Smithsonian Institution Exclusive

Description

Capture the timeless elegance of cloisonné with vintage-inspired beads, vibrant dyed blue freshwater pearls, carnelian beads and brass spacers with this Vintage Cloisonné Carnelian Necklace. Cloisonné enamelling techniques date back thousnads of years and have become a hallmark of exquisite Chinese jewelry design.

This jewelry item comes packaged in a white box (pictured).

Museum Story

An art form originating in the Middle East and elevated in China, after its arrival there in the 13th and 14th centuries, the cloisonné technique adorns copper or bronze objects with copper wire designs. The resulting cells are then filled with enamel, fired in a kiln and polished, creating a harmonious contrast between the gleaming metal and the jewel-hued enamel. Cloisonné is found in our National Museum of Natural History's Asian ethnological collections.