Cloisonne is the art of using metal and enamel to create works of art and jewelry. No one is exactly sure who came up with the idea but it is thought it developed essentially as a way to contain melted glass and gems within compartments that created patterns on small items. Small wires were attached to metal objects so they created compartments which are also called cells. The compartments were then filled with crushed glass or gems and the whole fired to melting point.
At first the wires were made of gold with powdered gems in between to create the colors. By necessity they were small pieces, some of the earliest ones found were decorative items. Sometimes silver was used and later brass and copper. As the process developed crushed glass and gems was replaced with enamel paste. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Please ask questions prior to bidding. I strive to describe items with details and photos to the best of my ability. Please check my other store items. I always have something new and exciting. Thank you for visiting !!!!