The first real enamelled objects were found in Mycenae and are dated around BC, but the most important findings date back to the Cyprus Golden Age BC when the Mycenaeans found refuge on Cyprus island. Some remarkable examples of enamelling development in Cyprus are the Kouklia gold rings BC and the Kourion golden royal sceptre BC [ 8 ].
Unlike the certainties about the existence of enamelling in Cyprus, it is disputed whether enamelling was practised in Egypt towards the BC or not, as some jewels found in the Tutankhamun tomb seems to be enamelled but no scientific evidences have been gained on this regard [ 10 ]. On the other side, this hypothesis could be supported by the close commercial relations between Egypt and Cyprus at that time, thus justifying the presence of enamelled items as import goods.
Over the centuries many different enamelling techniques have been developed. The possibility to use metallic strips as expansion joints allowed to create beautiful objects, guaranteeing good adhesion between the enamel and the metallic surface. On this regard, it is important to underline that Assyria, around BC, controlled territories in which enamelling had already existed Cyprus, Egypt : both these clues make the hypothesis of the use of porcelain enamel by the Assyrians very realistic.
The responsible of the spread towards the east were the Scythians, an Iranian warrior people, who brought the art of enamelling to Iran, Siberia and the Caucasian area, between the BC and the BC [ 3 ]. One example of important findings discovered in Ziwiye Iran is a gold strip with traces of enamel decorations, conserved at the British Museum London, UK.
The Phoenician city of Tyre was, for a short time, under the hegemony of the Assyrians, but it also maintained a close business relationship with colonies in Andalusia Spain and Magna Grecia [ 12 ].
This context probably allowed the diffusion of enamelling in Spain and Italy around BC. Figure 2 : Gold and enamel a baule earring, ca. The Byzantine tradition was then acquired by the Germanic peoples, who have left evidence of this decorative art in many findings of inestimable value; just think of the Iron Crown, enamelled under the reign of Theodoric AC and worn by Charlemagne and other kings up to Napoleon.
Between and AC the Byzantine tradition then spread in all Europe, from Spain and Italy to France and Germany, giving rise to several artistic schools; its diffusion did not stop in these lands but reached China around the XIV century.
This technique has been used by the Celts since the 1 st century BC to decorate small bronze objects such as brooches and buttons. In the following years, it spread in all Europe and new schools were born in Liege Belgium , Cologne Germany , Silos Spain and Limoges France , all rising along the main arteries of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
The geographical proximity to this pilgrim route was probably one of the main reasons why most of the enamelled objects had a religious and liturgical character. One of the most important enamel school, flourished around in Limoges, was the only artistic school in Europe which survived over the centuries [ 15 ].
This technique consisted in making not very deep carvings on the metal substrate and using both coloured and translucent enamels. The application of translucent enamels was mainly made on copper objects covered with a layer of gold or silver. Enamelled objects had no more a religious character but were mainly committed by rich families as luxurious decorations objects. The technique of enamel paint consisted of using enamel as if it was painted on the substrate, used as a canvas. The top white layer is scraped with precision to produce different layers and obtain a wide range of grey shades, thanks to the transparency of the white enamel.
This technique was typical at Limoges in the Renaissance period [ 17 ]. Enamel, or vitreous enamel to give it its proper name is made by fusing powdered glass to a surface like metal, clay or stone by firing. As the powdered glass heats up and melts, it is bound to the surface and creates the smooth finish known and loved by designers all over the world.
The finish of any enamel product is to do with the temperature at which it is fired. Obviously, the aim of the firing is to melt the powdered glass, but not the object it is being fused to. This means that the temperature is very exacting.
The temperature also determines whether you get a translucent or opaque finish on your object. These rings could be dated as early as BC but no later than BC and may be evidence of enamel being introduced to Ancient Greece.
However enamelling may be a process developed independently in many regions across the world, given that it appears in ancient Egypt, China and throughout the Roman empire as well.
In the 18th Century, enameled cast iron cookware quickly became commonplace and by the early s, large pieces of sheet metal were being enameled for use in classrooms, boardrooms and for architecture. These were predecessors to the porcelain enamel coils and sheets used to produce whiteboards and chalkboards around the world today. Vitreous enamel is so prevalent it can be found in almost any modern setting, from education and healthcare to transit and public spaces.
The glass-like surface is smooth, durable and non-porous, ideal for spaces subject to heavy pollution and abuse like public transit stations and metro areas. In the United States, CeramicSteel, porcelain enamel fused to a steel substrate, is one of the most widespread writing surfaces used in educational settings.
Found in over eight million classrooms around the world, the surface is lauded for its durability and resistance to stains, scratching, fire, chemicals and bacteria. Without straying far from its ornamental roots, vitreous enamel continues to be an eye-catching installation, regardless of scope or location.
The advent of digital and screen printing technologies has made large-scale enamel artwork attainable. No project is limited with over standard colors and the ability to develop custom colors and print beautiful, high-definition imagery. Fish Knives, Forks and Servers. View all Teaware. Samovars and Kettles. Art Deco. View all Jewellery. Aquamarine Jewellery. Other Gemstone Jewellery. View all Gemstone Rings.
Diamond Solitaire Rings. Aquamarine Rings. Enamel is a glassy substance, usually opaque in nature, which is fused over metal to provide a smooth and sometimes decorative coating.
It has had varied popularity over time, offering a medium that retains its colour whilst also covering an item with a glazed surface, which makes it very versatile and useful. Furthermore, it is easy to clean and pleasant to the touch. For these reasons, enamel has often been used for decoration on small items such as scent bottles and snuff boxes. The components of enamel are a tough type of glass and a copper base.
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