Cloissonné vase black and green

Cloissonné vase with a black background decorated with fine flower branches. The vase is marked on the bottom ('CHINA').

Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects, especially brass. First they add compartments to the object by soldering or affixing silver or gold wires or thin stripes placed on their edges. Then they use vitreous enamel to colour the compartments. The wires remain visible in the finished piece. I like cloisonné vases a lot because of their bright colours and flower motifs.