DEEN DAYAL RAJKUMAR - Enamel Jewellery

Enameling Techniques

Description

CLOISONNE:

In cloisonne the designs is outline by bending thin strips of metal or wire ,which are then soldered or fused into enamel ground coat.This creates cells or partitions which are then filled with pulverized enamel-often a single colour for each cell-and fired in several layers.The enamel is then ground level and polished by hand for a sheen,or re-fired till enamels have glossed over to a brilliance.The cloisonne technique is particularly suited to objects made of gold,such as jewellery. After this the pendant is framed in 92.5% pure silver frame and a thread string is added to wear it.

ENGRAVING:

The most extraordinary enamel work of india is MEENAKARI, the enamel of champleve technique. A number of specialists are involved in creating this work.The shaped piece is then to the designer,who outlines the pattern and gives it to the engraver.He, in turn engraves the area to be enameled and even engraves the fine outline to hold the enamel,as well as creates hatching to reflect light from the gold through the translucent enamel colour,so that the colours appear as shimmering precious stones.

The enamelist work begins by grinding the glass prepared with oxides into a fine paste and applying it in small quantities into the chiseled out the space,thus raising it to the level of the surface,yet keeping it slightly lower than the walls separating the different colours and shapes.This creates a delicate lace-like gold outline.The piece is then placed in a pre heated muffle-iln.