![Enamel View](images/enamel_view.gif)
INTRO TO ENAMEL:
Enamel is, simply put, a mixture of powdered glass and metallic
oxides that has been melted and fused to a metal surface. The glass
used by enamellists is crushed to a powder somewhat finer than granulated
sugar but coarser than flour. This powder is applied to a metal
surface (gold, silver, and copper, steel among others) by one of
several methods described below. The item is heated to between 1000˚F
and 16000˚F either in a preheated kiln or with a handheld torch.
After a few minutes (ranging from one-and-a-half to ten minutes)
the item is removed and allowed to cool to room temperature. Subsequent
layers of enamel, normally of different colours, are applied. Upwards
of ten to twenty firings are often required to bring about the desired
results.
Enamel glass has a slightly
different chemical composition than ordinary glass. The most common
glass used by enamellists is a fusion of silica, soda, lime and
a small amount of borax. The addition of borax allows the glass
to fuse at a lower temperature, making it easier to work with.
Enamel can range from
transparent to translucent or opaque. Colours are produced by adding
metallic oxides into the powdered glass before firing. CLARITY,
BRILLIANCE and DEPTH are qualities to look for in
judging enamels.
Different types of enamels
and different colours can be combined in overlapping layers to produce
any number of other colours and effects. For example, a translucent
yellow layered over a blue opaque would produce a green with much
more depth than just using a green enamel.
VARIOUS
ENAMELLING TECHNIQUES:
In addition to the basic methods there are a number of
different enameling techniques employed by artists.
Cloisonné:
Thin metal wires, or cloisons, are fastened to the metal
base, like fences, creating individual areas or pens for each colour.
The pens are filled with layer upon layer of enamel until they are
full. The piece is then polished so it will have a smooth even surface.
The metal cloisons show between the areas of colour in the finished
piece.
Plique-à-jour:
This method is essentially cloisonné without the
metal backing. It is transparent, allowing the light of day to pass
through. To achieve this effect the metal base is pierced by cutting
holes into it. These holes are then inlaid with enamel. A variation
of this technique involves soldering cloisons together to create
a web of empty cells, which are then inlaid with enamel.
Champlevé:
In this method, rather than building metal walls onto
the base (as in cloisonné~), the base itself is chiseled,
etched or engraved to produce the individual pens. The effect is
similar to that of cloisonné, but with champlevé larger
areas of metal can be left between areas of coloured enamel. The
final piece has a smooth even surface with areas of metal showing
between the areas of colour.
Basse
Taille:
A type of enamelling in which the artist first carves
the subject in low relief, usually in silver, and then covers this
with a transparent enamel which, after fusing, is level with the
uncarved part. The contours and dimensions of the design show through
the transparent enamel.
Limoges:
In the Limoges technique finely ground enamels are painted
with a brush on to a previously fired enamel surface. This painterly
approach to the medium was perfected in Limoges, France, during
the fifteenth century.
Scrafitto:
A layer of fired enamel is covered with a layer of contrasting
enamel. The design is scratched through the top layer revealing
the base coat. A second firing sets the design.
Enamels may be further
enhanced by the addition of precious and semi-precious stones such
as rubies and opals. Paillons may also be used. These are small
pieces of die-stamped gold or silver foil cut out in various shapes
such as flowers, stats, circles, etc. Paillons are fired into the
enamel surface or transparent enamels are fired on top of the foil.
Suggested
further reading:
Matthews, Glenice Lesley,
Enamels, Enamelling, Enamellists, Radner, Pa: Chilton Book
Co., c1984
Ball, Fred, Experimental Techniques in Enamelling, New York:
Van Nostrand Reinhold, c1982
Liban, Felicia, Cloisonné Enamelling and Jewellery Making,
Radner, Pa: Chilton Book Co.
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