Page 19 - Bonhams Ming and Qing Cloisonne Hong Kong December 2, 2021

Fig.9

Cloisonné enamelware has the sturdiness of metal, the
smoothness of glass and the corrosion resistance of porcelain.
It is one of those arts that combine practicality with beauty. The
official cloisonné enamelware of the Ming dynasty was exclusively
used by the Imperial family. Based on our examination of the
early development of cloisonné enamel in the Ming dynasty,
the cloisonné enamel wares of the Jiajing and Wanli reigns
exhibited distinctive characteristics of that era in terms of form,
glaze colours, patterns, and functions. There are few cloisonné
enamel wares from the Jiajing and Wanli eras that have been
passed down to us, and they are indeed extremely precious.

6 October 2021

1. H.Brinker and A.Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné: The Pierre Uldry Collection, New York, 1985, nos.70-71.
2. B.Quette, Cloisonne: Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, New Haven and
London, 2011, p.243-244, nos.37-38.
3. Chen Xiasheng, Ming Qing falang qi zhanlan tulu (Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ch’ing Dynas-
ties), Taibei, 1999.
4. H.Brinker and A.Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné: The Pierre Uldry Collection, New York, 1985, no.112.
5. Wan Jian, Liegu yanzhen er, Beijing shanwai wenhua fazhan youxian gongsi, 2009.
6. Cao Zhao, Gegu Yaolun, Zhonghua shuju, 1985.
7. Liu Ruosi, Ming Gong Shi (A History of the Ming Court), Beijing chubanshe, 1963.

COLOUR / IMPACT: CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL IN THE MING AND EARLY QING DYNASTY | 17