Cloisonne Beads
Cloisonné, also known as cloisonné enamel, is the decorative art of applying enamel of all colours to the surface of a copper or bronze object which is then fired to become a bright and colourful work of art. This artistic technique was transmitted to China from the West and reached its peak of perfection as a result of the concerted efforts of Chinese artisans. Chinese cloisonné thereupon became the standard by which to measure the quality and appraise the beauty of cloisonné world-wide. This ranks as one of China's major contributions to the world's fine arts.
History
The technique for cloisonné enameling was passed onto China by missionaries from central Asia sometime in the early to mid-14th century. After mastering the skill of manufacturing enamel products, Chinese constantly improved and enhanced this special technique, making it a distinctly Chinese art. During the mid-15th century reign of Ming Emperor Ching T'ai, cloisonné production was extremely prosperous--many cloisonné works of the most delicate quality were produced. These works were mostly fused with a kind of special blue enamel as the base color, hence the term for cloisonné in Chinese: ching-t'ai-lan (``Ching-t'ai Blue'').
The main reason that such stunning achievements were possible in so short a time after cloisonné technique had been transmitted to China was that the Chinese nation of the time possessed excellent conditions for developing cloisonné enameling art--it already had metallurgical technology, such as bronze casting; glass and glaze production techniques were well-known; and how to accurately control the firing temperature was already understood. Another reason was that the enamel was as soft and smooth as jade, as glittering as jewelry, and as delicate as china--satisfying many sorts of Chinese likings.
Technique
The general method for making cloisonné involved first soldering brass wires to the surface of a copper object to form a pattern or illustration, then, according to the requirements of each pattern, coloured enamels were filled in.
Enamel was made by melting different materials such as red lead, boric acid borate, and glass powder together to become an opaque or translucent glistening substance. A variety of oxidized metals are added, and the substance then changed into enamels of different colours, or enamel colouring. After the melted enamel cooled and became solid, it was then ground into powder and mixed with water prior to the filling in process.
After the spaces delineated by brass wires on the copper object were filled in with enamel paste, the object was then fired. After every firing, the enamel would contract, producing an uneven surface. It was then necessary to fill in the uneven places with enamel paste of the same colour many times over. This procedure had to be repeated many times until every filled-in space became thoroughly smooth without any depressions. Only then was the firing process complete.
Enamelware that had been fired then needed to have its surface polished smooth so that the soldered brass wire pattern and the enamel substance were melded into one. Finally, the exposed brass wires between parts of the patterns as well as the rim and the bottom of an object, to which enamel had no been applied, were gold plated. Thus, a work of cloisonné art was finished.
An exquisite piece of cloisonné must have colours that are moist and glossy, fresh and bright, a body that is substantive and sturdy, a wire inlay that is neat and well-proportioned, and gold plating that glitters. Its delicate appearance and splendid patterns should emit a classical warmth that rivets the gaze, and leaves one too infatuated to part with it.
In recent years, this kind of traditional art work has once again drawn public notice and is being highly valued in the ROC on Taiwan. Many people are using modern machines and industrial technologies, and fusing them with artistic creativity, to produce a variety of cloisonné ornaments, art works, and household utensils that are elegant beyond compare. This has allowed the integration into modern life of these kinds of traditional art works that possess elegant, classical sentiment, in order to embellish and enrich the very substance of our daily living. It has also allowed the torch of traditional art to be passed on and burn brightly.
Different Cloisonne Styles, shapes and colours available at: