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A3134 Didactic display, cased with examples and various tools of Cloisonne, various materials, maker unknown, probably Japan, acquired 1937. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 1, A3134 Didactic display, cased with examples and various tools of Cloisonne, various materials, maker unknown, probably Japan, acquired 1937. Click to enlarge

Didactic display illustrating the stages of cloisonne production

Made
Wooden exhibition case illustrating the stages in manufacture of cloisonne enamel wares. Inside the case are thirty-two compartments (nine of which are lined with white cushioning), containing nine small vases, thirteen specimens of pigment, three specimens of wire, five specimens of tools, eight specimens of polishing materials and one specimen of white ground enamel.

Parts of this object

Summary

Object No.

A3134

Object Statement

Didactic display, cased with examples and various tools of Cloisonne, various materials, maker unknown, probably Japan, acquired 1937

Physical Description

Wooden exhibition case illustrating the stages in manufacture of cloisonne enamel wares. Inside the case are thirty-two compartments (nine of which are lined with white cushioning), containing nine small vases, thirteen specimens of pigment, three specimens of wire, five specimens of tools, eight specimens of polishing materials and one specimen of white ground enamel.

Marks

Above every compartment is a small white label bearing a black printed number. Also see parts.

Short URL

https://ma.as/177493

Dimensions

Height

82 mm

Depth

348 mm

Production

Made

Notes

Cloisonne is an ancient metalworking technique that was first developed in the Near East, before spreading to the Byzantine Empire and from there along the Silk Road to China. It is a multi-step enamel process used to produce jewellery, vases and other decorative items. The term cloisonne is derived from the French cloison, meaning compartment, because the decoration is applied to discrete areas that are separated by metal.

The process of cloisonne starts with the artist forming the metal into the shape of the finished object, and then using a paper pattern and a pencil to transfer the design to the metal object. Partitions, which act as colour-separators, are then applied according to the transferred pattern and are held in place by a soldering paste. The partitions are bent and cut to length from flat wire stock (usually by hand, using pliers) and the paste is applied using a small brush. The metal piece is then heated in an oven. The solder melts, permanently fixing the partitions to the metal base. The object is then cooled.

The artist paints frit (glass crushed to a powder) in a water-based paste into the partitions, guided by an annotated pattern. 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 colours and transparencies may be used in combination within a single partition to obtain the desired artistic effect. Then the surface is ground and polished to make it even and smooth. Finally, the exposed metal is electroplated with a thin film of gold to prevent corrosion and to give a pleasing appearance.

History

Used

Notes

Cloisonne is an ancient metalworking technique that was first developed in the Near East, before spreading to the Byzantine Empire and from there along the Silk Road to China.

Source

Credit Line

Gift of the Consul General of Japan, 1937

Acquisition Date

5 December 1937

Cite this Object

Harvard

Didactic display illustrating the stages of cloisonne production 2021, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 30 May 2023, <https://ma.as/177493>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/177493 |title=Didactic display illustrating the stages of cloisonne production |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=30 May 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

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