Overview

Enamel is coloured glass, crushed to a fine, sand-like consistency. It is then fused onto a metal surface (gold, silver, copper, or steel) at temperatures of around 800°C. Enamels may be transparent or opaque.

It is often used on steel for practical purposes, such as baths, cookers and architectural cladding. On precious metals it is used for its decorative qualities, most notably its brilliance and colour.

Several different techniques of applying the enamel have evolved over the centuries, each with their own distinct qualities. The art of enamelling has a long history, with some evidence of enamelled jewellery having been made as far back as the sixth century BC.