The basin shows cloisonné enamel at its most confident. Wire first, then enamel, then fire, repeated until the surface is calm and the gilding catches the light.
A basin in cloisonné enamel was never for use alone. It was a statement about control, of colour, of fire, of a pattern held perfectly still.
The Imperial taste ran to crowded, auspicious objects. A basin in cloisonné enamel could carry a wish, a reign mark and a lecture in enamel, all at once.
Enamel is the most patient possible boast. This basin is on Sinocra with more from The Palace Museum, and the shop carries the craft forward.
Object details
| Name | Cloisonné enamel basin (掐丝珐琅八吉祥纹火盆) |
|---|---|
| Artefact no. | 故00119741 |
| Technique | Cloisonné enamel (掐丝珐琅) |
| Period | Imperial dynasty |
| Collection | The Palace Museum, Beijing |
| Source | Palace Museum Digital Collection (数字文物库) |
Image © The Palace Museum. View the original in the Palace Museum Digital Collection.