In due time we bade a fond farewell to The Great Wall and we were driven to our next destination, The Cloisonné Factory (one of many in and around Beijing) on the north side of the city.
We drove past some construction, no big surprise, they are one of the most common sights in China these days.
Soon we were there, The Cloisonné Factory.
As we passed through the doors of the building we found ourselves in a long hallway. To our right the wall was all windows through witch we could see a portion of the factory and observe the artisans at work plying their skills.
Cloisonné enamel was probably introduced to China by missionaries from central Asia during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). It used to be reserved for the Emperor and his court, but today everyone can enjoy its magnificence.
In the following YouTube video world renowned Cloisonné expert Lark Mason gives an overview of the Cloisonné process.
At the end of the hall to the left was the entrance into the Cloisonné Showroom and Store. Inside was a panoply beautifully crafted colorful enameled works of art and a lot of kitsch to be sure, make no mistake of that.
"When money tries to buy beauty it tends to purchase a kind of courteous kitsch"
(William H. Gass).
(William H. Gass).
For a price, they make it easy to shop and send your purchases anywhere you want them to go, so you don't have to worry about if it will fit in your luggage or will there be any problems at customs.
They certainly had a dazzling array of Cloisonné items from which to select.
Our guide Henry came with his family. We all took photos.
(You can pick who did the best job.)
Up Next: The Sacred Way.
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