Cloisonné

Definition

Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metal objects with colored glass or enamel. Thin strips of metal (called cloisons) are soldered onto a metal surface to create compartments, which are then filled with the colored materials.

Related terms

Enamel: A type of glass that is fused onto metal surfaces through high heat, often used in cloisonné.

Champlevé: Another technique for decorating metal objects with enamel, where recessed areas are filled with enamel instead of using separate compartments.

Byzantine art: The art produced in the Byzantine Empire, which often featured intricate and highly detailed examples of cloisonné.