I have always been fascinated with cloisonné. I don’t have a collection but several of my friends do…I wanted to share a sampling of one of those collections.
The definition of cloisonné is “a colored decoration made of enamels poured into the divided areas in a design outlined with wire or metal strips.” A very simplistic way of describing such beautiful objects.
Two of my small “boxes” to show the intricacy of the enamel flowing into the wire outlines.
I found the quote below from the site http://www.cloisonné.com to be very informative:
“Cloisonné, French for “cell”, where thin wires are applied to form raised barriers, which contain different areas of enamel applied above the original metal form. An ancient metalworking technique, it is a multi-step enamel process used to produce jewelry, vases, and other decorative items. Objects produced by this process are also called cloisonné.
Cloisonné first developed in the Near East. It spread to the Byzantine Empire and from there along the Silk Road to China. Chinese cloisonné is probably the most well known and ubiquitous. Russian cloisonné from the Tsarist era is highly prized by collectors. Chinese cloisonné is sometimes confused with Canton enamel, a similar type of enamel work that is painted on freehand and does not utilize partitions to hold the colors separate.”
From Mark and Linda Heister’s exquisite home, in their theater, a curated collection of cloisonné. I was with them on an antiquing adventure when they found the fabulous lamp and am honored to say the egg and stand were in my humble collection and is now part of theirs!
Also from the same home, this grouping is on a shelf in front of the TV screen and emphasizes their black ground collection punctuated with a lacquer red dish. All the above photos were taken by me with my iPhone.
A close up of a piece from the Heister’s collection. Photo by Linda Heister.
A pair from the Heister’s growing collection. Photo by Linda Heister.
I love the shape of this piece, you see it in the second grouping. Photo by Linda Heister.
From Linda’s Mother’s collection. Photo by Linda Heister.
My favorite, one of a pair from Linda’s parents when they lived in Japan 68 years ago, pre war prior to 1941, elegance personified! Photo by Linda Heister.
In addition, I would recommend searching museum sites such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York http://www.metmuseum.org and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London http://www.vam.ac.uk among others.
Suggested readings from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website:
A cloisonné rooster to celebrate the year of the rooster! Isn’t he extraordinary!
Photo credit unknown.