Page 23 - 2022 Glass Editorial

Enameling Glass

nameled glass, often called painted France and enjoyed something of a revival
glass, is glass that has been decorated after about 1750. Some artists, including
Ewith colorful applied and fused glass Henry Bone, sometimes painted in enamels
decoration. Examples of this process can be on glass rather than the usual copper plate,
seen on intricate Mosque lamps and without the change in base material making
windows, decorating glassware from the much difference to their style. Enameling has
Holy Roman Empire, on-trend in medieval sometimes been used for portrait miniatures
Venice, adorning Chinese snuff bottles in and other paintings on flat glass.
the 18th century, and on glass vessels dating When making stained glass, enameling was
back to the Byzantine Era. used as a supplementary technique to provide
black linear detail to show folds of cloth,
What is Enameled Glass? beards and hair, and movement. Enamel colors
How is it Made? were applied with amazing detail, such as in Enameled miniature
Enamel is a powdered glass made into the coats of arms of donors. Some windows portrait of Henry VIII by
some flexible form that is applied to an were also painted in grisaille (a form of painting Henry Bone
object in another material and then heated executed entirely in shades of grey or of another neutral greyish color).
(“fused”) to the item in place. The powder The black material is usually called “glass paint” or “grisaille paint.” It was
is called vitreous (from “vitreum,” Latin Victorian enameled Roemer powdered glass mixed with iron filings for color and binders, which was
for “glass”) enamel or just “enamel” when was made in Europe and applied to glass pieces before the window was made up, and then fired. It
used on metal surfaces, and “enameled” possibly decorated by the is essentially a form of enamel but is not usually so-called when talking
overglaze decoration when on pottery – Bohemian glassworker and about stained glass, where “enamel” refers to other colors, often applied
especially on porcelain. designer Kolo L. Moser. over the whole surface of one of the many pieces
Enameled glass means the enamel is fused on top of a glass piece, typ- making up a design.
ically clear. Using vitreous enamel (powdered glass, usually mixed with a Until recently, enamel firing was done holding
binder) that is fired (usually between 1,380°F and 1,560°F) and then the vessel in a furnace on a pontil (long iron rod),
“painted” into the design, the heat fuses the glass forms together. with the glassmaker paying careful attention to
Enameling can produce brilliant and long-lasting colors and be any changes in the shape. Many enameled
translucent or opaque. Unlike most methods of decorating glass, it allows examples show two pontil marks on the base,
“painting” using several colors of enamel, and along with engraving the where the pontil intruded on the glass, showing it
design onto glass, has historically been the main technique used to create had been in the furnace twice – before and after
the full range of image types on glass. the enamels were applied. Modern techniques, in
use since the 19th century, use enamels with a
History lower melting point, enabling the second firing to
The earliest glass vessel dec- be done more conveniently in a kiln.
orated with enameling dates Enameled glass is often used in combination
from about 1425 B.C.E. with gilding. Lustreware, which often produces a
Enameled glass was only one of “gold” metallic coating, is a different process.
the many techniques used in Sometimes elements of the “blank,” such as
luxury glass and was often used A mold-blown, Enamel handles, may only be added after the enamel
in concert with other methods Decorated with Freesia paints, during the second firing.
Flowers, Tankard
of embellishing glass. Pitcher by Fenton Art Glass is sometimes “cold painted” with enamel
After a brief appearance in Glass circa 1912 paints that are not fired; often this was done on the
ancient Egypt, this decorative underside of a bowl, to minimize wear on the
technique began being made in painted surface. This was used for some elaborate Venetian pieces in the
earnest during the Greco- early 16th century, but the technique is “famously impermanent,” and
Roman era at their many glass pieces have usually suffered badly from the paint falling off the glass.
centers. Its popularity spread to
Roman enameled glass cup with Egypt and Syria, then moved to Enameling Today
attached brass engraved hunter Venice. The Venetians learned When it comes to DIY-ers, modern techniques are much simpler than
from the Islamic example. historic ones. For instance, there now exist glass enamel pens. Mica
Probably in the 13th century, Venice began to import raw materials (glitter) can be added for sparkle.
and cullet (recycled broken or waste glass), and with that came techni- But there is a lot to be said for enameling the traditional way. Today,
cal and technological information. They studied the shapes and deco- glass artists enjoy stretching the boundaries of enameling, using their own
rative patterns of Near Eastern glassware. They aimed to make glass of combination of techniques and color combinations to create their own
the same high quality as that produced in the eastern Mediterranean. signature style.
Enameling’s popularity was sparked by the glass masters of Venice
as they built the glass center of the world, and the trend spread Collecting
across Europe. If you are or want to be a serious collector, look for provenance,
Enameled glass fell out of favor in the mid-18th century. In the late quality, balance in structure, and what appeals to you. And, as with all
19th century, it was revived with more glorious techniques and blend- things collectible, research, research, research. Glass museums specializing
ing with other developed decorative glass practices with French glass- in old and ancient glass have a plethora of information available to the
makers taking the lead. public. Also, the Allaire Collection is a blog showing key glass pieces in
collections around the world. Once you get searching, it is tough to stop.
Using Enamel Finer enameled glass lamps, vessels, miniature portraits, and more are
Enamel was not only applied to glass, but also to metal, and was used best sought out at premier auction houses. They feature the best of the
by goldsmiths for fashioning picturesque features on all types of jewelry. best to be found and also provide solid information on each piece’s
Enamel on metal was used for portrait miniatures in 16th century provenance and techniques used.
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