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Technique: Cloissoné
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
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Antique Japanese Cloisonne Meiji Era Enamel Vase Signed Hayashi Yojiro
Located in New York, 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
Materials
Enamel, Brass
Antique Chinese Black Cloisonné Table Lamp with Floral Motif, China, circa 1890
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Offered is a stunning, 19th century cloisonné table lamp with a floral and bird motif. Rested upon decorative wooden stand.
US PLUG ADAPTATOR WILL BE FURNISHED FOR FREE TO THE US BU...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Brass
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Brush Pot with Crane in the Style of Nami
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese early Meiji period cloisonne brush pot, attributed to the master artisan Namikawa Yasuyuki. Adorned with meticulously crafted f...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Japanese Green Cloisonné Rose Vase by Ando Cloisonné
By Ando Jubei
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant vase by Ando Cloisonné Company is finely decorated in the cloisonné manner with translucent enamels and silver accents. The globular vase is cloaked in glassy, turquoise...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Art Deco Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate, Enamel
19th Century Pair of Cloisonnè Vases with Later Worked Electrification
Located in Epfach, DE
19th century pair of cloisonnè Vases, china ca 1880
enamel and cloisonnè. The high of the vases are 30cm and diameter 14cm.
The electrification and montage was done beforehand. Car...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
High Quality Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon and Phoenix Bird Vase
Located in New York, NY
A high quality Japanese Meiji era enamel over copper vase. The urn shaped vase is enameled with polychrome medallions featuring Phoenix bird and dragon designs surrounded by floral a...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Japanese Art Nouveau Cloisonne and Ginbari Amphora Vase, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An unusual and elegant Japanese Art Nouveau amphora shaped cloisonne and ginbari foiled vase, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan.
The vase of amphora form, with a tapering body resti...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Art Nouveau Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel, Foil, Wire
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 Vases
Materials
Brass
Antique Japanese Cloisonne Goldstone Enamel Butterfly Vase Attributed To Honda
Located in New York, NY
Antique Japanese, late Meiji era, enamel over copper vase. The vase has an urn shaped body and a wide neck. The body of the vase is adorned with polychrome medallions depicting birds...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel, Copper
Japanese Plique-a-Jour Cloisonne Vase
Located in Brisbane, QLD
This plique-a-jour cloisonne vase is an exceptional example of Japanese craftsmanship from the tail end of the Meiji period (1868-1912). The most ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Metal
High Quality Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Blossoming Iris’s Vase
Located in New York, NY
A high quality antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over gilt copper vase. The vase has an urn shaped body and a fluted neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of b...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel, Copper
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Blue Enamel Silver Vase with Eagle Signed Inaba
Located in New York, NY
A rare antique Japanese cloisonné enamel silver mounted and silver wire vase Late Meiji period circa 1895
. Elongated shape with pronounced neck. Cobalt blue ground color. The obvers...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
19Th Century Chinese Qing Cloisonne Enamel Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 19th century Chinese, Qing Dynasty, globular shaped enamel vases with wide necks. The vase are adorned with polychrome enamel Phoenix bird, floral, and foliage ornaments on...
Category
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Pair of Trumpet-Shaped Byzantines Vases, L.C. Sevin&F. Barbedienne, France, 1880
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed F. Barbedienne
A pair of charming trumpet-shaped vases in gilt bronze with a polychrome cloisonné enamel decoration, one blue and the other green and red. They feature two annular handles and stand on four feet surmounted by a stylized palm. The vases are ornated with a Byzantine decoration.
The high quality of the enamel is typical of Barbedienne’s production. It enhances this pair of vases especially with the wide range of colours used to create the decoration. The enamel is smooth and shiny and shows many shades to form the Byzantine decoration. The partitioned cloisonné is finely engraved and contributes to the decoration by adopting vegetal and foliage shapes.
The Model
These two vases can be linked to a vase presented by Ferdinand Barbedienne at the 1862 London Universal Exhibition and purchased at this time by the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, Inv. 8026-1862). This vase has on its belly a polychrome cloisonné enamel decoration standing out against a turquoise background as show these vases. This decoration, called Byzantine, covers all the vase with coloured arabesques and scrolls. It rests on four claw feet with lion heads from a design near of our vases.
Barbedienne and the Cloisonné Enamel
Ferdinand Barbedienne continously innovated and he revived the use of enamel on art works during the second half of the 19th century. The Sèvres Manufacture enamel workshop had ever tried it in 1854-1855, but Barbedienne was the one who succeeded to join enamel to an industrial decorative objects production. From 1858 “At Mr Barbedienne’s, enamels in copper ornaments have got their former prestige back” (Les bronzes de la Maison Barbedienne, C. Simon, in L’Art du XIXe siècle, 1858, n°21, p. 252). The Barbedienne Company had now an enamel workshop where objects ornamented with oriental style or medieval style enamels were made. Four years after, Barbedienne’s cloisonné...
Category
1880s French Other Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Ando Jubei Japan 1950 Showa Period Cloisonné Enamel Green Bombe Vase
By Ando Jubei
Located in Miami, FL
Cloisonné enamel vase designed by Ando Jubei.
Beautiful piece of Japanese decorative arts, created by the Ando Jubei Company during the Showa...
Category
1950s Japanese Showa Vintage Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Silver, Enamel
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 Vases
Materials
Enamel
Large Chinese Cloisonne Baluster Vase on Wooden Plinth, China c 1980s
Located in Glasgow, GB
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné Vase
A brass-crafted, baluster-shaped cloisonné vase featuring vibrant floral and butterfly motifs on a crisp white enamel background, complete with a hand-carved wooden plinth...
Category
1980s Chinese Qing Vintage Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Brass
Japanese Meiji Era Cloisonne Enamel Vase Signed
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, 1868 to 1913. Miniature dark cobalt blue vase with a round body and long neck. The neck is decorated ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Large Japanese Cloisonne Stripe Vase with Chrysanthemums Namikawa Yasuyuki Meiji
Located in New York, NY
A large high quality Japanese enamel over brass vase attributed to Namikawa Yasuyuki, 1845 to 1927. The amphora shaped vase is made in a lobular desi...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel, Brass
French porcelain vase Napoleonic Empire 19th century
By Napoléon III
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
French porcelain vase Napoleonic Empire 19th century
Extravagant pink French porcelain vase with flamingo handles, base with flamingo leg design and paintings on both fronts, signed...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Bronze
Very Large 19th Century Japanese Cloisonné Bronze Vase with Magnolias
Located in Hudson, NY
Very Large 19th Century Japanese Cloisonné Bronze Vase with a parrot in a magnolia tree.
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Neoclassical Bronze and Onyx Champlevé Enamel Vases, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of late 19th century Neoclassical colorful bronze and onyx champlevé enameled footed vases, France
By: unknown
Material: bronze, copper, metal, enamel, paint, stone, onyx
Techn...
Category
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Onyx, Stone, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Enamel
Attr To Namikawa Rare Pair Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Butterfly Vases
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to Namikawa Yasuyuki, 1845 to 1927, a pair of rare identical antique Japanese, late Meiji era, enamel vases. Each vase has a globular shaped body and a long fluted neck. T...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Flower Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, before 1912. Ovoid shape with pronounced short neck. The obverse represents iris flowers ag...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Vase in the Style of Namikawa
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese early Meiji period cloisonne vase, attributed to the master artisan Namikawa Yasuyuki. Boasts a striking baluster shape adorned with phoenix birds, intricate foli...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Cloisonné Vase with Silver Mounted, Japan, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Cloisonné vase with silver mounted. Japan, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel, Silver
Pair Antique Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair Antique Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Measures 5" in width, 5" in depth and 8" in height.
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Brass, Enamel
19th Century Cloisonné Enamel Dragon Vase, Meiji Period Japan
Located in London, GB
This intricately decorated antique Japanese vase was crafted in the Meiji period (1868-1912). The vase is of circular form and features a waisted base, large, ovoid body and a lid wi...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Qing Dynasty Cloisonné Enamel Chinese Vase with Arabic Inscriptions
Located in London, GB
Qing dynasty cloisonné enamel Chinese vase with Arabic inscriptions.
Chinese, 19th century
Measures: height 11cm, diameter 17cm.
Crafted fo...
Category
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Made Floral Cloisonne Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonné Vases is the perfect decor piece. with beautiful floral design, it is a majestically hand crafted work of art that is sure to capture every...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper
Charming enamel and gilded Bronze Ewer by F. Barbedienne, France, circa 1870
Located in PARIS, FR
Signed F. Barbedienne & Cie
Height : 31,5 cm (12,4 in.) ; Width : 12 cm (4,7 in.) ; Depth : 10,5 cm (4,1 in.)
Charming baluster-shaped ewer in gilded bronze decorated with red and blue polychrome cloisonné enamel. Two beaded handles connect the body to the slender neck, ending in a flared pouring spout, and it rests on a circular piedouche. The whole is decorated with abundant engraved decoration of foliage interlacing.
Barbedienne and the Cloisonné enamel :
Ferdinand Barbedienne continuously innovated and he revived the use of enamel on art works during the second half of the 19th century. The Sèvres Manufacture enamel workshop had ever tried it in 1854-1855, but Barbedienne was the one who succeeded to join enamel to an industrial decorative objects production. From 1858 “At Mr Barbedienne’s, enamels in copper ornaments have got their former prestige back” (Les bronzes de la Maison Barbedienne, C. Simon, in L’Art du XIXe siècle, 1858, n°21, p. 252). The Barbedienne Company had now an enamel workshop where objects ornamented with oriental style or medieval style enamels were made. Four years after, Barbedienne’s cloisonné...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Japanese Cloisonné Vase
Located in New York, NY
Japanese cloisonné vase with a green background decorated with roses and ginbari foil basse-taile bamboo designs and patterning and silver trim.
Category
1920s Vintage Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Glass
Chinese Bowl Adorned with Cloisonné Enamel and Arabic Inscriptions
Located in London, GB
Chinese bowl adorned with cloisonné enamel and Arabic inscriptions
Chinese, early 20th century
Measures: Height 20cm, diameter 23cm
This beauti...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Grande Vaso Cloisonné Oriente XX Secolo
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Grande vaso in bronzo decorato a cloisonné con smalti colorati, a rappresentare paesaggi, volatili e fiori di gusto orientale.
Category
20th Century Asian Other Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Bronze
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Brush Pot in the Style of Namikawa
Located in New York, 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 Vases
Materials
Enamel, Copper
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Brush Pots With Bats
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Chinese brush pots. The cylindrical form pots are enameled with bat images made in the cloisonne technique on turquoise gr...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Antique Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Stork Blossoming Garden Vases At
Located in New York, NY
Antique Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Stork Blossoming Garden Vases
Silver wire high quality
A pair of antique Japanese copper vases with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meij...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese, early Meiji era, Translucent enamel over gilt copper vases. The exteriors of the wares are adorned with polychrome enamel designs representing bugs in blo...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Antique Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Geometric Patterns Gard
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period cloisonne vase featuring intricate foliage motifs complemented by two exquisite floral panels. The meticulous craftsmanship in depicting foliage patt...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Japanese Cloisonné Vases Butterflies & Flowers, 19th Century Meiji Period, Pair
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a very decorative pair of cloisonné vases, made in Japan and dating to the 19th Meiji Period, circa 1875.
The vases have a good baluster shape with a circular form. They...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Crane Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with silver wire cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period,
Elongated vase of faceted hexagonal shape.
The pie...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel, Copper
Antique Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Goldstone Dragon Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of identical antique Japanese copper vases with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, circa 1885. Baluster shape, solid base, pronounced neck. Golden stone flake ground,...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Large Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Fan Motif Vase
Located in New York, NY
A large antique Japanese Meiji era enamel over copper vase. The urn shaped vase is enameled with polychrome fan shaped medallions featuring floral, foliage and butterfly motifs surro...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of mid 20th century Chinese cloisonné over ceramic vases. This fun and whimsical pair depicts carp fish in a water scene with possible lotus leaf or lily pad and other water cre...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Large Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases with Wisteria and Roosters
Located in New York, NY
A Large Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases with Wisteria and Roosters In a Floral Landscape . Late Meiji period, before 1912. The vase has an elongated body and pronounced neck. T...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Antique Japanese Bronze Cloisonné Vase with Colors Butterflies, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely vase
Additional information:
Material: Bronze & Metal
Primary Material: Bronze & Cloisonne
Region of Origin: Japan
Period: 19th century
Japan Dynasty Period: Meiji Period (18...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Bronze
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
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Antique Japanese Meiji Era Ginbari Cloisonne Vase
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, before 1912. Baluster shape, black body with ginbari decor representing a chrysanthemum flo...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
A Large Pair Of Narrow Neck Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Meiji Vases
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese Meiji period cloisonne vases boasting elongated necks. Showcase meticulous enamel workmanship, with vibrant floral designs crafted along their elongated fo...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Pair of Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases Blossoming Wisteria and Bi
Located in New York, NY
A pair of antique Japanese Meiji Era enamel vases. Circa: Late 19th century .
The baluster form vase is enameled with polychrome images of birds and Wisteria flowering plants made in...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel
Pair of Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Miniature Vases Birds in Cherry
Located in New York, 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
Materials
Enamel
Japanese Early Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Lidded Jar
Located in New York, NY
An antique Japanese copper jar with lid. Early Meiji period, mid 19th-century. The item is richly decorated with geometrical cloisonne enamel ornaments against the turquoise background. Collectible Oriental...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Enamel, Copper
Antique French Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Cloisonne Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This exceptionally detailed clock set consists of a mantel clock and a pair of accompanying vases, which are all crafted in ormolu and extensively decorated in vibrant cloisonné enam...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Vintage Pair of Floral Chinese Vases
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage pair of Chinese vases from the mid 20th century with floral cloisonné décor. Welcome to a symphony of color and craftsmanship, presented by this vintage pair of Chinese vas...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Brass
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
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Goldstone Enamel Dragon Vase Attributed to Hond
Located in New York, NY
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Goldstone Enamel Dragon Vase Attributed to Honda
An antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, before 1880.
High Q...
Category
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Copper, Enamel
High Quality Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Kyoto School
Located in New York, NY
A high quality antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over brass bud vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a narrow fluted neck. The...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases
Materials
Brass, Enamel
Find Exquisite Antique Cloisonné Vases for Sale on 1stDibs
As ceramic vases and other types of decorative vessels are gaining popularity again — the personalization of handmade craftsmanship has served as a sort of anti-Internet to screen-weary designers — antique cloissonné vases can help introduce interesting colors and patterns to your space.
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, enamel is one of the most dynamic, and alluring, mediums in the world. And cloisonné vases, bowls, lamps and other objects and vessels ornamented with lustrous enamel can truly liven your home.
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 antique cloisonné vases and other cloisonné objects for sale on 1stDibs.