Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-23
Namik AVA, the CloiSOnne Maker.
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Namik AVA, the Cleisonne Maker.
From the Pail Mall Gazette.
There are few persons probably who are not
familiar with the bright blue vases and plates
decorated with birds and blossoms which en-
liven the windows of dealers in Oriental goods
and artistic tea merchants. The number posi-
bly, is much greater of persons who are una
ware, or only tmperfectly aware, OF the pro-
cesses OF which ctoisonae enameIs are the re-
suits, and which have for many generations,
since the Introduction of the art from China
formed one Of the principal artistic industries
of Japan. Uninventive themselves, the Japan
csc possess in a singular degree the faculty of
periecting the arts which they have ac-
quired from other nations. Unwearying as
sduity, combined with extreme delicaey of
the management and elaboration of detail.
Their paintings on porcelain, executed with
microscopic minuteness and accuracy, and the
fine intrlcacy of their inlaid and OVERLAND metal
work are sufficient proofs of their powers in
this line. But If any doubt still existed, it
would be speedily dissipated by q visit TO a
Workshop where et0isonne is being made, and
an inspection OF the processes involved in its
manufacturing. The greatest living maker of
one Namikawa, who resides In Kioto. the Old
capital OF the Mikados. A nobleman by BIRTH
he suffered in the troublous times which ac-
companied the overthrow of the Shotgun, and,
like many of his compeers, had recourse to trade
a means OF livelihood, without In any way
losing cast. He has established q reputation as
the first cl0isOnne manufacturer of the day and
his wares felch from the dealers whatever price
he chooses to set upon them. His courtesy to
visitors Is extreme, and he seems far more anx-
iOus TO show them over his establishment than
to sell them his goods.
In softly shs w aas
workers. men and women, can be seen at their
tasks. On the surface of the object, generally OF
worked out with tiny metal llets, like fiattened
wires, Of varying lengths aud shapes. These are
stensd % On with strong glue and form the
differently colored enamels. This part OF the
work seems Of almost maddening nicely, and
sIeadiness of hand. The design having been thus
fixed, the enamels are introduced between the
etGsEns In the form Of dry paste by means Of
baked. after which the various little cracks and
crevices which appear in the fused enamel are
placed in the oven. In the superior work this
process ts repeated again and again until the
surface is UNIFORM and without fiaw, though as
| yet rough and luslerless. The polishing Is done
| with q stone, and Is a long and tedious opera
| ton, occupying several months In the case of
| to grind down the inequalities Of the enaIneIed
surface. until the deatgn Is left clear and indeli-
bic, outlined by The cfoisons, and with fine Wit
1t is obvious that wares which require 10
| much time and skill in their manufacture
or
| ferior ctOisOnne can be bought cheap enough,
but its purchase is not to be recommended; Tor,
4
apparent at once, the eoloring OF the enamels il
/ apt 70 fade. OF course, In order to distinguish
good work from bad, 1t 10 necessary, as in every
thing else, TO be something Of connoisseur;
| and especially difficult h Ii to tell coioFing
| which will be durable from that which viii
| prove transient. With regard to the blue color,
| which so often forms the background OF
cois0nne wares, IL is important that this should
be OF the right shade, as there are blues of
| many kinds besides the pure turquoise TINT
that is to be sought after. The amount OF
decoration, Of course, Is one Of the con-
| siderations to be taken into account In de-
! termining the value Of the article; bat this
N ust not be too exeiusiveiy relied upou as it
| not unfrequently happens that q great deal OF
| labor tn expended upon characterization which
10 intended to conceal other defects and Cllns
the best work ts often also the simplest. A
Of by Namikawa il composed of a traIisparenf
| blood-eoaofed enamel, dotted with 1akes of IN
opaque white color. Another maker living af
Yokohama inserts among his enauaels ssaail
pieces Of gold-stone; ana other artists have diF
ferent specialttes OF q similar kind Anfi0na
etoisonre is. as a rule, much diseolorsd, and Is,
tor decorative purposes, OF little value: time
will show whether the works Of the famons
modern makers ere to prove more darabla.