Cloisonne Urns

Cloisonne Urn Designs and Themes

Cloisonne urns are available in a wide range of designs, most of which draw from the natural world. Flower designs are the most popular — these urns with flowers feature emerald green peonies, pink roses, pear blossoms, irises, and multi-bloom arrangements rendered in brilliant enamel against rich background colors. Each flower urns for ashes selection in this style offers slightly different color palettes and petal arrangements, meaning no two pieces look exactly alike.

Nature and landscape designs depict birds in flight, peaceful garden scenes, autumn leaves, and water motifs. These designs tend toward soft blues, greens, and golds and are well-suited to home display. Asian-inspired designs reflect the technique's origins in Chinese metalwork, featuring dragons, lotus blossoms, and cherry branch patterns in traditional color combinations.

Patriotic designs present eagles in flight, flag motifs, and red, white, and blue color schemes — a natural complement to our full selection of military and veteran urns. Religious designs include praying hands, dove imagery, and cross motifs; for a broader selection of faith-based options, browse our religious urns collection.

Sizes and Styles

Cloisonne urns come in three standard capacity ranges. Standard adult urns hold the complete cremated remains of one adult (typically 200 cubic inches of capacity) and are most often vase-shaped with a threaded cloisonne urn with lid closure that keeps the enamel finish uninterrupted across the entire surface. Companion cloisonne urns are larger vessels designed to hold the cremated remains of two people; browse the full range on our companion urns page. Keepsake cloisonne urns are small containers designed to hold a token portion of ashes — commonly used when families divide cremated remains among multiple relatives or keep a small amount at home. See our full keepsake urns collection for size and capacity details.

In terms of shape, most cloisonne cremation urns follow a traditional vase profile — wider at the shoulder, tapering toward a secure lid — though heart-shaped and cylinder styles are also available in select designs. For help determining the right capacity for your needs, see our guide to what size urn you need.

Choosing the Right Cloisonne Urn

Design theme. Consider the personality and interests of the person being memorialized. Flower and nature designs work well in a wide range of home settings. Patriotic and religious designs appeal to families with strong affiliations in those areas. Asian-inspired designs are appreciated for their artistic depth and historical connection to the cloisonne tradition.

Size. A standard cloisonne urn is appropriate when you plan to keep all cremated remains together in one vessel. If siblings or other family members want to share remains between households, keepsake cloisonne urns allow each person to keep a meaningful portion. Our article on separating cremated ashes addresses common questions families have about this decision.

Display placement. Cloisonne urns are inherently decorative and designed for open display. Their colorful enamel surfaces work well on mantels, bookshelves, and display cabinets. For ideas and etiquette on placement, see our art urns collection, which shares a similar display-forward design philosophy.

Personalization. Most cloisonne urns support the addition of an engraved urn nameplate — a small metal plate affixed to the front or base of the urn with the name, dates, or a short inscription. This is the most common way to personalize a cloisonne cremation urn without altering the enamel surface.

About the Cloisonne Technique

Cloisonne is one of the oldest decorative metalworking traditions in the world, originating in the Byzantine Empire and refined over centuries in China and Japan into the vivid, colorful style most commonly seen today. To create a cloisonne cremation urn, artisans first shape the metal body, then outline each design element with fine copper or bronze wire pressed into the surface. The cells formed by the wire — called cloisons — are then filled by hand with powdered enamel in the desired colors. The piece is fired in a kiln to fuse the enamel, then polished to a smooth, glossy finish. The result is a surface that is simultaneously delicate in appearance and highly durable.

Because each urn is filled and finished by hand, no two pieces are exactly identical, even within the same design. Minor variations in color saturation and wire placement are normal and expected — they are a mark of the handmade process, not a defect. For a broader look at how cloisonne compares to other urn materials, see our overview of ceramic urns, which share some surface-decoration similarities, and our guide to cremation urn sizes and capacities.

Free Shipping on All Cloisonne Urns

Every cloisonne urn at Memorials.com ships free, with no minimum order. Standard shipping delivers most orders within 5–7 business days. Expedited options including 2-day and overnight delivery are available at checkout for families who need an urn quickly. All cloisonne urns are carefully packed to protect the enamel surface during transit. If you have questions about a specific design, sizing, or delivery, our customer service team is available to help.