Cloisonné Mini Vase with Purple Irises

Mid-20th Century, Hand-Enameled Copper, China

The smallest things often hold the greatest patience.
This miniature cloisonné vase — only four inches tall — was created using a process so intricate it borders on devotion. Each slender copper wire was bent by hand to outline the graceful arcs of purple irises, their petals unfurling against a sky of robin’s egg blue enamel. Within each tiny cell, powdered glass was carefully packed, then fired in a kiln to fuse color and metal into one enduring design.

When the surface cooled, an artisan polished it smooth, revealing a landscape of swirling turquoise, emerald, and amethyst — a garden caught in glass. Inside, the vase glows with a deep green enamel interior, its rim edged in bronze from years of gentle handling.

Pieces like this were made during China’s cloisonné revival of the 1950s–1970s, when traditional craft returned to the hands of small workshops after decades of silence. Each vase was unique, shaped by the rhythm of the artisan’s breath and the precision of a steady hand.

Display it on a writing desk or bedside table, where light can catch its quiet shimmer. It’s a fragment of history — made not for hurry, but for keeping.

Dimensions:
4" tall × 2.25" diameter

Date:
Circa 1950s–1970s

Condition:
Excellent vintage condition with light wear consistent with age. No cracks or missing enamel.