What is Enameling?
A Quick Primer on Enamels
From Historic Ornament by James Ward |
| Enameling is the art of applying a vitreous material to an object, as decoration, to the surface of which it is made to adhere by heat. Metals are the usual foundations to which enamels are applied, but stone, earthenware, and glass may be enameled. When one speaks of an "enamel," we understand it to mean a metal that is ornamented by a vitreous decoration fused and fixed to the metal surface by heat. There are three principal kinds of enamels: the "cloisonné and champlevé," the "plique à jour," and the "painted." Some enameled objects have a combination of two or more methods. |
 Cloisonné and champlevé are both a variety of "embedded" or "encrusted" enamel. In the case of cloisonné, the design is formed by narrow strips of gold or copper ribbon or filigree, fastened to the foundation by a strong gum or cement, and bent to form the lines of the design. The resulting cells are filled in with the enamel in a fine powdered state, or in a paste, the selected enamel having previously been tried, as to their color and time required for perfect and equal fusion. |
| Champlevé designs are made in a different way, as their design is not outlined by forming strips of metal. It's design instead is formed by hollowing out areas of a metal, usually copper, and filling the hollowed sections with the enamel, leaving the raised portions to form the outline of the design. |
| Plique à jour, or "translucent upon relief" enamels, are different than other forms of enameling, in that the design is not placed on a solid backing. The design is formed by using strips or ribbons of metal to create cells. After the cells are fully formed and closed off, the areas are filled with enamel and fired to melt the powdered glass. The result is a piece with translucent or transparent coloration, and when held against a light source, the enamels will be illuminated. These pieces are best displayed in front of a light source, as they have a beautiful stained glass effect. |
| "Painted" enamels are just that; the enamels are contained in a suspension and painted upon the medium with a brush. Limoges was a famous manufacturer of painted enamels during the fifteenth century, when the process was perfected. There are many famous miniature portraits in existence that were created using this painting technique. |
 After the piece has been filled with powdered enamels or painted, it is then fired in a furnace or kiln, at temperatures above 1400° Fahrenheit. The item must be observed diligently during this process, to determine the optimal firing time for each piece. Several coats of enamels must be applied, to fill any voids that may remain from previous firings. Once the proper level of enamel is achieved, the piece must be ground down and polished to restore color brilliancy that may be slightly deadened by the firing process. |
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