| The metal-roughcast enamel craft is the youngest branch in the long history of Chinese arts and crafts. Cloisonn¨¦ enamel and painted enamel, its two categories, developed respectively at the end of the 13th century and at the beginning of the 17th century under the influence of foreign cultures. With red copper as roughcast and mineral as glaze, the enamel works were produced for the nobility rather than the people. Their patterns are as glistening as gems, as colorful as rainbow and as bright as gold. In comparison with other cultural relics handed down from the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, metal-roughcast enamel artifacts are mostly preserved in the Palace Museum. The representative works exhibited here reflect the glorious achievement of enamel craft as well as display the creative talent and outstanding contribution of the Chinese people in the aspect of absorbing foreign cultures and developing national tradition. |
