Vitreous Enamel: A Captivating Beauty

Enameled art is a very engaging medium.  Audiences immediately react to its color, vibrance and glossy surface. Throughout time enamel has found use on precious religious objects and icons, on symbols of royalty or office, on works commissioned by the wealthy and even in governmental regalia. 

Today few people have any idea of how it is created. The name “enamel” is confusing. It can refer to paint, dental porcelain/enamel or even fingernail polish. Enamel has become almost ubiquitous in describing any glossy or shiny surface in an effort to make it seem unique. Enamel artists have resorted to using a variety of descriptions to differentiate vitreous enamel from the many imposters. Terms like porcelain enamel, glass enamel and jewelry enamel have found use  but the more technical sounding term “vitreous enamel” has come to be preferred around the world. Since vitreous means glass or glassy, we find it the best term for the unique material of a glass coated metal.

Recognizing and understanding vitreous enamel is highly technical even before we try to explain what it is and how it is made. Simply put, it is a glass expressly formulated to strongly adhere to metal, and in some cases to glass itself. This bonding typically occurs at temperatures between 1400° F and 1600°F during firing in a kiln or with a torch hot enough to melt the glass and adhere to the metal.

So now you know why the surface is glossy and reflective – it is a high temperature glass almost polished by the heat of the firing process. Some enameled objects however have more than just a reflective surface; they have a depth of color below the surface. With transparent enamels on typical copper, silver or gold metal one sees the light that passes through the transparent glass and reflects off of the underlying metal. This produces the visual depth and jewel-like effect that we see when looking at a vitreous enamel. 

When considering opaque enamels the effect is more like paint or other solid surface, while the surface of the metal is covered the surface is far more reflective and glossy. Depending on how pieces are fired, opaques can produce both physical and visual texture. Often used as a base upon which other enamels are layered and understanding that enamels are grains/pieces of glass, they can be put in place piece by piece to give a completely different effect than with a paint. Lower firing temperatures of etching of the enamel surface can result in matte finishes that alter the intensity of the colors.

When critiquing an enamel the workmanship is always important although artistic effect surpasses technique. Something that may be thought to be an error, overfiring for example, is often used by an artist to capture a vision or offer a social commentary. In enameling there are numerous techniques, the best known of which is cloisonné, where wires are used to separate colors into different areas. There are many traditional enameling techniques with long histories along with more contemporary ones that expand the possibilities for the artist while challenging the limits of the material.

Vitreous enamel pieces may be items of jewelry, 3D plates or vessels, sculptural objects and/or 2D wall art. Many others also exist; creativity is often only limited by the size of the artist’s kin. Permanent color is a key attribute of vitreous enamel since it does not change or fade over time or when places in sunlight. Centuries old pieces can be found in museums around the world that may show erosion of the copper in contrast to the bright, shiny enamel colors.

Quality is important is vitreous enamel to allow the artist to dictate the clarity and cleanliness of the finished work. For transparent enamels this is especially important. Jewel-like is a term that is frequently used to describe the beauty of vitreous enamel pieces. Opaque enamels are often used in unique ways, to emphasize a line or to provide a base for drawing/painting on the surface. While the best enamel objects have many qualities to admire, we also find ourselves drawn to their beauty time and again. The brilliance and beauty of vitreous enamels in unmatched, it is truly a matchless medium.

The appeal of vitreous enamel art lies not just in its technical execution but also in the unique visual and tactile effects it offers. From jewelry to wall art, sculptures to vessels, vitreous enamel serves as a versatile medium limited only by the artist’s imagination and skills. Its enduring appeal is enhanced by the richness of color and depth, making it a captivating material for collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

We hope you found this information stimulating and now have a new appreciation for this timeless material. You are encouraged to further explore the mysteries and techniques of vitreous enamel art through additional resources, sparking a new appreciation for this ancient, yet ever-evolving, artistic medium.

The Vitreous Vault (Unlocking the Mysteries of Enamel Art)

www.vitreousvault.com