Cloisonne Vase (A015-47019)

Product Description

Cloisonne is a kind of artwork made of red copper roughcast and decorated colorful glaze. Which has a history of more than 500 years. It is actually called the "Blue of Jingtai" as blue is the dominant color adopted for enameling and Cloisonne became prevalent during the time of Jingtai in the Ming dynasty. (1368-1644)Cloisonne ware was produced for royal use. Cloisonne is a combination of bronze and porcelain. Regarding the making of cloisonne, it involves quite elaborate and complicated processes, for the most exquisite production. When produced, the first is to make the roughcasts with red copper by hammering, such as vases, jars, bowls, plates and so on. A sound judgment is required because it determines the uniformity of thickness and weight. when shaped, it is just the beginning in the making of Cloisonne.

Then the second step is to inlay pattern with staved copper wires and weld on roughcasts to form the pattern frame. it can be compared to embroidery, as both require great care and high creativity. The only difference is that instead of embroidering on silk, the Cloisonne adheres copper strips onto the copper body. these strips are shaped into what the artisan requires, usually a complicated but complete pattern. With a blueprint in mind, the craftsman exerts his experience and imagination in setting the copper strips on the body.

Then comes to enamel filling, which requires such basic elements as boric acid, saltpeter and alkaline. Due to the different minerals added, cloisonne appears different in color. Usually one with much iron will turn gray, with uranium, yellow, with chromium, green, with bronze, blue, with zinc, white, with gold or iodine, red. After ores are ground into fine powder and contained in plates, craftsman apply them on the little compartments separated by filigrees.
After the roughcasts are put into a stove and in a moment the copper body will turn red. In time of firing re-filling is repeatedly required, as the enamel will sink down a little after firing.

To make the filigree and the filled parts even they are polished to be bright. Polishing is using coarse sand, fine sand, yellow stone and charcoal in turns until blue roughcasts and copper wires are clean and smooth. The last is to increase the luster, protect against rust and then plate gold and reach the effect of brilliance and effulgence. Its artistic feature is all of its style, pattern, color and brightness are very wonderful. It has a great deal of types. Most of them are daily vessels. Their styles are often classic and elegant. The patterns are very rich. it gives prominence to the pattern style of sketching lines and filling colors. The color of glaze includes blue, red, yellow, green, white, sky blue, navy blue, carmine, dark yellow, light yellow, light green, milk white, deep violet, bright blue and amaranth, etc. Caved gold and rich colors are so magnificent and luxuriant.

Owing to the brilliant color and splendid designs, Cloisonne has been highly appraised at home and abroad.