Large Cloisonne Vase Circa 1900

Chinese Cloisonné Vase

Identification

This is a Chinese cloisonné enamel vase with a classic bottle-gourd (hu) form — bulbous lower body, narrow waist, and flared trumpet neck. The technique involves copper wire (cloisons) soldered to a metal body to create cells filled with vitreous enamel, then fired and polished.

Key features visible:

∙Midnight black ground — a hallmark of quality cloisonné, as black grounds require more enamel layers

∙Gilt brass/bronze rims (top lip and foot ring) — standard construction detail

∙Fret/Greek key border at the waist

∙Lotus and peony scroll motifs on the body — classic Chinese decorative with butterflies

∙Tulip/floral arcade on the neck

∙Diamond diaper pattern on neck and foot

∙Multicolor palette: turquoise, pink, green, white, gold, coral

Period Assessment: Most likely Republic Period (1912–1949) or mid-20th century export ware, possibly from the Beijing workshops that produced heavily for the export market. The dense, busy composition and very regular wire work point toward 20th century manufacture rather than earlier Imperial period