Cloisonné

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Cloisonné is a multi-step enamel process used to produce jewelry, vases, and other decorative items. Objects produced by this process are also called cloisonné.

Image:CPPatternAndCloisons.jpg Image:CPPaternAndCloisonsDetail.jpg Image:CPAddingFrit.jpg

Cloisonné process

• First, the artist forms metal (such as copper or brass) into the shape of the finished object.

• A paper pattern and a pencil are used to transfer a design to the metal object.

• Partitions (French: cloisons) that act as color-separators are applied according to the transferred pattern and are held in place by a soldering paste (this is finely divided metal of low melting temperature in a flux paste). The partitions are bent and cut to length from flat wire stock (usually by hand using simple pliers) while the paste is applied with a small brush.

• Heating the piece in an oven permanently affixes the partitions the base metal by ,melting the solder. The piece then cools.

• Glass frit in a water-based paste is painted into the partitions using an annotated pattern similar to the "paint by numbers" craft technique. After the frit has dried, firing in an oven melts it onto the metal. Several repetitions of the process may ensue to build up the coatings to the height of the partitions. Various colors and transparencies may be used in combination within a single partition to obtain a desired artistic effect.

• The glass and a portion of the cloisons are ground and polished to form an even and smooth surface.

• The exposed metal is electroplated with a thin film of gold to prevent corrosion and to give a pleasing appearance.

History

Image:QueensHeaddress.jpg Cloisonné, an ancient metalworking technique, first developed in the Near East. It spread to the Byzantine Empire and from there along the Silk Road to China, now the site of many high-quality production facilities.

The illustrated example, an Imperial Queen's headress, contains leaf patterns in a single light blue color with each element bounded by a rim, making this a work with cloisonné rather than simply enameled copper.

Beads

Image:Cloisonnebeads.jpg Cloisonné beads also occur commonly; and one use of Chinese cloisonné beads involves making jewelry.

Other examples

• The Pala d'Oro, Saint Mark's Cathedral, Venice

• The Alfred Jewel, a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon ornament

Contrast Champlevé enamel

See also

• Vitreous enamel

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