For over a thousand years, the Chinese art of hand-carving has evolved and thrived.

Each dynasty inspired new designs, all revealing the skill of the craftsmen. Elaborate and intensive, hand-carving was seen as a test of the creator's artistic endurance.

Carvings created in precious gemstones, such as jade, were regarded as valuable treasures within the Imperial palace.

Combining the sheen of metal with the bright colours of enamel, cloisonne is a time-consuming and delicate art that requires the highest level of concentration and skill.

Cloisonne originated in Beijing during the Yuan dynasty (1271 - 1368). The pattern is marked out with fine wire, then the sections are filled in with layers of enamel and the piece is fired. Very often several layers of enamel are built up, with the piece being fired with each layer, which is why cloisonne production is such an intricate process.