Blue & White Cloisonné Tea Cup

This early 20th century tea cup is a lovely example of Chinese cloisonné, decorated with softly shaded peonies and plum blossoms in a palette of blue and white enamels. The surrounding white field is patterned with a geometric meander and framed by a border of flower petals.

A decorative technique first adopted in China in the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644), cloisonné is achieved by outlining intricate patterns with thin strips of metal, which are then filled with colorful materials such as vitreous enamel, cut glass or gemstones.

Minor losses to enamel.