Cloisonné is a kind of decorative pottery with an enamel glaze, where metal filaments are fused to the surface of an object, and outline a design filled with enamel paste. Introduced from the Middle East in the late 13th century, this art has since prospered in China from the Ming Dynasty on.

Last week on my visit to Baigong Handicraft Museum, I found this cloisonné shop on the second floor. The shelves against walls displayed a variety of colorful cloisonné vases. Among them, I found one called "Maple Leaves" (RMB 1600) most appealing. This vase featured red maple leaves and golden clouds vividly distributed over the white background.

In the midst of the room, I saw two middle-aged women making cloisonné articles. They talked to me about the process while working. I was amazed. A piece of cloisonné article requires 37 procedures to complete! This includes body shaping, filigree making, enameling, heating, and gilding.

Ranked as one of the eight consummate arts of Beijing, cloisonné is a definitive artwork of the capital city.

What I appreciated

Unique cloisonné articles of Beijing, cloisonné craftsmen working on-location

What customers appreciate

Traditional handicraft of Beijing, prominent workmanship