Even though they are uncommon in the ordinary households, you will get a glimpse of them in plenty of Hollywood movies made on a Far eastern theme. Yes I am speaking of those alluring Chinese vases with extra ordinary ornamentations. These mind boggling decorations belong to a particular art form, known as Chinese Cloisonne.
The origin
The art form of Chinese Cloisonne bears a true oriental flavor. This unique Chinese art of bronze casting originated in Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368). As with any other art form, so with the Cloisonne; it rose to glory with the great Imperial patronage. During the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), the ‘Jingtai’ Emperor was so fond of this art that the entire Imperial Palace was decorated by the works of Cloisonne.
How it acquired its unusual color
It is during the ‘Jingtai’ period that Chinese Cloisonne came to be associated with the famous blue color. The emperor took initiatives to improve on the bronze-casting techniques. The coloring procedures were also improved. And the result was the creation of a certain shade of blue that perfectly complemented the Oriental aesthetic sensibilities. The Emperor liked it so much that even the objects daily used by him were made of Cloisonne.
The mass acceptance
The artisans achieved some constructional breakthroughs in the latter course of time and as a result Chinese cloisonnes no longer remained restricted in the Imperial interiors. Soon it became popular among the common masses who fondly named it as ‘Jingtai Lan’.
The Technique
The production of Cloisonne involves rather complicated techniques. It involves comprehensive procedures of bronze and porcelain ware manufacturing on the one hand and procedures of traditional painting and sculpture on the other hand.
If you are a connoisseur of oriental art form, you must include a specimen of Chinese Cloisonne work in your collectibles. A Cloisonné is the celebration of rich Chinese heritage and today they are found on as diverse materials as wood, jade, ivory and lacquer.