Cloisonné (Cloisonne) is a French word for adding compartments/cloisons. In art, it is a process which involves fixing wires to a metal surface to form a design, and then filling those areas with different coloured vitreous enamel and inlays of gemstones and glass.
The decoration is formed first by adding compartments to a metal object by. You do so by soldering or affixing silver or gold wires. These would be visible in the finished piece, separating the different compartments of the multi-colour inlays. Cloisonné enamel objects are worked on with enamel powder made into a paste, which is then fired in a kiln.
The technique has enjoyed moments of huge popularity during the Byzantine empire and in the 14th century China. The exact method is still in use to this day.
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