Splendors of East Asian Cloisonné

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

The Asian Art Collection of Phoenix Art Museum is home to a distinctive collection of cloisonné vessels from China and Japan. After four centuries of development in China, the art of making cloisonné spread to Japan, where artisans expanded the form with new color palettes, ceramic base vessels, enlarged cell areas, optical effects, and varied textures.

Header: Triple vase, Qing dynasty, mid-18th century, China. Cloisonné enamel. Museum purchase and gift of Mr. Robert H. Clague. Photo: Ken Howie

Champion vase, Qing dynasty, first half of 18th century, China (detail). Cloisonné enamel. Museum purchase and gift of Mr. Robert H. Clague. Photo: Ken Howie

In Splendors of East Asian Cloisonné, discover outstanding examples of cloisonné vessels from both China and Japan made from the 16^th through the 20^th centuries. The display highlights the connections and distinctions between the two production centers and the technical innovations that brought the artform to its pinnacle.

Featured works from the PhxArt Collection have been donated to the Museum by various longtime donors and supporters, including Robert H. Clague and Waynor and Laurie Petrie-Rogers. This special installation also showcases the most recent gifts from the Rogers collection, on view for the first time in our galleries.

Pair of ewers, Qing dynasty, second half of 18th century, China. Cloisonné enamel. Museum purchase and gift of Mr. Robert H. Clague. Photo: Ken Howie