It would be easier to make a complicated
design on the flat surface of a cloisonné button.
Have you ever been to a button show?
The button collectors are much better
than bead collectors at identifying and
labeling their collections. And they have
a wealth of material to work with.
Just Fred
A matched set of rare Japanese cloisonne buttons, on offer for less than a C-note, and no bids?
eBay item 371142917126
Hi Chris,
A cloisonne jar is being featured as an image intended to attract viewers to this exhibit:
http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/exhibition-tickets/ming-50-years-that-changed-china/invt/mexming50
Just Fred
I've found the way Chinese cloisonne artists interpret the basic dragon iconography to be quite interesting in the details. For instance, the shape of the chin, nose, and type of belly scales can be quite revealing as an indicator of a particular artist or atelier.
http://www.beadiste.com/2013/10/puzzling-evidence-lao-tian-lis-dragon.html
The cloisonne beads from the 1930s, among other objects, feature a dragon with only 4 toes instead of the usual 5 for post-Qing Chinese designs. [Blog post in the works]
And once new artists began to take over the direction of the cloisonne workshops, the dragon has experienced an artistic resurrection - some designs very dramatic, others more cartoonish.
Also find it interesting that the Chinese invested quite a bit of effort in producing cloisonne beads, whereas the Japanese seemed to find it easier to sell belt buckles and buttons.
eBay item 221556292468 [vendor cancelled offering until she decides what to do with these, as she has a set of six]
