Cloisonné

Did you know cloisonné has been dazzling the world for over 2,000 years? Its name comes from the French word cloison, meaning “partition” — fitting, since the craft begins with delicate metal wires bent into intricate shapes, creating tiny “fences” that form the design. These compartments are then filled with colored enamel paste made from ground glass, fired at high heat to fuse it, and polished to a mirror finish. The process is repeated multiple times, layering and perfecting the colors until the piece gleams like a jewel.
The story of cloisonné begins in the ancient world, where early versions appeared in Egypt and the Byzantine Empire as gold cells inlaid with glass or gemstones. Traveling along the Silk Road, the technique eventually reached China during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). By the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), it had become an imperial art form, producing grand vases, incense burners, and ceremonial vessels in rich blues, greens, and reds, often decorated with lotus blossoms or dragons. Under the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), artisans refined the craft even further, creating softer color blends and intricate, almost lace-like wirework.
Cloisonné’s beauty and durability made it a treasured gift between nations, and in the 19th century it charmed Victorian Europe and inspired Japanese masters to develop their own signature styles, including the innovative “wireless” cloisonné with its smooth, uninterrupted fields of color.
So next time you see a cloisonné vase or trinket, you’re looking at more than decoration — you’re holding a piece of art that’s traveled centuries, continents, and empires to get here.