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Cloissoné Decorative Objects

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Technique: Cloissoné
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

Very Large Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in London, GB
This stunning Meiji period vase is a wonderful example of the quality of craftsmanship during the late 19th century Japanese Meiji period. The Meiji era was famed for being the perio...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Monumental Pair of Cloisonné Lided Urn Bowls
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of monumental lidded bowls. 20” in diameter, 12” tall with the lid on, 18” once on the wood base. Decorated with flowers and birds on a black background.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

19th Century Trophy Form French Champleve and Cloisonne Vase with Cover
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent and very large (23 inch tall) antique (19th century) trophy form vase or urn with cover, finely crafted from bronze with body and lid featuring multi-colored floral and a...
Category

Late 19th Century French Beaux Arts Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Pair of Antique Chinese Cloisonné Vases
Located in Hudson, NY
A pair of Chinese enamel vases with elephant head handles. Decorated with a cloisonné phoenix and flower motif. Cloisonné is an ancient technique u...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Antique Meiji Period Japanese Wall Dish Bronze Cloisonne Flowers Ito Yusaburo
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and beautifully made piece with different kinds of flowers and butterflies on a blue base. This piece is made by a talented artist, Ito Yusaburo. The bottom mark. Cloisonné ...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Japonisme Ormolu and Cloisonne Enamel Jardiniere by Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A dual-handled jardinière with black cloisonne ornamented with flowers, butterflies and foliage. Origin: France, Paris  Date: Last quarter of the 19th Century   Stamped F. BARBEDI...
Category

Late 19th Century French Japonisme Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Chinese Cloisonne Double Peach Box, Republic Period, early 20th century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely Chinese turquoise ground cloisonne "double peach" box and cover with shaped hardwood stand, Republic Period (1911 to 1949), early 20th century, China. The box formed as a p...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Baluster Vases
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fine pair of early 20th century Chinese enamel cloisonné vases. The baluster form bodies are decorated with intricate foliate and vine patterns almost in an arabesque style design wi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Qing Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japanese Cloisonne Vase with Cranes, Ducks and Blossoms, Meiji Era
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese cloisonne enameled vase with a slender, curved body and a flared neck. The vase is decorated with medallions depicting nature scenes, including birds perched amon...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Two Russian Silver Gilt and Cloisonné Enamel Eggs on Stands
Located in London, GB
Two Russian silver gilt and cloisonné enamel eggs on stands Russian, 20th Century Height 12cm, diameter 4.5cm These stunning Russian eggs are crafted from silver gilt and dec...
Category

20th Century Russian Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Pair of Large Cloisonne Ginger Jars
Located in Toledo, OH
Matched pair of large Cloisonne ginger jars with lids in a colorful pattern on a black background, circa 1900. 13 1/2" tall including the lid.
Category

Early 20th Century Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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
20th Century Chinese Antique Cloisonne Figurine with Musical Instrument
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonne Beauty Figurine. It was hand made from gold copper cloisonne. This stand Beauty has very d...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Ando Wireless Cloisonne Jade Green Silver Mounted Vase, Showa Era, 1930 s, Japan
By Ando Shippo Ten, Ando Jubei
Located in Austin, TX
An alluring Japanese Ando Jubei musen shippo (wireless cloionne) "jade green" silver mounted vase by the Ando Cloisonne Company (Ando Shippo Ten) ...
Category

1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Copper, 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

Ormolu and Cloisonné Enamel Jardinière Attributed to F. Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
The large central circular form cloisonne enamel jardinière decorated with vari colored plum flowers and butterflies on a blue ground, with a pierced ormolu rim featuring a pineapple motif resting on a finely cast ormolu base with four legs in the form of winged Foo lions. The ormolu French, the enamel Chinese. This impressive jardinie`re is very much in the manner of objects in enamel produced by Ferdinand Barbedienne in Paris in the last quarter of the 19th century which proved universally popular. Often these pieces were designed by Edouard Lievre (d. 1886) in the Oriental taste. Ferdinand Barbedienne was a famous French metal worker and manufacturer. He presided over one of the most renowned and prolific foundries of Belle Époque Paris. His atelier created sculptures, clocks and bronze mounts of the highest quality, and his works were shown at numerous international exhibitions of the period, where he was rewarded with many medals. Among them the Grande Me´daille d'Honneur, in Paris in 1855 is particularly noteworthy. In 1838 he associated with the engineer Achille Collas (1795-1859) who had just invented a process to reproduce statues at a smaller scale. Together they founded in 1839 the company "Collas et Barbedienne" to reproduce casts of both contemporary artists and Greek and Roman antiquities. While working with Collas, Barbedienne actively pursued contracts with many sculptors of Paris contracting with David D'Angers, Jean-Baptiste Clesinger, and even producing some casts for Antoine Louis Barye as well as others. From 1860 to the years 1890, Barbedienne, eager to research new processes, experimented new techniques in champleve´ and cloisonne´-enamels, to compete with Japanese importations, very fashionable then. When Collas died in 1859, the business was left to Barbedienne as sole owner. The company who had over 300 employees was prosperous as well in the field of reproductions as in its department specialized in the casting of monumental bronzes. In 1865, he was appointed President of the Reunion of Bronze Makers until 1885. After the 1870 war...
Category

Late 19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Ormolu

Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vases
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair of Mid Century Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vases Measures 5.5" in width, 5.5" in depth and 9" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Chinese Yellow Cloisonne Dragon Box, Republic Period, circa 1920, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Chinese yellow cloisonne small trinket box with dragons, Republic Period, circa 1920, China. The small box sets on four bun feet and designed ...
Category

1920s Chinese Qing Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Large Royal Gold Plated Cloisonne Bull Statue
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent antique Chinese Cloisonne bull statue is made from gold plated bronze/copper and shows very detailed hand craft works of Cloisonne art - a lot of Chinese traditional folks art like Buddhas flower...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Ota Jinnoei 1890 Imperial Meiji Period Pair of Cloisonne Cabinet Vases
By Ota Jinnoei
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of cloisonne vases designed by Ota Jinnoei. Beautiful pair of small cabinet vases, created in Japan circa 1890, during the meiji Imperial period (1868-1912). These vases has ...
Category

1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Bronze, Enamel

Signed Ando Jubei Green Wireless Cloisonné Vase Large 10"
Located in Somis, CA
A large masterpiece of Ando Jubei wireless cloisonné vase at an exceptional 10" height. In his signature green enamel, portraying an intricate arabesque design of a blooming clematis...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Metal

Chinese Cloisonne Vase on Stand with Floral Motif
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice Chinese cloisonne vase on stand with floral motif, circa 1970s. The vase is in very good condition with no dings or dents and measure 5.75"D x 11.75"H on a beautiful dark blue...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloisonne Enameled Tripod Censor/Incense Burner
Located in Pomona, CA
Museum Quality Chinese Champleve Cloisonné Incense burner of monumental size standing on a wonderful carved hardwood base. Gilt brass with enamel decoration, reclining elephant with ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Lidded Koro Jar
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese cloisonne enamel lidded koro jar from the Meiji period standing on a foot and featuring traditional ornamentations to the center with tw...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Signed Ando Jubei Green Wireless Cloisonné Vase 8.5"
Located in Somis, CA
An exquisite Ando Jubei wireless cloisonné vase. In his signature green enamel, portraying an intricate arabesque design of a blooming clematis vine under the glaze. On Musen-jippo b...
Category

20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Gilt and Cloisonné Enamel Vase with Handles, Japan, 1950s
Located in Bochum, NRW
Cloisonné enameled vase with elephant handles, Japan, mid-20th century. The elegant body form is enhanced with gilt brass rings, separating the different décor areas, and two gilt elephant...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Chinese Enamel and French Gilt Bronze Chinoiserie Jardinière
Located in London, GB
Chinese enamel and French gilt bronze Chinoiserie jardinière The enamel Chinese and the gilt bronze French, 19th century Measures: Height 40cm, width 53cm, depth 30cm. This Chin...
Category

19th Century French Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel

Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Butterfly Vase Attributed to Hayashi Kodenji
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese, Meiji era, Silver wire enamel vase attributed to Hayashi Kodenji, Japanese, 1831 to 1915. Circa 1900s. The baluster form vase is enameled with polychrome images of butterflies made in the Cloisonne technique on a black ground. The base and the neck of the ware are adorned with a geometrical motif on a green ground made in the same technique. Unmarked. 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

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases with Egyptian Revival Motifs, Later 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese Cloisonné Vases with Egyptian Revival Motifs, Late-20th Century A dramatic pair of Chinese cloisonné enamel vases decorated in a vibrant polychrome palette on a whit...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Egyptian Revival Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japanese Art Nouveau Cloisonne and Ginbari Amphora Vase, Meiji Period, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An unusual and elegant Japanese Art Nouveau amphora shaped cloisonne and ginbari foiled vase, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The vase of amphora form, with a tapering body resti...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Art Nouveau Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Foil, Wire

French Cloisonné Swan Key Dish Catchall Ashtray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French cloisonné swan key dish catch all or ashtray France, early 20th century Beautiful crafted piece has wonderful shape and design Rich neutral ton...
Category

Early 20th Century French Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Pair of Early 20th Century Republic Period Chinese Urn Vases
Located in North Miami, FL
A pair of early 20th Century (Republic Period) Chinese urn vases created in the traditional cloisonne method. The miniature vases features brass metal forms with a classic baluster shape. The surface has been exquisitely hand decorated in colored enamel with cherry blossoms and flower patterns growing out of a turquoise rock formation. Both come with their original wooden display stands...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Ando Jubei Japan 1950 Showa Period Cloisonné Enamel Green Bombe Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Cloisonné enamel vase designed by Ando Jubei. Beautiful piece of Japanese decorative arts, created by the Ando Jubei Company during the Showa...
Category

1950s Japanese Showa Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Very Large Chinese Enamel Jardinière on Wooden Stand
Located in London, GB
Very large Chinese enamel jardinière on wooden stand Chinese, 20th century Measures: Height 127cm, diameter 116cm This monumental cloisonné e...
Category

20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Bronze Mounted Japanese Cloisonné Vases, circa 1875
Located in New York, NY
Depicting cranes.
Category

1870s Japanese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Art Deco Hand-Carved Wood Sculpture of Man with Serpent, Circa 1920s
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Man with Serpent Hand-Carved Wood Sculpture Circa 1920s DIMENSIONS Height: 23.5 inches Width: 14.5 inches Depth: 8.75...
Category

1920s German Art Deco Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Rare Japanese Closionne Enamel Vase with Wisteria and Fish Signed
Located in Long Island City, NY
A rare antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over copper vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a long fluted neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of blossoming Wisteria flowers and fish...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Small Japanese Meiji Period Cloisonne Round Box, circa 1910, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A small and delightful Japanese yellow ground cloisonne round trinket or incense box, Meiji Period, circa 1910, Japan. The small box of squat, round shape, and may originally have b...
Category

1910s Japanese Meiji Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

French Cloisonné Enamel Ormolu mounted Covered Urn In The Chinoiserie Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A late 19th century French Cloisonné enamel and ormolu mounted covered tureen, the richly decorated cloisonné enameling with floral and foliate motifs are executed in vibrant hues of...
Category

Early 1900s French Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu

Large Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Attributed to Kyoto Shibata
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large antique Japanese Meiji period vase attributed to Kyoto Shibata. Features vivid depictions of birds and floral motifs, showcasing the meticulous application of cloisonne ename...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Brass

19th Century Pair of Cloisonnè Vases with Later Worked Electrification
Located in Epfach, DE
19th century pair of cloisonnè Vases, china ca 1880 enamel and cloisonnè. The high of the vases are 30cm and diameter 14cm. The electrification and montage was done beforehand. Car...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Large Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Birds of Paradise
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine quality Japanese cloisonne vase having a flared rim to slender neck and baluster body. The surface is enameled with highly detailed polychrome medallions depicting highly deta...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Japanese Showa Period Cloisonne Enamel Vase by Tamura Shippo
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING AN ELEGANT MID 20TH CENTURY CLOISONNÉ VASE WITH VIBRANT BUTTERFLY AND BLOSSOM MOTIFS BY TAMURA, CIRCA 1940. From our Japanese collection, we are pleased to ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Showa Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

High Quality Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Kyoto School
Located in Long Island City, NY
A high quality antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel over brass bud vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a narrow fluted neck. The...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Blossom Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, attributed to Hayashi Elongated baluster shape. Intricate cherry blossom and bird motif aga...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Brass Enamel Bowl Flowers Birds Cloisonné
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, striking, and colorful vintage cloisonné enamel and brass bowl with spider chrysanthemum flowers and bird design, circa 1960s, 1970s, Asia, China. Beautifully made brass...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze picture frame. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze picture frame. France, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Rococo Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Floral Cloud Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period cloisonne enamel vase with floral motifs and butterflies on a white and dark blue ground featuring a fine and collectible piece of Japanese artistry....
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Small Chinese Cloisonne and Hardstone Trinket Box, Republic Period, China
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely small Chinese export cloisonne trinket box with a carved hardstone roundel, Early Republic Period circa 1915, China. The small cloisonne box set on four short bun feet, and...
Category

1910s Chinese Qing Vintage Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Copper, Enamel

Antique French Gilt Brass Cloisonne Chinoiserie Champleve Jewelry Box Casket
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique 19th century French Chinoiserie gilt brass, Cloisonné and Champlevé jewelry box, with a rock crystal top, circa 1880. This exquisite box with a thick chamfered hinged...
Category

1880s French Chinoiserie Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Enamel, Brass

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Millefiori Covered Jar
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period cloisonne covered jar adorned with exquisite floral designs. This cloisonne jar showcases the mastery of Japanese artisa...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

High Quality Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase With Hydrangea s Hayas
Located in Long Island City, NY
A high quality antique Japanese late Meiji period enamel over brass vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a fluted neck. The ware is enam...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Antique Pair Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Crane Vases Attributed
Located in Long Island City, NY
Antique Pair Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Crane Vases Attributed to Honda The exteriors of the wares are adorned with polychrome enamel medallions representing drago...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Ginbari Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period Ginbari enamel vase. The ground of the vase is enameled in blue and cobalt blue shades. The vase is enameled with a polychrome image of a dragon over...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Large Pair of 20th Century Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases Birds
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of large antique Japanese, late Meiji era, enamel copper vases. The urn shaped vases are adorned with polychrome images of birds in blossoming flowers against a bright turquoi...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Copper

Qing Dynasty Cloisonné Enamel Chinese Vase with Arabic Inscriptions
Located in London, GB
Qing dynasty cloisonné enamel Chinese vase with Arabic inscriptions. Chinese, 19th century Measures: height 11cm, diameter 17cm. Crafted fo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Antique Silver Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Crane Vase Signed Hayashi Kodenji
Located in Long Island City, NY
Antique Silver Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Crane Vase Signed Hayashi Kodenji An antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, before 1885. Classic...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Early 20th c Chinese cloisonné enamel vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An early 20th century Chinese copper vase with cloisonne enamel decor. Bottle shape. Swirl ornamental design in beige color palette. Gilt rims and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Meiji Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Brush Pot
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji Era cylindrical shaped enamel over brass brush pot. Circa: 19th century. The cylindrical form pot is enameled with polychrome medallions with butterflies in...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel, Brass

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.