Introduction to "Nine Treasures of Cloisonné from Chinese Dynasties" Series - Part 1

Construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing began in 1406 (the fourth year of the Yongle Emperor's reign), modeled after the Nanjing Imperial Palace, and was completed in 1420 (the eighteenth year of the Yongle Emperor's reign). As one of the world's five largest museums, the Palace Museum boasts the world's largest wooden structure complex and the most complete palace complex, housing the world's largest collection of Chinese cultural relics. It receives over 15 million visitors annually, making it the only museum in the world to receive over ten million visitors each year.

2020 marked the 600th anniversary of the Forbidden City's completion. To commemorate this momentous occasion, the China Cultural Relics Society's Committee on Anti-Replication of Cultural Relics organized nearly one hundred experts and scholars nationwide. Led by Liu Yongsen (a master of Chinese arts and crafts) and Ding Minghong (a first-class master of arts and crafts in Beijing), the project took six years to complete. After visiting dozens of museums worldwide, nine national treasures were selected and replicated at scale, forming "Nine Treasures of Cloisonné Enamel from Chinese Dynasties," which makes an exceptional addition to any exclusive gift gallery or curated home decor items.

Each piece in "Nine Treasures of Cloisonné Enamel from Chinese Dynasties" represents the most representative works from their respective dynasties. The significance of these nine pieces extends beyond cloisonné enamelware itself; they are a microcosm of Chinese history from the Tang Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty, treasured just as deeply as fine china, Limoges china, Delft blue pottery, and Herend china.

I. Historical and Cultural Significance

"Nine Treasures of Cloisonné Enamelware from Chinese Dynasties" tells a historical story. Each of these nine pieces is a microcosm of a dynasty, each telling the story of a dynasty or emperor. The collection narrates the history of China from the Tang Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty, rivaling rare antiques and collectible figurines.

1. Imperial Culture and Economic Strength

Cloisonné enamelware represents the imperial culture of the ruling class in China. The emergence of "Nine Treasures of Cloisonné Enamelware from Chinese Dynasties" demonstrates the imperial culture of successive dynasties, representing the aesthetic tastes and preferences of emperors throughout history, and conveying the ideas they wished to express through cloisonné enamelware and classic tableware.

It also illustrates the economic strength of successive dynasties. From its inception, cloisonné enamelware was exclusively for imperial use. The quantity and size of cloisonné enamelware produced reflected the national power of each dynasty. This collection showcases the national strength of China from the Tang Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty through the complexity of its craftsmanship and the size of its pieces, perfectly matching high-end office decor and luxury home decor.

Furthermore, the collection presents three theories on the origin of cloisonné enamel:

• The Tang Dynasty Theory
• The Yuan Dynasty Theory
• The Ming Dynasty Theory

2. Master Artisans and Heritage

This collection tells the story of the craftsmanship and dedication of China's master artisans. These nine pieces narrate the inheritance of cloisonné enamel, from the first piece created in China to the passing down of the craft by generations of artisans. Through this inheritance, artisans applied their wisdom and continuously innovated, gradually perfecting the art and ultimately preserving it for 600 years, making it unique in the imperial palace. Each piece serves as a timeless luxurious home accent and unique personalized gift.

II. The Nine Treasures: Dynasty by Dynasty

1. The Twelve-Petal Enamel Mirror — The Ancestor of Cloisonné

The Twelve-Petal Enamel Mirror is an enamel mirror made in China during the Tang Dynasty, currently housed in the Shosoin Repository in Nara, Japan. It is the oldest extant cloisonné artifact. Proponents of the Tang Dynasty origin theory argue that this mirror, based on its shape, manufacturing technique, and lotus flower decoration, is undoubtedly a Tang Dynasty piece, thus concluding that cloisonné enamelware did not originate from the Western Regions. However, this is currently an isolated case; for the four to five hundred years following the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties, no physical remains or written records of cloisonné enamelware have been found.

The Twelve-Petal Enamel Mirror not only interprets the theory of origin but also reflects the Chinese understanding of optics. The mirror surface is convex, which reduces the image size. A dressing mirror needs to be held very close; a flat mirror would not reflect a complete face. The convex mirror effectively solves this problem by utilizing the principle of image reduction.

2. The Lotus Scroll Pattern Elephant-Ear Censer — Yuan Dynasty Masterpiece

The Lotus Scroll Pattern Elephant-Ear Censer—one of the ten national treasures of the Palace Museum, Beijing—is an enamel masterpiece. Currently housed in the Palace Museum, Beijing, this cloisonné enamel censer with lotus scroll pattern and elephant-ear handles was unearthed from the Qing Dynasty imperial collection and is a Yuan Dynasty enamelware piece modified during the Jingtai period.

In fact, the Yuan Dynasty was the foundational and mature period of Chinese enamel craftsmanship. Kublai Khan, the Yuan Dynasty emperor, led expeditions across Eurasia. Due to continuous warfare, a special military order was issued: "Only artisans are exempt." Captured artisans were spared execution and assigned to manufacture goods. Kublai Khan brought these artisans back to Dadu (Beijing), where they established workshops. To express their gratitude, they created a cloisonné enamel piece and presented it to him—a piece that is now a national treasure in the Palace Museum.

3. The Lotus Pattern Plum Vase — Born with the Forbidden City

The cloisonné enamel plum vase with lotus scroll design dates to the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. This means its creation coincided with the construction of the Forbidden City (1406–1420); the vase was born alongside the Forbidden City and has remained there for 600 years. Furthermore, the lotus scroll plum vase is the first extant cloisonné enamel plum vase design, pioneering the cloisonné enamel plum vase form.

4. Cloud and Dragon Pattern Covered Jar — Xuande Imperial Splendor

Famed collector Ma Weidu recalled kneeling on one knee at the British Museum to take a photograph with this grand Xuande cloisonné covered jar, fulfilling a long-held wish. Because copper was still used for minting coins in the Ming Dynasty, using such a vast quantity of copper to make a large cloisonné jar was extraordinarily expensive.

This Xuande jar features strong, bold colors, especially the rarely used black enamel in cloisonné, giving it a weighty, majestic feel. The red is deep and heavy, paired with large areas of yellow that almost obscure the blue undertones. The dragon motif is fierce, with five claws spinning like a windmill, exuding the imposing presence of the Xuande Emperor. Most importantly, it bears repeated inscriptions: "Made in the Xuande Reign of the Great Ming Dynasty" and "Imperial Works," indicating that this jar was exclusively crafted for the Xuande Emperor himself.

5. Lotus Scroll Pattern Ball-Shaped Incense Burner — A Masterpiece of Mechanical Craftsmanship

The Lotus Scroll Incense Burner consists of two hemispheres joined together by a mortise and tenon joint to form a sphere. Inside the sphere are three copper rings of varying sizes, connected by an axle, with a copper censer suspended inside. Utilizing the principle of gyroscopic balance, no matter how the sphere rotates, the censer's opening always faces upwards to prevent incense from spilling. The burner is covered in light blue enamel with delicate, fluid cloisonné lotus scroll patterns, featuring the characteristic dry, matte finish of early Kangxi enamel craftsmanship.

6. Phoenix Ear Bean Clay Pot — The Only Yongzheng-Marked Cloisonné

The Phoenix Ear Bean Clay Pot features a plain interior and six concentric bands of cloisonné meander patterns on its lid, body, and foot. The rest of the surface is covered with tightly arranged circles filled with dark green glaze, creating a beautiful and meticulous aesthetic. It holds great historical importance as the only cloisonné enamel piece bearing the official Yongzheng reign mark.

The Phoenix Ear Bean was an imperial soup bowl used by the emperor during palace banquets. While ministers used porcelain soup bowls and wine cups, the emperor used cloisonné to highlight his distinct rank, demonstrating the supreme status of cloisonné within the imperial court.

7. Floral Ruyi Shoulder Phoenix Ear Tripod Covered Incense Burner — Record High at Auction

At Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Auction in 2017, a Qianlong-period cloisonné tripod censer with floral ruyi-shaped phoenix-ear handles sold for HK$13.9 million, topping the 2017 global enamelware auction list.

This large, majestic censer features blue enamel glaze decorated with colorful exotic foliage. Its shoulders showcase six cloud-shaped panels flanked by three-dimensional gilded phoenix handles. The lid is topped with a gilded dragon-shaped knob playing with a pearl resting on a mountain of longevity, while the base is supported by fully gilded flying dragon feet. Formerly in the prestigious collection of Sir Robert Jardine Matheson, its exquisite craftsmanship displays ultimate royal grandeur.

8. Openwork Cloud and Dragon Revolving Vase — The Only Rotating Cloisonné

The Openwork Cloud and Dragon Revolving Vase features a flared mouth, round belly, and a cylindrical interior container decorated with lotus scrolls. The outer belly can rotate, allowing viewers to see the inner cylinder's design through three openwork circular panels depicting dragons and clouds.

Emperor Qianlong perfected the art of rotating porcelain and dreamed of creating a rotating cloisonné vase, but this goal was not realized during his lifetime. It was not until the reign of Emperor Daoguang that artisans successfully created this piece, making it the only existing cloisonné enamelware revolving vase in history.

9. Lotus and Five Blessings Surrounding Longevity Character Round Box — Harmony and Beauty

The "Lotus and Five Blessings Surrounding Longevity Character Round Box" features a round mouth, bulging belly, and ring foot. The lid showcases a halo depicting five red bats flying around a central "Longevity" character, symbolizing "Five Blessings Surrounding Longevity" .

In imperial society, cloisonné enamel boxes were essential luxury items for the emperor and palace staff, serving a role similar to high-end dried fruit or keepsake boxes today. Today, they remain among the most treasured palace artifacts, alongside fine luxury gifts for men and seasonal gifts.