<em>Garden Seat</em>, early 17th century. Cloisonné enamel on copper alloy, 15 3/8 x 16 3/8 in. (39.1 x 41.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Samuel P. Avery, 09.585. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 09.585_PS2.jpg)

Garden Seat, early 17th century. Cloisonné enamel on copper alloy, 15 3/8 x 16 3/8 in. (39.1 x 41.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Samuel P. Avery, 09.585. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 09.585_PS2.jpg)

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How did they get such a bright blue hue?

The bright blue on the Garden Seat you just sent is made using cloisonné, a process where enamel is placed into a design made using raised metal wires.

How long did it take to make a piece of that size with cloisonné?

It is very detailed work isn't it? While I'm not sure exactly how long it would take, the artist would first have to make the body of the object, then the designs in wire, raised on the object, then affix multiple layers of enamel to the object to achieve the final product. I would estimate it would take maybe 6 or 7 weeks to complete an object of this size.

Why is Chinese art in a case with Medieval Cloisonné?

It's surprising at first, right? We're most used to seeing things separated by geography. However, cloisonné is a cross-cultural technique! It was first developed in the Mediterranean basin around 1500 B.C.E. It became highly developed in the Byzantine Empire in the tenth and eleventh centuries and appears to have been transmitted to China via the maritime and overland Silk Routes. It starts showing up in China by the early fifteenth century.

Don't miss the small set of objects showing the different stages of cloisonne --- that really helped me to understand how it is made.

Thanks! Enjoying the exhibit and the chance to chat with you.

I’m surprised that although these 2 pieces were made decades apart that they have such similar colors/blue in them. Can you tell us more about that?

Yes, that is a terrific observation!

The enamel tradition, including the color palette, was formalized in Ming China. The later Qing dynasty wanted to legitimize their rule and intentionally produced objects that resembled Ming products.

The round garden seat is Ming and the tall square vase is Qing.

So interesting! Thank you.

When was this object used?

This garden seat was used in the early 17th century during the Ming Dynasty in China. Based on its motifs it was designed during the Shunzhi reign.

Was this actually used as a seat? It looks too fragile!

Yes, it was actually used as a garden sear in the early 17th century. The cloisonné decoration does look fragile, but it is made of layers upon layers of enamel, so it's pretty hard and durable. The structure of the seat is copper alloy.

Thanks!!

Who is likely to have sat on this seat?

It would have been the Chinese elite.

Garden Seat

Asian Art

MEDIUM Cloisonné enamel on copper alloy

Place Made: China

DATES early 17th century

DYNASTY Ming Dynasty

PERIOD Ming Dynasty

DIMENSIONS 15 3/8 x 16 3/8 in. (39.1 x 41.6 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 09.585

CREDIT LINE Gift of Samuel P. Avery

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Medium-sized garden seat, in the usual shape of a barrel, with a flat top and a large hole in the bottom. On either side are large lion head bosses holding ring handles, and above and below the top are bands studded at intervals with small plain bosses. Copper, once gilded on the rims, bosses, and handles, but now with most of the gilding gone, and decorated on the sides and the top with cloisonné enamels. On the sides, between bands of lotus scrolls, are large almost square flower, bird, and rock panels, framed by scalloped borders containing taotie masks and other patterns taken from archaic bronzes. On the top are three lion dogs around a brocade ball. The ground on the top and on the panels is filled with an all over cloud pattern made by the cloisons alone. The stems in the lotus design are also made in the same way. The colors are dark blue, red, two shades of green, white, yellow, and a mixed red and white, on a turquoise blue ground. The surface of the enamel is pitted and chipped.

EXHIBITIONS

Infinite Blue

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Garden Seat, early 17th century. Cloisonné enamel on copper alloy, 15 3/8 x 16 3/8 in. (39.1 x 41.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Samuel P. Avery, 09.585. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 09.585_PS2.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 09.585_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2009

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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