What exactly is a Cloisonne? What's the inspiration? Tell me more.

I came across the Cloisonne or enamel artwork and became inquisitive. I decided to know more about it, why this art technique was created and understand the meaning by this form of art. This journey led me to discover they were created many centuries ago and it spread from one culture to another, across the globe. In fact, almost every culture should have had its own form of Cloisonne inspiration throughout the years. 

So, very inspired by its purpose and beauty, I decided to apply these intricately hand-made cloisonne to my creations. These ones I use are designed in an updated modern/contemporary cloisonne style. I love my creations and I hope you will too. So, do read on for more information about it.

Below are pictures of how some artists have developed the Cloisonne with a modern touch.
        

What is a Cloisonné? This is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects, in recent centuries using vitreous enamel, and in older periods also inlays of cut gemstones, glass, and other materials. The resulting objects can also be called cloisonné. The cloisonné technique is particularly suited to objects made of gold, such as jewelry.

Throughout the centuries, these items created in the art of Cloisonne are known for their strong artistic value, considered highly prestigious and highly regarded, usually made for religious purposes and served as revered gifts amongst kings, across kingdoms and officials.

The Early Beginnings

Ancient Egypt - Cloisonné first developed in the jewellery of Ancient Egypt, typically in very small pieces such as rings, with thin wire forming the cloisons. The Pharoahs (Kings) wear them on their bodies, including the pectoral jewels of the Pharaohs.

Ancient Egypt Pectoral Jewels for Pharoahs

Chinese History - the earliest datable pieces are from the reign of the Xuande Emperor (1425–35), which however show a full use of Chinese styles suggesting considerable experience in the technique. By the beginning of the 18th century the Kangxi Emperor had a cloisonné workshop among the many Imperial factories. The most elaborate and highly-valued Chinese pieces are from the early Ming Dynasty, especially the reigns of the Xuande Emperor and Jingtai Emperor (1450–57).

Qing Dynasty Cloisonne dish

Chinese enameled and gilt candlestick from the 18th or 19th century, Qing Dynasty.

In the Ming Dynasty, the Rag-dung, long trumpets played for morning and evening calls to prayer, preludes, and processions. It was unusual for musical instruments to be enameled; cloisonné was usually reserved for containers like boxes or vases. These Tibetan-style long trumpets were among the many instruments made in China and sent as gifts to impress officials of bordering nations. 

In Japan, cloisonné enamels are known as 'Shippo'. 

Group of lidded vases, Namikawa Yasuyuki, Japan, about 1880-90, cloisonné enamel vase decorated with butterflies, flowers and a central panel of a Ho-o bird. Museum nos. FE.60:1&2-2011, FE.61:1 to 4-2011, © 

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Russian cloisonné from the Tsarist era is also highly prized by collectors, especially from the House of Fabergé or Khlebnikov, and the French and other nations have produced small quantities. 

In medieval Western Europe cloisonné enamel technique was gradually overtaken by the rise of champlevé enamel, where the spaces for the enamel to fill are created by making recesses (using various methods) into the base object.

Byzantine cloisonné enamel plaque of St. Demetrios, c. 1100, using the new thin-wire technique. The lettering uses champlevé technique.

Visigothic 6th-century eagle-fibula (eagle brooch), from Spain with glass-paste inlay.