Enameling is glass fused to metal at
high heat. Vitreous enamels are finely ground glass, like fine sand (or even
more finely pulverized and mixed with an oil or adhesive). They may be
opaque or transparent; their colors come from the use of various oxides.
Enamels are similar to ceramic glazes, except that, whereas glazes are in a
raw state when applied to ceramics and go through chemical changes in the
firing process that smelt them into glass, enamels have already been
smelted. The firing process simply melts them and fuses them to the metal Enameling is characterized by
brilliant, non-fading colors, tremendous durability, variety of color
effects depending on angle of light, and tremendous versatility - from
jewelry (many people are familiar with cloisonne, which is a type of
enameling), to bowls and wall pieces, to large-scale interior or
exterior murals. The medium of enameling goes back two thousand years
and forms part of the artistic heritage on six continents. |