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Cloissoné Decorative Objects

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Technique: Cloissoné
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Brush Pots With Bats
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of antique Chinese brush pots. The cylindrical form pots are enameled with bat images made in the cloisonne technique on turquoise gr...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Late 19th Century Cloissoné-Enamel Inkwell, France, circa 1870-1890
Located in Greven, DE
Inkwell with Cloisonné Enamel Origin: France Material: Bronze with polychrome cloisonné enamel Date: Circa 1870–1890 Dimensions: H × W × D: 8 × 8 × 8 cm Description: This small in...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Longwy France Art Deco Cloisonné Enamel Bowl with Daisies, 1930
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
This Longwy Art Deco bowl, handcrafted in France in July 1930, displays the manufactory’s celebrated cloisonné-style enamel work at its peak. The decor...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Bamboo and Birds
Located in Long Island City, NY
PLEASE NOTE THIS LISTING IS FOR JUST ONE VASE, NOT TWO.... THE VASE FOR SALE IS THE VASE PICTURED IN THE LISTING. An antique Japanese Meiji period cloisonne vase of a baluster shap...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Hayashi School Cloisonné Vase Pair, Meiji Period with Tomobako
Located in Newark, England
Meiji Period (1868-1912)  From our Japanese collection, we are delighted to present this exceptional pair of Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vases by the Hayashi School, dating to the Mei...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Rare Large Japanese Cloisonne Ginbari And Enamel Vase Cranes And Roosters Blue
Located in Long Island City, NY
A rare large Japanese Ginbari enamel over copper vase. The urn shaped vase is enameled with a polychrome design representing cranes, hens, roosters and other birds made in the Ginbar...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Large Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Eagle Floral Design Yellow Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Japanese enamel over copper vase. The exterior of the ware is enameled with a polychrome design depicting an eagle seated on a rock over a seascape made in the Cloisonne technique....
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Copper

A Japanese Meiji Era Cloisonne Enamel Dragons and Ho Ho Bird Lobed Lidded Jar
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper lidded jar with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, before 1912. Elongated lobulated shape with pronounced base. The piece is richly decorated with...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Porcelain Vase W Handles
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Japanese enamel on porcelain vase. The vase has a baluster shaped body with a fluted mouth, adorned with a polychrome design representing medallions with blossoming flowers and bir...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Large Pair of Japanese Cloisonné Enamel Vases of Birds Flying Over Cherry Blosso
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of large antique Japanese Meiji Era enamel over brass vases attributed to Hayashi Kodenji, Japanese, 1831 to 1915. Circa: 1900s. Unsigned. The baluster form vase is enameled with polychrome images of gold sparrows in blossoming flowers made in the Cloisonne technique. Hayashi Kodenji was a pivotal figure in the history of Cloisonne enamel manufacturer. He was instrumental in the formation and leadership of the Shippo cho enamellers guild, and it is probable that he worked for the Nagoya-based Shippo Kaisha. He exhibited and won prizes at many international exhibitions: Nuremberg 1885 Silver, Paris 1889...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Antique Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Stork Blossoming Garden Vases At
Located in Long Island City, NY
Antique Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Stork Blossoming Garden Vases Silver wire high quality A pair of antique Japanese copper vases with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meij...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Two Chinese Gilt Bronze Mounted Cloisonné Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
These cloisonné enamel vases are wonderful pieces of Chinese decorative art. They were crafted in the last decade of the Qing dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911. The vases a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu

Enamelled and Cloisonné Silver Box, Jade Inlay, China, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Enamelled and cloisonné silver box, jade inlay, China, 19th century. Enamelled and cloisonné silver box, jade inlay, China, 19th century. H: 6cm, W: 11cm, D: 7cm
Category

19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Antique French Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Cloisonne Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This exceptionally detailed clock set consists of a mantel clock and a pair of accompanying vases, which are all crafted in ormolu and extensively decorated in vibrant cloisonné enam...
Category

19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Japanese Cloisonné Vases Butterflies Flowers, 19th Century Meiji Period, Pair
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a very decorative pair of cloisonné vases, made in Japan and dating to the 19th Meiji Period, circa 1875. The vases have a good baluster shape with a circular form. They...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Meiji Japanese Ginbari Cloisonne Enamel Geisha Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large antique Japanese, late Meiji era, Ginbari enamel over copper vase. The urn shaped vase is enameled with a polychrome scene of a Geisha lady in a garden with blossoming flower...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Goldstone Mount Fuji Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period goldstone vase, attributed to Honda Yasaburo, an artist active from the 1870s to 1910. The vase features two intricately detailed plaques on its body...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Large High Quality Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Meiji Vases with Birds
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of large antique Japanese copper vases with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, before 1912. Elongated shape with pronounced neck. Birds and flowers motif ag...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Fish Scale Midnight Blue Chinese Cloisonne Tobacco Box 1930 s
Located in Mobile, AL
Monochrome Chinese Fish Scale cloisonne is long famed for it's high quality of craftsmanship and understated elegance. A staple of interior design...
Category

1930s Chinese Chinoiserie Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Gold Stone Enamel Covered Jar with Dragon and C
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese, late Meiji era, covered enamel over brass pot or box. The body of the ware is enameled with polychrome images of cranes, medallions with blossoming flowers and b...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

19th Century Cloisonné Enamel Dragon Vase, Meiji Period Japan
Located in London, GB
This intricately decorated antique Japanese vase was crafted in the Meiji period (1868-1912). The vase is of circular form and features a waisted base, large, ovoid body and a lid wi...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Cloisonne "Bamboo" Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice Chinese export cloisonne bamboo shaped vase with floral motif, circa 1970s. The vase is in very good condition with no dings or dents and measure 5.5"D x 12"H. Unique Piece! ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

A Pair of Large Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases with Iris s
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of large antique Japanese copper vases with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period,The vases have a rounded body, pronounced necks and bas...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Priests of Pallas Festival Kansas City Chinese Cloisonné Card Tray, 1906
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and scarce Chinese attributed Art Nouveau cloisonné card tray made for the Priests of Pallas Festival in Kansas City in 1906. The Festival wa...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Art Nouveau Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Cloisonne Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonné Vase is the perfect decor piece. With beautiful floral and bird design, it is a majestically hand cr...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Antique Cloisonne Enamel and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful cloisonne enamel clock set is an artful piece of design in the neoclassical style: each piece is elaborately applied with turquoi...
Category

19th Century French Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Tigers
Located in Houston, TX
A stunning pair of late 20th century life-size Chinese cloisonné tigers from the Baron Estate. In Chinese symbolism, these tigers represents the ma...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Large Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Floral Vases Wood Stands
Located in London, GB
Large Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Floral Vases Wood Stands Chinese, 20th Century Vases: Height 78cm, diameter 36cm Bases: Height 15cm, diameter 38cm Overall: Height 93cm, diameter 38c...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Gold Stone Vase with Butterflies Attr Honda Yo
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Meiji period. Fish tail shape with pronounced base. Intricate butterfly motif and floral patterns. Gold stone ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonné Enamel Jardinière on White Onyx Base
Located in New York, NY
Napoleon III Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonné Enamel Jardinière on White Onyx Base  This oval form jardinière is wrapped with black, white and gold cloisonné  enamel, with a shield at the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Napoleon III Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Onyx, Bronze, Enamel

Black, Starr, and Frost Cloisonne and Brass Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Black, Starr, and Frost, New York, Oval Gilt Brass and Champleve Cloisonne Enamel Clock, early 20th century, the circular white enamel painted dial, the movement strike on gong, with...
Category

Early 20th Century French Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Chinese Qing Cloisonné Bronze Opium Caddy Set
Located in Toledo, OH
Chinese Qing opium caddy set includes burner and tray with 6 dishes. Cloisonné set in bronze with blue enamel interior, foo dog lion handle. Intricate fl...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Russian Kovsch in Silver Gilt, Cloisonné Enamel and Silver Pearl
Located in London, GB
Russian kovsch in silver gilt, cloisonne enamel and silver pearl Russian, 20th Century Height 7cm, width 12cm, depth 7cm This kovsch is a meticulously crafted piece, made by marryin...
Category

20th Century Russian Folk Art Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Cloisonne bowl
Located in Pomona, CA
This Unique Chinese Antique Cloisonné Bowl is the perfect decor piece. With beautiful floral and bird design, it is a majestically hand crafted ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Copper

Antique Japanese Meiji Period Round Cloisonne Covered Jar
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period round cloisonne covered jar showcasing the exquisite artistry and craftsmanship of the era. This jar is adorned w...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Large Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase of Birds in a Garden
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of large symmetrical antique Japanese Meiji period enamel over brass vases. Each vase has an amphora shaped body and a narrow neck. Each vase is enameled with a polychrome ima...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Group of 5 Small Japanese Cloisonne and Ginbari Vases, Early 20th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A charming group of five Japanese cloisonné and ginbari foiled vases, Meiji period, early 20th century, Japan. The group consists of one vase with cloisonné chrysanthemum blossoms against bold and bright turquoise ginbari foil background, two similar vases of primarily black and burgundy cloisonné - one with a butterfly motif, the other with a floral motif, and two similar vases of primarily dark blue and green cloisonné, both with floral and butterfly motifs. Turquoise ginbari vase...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Foil, Wire

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Butterfly and Cranes in Flight Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A vintage Japanese urn shaped enamel over copper vase. The exterior of the vase is adorned with hand enameled panels depicting butterflies, cranes...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Silver Wire Meiji Golden Age Wisteria Vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A matched pair of antique Japanese vases of elongated shape with long flared necks. Meiji period, 1868-1913. The pieces are decorated wi...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Silver

Chinese Cloisonné small Vase with flowers bird, Circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative small cloisonné vase, made in China and dating to the first quarter of the 20th Century. The vase has a good globular baluster shape. It has been well mad...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Meiji Era Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Bud Vase with Butterflies
Located in Long Island City, NY
A high quality late 19th century Japanese bud vase featuring a globular body and a tall, everted neck. The vase is enameled with a polychrome image of b...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Vintage Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Floral Motifs on Wooden Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a table or a buffet with this colorful baluster vase. Created in China circa 1980, the vase sits on a carved ebonized wood stand and features floral motifs on branches in th...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Brass

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Cylindrical Precious Object Vases
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and stunning pair cylindrical Chinese cloisonné enamel sleeve vases dating from the early 20th century, probably late Qing. The tall pair of vases...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

A High Quality Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase With Flying Eagle
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji Era brass and enamel vase. Circa: early 20th century. The baluster form vase is enameled with a polychrome image of an...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Japanese Early Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Lidded Jar
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper jar with lid. Early Meiji period, mid 19th-century. The item is richly decorated with geometrical cloisonne enamel ornaments against the turquoise background. Collectible Oriental...
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Ormolu and Cloisonné́ Enamel Orientalist Clock Set
Located in London, GB
Comprising a central clock with two flanking vases, the case with central and side panels decorated with flowers and herons, the two vases similarly decorated. Height, width and dep...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Antique Pair of Russian Silver Gilt Enamel Cloisonné Salts Spoons St. Petersburg
Located in Portland, OR
A good pair of antique Russian Imperial silver-gilt & cloisonné enamel salts and spoons, St. Petersburg, circa 1908. The salts of circular form and are finely decorated with multi-c...
Category

Early 1900s Russian Baltic Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Japanese Cloisonné Foil Urn Vase
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a cloisonné foil metal vase depicting a continuous scenes around it of three large white cranes, a volcano and some green leaves in a turquoise background. Under the base the...
Category

20th Century Japanese Japonisme Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Japanese Cloisonné Foil Urn Vase
Japanese Cloisonné Foil Urn Vase
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Enamel Bronze/Copper Persian Vase Flowers Birds Polychrome, ca 1900
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely made piece with beautiful colors. Flowers and birds. Additional information: Material: Bronze & Cloisonne Period: ca 1900 Condition: Small age signs like ware and miss...
Category

19th Century Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Rooster Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large Japanese amphora shaped enamel over brass vase. The vase is enameled with polychrome images of a rooster and a hen in flowers and leaves made in the Cloisonne technique on tu...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Chinese Pink background Cloisonné "Hundred Antiques" Pattern vase Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
20th century Chinese export Pink background Cloisonné "Hundred Antiques" Pattern vase & carved hardwood Stand Indulge in the allure of Chinese craftsmanship with this exquisite 2...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Gilt Brass Cloisonné “Scroll and Floral” Nine‑Piece Desk Set, 20th C
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Gilt Brass Cloisonné “Scroll and Floral” Nine‑Piece Desk Set, 20th Century, Unmarked A rare and complete nine‑piece Chinese gilt brass cloisonné desk set...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Egyptian Figure
Located in Long Island City, NY
A rare antique Japanese Meiji era enamel vase. The vase has a globular shaped body and a long neck. The exterior of the vase is adorned with medallions with an image of a Egyptian f...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Meiji Japanese Totai Cloisonne Enamel Porcelain Box
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era covered Totai enamel on porcelain trinket or jewelry box. Circa: late 19th century to early 20th century. The ware is enameled with a polychrome floral medallion with butterflies and berries, on the top of the cover, surrounded by floral, and foliage patterns made in the Cloisonne technique. A hand painted image of a flower, under the cover. Dated, 01.12.08, and probably numbered, 6, on the bottom. Totai Shippo...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Large Signed Ando Jubei Japanese Cloisonné Vase Orchids 10"
Located in Somis, CA
A large, rare masterpiece of Ando Jubei's wireless cloisonné artistry in excellent condition, depicting two orchids in full bloom, capturing their delicate beauty and verdant vitalit...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Green Gold Stone Butterflies Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
Attributed to Namikawa Yasuyuki, 1845 to 1927, a rare antique Japanese, late Meiji era, enamel vase. The vase has an urn shaped body and a wide fluted neck. The body of the vase is a...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Pair Qing 19th Century Chinese Cloissone Vases, Vibrant Colored Enamels
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A tall vibrant pair of cloissone vases of the Qing period, the last imperial dynasty from 1644 to 1912. Crafted with the fine metalwork they were known for and featuring lush botanic...
Category

1840s Chinese Qing Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold, Copper, Enamel

Antique Chinese Cloissone Enameled Vase with Bronze Base, Garden Scene, c1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Chinese vase offers Cloissone enameled design in garden theme with flowers throughout, seated on bronze base, c1900. Measures- Vase 12.5''H; Ba...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

High Quality Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Double Sided Moon and
Located in Long Island City, NY
A high quality Japanese amphora shaped enamel over brass vase. The vase is adorned with polychrome enamel medallions depicting a crane bird and blossoming flowers, and an evening lan...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Mid-20th Century Vintage Chinese Handcrafted Cloisonne Vases - Pair
Located in Pomona, CA
These pair of cloisonné vases featuring a blue and white floral design, Penney, meaning Wealth and splendor. Cloisonné is a technique for decorating metal objects with colored materi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Shop Cloisonné Vases, Boxes, Table Lamps and Other Enameled Objects on 1stDibs

Liven your home with cloisonné vases, bowls, lamps and other objects and furnishings ornamented with lustrous enamel. Technically, enamel is colored glass fused to metal. But that simple description greatly understates the case. Applied using an array of techniques to a wide range of objects, it is one of the most dynamic, and alluring, mediums in the world.

No one knows for sure when or where enameling originated. But, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, it is widely believed that the decoration on a gold scepter found in a royal Mycenaean tomb at Kourion Kaloriziki, in Cyprus, and dating to the 11th century BC, is a true, early example of the technique.

Between the 6th and 12th centuries AD, cloisonné — in which tiny compartments (cloisons) made by soldering copper filaments to a metal surface are filled with vibrantly hued enamel — had a huge vogue in the Byzantine Empire. By the 7th century, Lombard craftsmen in northern Italy were using enamel to emulate Byzantine objects. In the 12th and 13th centuries, artisans in China imported the technique and made it so much their own that enameled objects have long been associated with Eastern aesthetics and motifs rather than Western ones.

Collectors of authentic antique Chinese furniture and decorative objects know that Ming dynasty-era cloisonné objects are particularly coveted. Although ornamentation was minimal at the time, Ming dynasty furniture often featured carved or painted details of flowers, insects, dragons, fruits and other motifs. As overseas trade expanded, techniques from the West, like cloisonné enamel painting, adorned table screens and other pieces. 

Elaborately decorated Ming-era cloisonné objects and furnishings — vessels and other items featuring lots of vibrant colors and details — are likely to fetch considerable sums at auction, as Chinese cloisonné vases created during the Ming and Qing eras represent a golden age of the country’s furniture design. (Victorian cloisonné is also popular with design enthusiasts.)

Cloisonné wasn’t adopted in Japan until the 1800s. Back then, amid an era of societal and cultural shifts, a bolstered interest in art and design elevated Japanese craft traditions during the Meiji period. European styles like Japonisme appropriated Japanese design while craftsmen in places like Wales and England employed japanning, a varnishing technique that approximated the appearance of lacquer for the surfaces of furnishings.

Today, Meiji-era cloisonné vases or incense burners in good condition are of great interest to collectors of Asian art and furniture produced by the period’s Japanese cloisonné workshops. 

Find cloisonné vases, table lamps, decorative bowls and other objects for sale on 1stDibs.

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