Term Time! - Cloisonne.

Term Time!!

No, we aren't back at school. its time for a new word.

I found this piece and wondered if there was a name for detailed enamel work on metal.  Turns out there is, and its ...

Cloisonne

Thin wire work, often in silver or gold is used to create a pattern outline, often on a copper base piece. It creates an outline for different sections or colours.  They are then filled with enamel powder made into a paste and fired.  It was first used on jewellery and small clothes fittings in Ancient Egypt, during the Roman Empire and in Anglo Saxon crafts,  It got picked up by Chinese craftsmen in the 14th century who used it for much larger pieces.  It is still a hugely popular method of decoration in China today.

If you are interested in the piece shown above it is available in my store Chinese Dragon Cloisonne Vase

Hope you found this snippet of information useful!  

Ciao,

Ignis.