Here be
dragons
Chinese cloisonné cigarette box from early 20th century
Cloisonné is a technique for decorating metalwork. The earliest cloisonné work dates to the 12th century BC in Cyprus.
Cloisons are little enclosures formed from thin wire and filled with small gems or stones which are fired to melt.
More detailed information can be found here.
This box was brought home from China by my father many years before I was born.
.jpeg)
There were matching ashtrays, though I cannot find them at present.
Close-up of sun
The box must be incredibly old as it was brought back from China before you were born! I am surprised that it's not in black and white!
ReplyDeleteNow, now, enough of that, young man!
DeleteIt's so beautiful! Another heirloom that maybe could be used as a trinket box. I love dragons and was born in the Year of the Dragon.
ReplyDeleteIt's full of little silver birds at the moment!
DeleteI assumed cloisonné was a Chinese invention from a few centuries ago, and clearly I was wrong. The box is beautiful and I wonder if the ashtrays were included, what kind of value it would have. Perhaps you should attend an Antiques Roadshow and have a nice chat with Fiona.
ReplyDeleteI'll leave the chats with Fiona to others, I think.
DeleteHow lovely. Your father brought back some varied and beautiful pieces didn't he.
ReplyDeleteHe did. When he was away for three year commissions, he had plenty of time to consider what he would bring home.
DeleteIt is a treasure
ReplyDeleteIt is, for us, anyway.
DeleteFrom the days when smoking was "the thing," they had beautiful boxes to hold the cigarettes. Now, again, it's a piece of art.
ReplyDeleteA lot of artistry went into the design of smoking artefacts. Snuff boxes are very collectable, I understand.
DeleteAnother family heirloom for you. Absolutely breath taking skilled art.
ReplyDeleteOne of the dragons is boss-eyed!
DeleteA beautiful family heirloom. One of my uncles, a doctor, served in China during WWII. I can remember at least one heirloom he took home from his time in service.
ReplyDeleteI like family heirlooms and honoring traditions. This box is beautiful in a very special way.
DeleteDo you know where your uncle's treasures went?
DeleteIt has no monetary value but that's not the point. As Inger says, it's very special.
Absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's a bit battered, really.
DeleteA beautiful family heirloom ... very special.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you. We like it.
DeleteHow lovely! Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure. I'm glad that others can appreciate it.
DeleteVery pretty, dragons are featured all over Wales,,,,yma fod yn ddreigiau!
ReplyDelete(Here be dragons)
I just discovered the other day that I have a Welsh grandmother. I only met her once, when I was very small.
DeleteSuch lovely detail.
ReplyDeleteIt rewards close inspection.
DeleteThat's utterly exquisite, Janice, and thank you for shedding some light on cloisonné technique! xxx
ReplyDelete