"String of pearls, cloisonné, exquisite jade ornaments, a sight of endless allure," describes an object emitting a mysterious blue glow.

It possesses the warmth of jade, the lustre of pearls, the delicacy of porcelain, and the brilliance of precious metals. This is the renowned artistry of cloisonné.

Cloisonné, one of the four famous Chinese applied arts, produces exquisitely crafted objects, earning the name "cloisonné" among later generations. Cloisonné is a unique metalwork technique in which soft, flattened copper wires create patterns on a copper base. The enamel of multiple colours is filled within these patterns and fired to produce the final piece.

Most cloisonné pieces are vessel-shaped, often following traditional shapes from historical ceramic and bronze ware. The decorative patterns predominantly feature lotus motifs, with some variations including linked floral designs and adaptations of bronze ware patterns. The primary colour scheme revolves around a deep blue (sky blue), complemented by small amounts of red, white, green, and yellow.

The harmony of colours, meticulousness, tasteful decoration, exquisite craftsmanship and emphasis on details characterize cloisonné. Its matured craftsmanship is renowned worldwide for its vibrant and culturally rich artistic style.

1. "Wire bending" is the most enchanting process in cloisonné craftsmanship. Like sketching with white lines on a copper base, intricate and diverse patterns require artisans to use specialized tweezers to shape copper wires into desired designs, meticulously affixing them individually. This demands not only the mastery of skilled hands but also imagination.

2. The enamel used for "dotting the blue" is usually prepared by the master craftsmen and presents various colours. Renowned artisan Zhong Liansheng delicately uses a long, slender spoon to draw out a bit of colour from the enamel dish, filling the gaps between the copper wires bit by bit. Dotting the blue demands total and even filling

; the balance between heavy and light colours relies on the artisan's expertise. Simultaneously, excess enamel needs to be absorbed using a water-absorbing cloth. Each colour layer must be applied meticulously because the subtle changes in pattern and colour transitions depend on these minute details.

3. During the firing process, the copper base shines red-hot before returning to its original colour state, resembling the rebirth of a phoenix. Each cloisonné piece undergoes three firing stages: one to even the wires, two higher than the wires, and finally, one to level with the cables. During polishing, artisans use their hands to press charcoal ash against the object, smoothing out the uneven enamel through three rounds.

With over a hundred steps, countless rounds of polishing, repeated firing, and gold plating, each stage demands the skill and dedication of artisans. Objects cannot speak, and their value and heritage rely entirely on human determination. For over 600 years, the elegance of cloisonné has not faded with time but remains a testament to human appreciation.

Without thoughtful appreciation and respect, the legacy of cloisonné craftsmanship risks fading. As a national treasure shining alongside the world, it deserves nothing less than reverence and admiration.