Intangible Heritage Unveiled

Generally, the main differences between the commonly - mentioned cloisonné and enamel are as follows:

Conceptual Scope

Cloisonné: Narrowly speaking, cloisonné only refers to copper - bodied cloisonné enamel or copper - bodied painted enamel. It is an object made by soldering various patterns pinched with relatively soft flat copper wires on a copper body, then filling the patterns with enamel glazes of different colors, and finally firing. Broadly speaking, cloisonné includes all metal - bodied (copper, gold, or silver) enamel products, as well as other enamel techniques such as painted enamel.

Enamel: It is a composite handicraft obtained by applying crushed and ground enamel glaze to the surface of a metal product processed by metalworking techniques, and then going through production steps such as drying and firing. According to different processing techniques, enamel can be divided into several varieties, such as cloisonné enamelware, champlevé enamelware, painted enamelware, and transparent enamelware. Cloisonné is just one of the enamel techniques, that is, cloisonné enamelware.

Manufacturing Process

Cloisonné

• Body - making: Generally, red copper materials are selected. Through processes such as cutting, bending, and welding, the required body is made.
• Wire - coiling: Use tweezers to pinch soft flat copper wires into various pattern designs. Then, fix them on the copper body with adhesives like bletilla striata, and finally secure them by welding.
• Enamel - filling: Fill the grids formed by the coiled wires with different - colored enamel glazes, requiring uniform and full filling.
• Firing: Put the enamel - filled body into a high - temperature furnace for firing, so that the enamel glaze melts and combines with the body. Usually, it needs to be fired several times to ensure that the color and texture of the enamel glaze reach the desired effect.
• Polishing: After firing, the surface of the body will have some unevenness and defects. It needs to go through processes such as grinding and polishing to make the surface smooth and the color bright.
• Gilding: Apply a layer of gold on the surface of the object, which not only increases the aesthetic feeling but also plays a protective role, preventing the copper body from rusting.

Enamel

• Cloisonné Enamel: The manufacturing process is similar to that of cloisonné, but there may be differences in some details and styles, such as the thickness of the coiled wires and the design of the patterns.
• Champlevé Enamel: Use the carving technique to carve and reduce the ground in the blank areas outside the outline of the metal body, making the main decorative patterns more prominent. Then, fill it with enamel glaze and fire it.
• Painted Enamel: Directly paint patterns on the metal body with enamel glaze without going through the wire - coiling process. This requires the painter to have superb painting skills. After painting, it is fired to form the product.
• Transparent Enamel: Generally, the metal body is first decorated by carving or chasing. Then, a transparent or semi - transparent enamel glaze is applied. After firing, the patterns on the metal body can be seen through, presenting a unique artistic effect.

Appearance Effects

Cloisonné: It is famous for its bright colors, rich patterns, and three - dimensional effects. The wire - coiling process gives the patterns a distinct sense of lines. The enamel glazes are filled in, forming independent color blocks. The strong color contrast presents an overall gorgeous and solemn aesthetic feeling.

Enamel

• Cloisonné Enamel: Similar to cloisonné, but different regions and styles of cloisonné enamel may vary in color matching, pattern design, and wire - coiling techniques. Some may be more delicate and refined, while others may be more bold and unrestrained.
• Champlevé Enamel: Due to the application of the chasing technique, the patterns have a certain sense of three - dimensionality and layering. After the enamel glaze is filled, it contrasts with the chased metal part, presenting a unique light and shadow effect.
• Painted Enamel: The picture is delicate, the colors are bright, and the smooth glaze surface and exquisite patterns are similar to the famille - rose and meticulous brushwork paintings on porcelain. It can show very delicate patterns of figures, flowers, landscapes, etc.
• Transparent Enamel: It has a transparent and vivid effect. The carved or chased patterns on the metal body are faintly visible under the cover of the transparent enamel, adding to the artistic appeal of the work.

Historical Origins

Cloisonné: It is generally believed that the manufacturing technology of cloisonné was introduced into China from Western Asia, Persia, and other places in the middle of the 13th century when Kublai Khan went on expeditions. It developed during the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty and had its own unique style. By the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty, the technology reached its peak and became mature. It was named "cloisonné" because the blue glaze was the most outstanding and popular during the Jingtai period.

Enamel: The enamel technique originated in Europe. It can be traced back to the island of Cyprus in the 13th century BC. There were cloisonné enamel handicrafts in the Mycenaean civilization at that time. Later, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire inherited and developed the cloisonné enamel technique, which became very prosperous after the 6th century. Around the 12th century, cloisonné enamel was introduced into Western Asian countries, and then it was introduced into China through trade and other channels.