Collection: Cloisonne style

Cloisonné (French: [klwazɔne]) is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects with colored material held in place or separated by metal strips or wire, normally of gold.

Cloisonné had been made in Japan centuries before, but the Japanese had lost the skill. In the nineteenth century one keen craftsman, Kaji Tsunekichi, wanted to reintroduce it. By destroying a piece of Chinese cloisonné he worked out how it was made and started making cloisonné himself.

These cufflinks are made from re-purposed ladies earrings, mostly from the mid 20th century period of earlier. They are either cloisonne or follow as closely as possible this style.

Most of these items are unique and weilst there may be some colour varitions in each style, in most cases they are only one of a kind.