Cloisonné

Few decorative arts glow quite like Cloisonné. In China it's known as jingtailan, named after the Ming dynasty's Jingtai reign in the 1450s, when the craft reached new heights in the imperial workshops of Beijing. Artisans shape thin metal wires into flowing patterns and fix them to a metal body. They fill each small section with colored enamel, then fire and polish the piece until it shines like gemstones set in gold.

Our collection brings this craft into everyday living. Matching vase pairs follow the classic Chinese custom of balanced display and look elegant on either side of a mantel or console. Qing dynasty collectors prized snuff bottles as palm-sized works of art, and they're still wonderful to display or collect. The gourd bottle, or hulu, has long stood for good fortune and long life, because its name sounds like the Chinese words for "blessings and prosperity." A cloisonné candle holder casts warm light across glowing enamel. Stackable boxes add useful beauty to a dresser or vanity, where they can hold jewelry and keepsakes. A cloisonné ashtray works as a classic ashtray or as a jewel-toned dish for rings, keys and small treasures.

We choose every piece to carry on a living heritage, with the patience and craftsmanship that make cloisonné one of China's most treasured decorative arts. They're lovely accents for a study shelf, tea room or entryway, and meaningful gifts for collectors and anyone who loves Eastern art.