Why We Collect Enamels

Simply put; they are gorgeous! Enamels are astonishingly appealing due to the vibrant colors, rich textures and inventive designs. We are drawn to enameled art, we love to look into their layered depth. When you hold a piece you will find that as light reflects off its surface, dramatic changes happen in the object’s appearance. Transparent enamels have the additional advantage of the light passing through the glass layer. Ai the light is reflected back from the shinny base metal it gives the art  a real sense of depth, beauty and optical poetry.

Vitreous enamel is a unique material; it is glass fired on metal at temperatures between 1400°F and 1600° F. It is this process that creates a strong bond of the glass to the metal and it forms a new, permanent substance – vitreous enamel. This means that the color is not going to change over time – it is not going to fade, darken or lighten from exposure to sunlight. Vitreous enamels are very durable but they do need some amount of care in handling, you don’t want to drop it. The chemical bond of the glass to the metal means that even if chipped, the glass will remain attached to the metal substrate. Centuries old artifacts may exhibit corrosion of the metal while the glass remains in tact and the color is a bright and radiant as the day it was made.

Archeologists continue to find enamels that have been made through the ages. Since the discovery of the possibility of fusing of glass to metal, vitreous enamels have been created in an array of forms. Many objects that exist today have religious significance or were jewelry objects worn by royalty. Most often these objects were produced in studios where there were numerous workers who each performed only one step the overall process. Some formed the metal, others applied the enamel, someone else fired the piece and another polished, etc. All of this happened under the watchful eye of a master craftsman. Today many of these early creations reside in museum collections and are prized by curators and collectors alike.

Contemporary enamels are differ in several ways. For the most part they are made by individuals rather than in “production studios.” Thus today’s enamelists must master all of the steps in the process of vitreous enameling. General interest crafts surged in the mid-20th century due to an explosion of creativity as visual artists began to explore the medium’s rich expressive history and potential. Here in the 21st century the interest in vitreous enamel continues to expand. Young enamelists are stretching previous boundaries and creating exciting new work.

For collectors of contemporary enamels like yourself this opens an exciting, expanding world for you. Now, each piece of art is a unique object, individually crafted and to be assessed on its own artistic merits including the quality and the fitness of its enameling technique plus the artists execution. Enamelists today have broken out from traditional enameling and now push the envelope in terms of format and forms. While they still work in jewelry, 3d objects, sculpture and wall panels/art, they have expanded into new enameling techniques and firing practices. In many cases today’s enameling disregards the long held norms of small size and daintiness often historically associated with enamels as artists explore new concepts for this revered medium.

With our curated, collection of artists and enamels we hope that you will find The Vitreous Vault a valuable a great place to acquire enamel art and a treasure of information on enamels and enameling here in the 21st century. Please read our other blogs and seek out additional information on our website; as you have specific questions please feel free to contact us and we’ll do our best to get you an answer. 

Why We Collect Enamels

Simply put, enamels are gorgeous! Their vibrant colors, rich textures, and inventive designs captivate us. Enamel art invites us to explore its layered depth, as light interacting with its surface transforms the piece dramatically. Transparent enamels add an extra dimension, with light passing through the glass layer and reflecting off the shiny base metal to create an optical poetry of depth and beauty.

What Makes Vitreous Enamel Special

Vitreous enamel is a unique material created by firing glass onto metal at temperatures between 1400°F and 1600°F. This process permanently bonds the glass to the metal, resulting in a durable, unchanging substance. Unlike paints or other finishes, vitreous enamel does not fade, darken, or lighten over time, even with exposure to sunlight.

While enamel is incredibly durable, it does require careful handling. If dropped, it may chip, but the glass remains chemically bonded to the metal. Even centuries-old artifacts often show metal corrosion while the enamel’s vibrant colors endure, as radiant as the day they were crafted.

Enamel Through the Ages

Archaeologists continue to uncover enamels from ancient times. The art of fusing glass to metal has long been used to create a stunning array of forms. Historically, enamels were often jewelry or objects of religious significance, produced in workshops where artisans specialized in specific steps: shaping metal, applying enamel, firing, and polishing. These masterpieces, supervised by master craftsmen, are now treasured museum artifacts prized by curators and collectors.

Contemporary Enamels

Modern enamels differ significantly from their historical counterparts. Today, enamels are often crafted by individual artists who master every step of the process, rather than being produced in workshops. The mid-20th century sparked a resurgence of interest in enameling as artists explored its expressive potential. Now, in the 21st century, enamel art continues to evolve.

Contemporary enamelists push the medium’s boundaries, creating unique works that defy tradition. They experiment with size, forms, and techniques, moving beyond the historically small and delicate nature of enamels. Today, enamel art spans jewelry, three-dimensional objects, sculpture, wall panels, and more.

For collectors, this dynamic field offers a world of opportunity. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind work of art, to be judged on its artistic merit, craftsmanship, and the innovation of its creator.

Why Choose The Vitreous Vault

At The Vitreous Vault, we curate a collection of extraordinary enamel art and provide valuable information on enameling today. Whether you’re an avid collector or new to the medium, we hope our collection inspires you.

Explore our other blogs, dive into our website, and feel free to reach out with your questions. We’re here to help you navigate this vibrant world of enamel art.