The Chinese decorative art technique involving colored glass powder fused into metal compartments is called cloisonné.
In cloisonné, artisans form thin metal wires into enclosed compartments, called cloisons, on a metal object. They fill these cells with powdered glass enamel, fire the object repeatedly, then grind and polish the surface. The result is a durable, glossy decoration separated by visible metal outlines.
Chinese cloisonné is especially associated with Beijing and became prominent during the Ming dynasty, with important development continuing in the Qing dynasty. Typical objects include bowls, vases, incense burners, boxes, and decorative animals. Cloisonné is often confused with painted enamel, but painted enamel does not use wire compartments in the same way. It is also distinct from lacquer, which relies on layers of resin-based coating rather than fused glass.