2-746-996 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Vase with Three Rams Heads, 1736-1795. In cloisonné enamelling, the decorative patterns are outlined by soldering metal wires (usually copper) to a metal base, creating a network of cells, or cloisons, to be filled with powdered enamels. After firing, the enamels are polished to create a smooth surface level with the cloisons. The exposed metal surfaces are gilt.