SJX
[Purist]
8540
Cloisonne is strongly associated with China
though I recall it originated elsewhere much earlier. At its peak, during the Ming dynasty until maybe the 18th century, the cloisonne wares made for the Chinese Imperial Court were quite amazing, just like the porcelain and ceramics. I have seen some of the modern cloisonne dial watches from China, while they are well made they are not extraordinarily fine. But with time I am sure they will improve.
- SJX
The art of enamelling at Cartier - an in-depth look with 42 photos!
Earlier in my epic 13-part post on the Cartier manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds I took a look at the enamelling department of the manufacture ( click here to see the post). This post will provide a more detailed look - with 42 never seen before photos - a...
Thanks for the tour! I must agree that the enamelling
staff are true artists. The patience and techniques only heighten the art IMO. Great and engaging article. Best to all, Tim
Enamel is not the only art at Cartier
There is also high jewellery and even marquetry, the art of using tiny bits of wood veneer to create a motif. But that is for another article in the future. The Cartier d'Art series of watches includes watches with both enamel and marquetry dials. - SJX
once again..great reporting SJX!
amazing photo reporting and I can totally appreciate the handiwork that goes into each piece.. wow...time consuming it is..I once visited a cloisonné factory in China but they were not working on microscopic levels...
Cloisonne is strongly associated with China
though I recall it originated elsewhere much earlier. At its peak, during the Ming dynasty until maybe the 18th century, the cloisonne wares made for the Chinese Imperial Court were quite amazing, just like the porcelain and ceramics. I have seen some of ...
Byzantine I think
The first true cloisonne pieces are from the mid Byzantine empire I believe, derived from central European "migration period" champleve work mimicking semi-precious stone inlay work. There are some pieces from the Staffordshire Horde that are fantastic ex...
You are right
and I recall seeing some objects in the various museums. I remember the early ones are a bit crude though and not as well formed as the Chinese Ming dynasty ones. - SJX
Art takes time to develop...
And the look of the contemporary art is very different. The Byzantine pieces that I've seen, though few, don't seem to have the obsessive perfection that I associate with later Chinese pieces, but do share a look with Icons of the same period.... A
I agree. In watchmaking terms
the early work is like early FP Journe while the later pieces are like modern Lange. - SJX
Thank you for this great post
Certainly one of the best I've read about enamel, which is a fantastic mix between art and technique. Emmanuel
thanks SJX
another amazing post ... personally i've always said that a watch with an enmal dial is a MUST for any collector ... and in my personal list for watches to collect i have that written down as well . Enmal is a true art , each and every creation is an artw...
There is enamel and then there is enamel
On the surface enamel work can look largely similar but as the saying goes God is in the details. Flat white Grand Feu enamel dials can vary tremendously in quality, just examine them under a loupe and look for the size of imperfections (no enamel dial ca...
The work requires tremendous artistic skill and patience.
It appears that Cartier only does cloisonne and champleve enamelling. I could be wrong. Personally, I prefer enamel miniature painting like the one performed by Anita Porchet. Thanks for the in-dept look, SJX. Regards Ling
I recall seeing Cartier with miniature enamel painting
but I can't remember if it is done at this same atelier or elsewhere. I will find out. - SJX
Thanks for a most interesting and informative post.
i just wish that some of the timepieces on which these works of art are put on were a bit smaller! Roni