. Measures- Vase 12.5''H; Ba...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Enamel Bronze/Copper Persian Vase Flowers Birds Polychrome, ca 1900
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely made piece with beautiful colors. Flowers and birds. Additional information: Material: Bronze & Cloisonne Period: ca 1900 Condition: Small age signs like ware and miss...
Category

19th Century Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Japanese Large Candle Sticks Bronze with Gold Inlay Statue, 1868-1912
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Japan - MeuiI period (1868 - 1912) Pair of bronze candlesticks with brown patina with copper and gilded bronze inlays depicting two standing women carrying lotus branches forming a c...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Large Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Horse Sculptures
Located in London, GB
Large pair of Chinese cloisonné enamel horse sculptures Chinese, Early 20th Century Horses: Height 159cm, width 185cm, depth 71cm Bases: Height 48cm, width 174cm, depth 69cm Both: ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Antique Asian Chinese Opium Box Cloisonné Enamel, Tobacco Snuff Box Floral Motif
Located in Leuven , BE
Old Chinese Opium Box in Cloisonné Enamel, decorated with Vases and Flowers. French Private Collection
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Pair 19th Century French Chinoiserie Cloisonne Bronze Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair of exceptional antique (late 19th century) French gilt bronze vases in the Chinoiserie style with fine cloisonne enamel designs of flowers on a geometric ground with stylized li...
Category

Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Circa 1880-1910 Japanese Cloisonne Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880-1910 Japanese cloisonne vase. Fine, elegant example. Silver mounted & silver wire. Marked on base rim CLOISONNE. Base of lapet reserves of dragons & phoenix birds. Floral ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Aesthetic Movement Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Brush Pot in the Style of Namikawa
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper brush pot with cloisonne enamel design. Early Meiji period, after 1868. Cylinder shape. Cherry blossom motif and floral patterns in cobalt and turquoise bl...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Signed Ando Jubei Japanese Cloisonné Vase Imperial Yellow with Roses
Located in Somis, CA
A very rare Ando Jubei (1876-1956) Rose vase on imperial yellow background in excellent condition. In classic form using colored enamels of burgundy, cream, pink and green to depict ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Chinese Yellow Cloisonne Dragon Box, Republic Period, circa 1920, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Chinese yellow cloisonne small trinket box with dragons, Republic Period, circa 1920, China. The small box sets on four bun feet and designed ...
Category

1920s Chinese Qing Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Vintage Tall Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Vase Fighting Dragons Flaming Pearl
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Magnificent hand-crafted Chinese Cloisonné vase, very tall with facing Dragons, from a time capsule estate in Washington D.C. 14 1/2 Inches tall and so highly detailed it is sure to...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Golden Age Wisteria and Birds Vase Attributed t
Located in Long Island City, NY
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Golden Age Wisteria and Birds Vase Attributed to Hayashi high quality work An antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji p...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Jewelry Ring Trinket Boxes Pair Cloisonné Swan Japanese Gift Love Valentine
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
- Once courtship is complete, male and female swans bond for life and this delightful pair of Japaneer cloisonné swans symbolize love and const...
Category

1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Cloisonne’ Vases (pair)
Located in Bronx, NY
This pair of early 20th century Japanese hand decorated cloisonné’ vases are uniquely designed with a four panel curved body accented by an extended skirte...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Pair of Red Cloisonné and Metal Candlestick decorated with birds and flowers
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of vintage candlesticks probably produced between the 60s and 70s. We do not know whether it is a Chinoiserie, therefore candlesticks made in Europe but in an Oriental style, or whether it is a Chinese production, despite the uncertain origin, they remain splendid decorative elements. These candlesticks have a quadrangular base and candle holder in silver metal, polished by us with a specific product. The peculiarity is in the stems of these vintage candlesticks, made with the Cloisonné technique, an artistic enamel decoration that involves a design made of thin threads or strips or small metal partitions...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Brass, Enamel

Chinese Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Vase for the Islamic Market
Located in London, GB
Chinese Ormolu and cloisonné enamel vase for the Islamic Market Chinese, early 20th century Dimensions: Height 18cm, diameter 25cm Crafted in China...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Early-20th Century Chinese Hand made Cloisonne Dragon Incense Burner
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent, exquisite and rare large Chinese Cloisonne incense Burner has gold gilt dragon on the top of the lid and three gilt ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Large Meiji Period Brass and Cloisonné Enamel Casket
Located in London, GB
A large Meiji period brass and cloisonné enamel casket Japanese, Late 19th Century Height 20cm, width 35.5cm, depth 22cm This beautiful piece is a Japanese casket...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

19c Bronze Cloisonne Dragon Vessels
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese export late 19th century cloisonne vessels. Vessels feature hand chased glass stylized floral patterns in Victorian era colors of red/...
Category

19th Century Chinese Aesthetic Movement Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Jardinière Attributed to F. Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
The large central circular form cloisonne enamel jardinière decorated with vari colored plum flowers and butterflies on a blue ground, with a pierced ormolu rim featuring a pineapple motif resting on a finely cast ormolu base with four legs in the form of winged Foo lions. The ormolu French, the enamel Chinese. This impressive jardinie`re is very much in the manner of objects in enamel produced by Ferdinand Barbedienne in Paris in the last quarter of the 19th century which proved universally popular. Often these pieces were designed by Edouard Lievre (d. 1886) in the Oriental taste. Ferdinand Barbedienne was a famous French metal worker and manufacturer. He presided over one of the most renowned and prolific foundries of Belle Époque Paris. His atelier created sculptures, clocks and bronze mounts of the highest quality, and his works were shown at numerous international exhibitions of the period, where he was rewarded with many medals. Among them the Grande Me´daille d'Honneur, in Paris in 1855 is particularly noteworthy. In 1838 he associated with the engineer Achille Collas (1795-1859) who had just invented a process to reproduce statues at a smaller scale. Together they founded in 1839 the company "Collas et Barbedienne" to reproduce casts of both contemporary artists and Greek and Roman antiquities. While working with Collas, Barbedienne actively pursued contracts with many sculptors of Paris contracting with David D'Angers, Jean-Baptiste Clesinger, and even producing some casts for Antoine Louis Barye as well as others. From 1860 to the years 1890, Barbedienne, eager to research new processes, experimented new techniques in champleve´ and cloisonne´-enamels, to compete with Japanese importations, very fashionable then. When Collas died in 1859, the business was left to Barbedienne as sole owner. The company who had over 300 employees was prosperous as well in the field of reproductions as in its department specialized in the casting of monumental bronzes. In 1865, he was appointed President of the Reunion of Bronze Makers until 1885. After the 1870 war...
Category

Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Oriental Champleve cloisonne Dragons brass Bronze vase Elephant head handles
Located in Birmingham, AL
Vintage/ antique x large Oriental Champleve Cloisonne Dragons bronze vase with elephant head handles standing on a wooden base. It could be late 19th or early 20th century based on ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Antique Chinese Cloisonné Vases
Located in Hudson, NY
A pair of Chinese enamel vases with elephant head handles. Decorated with a cloisonné phoenix and flower motif. Cloisonné is an ancient technique u...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Enamel and French Gilt Bronze Chinoiserie Jardinière
Located in London, GB
Chinese enamel and French gilt bronze Chinoiserie jardinière The enamel Chinese and the gilt bronze French, 19th century Measures: Height 40cm, width 53cm, depth 30cm. This Chin...
Category

19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

A Pair of Art Deco Chinese Cloisonné Incense Holders w/ Horses, Ca. 1920
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Art Deco Chinese Cloisonné Horses Incense Holders, Ca. 1920 DIMENSIONS (each) Height: 10.75 inches Length: 9 inches Depth: 5 inches
Category

1950s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

19th Century Chinese Pair of Bronze Vases with Cloissoné Technique
Located in Marbella, ES
19th Century Chinese pair of bronze vases with Cloissoné Technique.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Cloisonné Centerpiece, Japan, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Cloisonné centerpiece. Japan, late 19th century. Wood pedestal: 8 cm height. Centerpiece without wood pedestal: 30 cm height.
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Early 19th Century Cloisonné Vase, China
Located in Epfach, DE
Beautiful cloisonné vase made in the beginning of the early 19th century in China.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Meiji Era Vase By Gonda Hirosuke
Located in Long Island City, NY
An ancient Japanese vase with magnificent flower decoration made in a polychrome cloisonne enamel on a pale turquoise ground. Classic form for Ja...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Very Large Chinese Enamel Jardinière on Wooden Stand
Located in London, GB
Very large Chinese enamel jardinière on wooden stand Chinese, 20th century Measures: Height 127cm, diameter 116cm This monumental cloisonné e...
Category

20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Enamel and Brass Bowl Flowers Birds Cloisonné
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, striking, and colorful vintage cloisonné enamel and brass bowl with spider chrysanthemum flowers and bird design, circa 1960s, 1970s, Asia, China. Beautifully made brass...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Early 20th Century Art Déco Crystal Brass Cookie Jar/Bucket Container, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Art Déco crystal and brass cookie jar/bucket container with lid, France By: unknown Material: brass, copper, zinc, metal, glass, crystal, paint, enamel Technique:...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Brass, Copper, Zinc, Enamel

Pair of Antique Japanese Ormolu Mounted Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
Of ovoid form with a pierced ormolu rim, decorated throughout with birds, flowers and foliage, raised on pierced ormolu feet; the enamel Japanese, the ormolu French, late 19th centur...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Japan 1890 Meiji Period Bronze Koro Censer in Cloisonne Enamel with Jade Lid
Located in Miami, FL
Japanese Koro from the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Beautiful antique ten sides fluted koro censer, created in Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), ci...
Category

1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Jade, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Enamel

Chinese Cloisonne Vase on Stand with Floral Motif
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice Chinese cloisonne vase on stand with floral motif, circa 1970s. The vase is in very good condition with no dings or dents and measure 5.75"D x 11.75"H on a beautiful dark blue...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Imperial Elephant Candelabrum, Early 20th Century
Located in Islamabad, PK
Imperial Elephant Candelabrum Europe, Early 20th Century Height: 34 in. Width: 17 in. Depth: 15 in. Materials: Patinated Bronze, Semi-Precious Stone, Colored Glass Provenance: Priv...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Bronze

Pair of Porcelain, Cloisonné, Marble and Bronze Vases, France, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of porcelain, cloisonné, marble and bronze vases. France, early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Enamel

Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Blue and White Covered Box
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Cloisonne Box Round enamel box with lid in a blue and white pattern. Circa, early 20th century Measures: H 5 in. (12.7 cm) NMA No. 2084
Category

20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

French Cloisonné Swan Key Dish Catchall Ashtray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French cloisonné swan key dish catch all or ashtray France, early 20th century Beautiful crafted piece has wonderful shape and design Rich neutral ton...
Category

Early 20th Century French Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

19th Century Cloisonné Vase
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century Cloisonné vase richly decorated with bright Oriental patterning, chrysanthemum flowers, and birds. Topped with a gold rim, and featuring a bright blue interior, two sides are flanked with golden lion...
Category

19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

A very fine 19th century French Cloissone 11and gilt bronze centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French Orientalist period Cloissone and bronze centerpiece.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Chinese Export Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Meiji Era Enamel Vase Signed Hayashi Yojiro
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over brass vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a narrow fluted neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of a bird i...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Antique Cloisonné Floor Vase
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Cloisonné Floor Vase Circa Early 20th Century
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Two Russian Silver Gilt and Cloisonné Enamel Eggs on Stands
Located in London, GB
Two Russian silver gilt and cloisonné enamel eggs on stands Russian, 20th Century Height 12cm, diameter 4.5cm These stunning Russian eggs are crafted from silver gilt and dec...
Category

20th Century Russian Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Pair of Early 20th Century 'Republic Period' Chinese Urn Vases
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair of early 20th Century (Republic Period) Chinese urn vases created in the traditional cloisonne method. The miniature vases features brass metal forms with a classic baluster shape. The surface has been exquisitely hand decorated in colored enamel with cherry blossoms and flower patterns growing out of a turquoise rock formation. Both come with their original wooden display stands...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Napoleon III circular enamel box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Napoleon III circular enamel box Material bronze and Cloisonne enamel Origin France Circa 1870 19th century Excellent quality and excellent condition Natural wear on its patina Its i...
Category

1870s French Napoleon III Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Antique Japanese Meiji Ginbari Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji era, Ginbari enamel over copper vase. The urn shaped vase is enameled with a polychrome image of blossoming flowers on the light blue ground made in t...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Cloisonné Enameled silver Russian Salt by 6th Artel
Located in London, GB
A Salt is a decorative but perfectly functional salt cellar. During the early 20th century, Russian artisans used the form of the Salt, much like they did the Kovsh, as a means of de...
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Large Chinese Hardstone Tree Model with Birds in a Cloisonné Enamel Pot
Located in London, GB
Large Chinese hardstone tree model with birds in a cloisonné enamel pot Chinese, 20th Century Height 42cm, width 31cm, depth 23cm Crafted in 20th century China, this superb objet d...
Category

20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Jade, Metal, Enamel

Shop Cloisonné Vases, Boxes, Table Lamps and Other Enameled Objects on 1stDibs

Liven your home with cloisonné vases, bowls, lamps and other objects and furnishings ornamented with lustrous enamel. Technically, enamel is colored glass fused to metal. But that simple description greatly understates the case. Applied using an array of techniques to a wide range of objects, it is one of the most dynamic, and alluring, mediums in the world.

No one knows for sure when or where enameling originated. But, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, it is widely believed that the decoration on a gold scepter found in a royal Mycenaean tomb at Kourion Kaloriziki, in Cyprus, and dating to the 11th century BC, is a true, early example of the technique.

Between the 6th and 12th centuries AD, cloisonné — in which tiny compartments (cloisons) made by soldering copper filaments to a metal surface are filled with vibrantly hued enamel — had a huge vogue in the Byzantine Empire. By the 7th century, Lombard craftsmen in northern Italy were using enamel to emulate Byzantine objects. In the 12th and 13th centuries, artisans in China imported the technique and made it so much their own that enameled objects have long been associated with Eastern aesthetics and motifs rather than Western ones.

Collectors of authentic antique Chinese furniture and decorative objects know that Ming dynasty-era cloisonné objects are particularly coveted. Although ornamentation was minimal at the time, Ming dynasty furniture often featured carved or painted details of flowers, insects, dragons, fruits and other motifs. As overseas trade expanded, techniques from the West, like cloisonné enamel painting, adorned table screens and other pieces. 

Elaborately decorated Ming-era cloisonné objects and furnishings — vessels and other items featuring lots of vibrant colors and details — are likely to fetch considerable sums at auction, as Chinese cloisonné vases created during the Ming and Qing eras represent a golden age of the country’s furniture design. (Victorian cloisonné is also popular with design enthusiasts.)

Cloisonné wasn’t adopted in Japan until the 1800s. Back then, amid an era of societal and cultural shifts, a bolstered interest in art and design elevated Japanese craft traditions during the Meiji period. European styles like Japonisme appropriated Japanese design while craftsmen in places like Wales and England employed japanning, a varnishing technique that approximated the appearance of lacquer for the surfaces of furnishings.

Today, Meiji-era cloisonné vases or incense burners in good condition are of great interest to collectors of Asian art and furniture produced by the period’s Japanese cloisonné workshops. 

Find cloisonné vases, table lamps, decorative bowls and other objects for sale on 1stDibs.

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