A Brief History of Enamelling
(right)The earliest known enamel objects from anywhere in the World were found
in a tomb at Kouklia in Cyprus in 1952. Six rings including the cloisonné (1) example pictured on the right were developed by refugee Mycenean
craftsmen who emigrated to Cyprus to escape the troubled mainland. It is
thought that these craftsmen developed enamelling initially on copper as
it was mined on the island. This
example is believed to have been made in the 13th century B.C. |
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(left) In another tomb at Kourion in Cyprus an 11th century B.C. sceptre was discovered,
it also has cloisonné (1) enamel on the handle. These objects indicate that the technique of cloisonné
enamelling was invented during the 13th century in Cyprus.
When Caesars conquest of Britain began in c. AD43, he would have found that
the Celts were already using red and blue enamels in the champleve (2) technique although this would have been one of the last things on
his mind at that time. |
| (right The Battersea Shield
is a 1st century shield of bronze with red enamel. |
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example of cloisonné above
was excavated at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk and dates at c. AD700. They are shoulder
pins believed to be from the robes of Redwald king of the East Angles an
overlord of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. |
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(left) France became without a doubt the centre of excellence regarding enamelling
at c. AD1350. The Royal Gold Cup on the left is a masterpiece of French
Gothic Art that was originally made for Charles V of France. It is one of
the best examples of durability and longevity of enamels. Plique
a jour (3) was also developed at around this time, as the earliest
piece has been dated in the 13th century. |
China
seemed to be late in developing enamelling and it is thought that it was
learnt from middle eastern travellers in around the 15th century or slightly
earlier. The Japanese being a very closed society in those times did not
develop enamels until the 1800s but the beauty of their intricate work
is second to none. |
| (right)> From the mid 15th century onwards gold leaf and enamel paints were fixed
to glass using gum Arabic and enamelling techniques were gaining in complexity.
The
beautiful glass cup on the right from the 15th century shows just how
the techniques could be applied. It has a simplicity and brightness of
form giving it a timeless and contemporary feel.
Art
and design started to become more realistic and less naive with en grisaille (4) cameo type enamel for
figures and portraits. Limoges in France was the dominant centre of enamelling
until 1600. |
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(left) The mogul ring dating around 1620 has fine enamelling
on the inside, which would protect it from heavy wear. The outside has wonderful
uncut rubies and emeralds embedded into gold. |
| (right) This English 18th century box is one of the finest examples I could find
from that period and many were made. Techniques were perfected and the colours
are bright and lustrous. Most boxes were enamelled on copper and were completely
covered inside and out. |
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(left) This pair of enamels of the Gunning sisters really sums up the detail to
which the craftsmen would work to ensure a good likeness in the mid 18th
century. |
| (right) One of the most common uses for enamelling was for clock and watch faces
and outer casings. The example on the right is fairly typical of the 19th
century although this use on timepieces started earlier. |
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(left)Lalique had to be one of the most inspiring and inspirational
of artist's craftsmen in the art nouveau period of the early 1900s. His
moulded and carved glass was beautiful but he used everything precious at
his disposal to create pieces of jewellery such as the one opposite. The
enamelled wings combine so well with gold, precious and semi-precious stones. |
