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Cloisonne vase factory and market in China - Sapphire Princess Orient Cruise Review Pictures

On the way back from the Great Wall we stopped at a factory where they make what I have always thought of as "Ming Vases", they are of course, called cloisonne vases I guess.


I was astonished to discover that they start with a copper vase, hammered into shape on a mold. There are a number of steps including gluing on tiny little pieces of copper, which are then filled with ceramic material, fired, done again, etc. and then painted and polished.  A whole lot of work.  They are certainly beautiful when they are completed though. 

Picture of The Cloisonné factory Photograph of The Cloisonné factory The Cloisonné factory - pictures
The Cloisonné factory. An example as we go in. A dude beating the copper into shape.
     
Cloisonné factory photographs Images The Cloisonné factory Cloisonné factory Images
     
     
pictures of Cloisonné vases Pictures of making Cloisonné vases Cloisonné vases being made in China
All different sizes of course. Here they are using tweezers and gluing little pieces of copper to the vases. Really looks like pain-staking work.
     
Photographs of Cloisonné vases being made in China These vases are glued and awaiting the ceramic filling process.
More of the same process. See the pile of little tiny pieces of copper she is using. These vases are glued and awaiting the ceramic filling process.
     
picture of a Cloisonné vase Now the ceramic material is filled into the spaces between the tiny pieces of copper. photos of a cloisonné vase factory
It takes a whole lot of little pieces to do one of these babies. Now the ceramic material is filled into the spaces between the tiny pieces of copper. More of the same.
     
These have been filled and fired. Still more work to go. After more filling and painting and roasting
These have been filled and fired. Still more work to go. After more filling and painting and roasting... This is where they roast them...ok where the fire them.
     
Cloisonné vase factory pictures from our Cruise Review of the Sapphire Princess photos of a Cloisonné vase factory
This guy is polishing them after the firing. Filled and fired...ready for more filling and painting I think.  
     
Pictures of a Cloisonné show room Cloisonné vase factory Cloisonné show room pictures
We finally make it into the showroom. Not just vases though...all kinds of things from dogs to plates.  
     
Cloisonné A big vase...this must have taken a while.
  Pretty good sized show room too. A big vase...this must have taken a while.
     
     
     
pictures of Cloisonné vase factory
     
     
     
     
Cloisonné vases for sale at the factory in China Cloisonné vase factory pictures from China Pictures from our Sapphire Princess asian cruise to the Orient - shopping!
    Kathy had to buy a few little trinkets...better than lots of big trinkets I guess.