Cloisonne

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Cloisonné is a multi-step enamel process used to produce jewelry, vases, and other decorative items. Objects produced by this process are also called cloisonné.

Ming dynasty cloisonné bowl

Qing dynasty cloisonné dish

Contents

1 History
2 Cloisonné process
3 Beads
4 Other examples
5 See also
6 External links

History

Cloisonne is a unique art form that originated in Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368). In the period titled 'Jingtai' during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), the emperor who was very much interested in bronze-casting techniques, improved the color process, and created the bright blue that appealed to the Oriental aesthetic sense. After a processing breakthrough, most articles for his daily use were made of cloisonne; in time cloisonne became popular among the common people; their favorite called 'Jingtai Blue'. It is said that cloisonne can be preserved for 100 years without fading because it is derived from mineral ore.

During the reigns of Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), cloisonne improved and reached its artistic summit. Colors were more delicate, filigrees more flexible and fluent, and scope was enlarged beyond the sacrifice-process wares into snuff bottles, folding screens, incense burners, tables, chairs, chopsticks, and bowls.

Cloisonne manufacture is comprehensive and sophisticated, combining the techniques of making bronze and porcelain ware, as well as those of traditional painting and sculpture:

Model hammering: The process is to form copper pieces into various shapes with a hammer according to a design, joining them under high temperature.

Filigree welding: In filigree welding the artist pinches and curves copper filigree into delicate flower patterns, pasting them onto the copper molds. Possibly the most challenging step of the procedure, heating to 900 degrees Celsius, firms the metal.

Enamel filling: Through this interesting procedure, the cloisonne wears a colored wrap. Handicrafts specialists fill enamel glaze into lattices formed by fine-spun filigrees. Just one filling is not enough - the filigrees extrude, and the surface is dull. They have to fuse powdery glaze in the smelter at 800 degrees Celsius, then take the object out and repeat the process three or four times until its surface becomes smooth.

Cloisonné process

Adding cloisons according to the pattern previously transferred to the workpiece

Detail showing pattern and partially completed cloisons

Adding frit with dropper after sintering cloisons. Upon completion the piece will be fired, then ground (repeating as necessary) then polished and electroplated

First, the artist forms metal (such as copper or brass) into the shape of the finished object.

A paper pattern and a pencil are used to transfer a design to the metal object.

Partitions (French: cloisons) that act as color-separators are applied according to the transferred pattern and are held in place by a soldering paste (this is finely divided metal of low melting temperature in a flux paste). The partitions are bent and cut to length from flat wire stock (usually by hand using simple pliers) while the paste is applied with a small brush.

Heating the piece in an oven permanently affixes the partitions to the base metal by melting the solder. The piece is then allowed to cool.

Frit (glass crushed to a powder) in a water-based paste is painted into the partitions using an annotated pattern similar to the "paint by numbers" craft technique. After the frit has dried, firing in an oven melts it onto the metal. Several repetitions of the process may ensue to build up the coatings to the height of the partitions. Various colors and transparencies may be used in combination within a single partition to obtain the desired artistic effect.

The glass and a portion of the cloisons are ground and polished to form an even and smooth surface.

The exposed metal is electroplated with a thin film of gold to prevent corrosion and to give a pleasing appearance.

Beads

Cloisonné beads also occur commonly; and one use of Chinese cloisonné beads involves making jewelry.

Other examples

The Pala d'Oro, Saint Mark's Cathedral, Venice

The Alfred Jewel, a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon ornament

Contrast: Champlevé enamel

External links

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/cloisonne.htm

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