Painted enamels

A seventeenth century innovation, painting enamels use a finely ground enamel, or alternatively, metal oxides overglazes. These are mixed with an oil-based medium and painted onto a pre-prepared, smooth, fired enamel surface; the detail and depth of colour being built up over several firings. Battersea enamels were developed in the mid-1700s, using engraved plates to produce a printed transfer of metal oxide overglazes. This transfer was then fired onto a pre-enamelled item. Similarly made items are still produced commercially today.