Cook Islands – 2009 – 5 Dollars – World of Flowers Poppy in Cloisonné (PROOF)

Description

Metal: Silver .999
Weight: 25 g
Diameter: 38.61 mm
Quality: Proof
Mintage: 2’500 pcs.
Features a partially guilded cloisonné enameling.

The term ?Cloisonné? comes from French and means ?subdivided?, separated by walls. Cloisonné is a unique enamel art technique. Thereby, in a first step, the motive is soldered onto a copper sheet with a silver wire. This wire pattern serves as a separation of each colour. Now the originated compartments are filled with enamel colours and afterwards the form is fired in the oven with 700 to 900°C. The enamel in the little compartments will sink down a bit after firing. That will require a refilling. This process will go on repeatedly until the little compartments are finally filled. Finally the surface of the work piece is polished and the silver web is electrolytically gilded to prevent an eventual oxidation.

The favourite cloisonné designs are mostly elaborate flower motives and floral swirls. In our case it is a magnificent poppy. In English speaking regions the red poppy has an important meaning; it is a symbol in memory for soldiers killed in action. Thus the Remembrance Day for war victims is also called Poppy Day. It is celebrated every year on the 11th November; on the day the weapons were silenced in the First World War. It is also known as the Polish national flower.