Cloisonne Trinket Pill Boxes By Smithsonian Institution Original Case Vintage

  

These are from the Smithsonian Institution gift shop celebrating the art of Cloisonne as part of the Chinese culture. Cloisonné is an enamel technique that originated in Egypt before 1800 B. And was introduced to China during the Yuan dynasty, possibly through the western province of Yunnan. The technique spread to China in the 14th century and is still common today. Japan also has a history of cloisonné, but the skill was lost over time.