After some time spent watching online auction sales for
cloisonné, I noticed a number of stylistic trends in the offerings, one of
which is so distinctive as to really stand out from the pack. Some of the tell-tale features include:
- a splashy, painterly technique of blending
bright enamels
- hot orange and red enamels
- transparent enamels, especially a beautiful rose
and a teal green/blue
- jewel-toned motifs on a cream background
- innovative interpretations of traditional
Chinese motifs, including a distinctive dove-like bird
- tight, energetic curves
- swirling, flowing lines on butterflies, foliage
- tiny circles employed as background motifs,
unlike the little clouds and spirals used in mainland cloisonné
Pieces found in online auctions sometimes have an intact
trademark stamp – a circle enclosing a capital letter “K”, accompanied by “Made
in Taiwan” or “Made in Republic of China” or a string of Chinese characters either
alongside or as a surrounding circle.
 |
| Vendor stated, "The bracelet on the left is stamped Made In Taiwan. The bracelet on the right is stamped Made In Republic of China." |
On page 73 of Arthur
and Grace Chu’s book Oriental Cloisonné
and Other Enamels, copyright 1975, this photo and caption appear:
 |
| Published in 1975. "Recent import from Taiwan." |
A distinctive bracelet of chain-linked rectangles seems to
share a similar style:
 |
| The round pieces are buttons. |
One eBay vendor described one of these bangles as “German
modernist from the 1950s,” but a Google images search on Scholtz & Lammel (German cloisonne design from the 1950s-60s) reveals only a very slight
resemblance between the German bracelets and those from Taiwan – i.e., the
German logo is an “S” inside a circle, and the bracelets are often made in linked
cloisonné rectangles.
An Internet search revealed a very similar trademark
registered in 1978 for “Kloison K” by Robert Kuo in Beverly Hills,
California.
The logo also appears in
other forms (note the similarity to the circle "K" with Chinese characters on the bangles at the start of this post):
Following the bread crumbs, I discovered Robert Kuo’s
work. From his website biography:
Born in Beijing,
he moved with his family to Taiwan in 1947. Kuo grew up in an artistic
environment. His father, an art professor and Chinese watercolor painter,
started a cloisonne atelier where Robert became an apprentice at age fifteen.
Although he never engaged in formal art studies, Kuo gained technical expertise
and learned about decorative tradition from "hands on" training. As
he mastered each of the steps involved in cloisonne from preparing copper bases
to enameling and firing the kilns, Kuo absorbed all the basics that were to
serve him throughout his artistic career.
While pursuing his
studies in Taipei, Kuo assisted his father in the creation of a cloisonne
studio. A visit to the United States persuaded the young artist/entrepreneur
that the American environment would benefit him, both personally and
professionally. In 1973, he immigrated to the United States and opened a studio
for cloisonne in Beverly Hills. Kuo cultivated a clientele that appreciated the
way he "opened up" Chinese tradition. Utilizing the influences of Art
Noueau and Art Deco, Kuo introduced new shapes, finishes, and objects to
cloisonne.
So what does this have to do with beads?
To be continued…
UPDATE: Found an interesting tidbit from Taiwan Today, an article dated 9/24/1990 from the Taiwan Journal about Robert Kuo's father, Kuo Ming-chiao. The early bracelets resemble "German Modernist" cloisonne work because they were, in fact, inspired by German artistry, not traditional Chinese cloisonne? Puzzling evidence...
UPDATE: Found an interesting tidbit from Taiwan Today, an article dated 9/24/1990 from the Taiwan Journal about Robert Kuo's father, Kuo Ming-chiao. The early bracelets resemble "German Modernist" cloisonne work because they were, in fact, inspired by German artistry, not traditional Chinese cloisonne? Puzzling evidence...
Kuo Ming-chiao has dedicated himself to the creation of
cloisonne art for 30 years. He began his artistic career, however, as
a painter, and his works were internationally exhibited and acclaimed
as masterpieces of Chinese painting. He received many awards,
including those presented in Vietnam, Australia and the United
States.
cloisonne art for 30 years. He began his artistic career, however, as
a painter, and his works were internationally exhibited and acclaimed
as masterpieces of Chinese painting. He received many awards,
including those presented in Vietnam, Australia and the United
States.
His painting career came to an abrupt and unexpected halt in a
moment's inspiration which changed his artistic path. While
travelling in Europe to attend an exhibition of his paintings in
1960, he had what he described as an "electrifying experience." In a
marketplace near Cologne, West Germany, he was overwhelmed by the
splendor of the cloisonne art on display. He abandoned his plans to
continue his continental tour, choosing instead to remain in the
small German town to learn the art of cloisonne.
moment's inspiration which changed his artistic path. While
travelling in Europe to attend an exhibition of his paintings in
1960, he had what he described as an "electrifying experience." In a
marketplace near Cologne, West Germany, he was overwhelmed by the
splendor of the cloisonne art on display. He abandoned his plans to
continue his continental tour, choosing instead to remain in the
small German town to learn the art of cloisonne.
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