Widely admired as one of the most unique, cultured artwork, Chinese cloisonne is a perfect example of a classic Chinese art form developed from a foreign model. It vividly displays the essences of Chinese culture and shows lavish, multi-color patterns. First appearing in the Yuan dynasty, this art was greatly refined in the Ming dynasty, and reached its peak once during the Jingtai era of the Ming dynasty, and for the second during the Qianlong era of the Qing dynasty. You can go on a customized tour in Beijing to see many amazing local shops with gorgeous, unique Chinese cloisonne works.

The ostentatious patterns and loud colors of Chinese cloisonne works often remind viewers of the extravaggant lifestyle of rich people. But examing its design more closely, one can often sense a depth of its inherent artistic value. In the course of their development in China, cloisonne works were designed using techniques borrowed from a variety of traditional Chinese arts, including bronze vessle, porcelain, painting, and carving. Excellent works are known for their vivid colors, cultured designs, and unique, sophisticated craftsmanship.

It is not known when the production of Chinese cloisonne started. But it is generally believed the technique of making cloisonne was introduced from the western Asia to China during the Yuan dynasty. Advanced techniques like glass making, copper casting, and temperatures controling were already mastered by Chinese when cloisonne was introduced to China, which helped to facilitate the development of cloisonne to eventually become a sophisticated, high-level art in the Ming dynasty.

The Emperor Jingtai from this dynasty, a great cloisonne expert himself, helped develop this art to its pinnacle. With advancements in the making technique, the development of cloisonne reached another height during the Qianlong Era of the Qing dynasty.

In China, cloisonne is called “Jingtai Lan”, a name after the Emperor Jingtai of the Ming dynasty. During the rule of Xuande, Jingtai’s predecessor, the techniques used to make cloisonne were already perfected to a very high level where further improvement was practically impossible. Jingtai’s strategy of making better works to surpass the previous achievement, then, was to invent more beautiful designs, colors, and color combinations. Works produced during his era are credited as having the most elegant designs and beautiful patterns. After his rule, the development of cloisonne started to go on a gradual decline. Few works made in the later periods were able to achieve the same level of quality and craftsmanship.

As the capital of China for the last several hundred years, Beijing is the main manufacturer of cloisonne in this country. For hundreds of years, excellent artisans from all over the country kept coming to this city and made their contribution to the development of cloisonne. During the Republic period, a famous local shop called “Lao Tian Li” sent their cloisonne works to be displayed in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in California, U.S, and won the first award. Afterward, Chinese cloisonne became well-known around the world.

Cloisonne works are made by a complex six-step process: body-making, filigree-soldering, enamel-filling, enamel-firing, polishing, and gliding. The main colors used are azure, sapphire blue , “Chick-Blood” red, rose red, purple, light green, dark green, and white.

Beijing has many great shops with fantastic Chinese cloisonne works made by great artists from all over China. When you are shopping in the city, remember to find a personal shopper in Beijing to help you find shops and give you information on the local products.

Tags

Classical and Instrumental

Related posts

• True Beauty Of Beijing: Take A Beijing City Tour To Find Exquisite Chinese Calligraphy (0)
• World Wide Web Works Of Art For Sale (0)
• What Does It Take To Own A Rembrandt (0)
• Using Documentary Styles For Portraits (0)
• The Young Animal Painter’s Story (0)