Skip to main content
Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions

What is the difference between cloisonne and enamel?

1 Answer
What is the difference between cloisonne and enamel?
Enamel is a decorative technique in which colored and powdered glass is vitrified and fused to metal or ceramic. Cloisonne is a type of enamel work. The word cloisonné comes from the French word cloison, meaning to divide or partition. Cloisonne uses wire to separate various colors of enamel to create patterns and images.
Lotus Gallery
Lotus GalleryMarch 17, 2021
Shop for Enamel Japan on 1stDibs
Small Japanese Cloisonné Censer, Koro, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A small and delightful Japanese cloisonné and goldstone tripod incense burner and cover, Meiji
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Metalwork

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Japanese Cloisonne Box by Inaba, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan
By Inaba Cloisonne Co.
Located in Austin, TX
"Made in Japan". The underside of matte black enamel, typical of Inaba Nanaho works.
Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Metalwork

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Metal

Japanese Cloisonne Box, Meiji Period, Late 19th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
century, Japan. The lidded trinket or jewelry box exquisitely decorated in the cloisonné enamel
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Metalwork

Materials

Brass, Copper, Enamel

Japanese Imari Ten Sided Dish, Edo / Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
enamels, Edo to Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan. The ten sided dish features a charming Chinese
Category

Antique 1860s Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Enamel

Two Small Japanese Cloisonne Dragon Vases, Early 20th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
Two charming, small Japanese cloisonné dragon vases, Meiji to Taisho period, early 20th century
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Metalwork

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Foil

Large Japanese Imari Charger, Edo/Meiji Period, mid 19th century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A large 18.25" diameter Japanese Imari porcelain charger, Edo to Meiji Period, mid 19th century
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Shop All
Shop More furniture from Lotus Gallery on 1stDibs
Korean Joseon Blue and White Small Jar, 18th/19th century, Korea
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Korean blue and white decorated porcelain jar, Joseon Dynasty, 18th/19th century, Korea. This jar exudes character. The squat and slightly irregular shaped jar is formed ...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Korean Ming Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Large Delft Blue and White Fluted Octagonal Jar, JV Duijn, 18th c, Netherlands
By De Porceleyne Schotel, Johannes Van Duijn
Located in Austin, TX
A large and impressive Dutch Delft jar of octagonal shape with fluted sides, mark for Johannes Van Duijn, De Porceleyne Schotel Factory, 1764 - 1773, Delft, Holland, the Netherlands....
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Jars

Materials

Faience, Pottery, Earthenware, Delft

Chinese Famille Rose Enameled Porcelain Guanyin, Zeng Longsheng, 1980's, China
Located in Austin, TX
A large and vibrantly decorated Chinese famille rose enameled porcelain figure of Guanyin, marked Zeng Longsheng (1901 - 1964), but of later manufacture, circa 1980's, China. The t...
Category

Vintage 1980s Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Porcelain

Tibetan Rock Crystal Covered Bowl with Gilt Silver Filigree Mounts, Modern
Located in Austin, TX
A sumptuous Tibetan rock crystal bowl and cover mounted in gilt silver filigree and studded with coral, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. The extravagant bowl has been carved out of a si...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Tibetan Tibetan Decorative Bowls

Materials

Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Silver

Japanese Bronze Deer Incense Burner, Koro, Meiji Period, late 19th c, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant and ethereal Japanese bronze censer, koro, in the form of a deer, Meiji Period, late 19th century, Japan. The deer is portrayed standing upon thin, spindly legs, one leg ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Kinkozan Satsuma Plate with Miniature Figures, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan
By Kinkozan
Located in Austin, TX
A very finely painted Japanese Satsuma plate with miniature figural paintings, signed Kinkozan for the Kinkozan workshops, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The lovely plate crafted ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Japanese Maki-e Lacquer Sutra Box with Peony Mon, Meiji Period, c 1900, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A Japanese maik-e decorated black lacquer sutra box, kyobako, with peony mon design, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The elegant lacquer box originally crafted to hold sutras, sacr...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Lacquer

Materials

Copper

Shop All