Cloisonne enamel box (detail of décor)

Add to album

Animals, birds, insects, flowers, and plants are often used in Chinese decorative arts to convey auspicious wishes.

The pair of mandarin ducks, which are colourfully enamelled on the top of this box, symbolise happiness in marriage.

Cloisonne enamelling is a technique whereby the design is first outlined by threads of copper wire, forming different cells, or cloisons, which are to be filled in with enamels. The fired enamels will be polished until they are flush with the cloisons.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-001-266-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1874.30.7 A
• Date: late 18th - early 19th century
  Probably 18th century AD
  
• Material: Cloisonne enamel
  Box cover
  
• Dimensions: 5.50" H x 13.75" D overall
  
• What: Box cover
  
• Subject: Cloisonne
  
• Who:
• Where: China
  
• Event:
• Description: Circular box cover of cloisonne enamel: China, probably 18th century AD
  
• References:
  • Wilkinson, Jane and Nick Pearce. Harmony & Contrast: A Journey through East Asian Art. Edinburgh: NMS Publishing, 1996. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: