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Cloissoné Vases

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Technique: Cloissoné
Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Peonies Iris and Sparrows Goto
Located in Long Island City, NY
A refined and beautifully executed Japanese cloisonne enamel vase from the school of Goto Seizaburo, Meiji period circa 1890. Height twelve inches. This vase displays the naturalis...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Iris Vase Hayashi School
Located in Long Island City, NY
An exceptional Japanese cloisonné enamel vase from the golden age of the Meiji period, delicately worked in fine silver wire and attributed to the celebrated master Hayashi Kodenji. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Pair of Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases Attributed to Goto
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large pair of Meiji Period Japanese cloisonne enamel vases attributed to Goto Seizaburo, 19th century. These vases were made during the Meiji period (1868-1912) in Japan and are ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Vase Signed
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine quality Japanese vase from the time of Emperor Meiji, 1868 to 1912. Of a baluster form with slightly lobed shoulders, the body is adorned with a finely detailed shaded cloison...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Metal

Pair Of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases Kyoto School
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of Japanese cloisonne enameled brass vases. They feature a narrow neck, rounded body, and are decorated with an intricate pattern of floral designs in various colors, and gilt...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Early 20th-Century Chinese Cloisonné Table Lamp, Floral Motifs, Brass Accents
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Early 20th-Century Chinese Cloisonné Table Lamp, Floral Motifs, Brass Accents This exquisite early 20th-century Chinese cloisonné table lamp is a stunning example of traditional enamel craftsmanship. Adorned with intricate floral motifs in vibrant shades of light blue, deep blue, red, and green, this lamp brings elegance and a touch of exotic charm to any interior. Its aged brass base and top further enhance its authenticity and refined character. Note: An electrical plug adapter for U.S. outlets is included. Lampshade not provided. Cloisonné Enamel Work: The lamp showcases classic Chinese cloisonné craftsmanship, with delicate floral designs set against a richly colored enamel background. Color Palette: The harmonious blend of blue hues, red, and green creates a visually striking piece, perfect for adding warmth and personality to any space. Brass Accents: The aged brass base and top feature a beautiful patina, adding to the lamp’s antique charm and timeless appeal. Versatile Elegance: Whether placed in a modern, traditional, or eclectic setting, this lamp enhances its surroundings with a touch of history and cultural artistry. Decorative and Functional: Beyond its decorative value, the lamp provides a soft, ambient glow, making it ideal for bedside tables, living rooms, or study areas. This early 20th-century Chinese cloisonné lamp is more than just a lighting fixture—it is a statement piece that brings heritage, artistry, and vibrant color into any home. A rare find for collectors and interior design enthusiasts alike. Chinese cloisonné lamp, early 20th-century enamel lamp, antique Chinese lighting, floral enamel table lamp, vintage brass and cloisonné decor, colorful Asian lamp, traditional Chinese craftsmanship, decorative cloisonné lighting.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Brass

Antique Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Geometric Patterns Gard
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji period cloisonne vase featuring intricate foliage motifs complemented by two exquisite floral panels. The meticulous craftsmanship in depicting foliage patt...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Antique Japanese Meiji Cloisonne Enamel Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese copper vase with polychrome cloisonne enamel decor. Late Meiji period, before 1912. Baluster shape, flower brunches and birds decor against turquoise background. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Cloisonné Vase with Plum Blossoms Décor, Silver Plated, Japan, Meiji–Taishō Era
Located in Bochum, NRW
A Japanese cloisonné vase featuring a plum blossom motif in shades of pink and red, arranged across a cream-toned enamel ground. Each blossom outlined in fine gilt, while the silver...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Metal

Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases with Lotus Frog and Butterflies Goto
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautiful pair of Japanese cloisonne enamel vases from the school of Goto Seizaburo, Meiji period circa 1890. Each vase is decorated on a rich black ground with an elegant lotus...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Chinese Dragon Cloisonne Enamel Over Brass Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large Chinese enamel over brass vase. The urn shaped vase is adorned with a polychrome enamel design of dragons surrounded by a cloud ornament on the white ground made in the Clois...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Red Crane Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large antique Japanese copper vase with translucent cloisonne enamel design. 1890 Meiji era, . Elongated shape with pronounced neck. The piece is decorated with a stork bird motif ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel, Copper

A Pair Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Ormolu Bronze Mounted Vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of antique Japanese decorative cloisonne enamel vases with a gilt bronze base and handles. Each has a rounded, baluster shape with a dark cobalt blue ground adorned with image...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel, Bronze

Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Meiji Era Dragon and Phoenix Bird Goldstone Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large antique Japanese Meiji era enamel over brass vase. The amphora shaped vase is enameled with polychrome medallions with a Phoenix bird and a dragon surrounded by floral, and f...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Pair Of Vintage Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of vintage Chinese cloisonne enamel vases. Circa mid to late 20th century. The baluster vases are raised on a base and feature a lush floral and foliate pattern on an elabora...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Green Vase Flowers and Birds
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large antique Japanese late Meiji period enamel over brass vase. The vase has an amphora shaped body and a wide neck. The ware is enameled with a polychrome image of birds in bloss...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Japanese Cloisonne Vase Butterflies Black Ground 1920s-30s Manner of Ando
Located in Long Island City, NY
A superb Japanese cloisonné enamel vase attributed to the Ando workshop, dating from the 1920s to 1930s. The vase features a striking deep black ground, beautifully contrasted by viv...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dragon Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A vintage Japanese black cloisonne enamel vase. Circa mid to late 19th century. The wide vase, raised on a base, with a tapered neck that widens slightly toward the top. It is lavish...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Signed Ando Jubei Japanese Cloisonné Vase Cream Yellow with Roses 7.5"
Located in Somis, CA
A stunning large Ando Jubei (1876-1956) rose vase set against delicate cream yellow Musen-jippo background. In classic form with hand-finished silver metal rims. Soft pink contrastin...
Category

20th Century Japanese Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase Wisteria Ice Blue Ground 7 in Antique Meiji Era
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautiful antique Japanese cloisonné enamel vase measuring 7 inches tall. The vase features cascading wisteria blossoms in shades of purple and lavender with delicate green leaves,...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Turquoise Enamel Silver Birds In Bamboo Vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of identical antique Japanese, late Meiji era, Silver wire enamel vases. Each vase has an urn shaped body and a wide fluted neck. Each vase is enameled with polychrome images ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Early Meiji Namikawa School Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese early Meiji period cloisonne vase, attributed to the renowned artist Namikawa Yasuyuki. Adorned with intricate floral motifs, delicate butterflies, and exquisite ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Turquoise Dragon Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese late Meiji era vase of a baluster shape with a narrow fluted neck. The metal vase is adorned with a polychrome image of a dragon made in the Cloisonne technique o...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Flying Cranes Hayashi School
Located in Long Island City, NY
Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vase with Flying Cranes Hayashi School An antique Japanese, late Meiji period, enamel . The vase has a sphere shaped body and a wide fluted n...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Mid Century Black Cloisonne Ginger Jar
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Export Mid Century Black cloisonne ginger jar featuring large scale chrysanthemum flower. Hand Made.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Brass

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Red Translucent Dragon Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Japanese enamel vase. The vase has a globular shaped body with a wide neck with a fluted mouth. The exterior of the ware is adorned with a polychrome enamel design representing a d...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Rare Large Pair of Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Lobbed Vases with Dra
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of rare antique Japanese, early Meiji era, enamel over gilt copper vases. Each vase has a lobbed shape. The exteriors of the wares are adorned with polychrome enamel panels an...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Pair 19th Century Cloisonné Vases
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century bronze cloisonné vases. These baluster form vessels feature an enameled body with all-over polychrome foliage motifs on a turquoise ground, with two dragon handl...
Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Bronze

Large Pair of Japanese Cloisonné with Blue Birds signed Gonda Hirosuke
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of two vases with magnificent flowers and birds decoration, classic form for Japanese works of the Meiji era. The baluster form vases are enameled with polychrome images of blossoming flowers and plants made in the Cloisonne technique on a glossy cobalt blue ground. The base is marked with the mark of Gonda Hirosuke...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Silver Wire Dragon Vase Signed
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large antique Japanese copper vase with cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji period, circa 1890 Golden Age . Elongated shape with pronounced neck. Dragon motif against the dark blue...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Vases with Kirin, Tiger, Dragon and Phoenix M
Located in Long Island City, NY
A superb pair of Japanese cloisonné vases from the Meiji period, each finely worked in silver wire and rising 12 inches high. The four-paneled design alternates between mythologica...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel, Butterfly Dragon Vase Attributed Honda
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese Meiji era cloisonne enameled rounded vase. The vase is adorned with a variety of intricate designs including phoenix birds, butterflies, serpents, flowers, and sc...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Magnificent Meiji Japanese Silver And Gold Cherry Blossom Vase - Signed
Located in Long Island City, NY
Antique Meiji Japanese Silver And Gold Cherry Blossom Vase 1868-1912 - SIGNED adorned with a finely engraved sakura tree motif with granulated gol...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Silver

Large Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Fish, Ducks, Floral Vase Shippo
Located in Long Island City, NY
A finely made Japanese Meiji period cloisonne enamel vase decorated with multiple enamel medallions set against a textured charcoal ground. Each panel presents a different scene, inc...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Mixed Metal Japanese Vase Bronze, Japan, 19th/20th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Interesting and finely made mixed metal shibuichi vase. Very cool. Additional information: Material: Bronze & Cloisonne Region of Origin: Japan Period: 19th century Japan Dynasty Pe...
Category

19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Bronze

Exquisite Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Silver Wire Vase Irises on Karakusa
Located in Long Island City, NY
This exquisite Japanese Meiji cloisonné vase showcases delicate white and blue irises worked in fine silver wire against a shimmering karakusa gro...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Geometric Floral Fruit Vase Attributed To GOTO
Located in Long Island City, NY
An antique Japanese cloisonne vase from the Meiji period featuring an elegant form with high shoulders and a deep saturated blue color enamel. Decorated with floral and foliate with ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Two Small Japanese Cloisonne Dragon Vases, Early 20th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
Two charming, small Japanese cloisonné dragon vases, Meiji to Taisho period, early 20th century, Japan. The miniature vases of baluster f...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Foil

Pair of Large 19th Century Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Blue Ground Enamel Vases Cra
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large pair of Japanese Meiji Period Blue-Ground Cloisonne enamel vases, 19th century. Very nice quality, with cloisonne enamel throughout, depicting cranes, flowers and blossoms wi...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Pair Japanese Cloisonne Owls Hawks Maple on Turquoise Blue Enamel Vases Goto
Located in Long Island City, NY
A striking and beautifully executed pair of Meiji period Japanese cloisonne vases, attributed to the workshop of Goto Seizaburo of Yokohama, one of the most innovative enamel artists...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Pair Of High Quality Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A beautiful pair of high quality antique Japanese Meiji Era brass and enamel vases, 1868 to 1912. Both are of a baluster form with elegant narro...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Black Enamel Cloisonné Chrysanthemum Flower Vase
Located in New York, NY
Chinese black enamel cloisonné and brass ginger jar vase with chrysanthemum flowers, dogwood flowers and a butterfly and beautiful rich colors. Hand crafted on solid brass.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

20th Century Antique Chinese Cloisonne Vase
Located in Pomona, CA
This magnificent Chinese Antique Cloisonne vase was hand made from gold copper with cloisonne. It has detailed cloisonne works of Crane, Pine...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Copper

Large Antique Early Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Lotus Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large antique Japanese early Meiji period vase attributed to Namikawa Yasuyuki, a prominent cloisonne artist of the time. Showcases the highly regarded craftsmanship and intricate ...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Pair of Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloisonné Vases with Floral Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
This pair of Chinese cloisonné vases, dating to the mid-20th century, is richly decorated with an intricate floral design in warm, reddish-brown tones. Each vase is crafted in the tr...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Brass, Copper, Enamel

Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Turquoise Enamel Japanese Garden Vase Silver Wire
Located in Long Island City, NY
A high quality Japanese, late Meiji era, silver wire and enamel vase. The amphora shaped vase is adorned with polychrome enamel images of birds, trees, blossoming flowers, and screen...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel, Silver

Chinese cloissone enamel vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Cloisonne' vase exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of Chinese decorative arts from the late Qing dynasty period . The hexagonal form features intricate floral designs in rese...
Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Bronze, Copper, Enamel

Large Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Flying Cranes Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large antique Japanese, Meiji era, Silver wire enamel over brass copper vase. Circa: 1900s. The urn form vase is enameled with polychrome images of cranes made in the Cloisonne tec...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Brass, Enamel, Copper

Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Ducks Birds and Floral Turquoise Grounds Vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A refined pair of Meiji period Japanese cloisonne enamel cylinders decorated with detailed scenes of birds among spring flowers on rich turquoise grounds. Each piece is worked in ver...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

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 Vases

Materials

Enamel, Copper

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 Vases

Materials

Enamel, Brass

Large Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Blue-Ground Vases and Covers, Meiji
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Large Pair of Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Blue-Ground Vases and Covers, Meiji Period. A decorative pair of cloisonne enamel vases, the bodies decorated with colorful birds, butterfl...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Large Antique Meiji Cloisonné Enamel Vases Japanese 19th Century Birds Flowers
Located in London, GB
Large Antique Meiji Cloisonné Enamel Vases Japanese 19th Century Birds Flowers Japanese, Late 19th Century Height 152cm, diameter 54cm This remarkable pair of monumental Meiji peri...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Metal, Enamel

1950s Pair Of Chinese Hand Made Cloisonné Enamel Vases On Carved Hardwood Stands
Located in Germantown, MD
A 1950s Pair Of Hand Made Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Vases On Hardwood Stands in mint condition. Come with original box. No imperfections whatsoever. Measure 5" in diameter and stand 1...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Brass

Vintage Tall Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Vase Fighting Dragons Flaming Pearl
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Magnificent hand-crafted Chinese Cloisonné vase, very tall with facing Dragons, from a time capsule estate in Washington D.C. 14 1/2 Inches tall and so highly detailed it is sure to...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Copper

Antique Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Meiji Era Vase By Gonda Hirosuke
Located in Long Island City, NY
An ancient Japanese vase with magnificent flower decoration made in a polychrome cloisonne enamel on a pale turquoise ground. Classic form for Ja...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Pair of antique Japanese Meiji cloisonné enamel vases
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of matching antique Japanese copper vases with polychrome cloisonne enamel design. Late Meiji era, before 1912. Straight bottle shape with accentuated base and side handles. F...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Antique Meiji Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Black Goldstone Dragon Vase
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Chinese enamel vase. The vase has a globular shaped body with a long narrow neck with a fluted mouth. The exterior of the ware is adorned with a polychrome enamel design representi...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Chinese Blue Cloisonne Floral Enameled Vase 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Chinese Blue Cloisonne Floral Enameled Vase 20thC. Measures- 9.25"H x 5"W x 5"D. A beautifully crafted Chinese cloisonné vase from the 20th century, featuring intricate floral ...
Category

20th Century Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Metal

Early 19th Century Cloisonné Vase, China
Located in Epfach, DE
Beautiful cloisonné vase made in the beginning of the early 19th century in China.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Cloissoné Vases

Materials

Enamel

Find Exquisite Antique Cloisonné Vases for Sale on 1stDibs

As ceramic vases and other types of decorative vessels are gaining popularity again — the personalization of handmade craftsmanship has served as a sort of anti-Internet to screen-weary designers — antique cloissonné vases can help introduce interesting colors and patterns to your space.

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, enamel is one of the most dynamic, and alluring, mediums in the world. And cloisonné vases, bowls, lamps and other objects and vessels ornamented with lustrous enamel can truly liven your home.

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 antique cloisonné vases and other cloisonné objects for sale on 1stDibs.