Cloisonne

This art form has always fascinated me and most Europeans. We see it in vast numbers dotted about in Antique shops, fairs and auction rooms. Usually damaged and more often of poor quality but always a marvel of mans skill. 

The price of Japanese work is usually higher than that of the Chinese, its more subtle and demure, it can also be more easily identified by signatures either inscribed into the base or on tablets of silver or gold. All in all there is a vast number of books on the subject and a degree of snobbery surrounding it, this is not my field and cannot say that for most part I would spend the hard earned savings on a piece. 

Having said that, watch it being made.  I did this last year.  What an intricate and skilled process it is. The first thing you notice when entering the workshop is how much like a potters studio it appears, dust and dirt everywhere. Then see the fine copper wire (it can be silver or gold) soldered to the base metal. Deft fingers apply the patterns with alarming speed. This then goes to another shop where the powdered glass is applied in liquid form and set aside to dry. The firing is again an apparently haphazard affair but what would concern the European health and safety officers, is the polishing process. 

Here were a number of men and women occupied grinding and polishing the surface. The vase would be place on a spindle protruding out of a naked electric motor, over the vase is poured a constant stream of water -nothing separates the water from the motor and the likelihood of growing old in this part of the process seems, well, a little unlikely. 

End products range from thimble sized pieces to huge vases over two meters high. Attached is an address should you ever be in the area - even if you have no interest in the subject, have a look you will find it fascinating! 

Greyman