Jungwhon Joo
Cloisonné – a term derived from the French word, “cloison,” meaning “partition,” – is an
age-old technique of enameling that has been practiced by known and unknown artists all
over the world.
To create the pieces, lengths of fine silver or gold wire are first bent, arranged, and fused
onto a precious metal surface in the desired composition.
Each of the partitions is then filled with vitreous enamel powder and fired in a kiln at
between 1380 and 1560°F. The layering and firing process is repeated until the enamel
reaches the necessary depth.
Next, the piece is filed to an even surface then either flash-fired to bring back the original
luster or polished with a finer grade to create a matted look.
Finally, a unique bezel is made for each enamel piece to be set into.
Enamel is fused glass on metal; please handle with gentle care. The enamel will maintain
its brilliance and colors over a lifetime.
