Cloisonne was first described in China in 1388 by Cao Zhao in his Ge gu yao lun (Essential Criteria of Antiquities), a book for art collectors and connoisseurs, in which he referred to it as dashi (Muslim) ware: The base of this ware is of copper, and designs an it are in five colors, made with chemicals and fired.

When was Chinese cloisonne made?

Among the earliest examples of cloisonné are six Mycenaean rings of the 13th century bce. The great Western period of cloisonné enameling was from the 10th to the 12th century, especially in the Byzantine Empire. In China cloisonné was widely produced during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911/12) dynasties.

Where did the cloisonne come from?

Researchers agree the cloisonne technique originated in Egypt prior to 1800 B.C. Gold ornaments were inlaid with small pieces of turquoise, lapis lazuli, carnelian and garnet, the inlays held in position by ribs soldered to the gold base.