Cloisonne.
Today’s designers continue to find innovative ways of coupling the past with the present. And, Cloisonne, an ancient metalworking technique made of red copper roughcast and decorated colorful glaze, well known as far back as during Jingtai of Ming Dynasty (1450–1456) is today recreated by using the old-world techniques but in modern designs.
The object in the above image is a Chinese miniature stupa (a type of Buddhist mound-like structure found across the Indian subcontinent, other parts of Asia, and increasingly in the Western World) made of cloisonne (metal, enamel, gilt), from the Qing Dynasty, dated to the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1735-1796). The cloisonne decorations depict a lotus scroll and the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, including the Wheel of the Law. The lotus throne positioned inside the stupa symbolizes the presence of the Buddha.
Keramis Lighting employs the use of this old world artisan craft into porcelain lamps but creates for customers based on a more modern 21st century aesthetic. Benjamin Creutzfeldt, Keramis’ President and founder, is a specialist in 18th century Chinese porcelain and travels throughout China working with cloisonne mastercraftsmen producing for his clientele around the world referencing the period and it’s craft, but creating for today’s five star hotels and modern and traditional homes. Benjamin is available to commission and his porcelain lamps and urns are found in design showrooms both in the U.S. and the U.K..
Great lamps! Love the idea of taking this ancient technique and bringing it into the modern age. The one thing I do think people appreciate though is how much trouble it takes to make cloisonne. I didn’t know myself until the first time someone explained to me the whole process. Anyways someone in the office dug up this information on it so maybe this would be helpful to your readers. At some point we will do a posting on our own blog (http://www.antique-chinese-furniture.com/blog/) on this same subject.
Cheers!
Roger @ ACF China Co.
Cloisonne is a unique art form that originated in Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368). Cloisonne, in which China excels, is known as jingtailan in the country. It first appeared toward the end of the Yuan Dynasty in the mid-14th century, flourished and reached its peak of development during the reign of the Ming Emperor jingtai(1450-1457). And as the objects were mostly in blue(lan) colour, cloisonné came to be called by its present name Jingtailan.
A Jingtailan article has a copper body. The design on it is formed by copper wire stuck on with a vegetable glue. Coloured enamel is filled in with different colours kep apart by the wire strips. After being fired four or five times in a kiln, the workpiece is polished and gilded into a colourful and luxtrous work of art. During the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644), cloisonneware was mainly supplied for use in the imperial palace, in the form of incense-burners, vases, jars, boxes and candlesticks-all in imitation of antique porcelain and bronze. Present-day production, with Beijing as the leading center,stresses the adding of ornamental beauty to things that are useful. The artifacts include vases, plates, jars,boxes, tea sets, lamps, lanterns, tables, stools, drinking vessels and small articles for the desk. A pair of big cloisonné horses have been made in recent years, each measuring 2.1 metres high and 2.4 metres long, and weighing about 700 kilograms. They took eight months to finish, involving the labour of hundreds of workers and 60 tons of coal for the firing. They represent the largest object even made in cloisonné in the 500 years since the art was born. Cloisonne ware bears on the surface vitreous enamal which, like porcelain, is hard but brittle, so it must not be knocked against anything hard. To remove dust from it, it should be whisked lightly with a soft cloth. Avoid heavy wiping with a wet cloth, for this might eventually wear off the gilding.
During the reigns of Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), cloisonne improved and reached its artistic summit. Colors were more delicate, filigrees more flexible and fluent, and scope was enlarged beyond the sacrifice-process wares into snuff bottles, folding screens, incense burners, tables, chairs, chopsticks, and bowls.
Cloisonne manufacture is comprehensive and sophisticated, combining the techniques of making bronze and porcelain ware, as well as those of traditional painting and sculpture:
Roger, thank you. I look forward to seeing lots of cloisonne technqiue out in the marketplace soon. Thanks for pointing out how intense the process is. Benjamin says he only uses master craftsmen to make his lamps which means he goes to the country in China to get things done.
yea, but what makes this guys lamps so cool is his combination of the traditional technique with the contemporary design. I mean, who would have thought of using baby blue with a silver base? Brilliant!