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Chinese Cloisonn¨¦
Cloisonn¨¦ Enamel is a high-grade artwork. The earliest
extant cloisonn¨¦ was made in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The best was made
during the Xuande period (1426-1456) of the Ming Dynasty. During the Jingtai
period (1426-1456) of the Ming Dynasty, it became more popular, handicraftsmen
found dark-blue enamel that gave cloisonn¨¦ a gorgeous, solemn look, the
technique turned to be quite mature. As the blue color was mostly used, so it is
called Jingtai blue, and is still used today. From then on, it seemed no any
great breakthrough instead of the rapid development of using the coppery
material, which used a pure coppery with better extension. Thus, the cloisonn¨¦
technique arrived the crest.
The making of cloisonn¨¦ integrates bronze and porcelain-working skills,
traditional painting and etching. It is the pinnacle of traditional Chinese
handicraft. Cloisonn¨¦ has another name "inlaid enamel", which refers to the
unique technique of the combination of porcelain and bronze.
When making the cloisonn¨¦, firstly, use the red coppery to
make the body, secondly, stick the pattern on the bronze body by oblate and thin
brass wires, then fill the inlay pattern by enamel glaze material in different
colors, the last procedure is the firing over and over, polishing and gilding.
We may say, the technique of cloisonn¨¦ is used not only the bronze crafts, but
also the porcelain crafts, meanwhile, fetching in plenty of traditional and
carving technique, which is the combination of Chinese traditional arts.
In Beijing as well as other cities, most shops in hotels as well as tourist
stores sell cloisonn¨¦ articles, which can be as big as sacrificial utensils,
screens tables and chairs, and as small as chopsticks, earrings, candy boxes,
toothpicks and smoking tools. They are works of art as well as articles with use
value. Craftsmen have late developed a multi-coloring technique for the
making of cloisonn¨¦, which has resulted in more refined, and gorgeous
products.
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