Cloisonne, with a history dating back over 500 years, is well-known traditional enamelware. It is typically called the "Blue of Jingtai" as blue is the dominant color adopted for enameling and Cloisonne became prevalent during the reign of Jingtai (1450--1456) in the Ming Dynasty. Owing to its brilliant colors and splendid designs, Cloisonne has been highly appraised both in China and abroad. The making of Cloisonne involves quite elaborate and complicated processes: base-hammering, soldering, enamel-filling, enamel firing, polishing and gilding.
Base hammering of body is the first step in the making of cloisonn└. The material used for making the body is copper, because copper is easily hammered and stretched.
The second step is filigree soldering. This step requires great care and high creativeness. The artisan adheres copper strips onto the body.
The third step is to apply color which is known as enamel filling. Owing to the difference in the minerals added, the color differs accordingly.
The fourth step is enamel firing. This is done by putting the article with its enamel filling to the crucible. This process will go on repeatedly until the little compartments are finally filled.
The fifth step is polishing. The first polish is with emery. Its aim is to make the filigree and the filled compartments even. The whole piece is again put to fire, then polished once more with a whet-stone. Finally, a piece of hard carbon is used to polish again so as to obtain some luster on the surface of the article.
The sixth step is gilding. This is done by placing the article in fluid of gold or silver, changed with electric current.
There is a great variety of products, such as the traditional vase, jar, bowl, plate, box and ash-tray. A great number of new varieties have also been created. They are brilliant in colors and splendid in ensign and enjoy a high reputation both at home and abroad. Cloisonn└ is one of the famous arts and crafts of Beijing.
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