What is Chinese cloisonne enamel metalwork?

Chinese cloisonne is an ancient decorative technique where fine metal wires or strips are soldered onto a metal vessel to form precise design compartments, which are then filled with coloured vitreous enamel paste, fired, polished, and gilded.

What materials are traditionally used in Chinese cloisonne vases?

Traditional cloisonne pieces feature a cast copper or brass body, copper or brass filigree wirework, glass-based enamel pastes in various mineral colours, and gilded bronze or brass rims and bases.

How can you identify authentic early 20th-century Chinese cloisonne?

Authentic early 20th-century pieces often display fine hand-applied wirework, minor surface pitting or tiny air bubbles from historical kilns, natural age-related patination on exposed metal edges, and substantial weight from heavy metal bases.

How do you style a pair of cloisonne vases in a modern interior?

A pair of cloisonne vases is ideal for symmetrical placement on a sideboard, fireplace mantelpiece, or console table, introducing historic craftsmanship and subtle colour accents to both traditional and contemporary interiors.

How should antique cloisonne enamel be cleaned and preserved?

Dust gently using a soft, dry lint-free cloth or camel-hair brush. Avoid chemical polishes, abrasive cleansers, or submerging the item in water, as moisture can penetrate micro-fractures in the vitreous enamel or corrode the internal metal core.

for sale €257 $279

£220

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Pair Early 20th-century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

Name: Pair Early 20th-century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1235523
Price: 220 GBP
Availability: InStock

1920 - 1940

For Sale by Artsonline

Description

Pair Early 20th-Century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

Brief Description:

This is a beautiful quality pair of early 20th-century Chinese cloisonné enamel vases, dating to approximately circa 1930, and presented upon their original-style carved hardwood stands.

The elegant baluster-shaped vases are particularly attractive examples, decorated throughout with an unusually intricate cream-gold ground formed from countless scrolling cloisonné wires, creating a wonderfully rich and detailed surface.

Each vase is beautifully decorated with flowering prunus branches, picked out in shades of pink, mauve and burgundy, with delicate enamelled birds in flight appearing amongst the blossom.

Further decorative detail includes pale green enamel around the lower sections, colourful scrolling borders beneath the necks and gilt-metal rims and foot rims.

The undersides are finished in a rich turquoise-blue enamel, typical of Chinese cloisonné work, while the accompanying hardwood stands are finely pierced and carved with traditional scrolling decoration.

Attributes:

Chinese

Cloisonné enamel

Early 20th century

Circa 1900–1930

Late Qing / Early Republic period

Complete with carved hardwood stands

Condition:

Presented in good antique condition overall, with age-related wear, minor surface marks and imperfections commensurate with age and use.

There is a very small, shallow indentation to one of the vases, which is extremely discreet and only noticeable upon close inspection.

The carved hardwood stands display age-related wear and minor imperfections.

Overall Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 7'' | 17.7 cm

Width: 3.4'' | 8.6 cm

Depth: 3.4'' | 8.6 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

*A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.

Returns Policy

Artsonline provides a genuine no-quibble 14-day money-back refund policy

(excluding the cost of Postage and Packaging).

Pay securely - Telephone orders welcome

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Physical Dimensions

Height

17.7cm (6.97")

Width

8.6cm (3.39")

Depth

8.6cm (3.39")

Declaration

Artsonline has dated these Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Vases to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1235523

Dealers Notes

CONTACT US:

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We have a friendly & professional team on hand who are here to help you with any queries you may have.

Tel: 01749 595 507

Mobile: 07784 085 135

Outside the UK:

Tel: 0044 1749 595 507

Cell: 0044 7784 085 135

PAYMENT:

We accept all major credit/debit cards, PayPal, Square and Bank transfer (BACS).

Description

Pair Early 20th-Century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

Brief Description:

“

This is a beautiful quality pair of early 20th-century Chinese cloisonné enamel vases, dating to approximately circa 1930, and presented upon their original-style carved hardwood stands.

Artsonline

fig 1. A pair of early 20th-century Chinese cloisonne enamel vases featuring pink prunus blossoms and bird motifs on a yellow cloud-scroll ground, resting on carved wooden stands. — fig 1. Pair Early 20th-century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

The elegant baluster-shaped vases are particularly attractive examples, decorated throughout with an unusually intricate cream-gold ground formed from countless scrolling cloisonné wires, creating a wonderfully rich and detailed surface.

fig 2. A pair of early 20th-century Chinese cloisonne enamel vases featuring pink prunus blossoms and bird motifs on a yellow cloud-scroll ground, resting on carved wooden stands. — fig 2. Pair Early 20th-century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

Each vase is beautifully decorated with flowering prunus branches, picked out in shades of pink, mauve and burgundy, with delicate enamelled birds in flight appearing amongst the blossom.

Further decorative detail includes pale green enamel around the lower sections, colourful scrolling borders beneath the necks and gilt-metal rims and foot rims.

fig 3. A pair of early 20th-century Chinese cloisonne enamel vases featuring pink prunus blossoms and bird motifs on a yellow cloud-scroll ground, resting on carved wooden stands. — fig 3. Pair Early 20th-century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

The undersides are finished in a rich turquoise-blue enamel, typical of Chinese cloisonné work, while the accompanying hardwood stands are finely pierced and carved with traditional scrolling decoration.

Attributes:

Chinese

Cloisonné enamel

Early 20th century

Circa 1900–1930

Late Qing / Early Republic period

Complete with carved hardwood stands

Condition:

Presented in good antique condition overall, with age-related wear, minor surface marks and imperfections commensurate with age and use.

fig 5. A pair of early 20th-century Chinese cloisonne enamel vases featuring pink prunus blossoms and bird motifs on a yellow cloud-scroll ground, resting on carved wooden stands. — fig 5. Pair Early 20th-century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

There is a very small, shallow indentation to one of the vases, which is extremely discreet and only noticeable upon close inspection.

The carved hardwood stands display age-related wear and minor imperfections.

fig 6. A pair of early 20th-century Chinese cloisonne enamel vases featuring pink prunus blossoms and bird motifs on a yellow cloud-scroll ground, resting on carved wooden stands. — fig 6. Pair Early 20th-century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

Overall Measurements:

INCHES & CENTIMETRES

Height: 7'' | 17.7 cm

Width: 3.4'' | 8.6 cm

Depth: 3.4'' | 8.6 cm

^^ Fast & Free UK Delivery Included^^

A Certificate Of Authenticity (COA) will be provided by artsonline with this piece*

fig 7. A pair of early 20th-century Chinese cloisonne enamel vases featuring pink prunus blossoms and bird motifs on a yellow cloud-scroll ground, resting on carved wooden stands. — fig 7. Pair Early 20th-century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

Delivery

Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily, using only fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services.

Great care and much time are taken over the safe transportation of the Fine Art and Antique pieces that we sell.

fig 8. A pair of early 20th-century Chinese cloisonne enamel vases featuring pink prunus blossoms and bird motifs on a yellow cloud-scroll ground, resting on carved wooden stands. — fig 8. Pair Early 20th-century Chinese Cloisonné Enamel Prunus & Bird Vases

We pack extremely carefully, so you can rest assured that your piece will arrive with you in perfect condition.

For larger paintings, antique furniture pieces, and fragile items that can not be sent via the normal postal services, we use professional door-to-door delivery providers, who will always strive to deliver your piece promptly, within approx. 7-14 working days.