Cloisonné

Cloisonné is a technique of decorating metalwork by first creating compartments by soldering thin strips of metal to the piece which are used to separate inlays or enamel paste. Being first developed in the Near East, cloisonné was then used by the ancient Egyptians using either inlay or what is known as fierce, a ceramic like glass paste. The technique was widely used, being popular in the art of the Byzantine empire and the Anglo Saxons. The development of finer techniques allowed for the use of figurative designs which was common in Byzantine pieces where saints are often depicted. The Chinese later adopted cloisonné, producing many fine examples in the 18th century.