Skip to content 
Cloisonné: What It Is & How It's Made
Cloisonné: What It Is & How It's Made
WHAT IS CLOISONNÉ?
Cloisonné is a method of creating functional or decorative pieces by separating pieces of colored material with metal strips or wire (copper, gold or silver). The colored sections are most commonly made of enamel in the modern era, while older pieces may use gems or pieces of stone. They're a wonder to behold when you consider someone had to shape those tiny metal strips into every single curve!
Balancing "old" and "new" is one of our stylistic cornerstones, and antique and vintage cloisonné accessories are such a seamless way to bring in some "old" charm!
THE HISTORY OF CLOISONNÉ
The first cloisonné pieces were created roughly 4000 years ago around 1800BC in Middle Eastern regions like Mesopotamia, Egypt and Cyprus. Initial cloisonné pieces were made from gold, strips formed around colorful gems and stones that were available in the region. In Egypt, carnelian, feldspar, garnet, turquoise and lapis lazuli were used on some of the earliest recognized pieces.
Cloisonné techniques and materials have continued to evolve over thousands of years with different cultures and regions adding their own unique take on the style based on their cultural traditions and history. In Europe, a slightly different variation called champlevé was created. The cousin of cloisonné, champlevé is a means of etching into a piece of metal and filling those troughs in with enamel. Similar concept, different means of being made!
HOW IS CLOISONNÉ MADE?
Cloisonné is most commonly made by forming wires or strips of metal to a metal baseplate and filling the gaps with different colored enamel to create a design or pattern. The enamel is then fired so it hardens. Ancient cloisonné was made using varieties of gems and stones that were available in the region, framed with gold wire. After being fired, the finished surface is smooth and seamless.
TYPES OF CLOISONNÉ
The cloisonné technique has typically been used to create both decorative and functional pieces. Cloisonné is frequently used to create jewelry (bracelets, pendants, rings, beads) as well as figurines, vases, jars, urns, incense holders and more.
IS CLOISONNÉ VALUABLE?
Yes. Historic pieces of Chinese cloisonné have sold at auction for millions of dollars due to their age, rarity and craftsmanship. Even modern cloisonné is highly valuable due to the complex and time-consuming process used to make it. When we find special pieces like animals or bird figurines we always try to snatch them! On top of having monetary value, they add so much charm to a space.
CHAMPLEVÉ VS. CLOISONNÉ
Champlevé is a similar but different style where the metal surface is carved away to create indented sections on the piece. It can be likened to relief sculpture, where material is removed from the initial piece of metal.
In contrast, cloisonné pieces are created by affixing a layer of metal atop the base piece, creating divided sections without removing any material.
HOW TO PRONOUNCE CLOISONNÉ
The term cloisonné is pronounced “klaw-soh-ney” and is of French origin, meaning “partitioned” due to the way that the metalwork separates the colored sections.
