Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
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Technique: Cloissoné
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Arrow Vase Early Possibly Ming 16th Century
Located in Wilton, CT
Antique Chinese cloisonne on copper arrow vase, possibly Ming Dynasty 16th century. Bottle form with pair of "arrow" tubes on either side of ...
Category
16th Century Chinese Ming Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Copper
Dragon Cloisonné Enamel Brass Vases, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful pair of Chinese brass and cloisonné enamel vases with dragon design, circa early to mid-20th century, China. Vases are predominantly blue; Other colors include white...
Category
20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel, Brass
Signed Ando Jubei Green Wireless Cloisonné Vase 8.5"
By Ando Jubei
Located in Somis, CA
An exquisite Ando Jubei wireless cloisonné vase. In his signature green enamel, portraying an intricate arabesque design of a blooming clematis vine under the glaze. On Musen-jippo b...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Large Pair of Japanese Cloisonné with Blue Birds signed Gonda Hirosuke
Located in New York, NY
A set of two vases with magnificent flowers and birds decoration, classic form for Japanese works of the Meiji era. The baluster form vases are enameled with polychrome images of blossoming flowers and plants made in the Cloisonne technique on a glossy cobalt blue ground. The base is marked with the mark of Gonda Hirosuke...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Gold Stone Enamel Covered Jar with Dragon and C
Located in New York, 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
Antique Japanese Meiji Goldstone Cloisonne Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji Era, enamel over brass vase. Circa: early 20th century. The amphora shaped vase is enameled with a polychrome image of a dragon made in the Cloisonne ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Japanese Wireless Cloisonne Enamel Vase by the Ando Company
By Ando Jubei
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
1920s Small Cloisonné Vase with Flowers and Butterflies
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1920s Small Cloisonné Vase with Flowers and Butterflies
Turquoise, Blues, Greens, Reds, Pink
Small knick inside edge of lip (as shown in p...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese, early Meiji era, enamel over gilt copper vase. The exterior of the ware is adorned with polychrome enamel panels representing blossoming flowers, plants and butt...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Dragon Vase Signed
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, circa 1890 Golden Age . Elongated shape with pronounced neck. Dragon motif against the dark blue...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel, Copper
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Koro Censer Bird in Cherry B
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper tripod incense burner of Koro type with silver wire cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period
Dimensions: H 5 1/2 ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Silver, Enamel
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 Vases and Vessels
Materials
Gold, Copper, Enamel
Meiji Japanese Totai Cloisonne Enamel Ceramic Jar
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era covered Totai enamel on ceramic ginger jar. Circa: late 19th century to early 20th century. The ware is enameled with a polychrome fan shaped medallions with blossoming flowers, bamboo trees, grapes, surrounded by a geometrical pattern made in the Cloisonne technique. The cover of the ware is decorated with polychrome fan shaped medallions with blossoming flowers. The neck and the lid are adorned with polychrome geometrical, and swirl motifs made in the same technique. Signed with red ink hieroglyphs, on the bottom. Totai Shippo...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Flying Cranes Vase
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese, Meiji era, Silver wire enamel over brass copper vase. Circa: 1900s. The urn form vase is enameled with polychrome images of cranes made in the Cloisonne tec...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass, Enamel, Copper
Rare Japanese Closionne Enamel Vase with Wisteria and Fish Signed
Located in New York, NY
A rare antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over copper vase.
The vase has an amphora shaped body and a long fluted neck.
The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of blossoming Wisteria flowers and fish...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Rare 19th Century Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Dragon 3 Piece Set
Located in New York, NY
Three antique Japanese Meiji period vases, distinguished by their flared necks and decorative designs. Two of the vases feature high-shouldered forms, while the third is of a globula...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Pink and Green Dueling Dragons
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period,
Faceted elongated vase with pronounced neck. Cobalt blue body...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel, Copper
Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Brush Pot
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji Era cylindrical shaped enamel brush pot. Circa: 19th century. The cylindrical form pot is enameled with polychrome medallions with cranes in blossoming flow...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Rare Totai Shippo Pair Large Japanese Cloisonne On Porcelain Enamel Vases
Located in New York, 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
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Jar with Phoenix Bird and Karakusa Patte
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji Era covered enamel over brass jar. The cover of the jar is adorned with a polychrome image of a Phoenix bird surrounded by a swirl motif made in the Cloison...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Rare 3 Piece Set of Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Vases wi
Located in New York, 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
Silver, Enamel
Antique Japanese Meiji Era Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji era covered amphora shaped enamel over brass urn vase. The exterior of the vase is adorned with polychrome enameled continuo...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass, Enamel
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
Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Lidded Koro Jar
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese cloisonne enamel lidded koro jar from the Meiji period standing on a foot and featuring traditional ornamentations to the center with tw...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Two Chinese Gilt Bronze Mounted Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
These cloisonné enamel vases are wonderful pieces of Chinese decorative art. They were crafted in the last decade of the Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911.
The vases a...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Pair of Japanese Cloisonné Vases
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century pair of cloisonné vases, Japanese. Ginbari pigeon blood red with silver wires & mounts. Fine shading in the prunus & bamboo. Showa era. A mirrored, or facing, pair.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Metal, Silver
Antique Pair Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Crane Vases Attributed
Located in New York, NY
Antique Pair Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Crane Vases Attributed to Honda
The exteriors of the wares are adorned with polychrome enamel medallions representing drago...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Goldstone Mount Fuji Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period goldstone vase, attributed to Honda Yasaburo, an artist active from the 1870s to 1910. The vase features two intricately detailed plaques on its body...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonné Enamel Jardinière on White Onyx Base
Located in New York, NY
Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonné Enamel Jardinière on White Onyx Base
This oval form jardinière is wrapped with black, white and gold cloisonné enamel, with a shield at the ...
Category
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel
Rare Forest Green Silver Wire Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Rooster Vase
Located in New York, NY
A rare high quality large antique Japanese, late Meiji period, Silver wire and enamel over copper vase. The amphora shaped vase has a narrow fluted neck. The ware is enameled with a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Copper, 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
Large Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase of Birds in a Garden
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large symmetrical antique Japanese Meiji period enamel over brass vases. Each vase has an amphora shaped body and a narrow neck. Each vase is enameled with a polychrome ima...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass, 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 Vases and Vessels
Materials
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
High Quality Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Double Sided Moon and
Located in New York, 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
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
Pair of Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases Birds of Paradise Shibata
Located in New York, NY
A pair of symmetrical antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over brass vases. Each vase has a globular shaped body and a narrow fluted neck. Each ware is enameled with polychro...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass, Enamel
French Champleve and Onyx Urns Barbedienne
Located in Newark, England
Onyx & Champleve Enamel
From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer this pair of French Champleve and Onyx Urns attributed to Barbedienne. The Urns of typical form wi...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Silver Wire Meiji Golden Age Wisteria Vases
Located in New York, NY
A matched pair of antique Japanese vases of elongated shape with long flared necks. Meiji period, 1868-1913. The pieces are decorated wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel, Silver
Antique Japanese Cloisonne Meiji Enamel Lidded Jar
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period lidded jar decorated with cloisonne enamel shield shaped panels with Hoho birds. The tea jar is of rounded shape standing r...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Ginbari Baby Blue Enamel Floral Double Handel V
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome ginbari cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period,
Squat round shape, long neck and decorative side handles. Blue body with pink and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Large Pair of Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vases of Birds Flying Over Cherry Blosso
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large antique Japanese Meiji Era enamel over brass vases attributed to Hayashi Kodenji, Japanese, 1831 to 1915. Circa: 1900s. Unsigned. The baluster form vase is enameled with polychrome images of gold sparrows in blossoming flowers made in the Cloisonne technique. Hayashi Kodenji was a pivotal figure in the history of Cloisonne enamel manufacturer. He was instrumental in the formation and leadership of the Shippo cho enamellers guild, and it is probable that he worked for the Nagoya-based Shippo Kaisha. He exhibited and won prizes at many international exhibitions: Nuremberg 1885 Silver, Paris 1889...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel, Brass
Pair of Chinese Blue Cloisonné Vases, Enamelled and Gilded, Early 20th Century
Located in Prato, IT
China, early 20th century
Excellent condition for this pair of enameled and gilded cloisonné vases with floral motifs.
On the bottom of each paper label with inventory number written...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Metal
Black Green Cloisonné́ Enamel Brass Flower Vases, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of predominantly black, 'Emerald' green and orange, Asian cloisonné´ and brass vases, circa early to mid-20th century, Japan....
Category
20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass
Large Pair of High Quality Japanese Cloisonne Goldstone Enamel Vases Sparrows in
Located in New York, NY
A pair of large high quality Japanese enamel over brass vases
The sphere shaped vases are covered with polychrome enamel medallions depicting sparrows in blossoming flowers, and Phoe...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Large Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Lotos Vase
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese early Meiji period vase attributed to Namikawa Yasuyuki, a prominent cloisonne artist of the time. Showcases the highly regarded craftsmanship and intricate ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
Antique Japanese Green Flower Vase with Copper in Edo Era, 1860s
Located in Paris, FR
This is a green and red flower vase made in Japan around 1860 in Edo era. It is designed with a dragon and flowers.
This style made with copper is ca...
Category
1860s Japanese Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Copper
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
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel With Pair of Peacocks
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period enamel over brass vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a narrow neck. The vase is enameled with a polychrome scene with a pair of peacocks m...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel, Brass
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
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
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
Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Vase with Tennin
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese Meiji era, 1868 to 1912, cloisonne enamel vase decorated with an image of tennin, a beautiful winged woman dressed in ornate kimono with a flowing scarf that...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Enamel
French Gilt Bronze and Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Jardinière
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and Chinese cloisonné enamel jardinière
French and Chinese, early 20th century
Measures: Height 63cm, width 58...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Pair of Large Cloisonné Vases
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite pair of Chinese antique cloisonné enamel 'millefleur' baluster-form brass vases, meticulously decorated in a traditional design of flowers, birds and butterflies, and fe...
Category
20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases and Vessels
Materials
Brass, 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 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 Vases and Vessels
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 Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
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.
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