The craft later spread beyond the court. By the late Qing Dynasty, cloisonne techniques had entered the private sector, and cloisonne products were exported overseas. The tradition subsequently faced the risk of being lost before being revived after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
The Beijing Enamel Factory was established in 1956, providing a base for generations of craftspeople to preserve and develop the traditional techniques. In 2006, cloisonne craftsmanship was included in China's national-level representative list of intangible cultural heritage.
Held in the historical setting of Prince Kung's Palace Museum, the exhibition is arranged chronologically. It presents the craft's introduction to China during the Yuan Dynasty, its localization and maturity during the Ming Dynasty, its heyday in the Qing imperial court, and its revival and development in modern times.
The collaboration between the museum and the Beijing Enamel Factory brings a once-imperial craft into a historical palace setting, creating a dialogue between the site's architectural heritage and the intangible cultural heritage on display.
During the exhibition, organizers will also hold lectures by cloisonne masters and hands-on craft workshops. The exhibition will run through Dec 6 and is closed on Mondays.
