Cloisonné is an art form which originated in the Near East. It was introduced in China during the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). The technique requires a metal, mostly copper, body on which thin copper or silver wires are soldered in such a way that the spaces between them (cloisons in French) can be filled up with enamel paste which is then fired onto the metal base. Three or more layers of glass enamel are needed to fill up the spaces between the wires. The final stage consists of rubbing the object with abrasives to create a smooth flat surface after which the wires are gilt to prevent corrosion. This particular vase dates from the sixties of the previous (20th) century. Its ribbed shape made it quite difficult to create a smooth flat surface. Size without stand: Height 25.5 cm. Diameter 14 cm.