china cloisonne collection
Cloisonné pieces can be found in large objects, such as vases and other large utensils and decorative items, as well as small items like earrings, bracelets, chopsticks, or jars. Ming
Dynasty cloisonné is considered the most intricate. They even up the color enamel material with the copper wire. The wires are attached using small tweezers and pliers.
Cloisonné underwent a major change during the Ming Dynasty around 1426-1456 when a blue enamel was discovered, which gives cloisonné its gorgeous look, and is still used today. Workers sit in front of a table using a small suction pipe to suck the enamel from the colored dishes into the pipe.Cloisonné is a unique combination of copper and
porcelain working skills, traditional painting, sculpting, and etching skills. This is a time-consuming step and must be done perfectly to achieve the desired effect. These small, intricate designs can be birds, flowers, or any of hundreds of other types of designs. This entire process is repeated three times until the enamel completely fills the copper wires. The piece is then put in a kiln for the first
firing. Workers use emery stone to polish the cloisonné until it is very smooth. During the firing process, the enamel shrinks. Then a soft yellow stone is used to grind off any larger imperfections. It's an experience you won't soon forget.
Step 5: Polishing
The final step in this involved process is polishing. The copper wires are then pasted on the surface of the copper body. The seams are sealed with copper solder and then the piece is put into a stove to weld it. Cloisonné requires many hours of pain-staking labor, and Chinese artisans have mastered the entire process. china copper wire small vase
Step 4: Enamel Filling
cloisonne enamel fillingWhen cooled, workers polish the piece and then fill in the wire design with enamel materials according to the color design. Regardless of the type of cloisonné piece that you have, it is sure to add beauty and
elegance to your home or office. Originating in Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), cloisonné is an intricate process that requires many years of training for an artisan to master.
Step 1: Cloisonné Design
The first step in creating one of these lustrous
cloisonné pieces is to create the design. The polishing process will begin again. cloisonne base hammering
Step 3: Copper Wire Curving
cloisonne copper wire curvingUnbeknownst to most people, cloisonné is not constructed of a single piece of enamel. Artists draw the design on a piece of paper, which is then handed off to the next artisan in the process.
After filling the wires with enamel, workers absorb any remaining moisture with cotton. Charcoal is used last to grind the piece to a high sheen.
The Making of a Masterpiece
When visiting China, be sure to visit a cloisonné factory. It is constructed instead of hundreds, and sometimes thousands of small copper wires glued to the copper base..
Workers shape a small red copper wire to make the design as the designer has instructed. Then another worker puts silver solder between the red copper wire and the red copper body. If there are places where the enamel doesn't quite match evenly with the copper wires, more enamel is added and the piece is fired again. It's amazing to watch each of the artisans in deep concentration creating these beautiful pieces.
Step 2: Base Hammering
In this step, copper sheets are hammered on to an enamel piece, whether it is a large vase or a small bracelet.
Creating the gorgeous cloisonné pieces we see today takes time, patience, and ingenuity. The piece is then put in the stove where the copper wires are welded onto the base. So when cooled, workers fill with more materials and fire again