Skip to main content

Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

to
59
401
4
3
240
158
4
81
30
11
9
1
6
1
2
2
1
1
3
5
5
4
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
391
310
91
69
56
311
77
359
353
270
83
33
Height
to
Width
to
405
404
405
14
5
4
3
2
Technique: Cloissoné
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Green Gold Stone Butterflies Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
Attributed to Namikawa Yasuyuki, 1845 to 1927, a rare antique Japanese, late Meiji era, enamel vase. The vase has an urn shaped body and a wide fluted neck. The body of the vase is a...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Vase with Garden Scene & Butterfly, Signed, 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Vase with Garden Scene & Butterfly, Signed, 20thC; "Kuo's China Cloisson" . Measures- 10.25"H x 4.5"W x 4.5"D. . A beautifully crafted Chinese cloison...
Category

20th Century Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Metal

Large Pair Of Japanese Cloisonne Gold Stone Enamel Bamboo Tree Vases Attributed
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of Japanese enamel over copper vases. Each vase has an urn shaped body and a wide neck. Each ware is enameled with polychrome medallions depicting a bird seated on a branch, b...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Gold Stone Enamel Covered Jar with Dragon and C
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji era, covered enamel over brass pot or box. The body of the ware is enameled with polychrome images of cranes, medallions with blossoming flowers and b...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Mirrored Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Lidded Bowls with Floral Motif
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice mirrored pair of Chinese cloisonne lidded bowls with floral motif, circa 1950s. The bowls are in very good condition with no dings or dents and measure 6.5"D x 3.5"H. #2606.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass, 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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Ando Wireless Cloisonne Jade Green Silver Mounted Vase, Showa Era, 1930's, Japan
By Ando Jubei, Ando Shippo Ten
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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Silver, Copper, Enamel

Chinese Cloisonne "Bamboo" Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice Chinese export cloisonne bamboo shaped vase with floral motif, circa 1970s. The vase is in very good condition with no dings or dents and measure 5.5"D x 12"H. Unique Piece! ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Vintage Hand Made Chinese Cloisonne Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonné Vases is the perfect decor piece. with beautiful floral and bird design, it is a majestically hand...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper

Japanese Cloisonne Rainbow Meiji Era Ginbari Vase Signed
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome ginbari cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period Ovoid bottle shape. Purple and blue body with grapevine motif. High quality. Kanji...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper, Enamel

High Quality Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Double Sided Moon and
Located in Long Island City, NY
A high quality Japanese amphora shaped enamel over brass vase. The vase is adorned with polychrome enamel medallions depicting a crane bird and blossoming flowers, and an evening lan...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Brush Pot
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji Era enamel over copper brush pot. Circa: late 19th century to early 20th century. The cylindrical form pot is enameled with polychrome images of butterflies...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japanese Mid 20th Century Cloisonne Enamel Rose Vase Ando Company
Located in Newark, England
LARGE SIZED OVOID VASE From our Japanese collection we are pleased to offer this Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Rose Vase by the Ando Company. The vase of large ovoid form decorated wit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Exceptionally rare vase portrait jardiniere, Jugendstil Art Nouveau Amphora 1909
Located in Wien, AT
A very exciting object made by the famous Amphora factories in Bohemia in exceptionally high quality and a very rare design. The vase or jardiniere or centerpiece is designed with a...
Category

Early 1900s Czech Art Nouveau Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Mid Century Black Cloisonne Ginger Jar
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export Mid Century Black cloisonne ginger jar featuring large scale chrysanthemum flower. Hand Made.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Silver Wire Enamel Vases Blossoming Gar
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of antique Japanese, late Meiji period, silver wire enamel vases. Each vase has an amphora shaped body and a fluted neck. The wares are enameled with a polychrome image of a p...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Rare 3 Piece Set of Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Vases wi
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rare 3 Piece Set of Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Vases with Wisteria and Birds antique Japanese copper vases with silver wire cloisonne...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel, Silver

Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Gold Stone Enamel Stripe Vases Attributed
Located in Long Island City, NY
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Gold Stone Enamel Stripe Vases Attributed to Honda A pair of antique Japanese, early Meiji era, enamel over gilt copper vases. The exteriors of...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper, 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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Gold Stone Vase with Butterflies Attr Honda Yo
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Meiji period. Fish tail shape with pronounced base. Intricate butterfly motif and floral patterns. Gold stone ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japanese Ombre Cloisonné Enameled Vase
Located in Malibu, CA
Cloisonné enameled bud vase delicately trimmed with contrasting blonde enamel scallop pattern on the top & bottom. The aqua in ombre with gradual subtle tones. A very rare piece. Mad...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

1920s Cloisonné Vase with Flowers and Butterflies
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1920s Cloisonné Vase with Flowers and Butterflies
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Large Rare Japanese Cloisonne Meiji Period Green Dragon Swimming Over The Sea
Located in Long Island City, NY
A high quality Japanese enamel vase, Meiji era, 1868 to 1912. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a narrow neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of a big dragon over...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Antique Decorative Vase, French, Cloisonne, Baluster Urn, Victorian, circa 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique decorative vase. A French, cloisonné baluster urn, dating to the Victorian period of the late 19th century, circa 1880. P...
Category

Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Rare Pair of Octagon Shaped Japanese Cloisonné Dragon and Flower Vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of two Japanese vases, Meiji era, 1868 to 1912. Two high quality antique vases of an ovoid form tapering to the bottom and bearing a long neck tapering to the upper rim. The ex...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Set of Eight Chinese Cloisonné Process Vases
Located in Chicago, IL
A decorative technique first adopted in China in the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644), cloisonné is achieved by outlining intricate patterns with thin strips of metal, which are then f...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Japanese Blue Flower Vase with Copper/ Cloissoné, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
This is a blue flower vase made in Japan around 1950 in Showa era. It is designed some flowers and butterflies. This style made with copper is cal...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper

Pair of Chinese Red Cloisonné Zodiac Vases, with Stands
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese red cloisonné zodiac vases, with stands, each one with gilt brass phoenix bird ring handles, with 'cracked ice' and floating animal medalli...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Antique Pair Asian Chinoiserie Cloissone Vase in Green Earth Tones
Located in Opa Locka, FL
A Stunning Pair of Antique Asian Cloissone Vase. Green earthy tones. Beautiful pair with one very small not noticeable dent. Not detracting in the least.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Metal

Japanese Wireless Cloisonne Enamel Vase by the Ando Company
Located in Newark, England
Art Deco From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to offer this Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase by the Ando Company. The Cloisonne Enamel Vase of globular form decorated in a m...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Art Deco Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Silver, Enamel

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Tripod Censor/Incense Burner
Located in Pomona, CA
Museum Quality Chinese Champleve Cloisonné Incense burner of monumental size standing on a wonderful carved hardwood base. Gilt brass with enamel decoration, reclining elephant with ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Mirrored Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Vases with Dragon Motif
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice mirrored pair of Chinese cloisonne vases with dragon motif, circa 1960s. The vases are in very good condition with no dings or dents and measure 5.25"D x 12"H. Striking bright white background and detail on this beautiful pair of vintage vases...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Japanese Champlevé Cloisonné Square Copper Jardinière
Located in New York, NY
Antique champlevé cloisonné enamel on copper square jardinière. With bat designs on each side, they fly through the clouds and sky above the...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Jade, Gold, Silver, 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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Silver, Enamel

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Vases with Elephants by F. Barbedienne, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed F. Barbedienne Charming pair of small vases in gilded and enameled bronze, with orientalist decoration of arabesques and polychrome foliage on a blue background. They are dec...
Category

1880s French Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze, 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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel

Japanese Cloisonné Foil Urn Vase
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a cloisonné foil metal vase depicting a continuous scenes around it of three large white cranes, a volcano and some green leaves in a turquoise background. Under the base the...
Category

20th Century Japanese Japonisme Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Metal

Japanese Cloisonné Foil Urn Vase
Japanese Cloisonné Foil Urn Vase
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze

Pair Japanese Cloisonne Dragon and Phoenix Jardinieres, Meiji Period
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely pair of Japanese chakinseki, tea dust, cloisonne jardinieres, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The jardinieres each with a squat globular body, short neck, and wide, everted mouth. The bodies decorated wide lappets of mottled puce featuring alternating dragons and phoenixes...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Copper, Enamel

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Brass

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Metal, Enamel

White Chinese Cloisonné Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice white with arabesque-style design Chinese cloisonné vase, circa 1960s. The vase is in very good condition with no dings or dents and measure 5...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Brass, Copper, Zinc, 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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Missoni Cloissone Vase Large Colors Rare
Located in Long Island, NY
Missoni Cloissone Vase Rare . Colorfull Zig Zag .Large . Tube Round 13.5” x 6”
Category

1990s Italian Modern Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Metal, Metallic Thread

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Pair of Orientalists Vases by F. Barbedienne, France, circa 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed F. Barbedienne Charming pair of small vases in partially enameled gilded bronze, with orientalist decoration of arabesques and foliage. They are adorned with cartouches with ...
Category

1880s French Other Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Large Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Birds of Paradise
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine quality Japanese cloisonne vase having a flared rim to slender neck and baluster body. The surface is enameled with highly detailed polychrome medallions depicting highly deta...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass, 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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Bronze

Rare Totai Shippo Pair Large Japanese Cloisonne On Porcelain Enamel Vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of rare symmetrical large antique Japanese, Ming era, Totai porcelain vases. Each vase has a globular shaped body and a fluted mouth. The exteriors of the wares are covered wi...
Category

20th Century Japanese Ming Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Japanese Cloisonné Vase Ando Jubei with Storage Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully decorated cloisonné vase with silver rims by Ando Jubei (1876-1956), the celebrated Japanese Shippo studio. The piece is dated to late Meiji to early Showa period circa...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Cloissoné Vases and Vessels

Materials

Metal, Silver, 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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Brass, Enamel

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 Vases and Vessels

Materials

Enamel, Brass

On 1stDibs: Antique Cloisonné Vases and Other Vessels for Your Home

Liven your home with cloisonné vases, bowls, lamps and other vessels and objects 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. 

Shop a collection of antique cloisonné vases and other vessels for your home on 1stDibs.

Read More

Kazuyo Sejima’s Flowering Tree Blooms Year-Round

The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.

African Travel Plans on Hold? This Ardmore Leopard Vase Brings the Beauty of the Savanna to You

It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.

With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production

Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.

Zoë Powell’s Magnolia 05 Vessel Is Handmade from Clay She Unearthed Herself

The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.

8 Ways to Breathe New Life into a Space with Plants

The pair behind the Instagram account @houseplantclub share their tips for making any room of the house gloriously green.

This Vivacious Teapot Has Agnes Martin on One Side and Jean-Michel Basquiat on the Other

Ceramist Roberto Lugo brings a street-art sensibility to a dainty serving vessel while paying homage to his artistic heroes.

This Rare Set of 100 Alessi Vases Includes Designs by Scores of International Artists

Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.

10 On-Point Vessels for Flaunting Your Houseplants and Bouquets

Whether you're a genius gardener or have your florist on speed dial, every stem in your home deserves the best.

Recently Viewed

View All