What a great job on the two urns. A big thanks to all. They belonged to my grandmother who prized them - our family did not take very good care. They bring back a number of great memories of growing up in her home.
- Gordon - Illinois

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Ivory & Cloisonne
Ivory & Cloisonne
Ivory & Cloisonne
All of the before and after images are of actual items that we have repaired, restored and/or conserved.

Ivory and Cloisonné

If you have an ivory collection, you know the pieces are made of an organic substance. Unfortunately, this natural material is very reactive to its environment. There are several things to be aware of to keep from damaging your ivory pieces.
  • Avoid direct light exposure as it causes ivory objects to bleach.
  • Indirect light is needed, however, in order for your ivory pieces to retain their warm, white color.
  • Maintain storage conditions between 45 and 55 percent humidity and temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit
Cloisonné is an ancient Chinese art technique comprised of soldering delicate metal strips bent to the outline of a design to a metal surface and filling the resulting cellular spaces with vitreous enamel paste. The piece is then fired, ground smooth and polished. You may have a Cloisonné ornament, piece of jewelry, vase or urn.

When a piece of cloisonné is impacted and needs repair, a dent in the surface (usually copper, occasionally plated with silver) may result. This usually causes radiating cracks, and even losses, from the glass layer above.

Our skilled staff members will perform a nearly invisible restoration and provide new life for your cloisonné item. A unique and time-consuming process of application gives these pieces their appeal and value. Delicate restoration can bring your object back to its original beauty. Our team has extensive experience working on Netsuke pieces, as well as cloisonné items.

Please contact us with any questions regarding your specific pieces.

We also offer these important
suggestions

Suggestions for Helping You Preserve Your Ivory and Cloisonné:

  • Wash your hands before handling your handcrafted pieces in order to remove dirt and hand oils.
  • Avoid using rubber-based materials for storing and packing your ivory items as they can produce an unnatural yellowing to your items.
  • Handle your cloisonné and ivory items with care, as they are delicate and fragile.
Contact a conservator for intervention if:
  • Metal corrosion becomes apparent.
  • Plating needs to be replaced.
  • Parts are missing or warped.
  • Discoloration is an issue.
These suggestions are intended for guidance only. Wiebold Studio does not assume responsibility or liability.
for ivory and cloisonné owners.
Related Terms
Netsuke