Symbolism in Cloisonné

Cloisonné(cloy-zuhn-ay) a decorative method that uses small metal wires to outline shapes/designs on a piece of metal. The shapes (cloisons) are then filled with enamel that, when fired in a kiln or heated to a very high temperature, turns into a glass-like medium and creates bright and opaque areas of color. is a French term describing a technique for decorating metal vessels. Making cloisonné is very time-consuming and expensive. The craftsman would first outline a design in wires that are fused onto the metal body. Then he would fill the enclosures, or cloisons, with colored glass paste and fire the object. The glass paste, or enamelan opaque (dark) paste that is used to add color to hard surfaces like metal. It turns into a glass-like texture, which also provides protection, when heat is applied., shrinks when firedthe act of heating pottery in a kiln.. Usually four or five rounds of adding enamel and refiring are required to finish an object.

Cloisonné is thought to have been introduced to China during the Yuan(yoo-en) dynastya series of rulers from a single family. (1279–1368) through Islamic influence. It was fully developed during the Ming dynasty in the early fifteenth century when the rich and vibrant color effects suited the imperialrelating to an empire, an emperor, or the home of royals. taste.

This li incensea material created from spices, flowers, and other natural elements that release scents (smells) when burned. burner is one of the earliest examples of cloisonné in China. This decorated metal vessela container such as a cup, bowl, pot, or dish. was made to be used as an incense burner, holding sticks of solid incense or perfume to burn and add scent to a space. Incense burners were used in front of portraits of ancestors or religious paintings as a sign of reverence; the smoke symbolized a connection between the heavens and earth. Additionally, in Buddhist ceremonies incense is burned to purify the temple or monastery and to show respect for the deitiesdivine beings; gods and/or goddesses.. The burning of incense played an important role in Chinese culture since ancient times, but increased trade along the Silk Roadan ancient network of land and sea trade routes established during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) that existed until the middle of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). These trade routes stretched from China across Asia to the Near East, the Mediterranean, and East Africa. brought foreign fragrances such as sandalwood, camphor, benzoin, and frankincense into the country.

On this object, colorful floral and leaf decorations lie on a beautiful turquoise background. The high quality of the lotus pattern along with the jade knob on the wooden cover suggests it was used in the imperial palace. The jade knob dates to the Yuan dynasty. Underneath the burner there are three symbolsshapes or designs that are recognizable and have a meaning associated with them signifying luck: a peach for immortalitythe ability to live forever., a pomegranate for numerous heirs, and an orange for good fortune. The incense burner is executed in the tripod li(lee) shape: a squat, rounded body supported on three short legs like those of goat or cow. It is modeled on li ceramic and bronze vessels used in the Shang(shahng) (ca. 1600–1050 BCE) and Zhou(joe) (ca. 1050–221 BCE) dynasties for offerings of food at rituala set pattern of behavior for a religious or other kind of ceremony. ceremonies and therefore recalls previous eras in Chinese history. This type of incense burner became very popular during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing(ching) (1644–1911) dynasties.

cloisonné(cloy-zuhn-ay) a decorative method that uses small metal wires to outline shapes/designs on a piece of metal. The shapes (cloisons) are then filled with enamel that, when fired in a kiln or heated to a very high temperature, turns into a glass-like medium and creates bright and opaque areas of color.: a decorative method that uses small metal wires to outline shapes/designs on a piece of metal. The shapes (cloisons) are then filled with enamelan opaque (dark) paste that is used to add color to hard surfaces like metal. It turns into a glass-like texture, which also provides protection, when heat is applied. that, when firedthe act of heating pottery in a kiln. in a kilna type of oven for firing clay or porcelain to make ceramic ware. or heated to a very high temperature, turns into a glass-like medium and creates bright and opaque areas of color.

enamel: an opaque (dark) paste that is used to add color to hard surfaces like metal. It turns into a glass-like texture, which also provides protection, when heat is applied.

glazea thin, glass-like coating made of powdered rocks, minerals, ashes, and water. Applied correctly it makes a clay body impervious after firing. The colors of glaze are determined by the mineral oxides used and various aspects of the firing conditions.: a thin, glasslike coating made of powdered rocks, minerals, ashes, and water. Applied correctly it makes a clay body impervious after firing. The colors of glaze are determined by the mineral oxides used and various aspects of the firing conditions.

incensea material created from spices, flowers, and other natural elements that release scents (smells) when burned.: a material created from spices, flowers, and other natural elements that release scents (smells) when burned.

Silk Roadan ancient network of land and sea trade routes established during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) that existed until the middle of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). These trade routes stretched from China across Asia to the Near East, the Mediterranean, and East Africa.: an ancient network of land and sea trade routes established during the Han dynastya series of rulers from a single family. (206 BCE–220 CE) that existed until the middle of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Trade routes stretched from China across Asia to the Near East, the Mediterranean, and East Africa.

symbola shape or design that is recognizable and has a meaning associated with it.: a shape or design that is recognizable and has a meaning associated with it.

Day 1

1. Divide students into small groups. Provide students with the Looking at Objects graphic organizer.
2. Provide access to multiple images of the li incensea material created from spices, flowers, and other natural elements that release scents (smells) when burned. burner in order for students to complete the graphic organizer in their groups.
3. Then, provide students with the Chinese symbola shape or design that is recognizable and has a meaning associated with it. guide and the object description for the li incense burner.
4. Using this information, have students engage in a small group discussion to answer the questions below.

Describe

• Describe the overall shape of the object.
• What shapes, colors, and other details can you find?
• What do you notice about the images and decoration on the object?

Analyze

• How are colors used in the design? What purpose do they have?
• What messages or ideas do you think this object represents?
• What type of object do you think it is? What might it have been used for? How do you know?

Interpret                                                                                                                                          

• Who do you think this object belonged to? What about them makes you think that?
• Have you seen any objects that are used for similar purposes? Does this object remind you of anything? What aspects and why?
• What does the medium and design of this object tell us about this time in Chinese history?

Visual Arts

Draw a design for a cloisonné(cloy-zuhn-ay) a decorative method that uses small metal wires to outline shapes/designs on a piece of metal. The shapes (cloisons) are then filled with enamel that, when fired in a kiln or heated to a very high temperature, turns into a glass-like medium and creates bright and opaque areas of color. artwork that has personal meaning.

• Think about what is most important to you. Brainstorm a list of images and symbolsshapes or designs that are recognizable and have a meaning associated with them that represent those things.
• Plan a design that features at least two to three of those images or symbols. You can use drawing paper, graph paper, or a digital design program to create either a 2-D or 3-D design.
• In order to mimic cloisonné, your design should have small repeated patterns all over, be made up of solid color shapes with no space between them, and each shape should have a thick dark-colored or metallic outline around it.

Personal object display/gallery display: Create a personal exhibition.

• After exploring what one can learn from objects by examining the li incensea material created from spices, flowers, and other natural elements that release scents (smells) when burned. burner, consider what objects could represent the different parts of your life, such as family history, hobbies, interests, and accomplishments.
• Plan and prepare an exhibition of objects from your home that demonstrates aspects of your life.
• Create wall labels for each object and prepare a short talk about your collection.

Social Studies

Suggested writing/research prompts:

• How does the li incense burner demonstrate the influence of Islamic culture on Chinese art?
• How did advances in technology in the Ming dynastya series of rulers from a single family. affect the production of this object?
• Students generate and research a question of their own in relation to the li incense burner.