| Even though the word cloisonné has | | | | have the enamels applied in layers. Each layer of |
| French origins from the word cloison, which | | | | enamel has to be fired using a kiln so that it can |
| means cell, this art form started in Japan and the | | | | melt. The last step is the artist grinding and also |
| Byzantine Empire during the sixth century. The | | | | polishing the piece of art. |
| Chinese do get recognized for their work in | | | | The enamels of cloisonné are opalescent, |
| cloisonné art, it appears in the 13th | | | | opaque, or transparent. Each kind gives you a |
| century in China according to the historians. The | | | | range of choices in color. An individual piece could |
| profound influence the oriental culture had on this | | | | have several kinds of the enamel and various cells |
| art form can be seen even today. Many have | | | | made up of different colors. There are similarities |
| enjoyed this art along the years, even | | | | of this art to painting, in the end the finished piece |
| cloisonné antiques can be found along with | | | | does look like a scene that has been painted. |
| new items in today's market. | | | | Enamel comes in powder or chunk form. The |
| The Byzantine enamels used gold wire designs. | | | | chunk form is more affordable, but the artist |
| Most of the designs were based on the Byzantine | | | | must break it down into powder to use it. |
| religion which was Christianity. Crosses, saints, and | | | | Just a few of the metals can be used on the |
| pictures of Christ adorned the early | | | | enamels, typically silver, gold, brass that has no |
| cloisonné pieces. The cloisonné | | | | zinc in it, bronze, aluminum if it has been specially |
| from Japan on the other hand is more flowers, | | | | treated, and copper are used. The materials to do |
| landscapes, and birds. The Chinese chose | | | | cloisonné are not sold at regular craft |
| ornamental decorations and patterns to use in | | | | stores usually; they have to be purchased through |
| their enamels. | | | | catalogs or online. |
| The artists of cloisonné create the | | | | Once the piece is finished it can be made into |
| enamels in the following fashion. They first come | | | | rings, charms, earrings, pendants and so on. It |
| up with the design. It is easy to map one out on | | | | takes a bit of knowledge about working with |
| graph paper. Then the artist has to solder a wire | | | | metal to do enameling, so this is not a good craft |
| ring, called a bezel, onto a section of sheet metal; | | | | if you are a beginner into crafting. A person needs |
| this is to make the enamel cup or base. | | | | to learn some knowledge ahead of time before |
| The artist then keeps working on the wire to | | | | trying this craft. Today the better examples of |
| create the cloisons or cells. Once a design or | | | | the cloisonné are quite often displayed in |
| pattern is created with the wire, it is ready to | | | | galleries or sold in stores. |