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Interesting 1960s? Chinese cloisonne beads from Greece
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Posted by: beadiste Post Reply
01/11/2018, 12:04:16

There was a U.S. embargo on Chinese imports for twenty years, from about 1950 to after Nixon's visit in the early 1970s. During that time the cloisonne workshops in Beijing enjoyed government sponsorship in the quest to produce Chinese export that would earn foreign exchange.

Greece appears to be one of the countries that was allowed by the Chinese to visit the Beijing Enamel Company and purchase directly, judging from the number of 1960s-1970s style cloisonne pieces that have been coming from Greece, as well as the account of an heir to one of the importers.

So when this necklace appeared on eBay from a Greek seller, I purchased it in hopes that it was an example of early 1960s cloisonne beads.

That seems to be the case. Attached is a photo noting what I see as some of the significant distinguishing characteristics, few of which survived to appear in beads from the late 1970s-80s.

The amber enamel seems to have been the only transparent enamel in use by Chinese cloisonne workshops throughout the first half of the 20th century, and these are the only beads I've seen in which it appears in small leaf motifs.

The beads are comparatively small - only 10mm - and the wirework and enamel filling very neatly done for such a tiny space.

60sCloisonne.jpg (159.0 KB)  


Modified by beadiste at Thu, Jan 11, 2018, 12:05:17

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Two more pix
Re: Interesting 1960s? Chinese cloisonne beads from Greece -- beadiste Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: beadiste Post Reply
01/11/2018, 12:14:45

The enameling is truly very tidy - not a crumb out of place.

60sCloisonneA.jpg (95.7 KB)  60sCloisonneB.jpg (38.2 KB)  


Modified by beadiste at Thu, Jan 11, 2018, 12:15:53

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Re: Interesting 1960s? Chinese cloisonne beads from Greece
Re: Interesting 1960s? Chinese cloisonne beads from Greece -- beadiste Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: Frederick II Post Reply
01/11/2018, 13:59:16

How have you arrived at these dates? I would venture late sixties, early seventies. And, I agree that the dots and amber petals or leaves are unusual.



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Personal accounts of people who purchased things in the 1960s.
Re: Re: Interesting 1960s? Chinese cloisonne beads from Greece -- Frederick II Post Reply Edit Forum Where am I?
Posted by: beadiste Post Reply
01/11/2018, 20:18:20

Skilled craftsmen trained in the designs and techniques of the pre-WWII ateliers were still around in the 1950s and 60s, and were producing good quality work prior to the start of the Cultural Revolution in 1966.

While Hong Kong likely served as an outlet for foreign purchasers denied entry to Beijing, after the US embargo ended in the early 1970s demand seems to have encouraged the Beijing Enamel Company and its ancillary workshops to streamline designs and production to accommodate an expanded workforce of less skilled workers. Hence the stereotyped floral designs replacing the more elaborate and individual designs from the earlier decades. One of the old cloisonne masters described how Hong Kong buyers used to camp out in the hotels surrounding the factory, eager to buy. And you yourself witnessed what was available in Hong Kong during the Vietnam war years, with US buyers flocking there to stock up because chinoiserie was once again all the rage.

http://www.beadiste.com/2016/01/puzzling-evidence-evolution-of-fish.html

http://www.beadiste.com/2015/02/puzzling-evidence-beijing-enamel.html

http://www.beadiste.com/2013/11/puzzling-evidence-jingfa-cloud.html


Related link: http://www.beadiste.com/2016/01/puzzling-evidence-evolution-of-fish.html

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