From the French cloisonner, to divide into compartments, the Latin claudere, to close, closely related to cloister. It is a decorative technique worked on metal–the design is formed by wire and the shape filled in with coloured enamels. Cloisonné jewellery used as clasps or buttons looks very good on cushions and lampshades–showing just enough colour and sheen to add that little je ne sais quoi.
Chinese designed lampshade bases are often made to look like cloisonné.